Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 61,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% | 28,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% | 38,000 miles |
| 2012 | 21 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 60 | 32% | 97,000 miles |
| 2010 | 95 | 32% | 45,000 miles |
| 2009 | 119 | 23% | 79,000 miles |
| 2008 | 125 | 28% | 78,000 miles |
| 2007 | 118 | 22% | 97,000 miles |
| 2006 | 154 | 20% | 95,000 miles |
| 2005 | 137 | 19% | 102,000 miles |
| 2004 | 84 | 20% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 66 | 18% | 136,000 miles |
| 2002 | 82 | 25% | 131,000 miles |
| 2001 | 81 | 20% | 170,000 miles |
| 2000 | 52 | 25% | 160,000 miles |
| 1999 | 35 | 14% | 133,000 miles |
| 1998 | 28 | 9% | 168,000 miles |
| 1997 | 24 | 18% | 189,000 miles |
| 1996 | 87 | 34% | 137,000 miles |
| 1995 | 90 | 51% | 180,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. From the first day, the steering wheel was off-center and the vehicle vibrated while driving. At around 500 miles, I noticed severe instability and abnormal tire wear. A wheel alignment report showed: Thrust angle: +0.15 (spec: 0 0.05 ) Rear toe: Left 0.23 , Right -0.10 (difference: 0.33 , spec 0.15 ) Front caster: Both sides out of specification (shown in red on report) Driving symptoms include: Cannot maintain straight-line driving; requires constant steering correction. Excessive body roll during lane changes or turns. Continuous vibration of the vehicle and steering wheel on smooth roads. Vehicle bounces and momentarily loses control on uneven surfaces. Steering wheel rotation does not match front wheel steering angle. When stationary, turning the steering to full lock causes the body to rise; releasing it causes it to drop. …
I was driving to work when after running across a minor pothole I heard a clunking sound. It turns out it's the top cap for the front coil-over Bilstein shocks had broken allowing the shaft and the bump stop to protrude through the upper mounting plate. The coil did its job of keeping the vehicle suspended, but the shock piston has no ability to alleviate any stresses put upon the coil. Dealer states that because there was an outside contribution, i.e. a pothole, which had been driven around and over many times before, wasn't warrantable. There was no more than standard bump and sway than when driving around as usual. There was no shudder as though I was going too fast for the defect in the road. I dont know if there was pre existing stress damage from a recent collision(opposite corner of truck) or if the was a defect with the part. …
While the vehicle was parked in my driveway, I noticed oil leaking on the ground and discovered that the rear shock absorber had suffered a catastrophic structural failure. The vehicle is a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road covered under the manufacturer's original factory warranty. This specific vehicle configuration is included under active federal safety recall campaign 26TB14 / 26TA14 (NHTSA Campaign Number 26V514) for rear suspension failure. Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized dealership, it was determined that the vehicle is completely unsafe to operate and entirely undriveable due to the severity of this rear suspension component failure. The manufacturer has officially opened a corporate case file but has logged a nationwide parts backlog, stating that the required replacement safety components are completely unavailable due to supply chain restrictions. …
Car drove fine day before incident, went to drive to water a neighbors plants and noticed a puddle of oil in my garage. Did the shock test by making the rear of the vehicle shake on each side. Rear drivers side shock failed as the vehicle kept bouncing and had no tension when pushing down. Seal between oil reservoir and shock blew and all oil had leaked out. Shock no longer functions, dealer is holding vehicle until a replacement arrives. Dealer confirmed the shocked failed and has ordered the part. It is on a national back order. Can provide a repair invoice once part arrives at dealer, repair is made, and I receive the receipt. I have been waiting for about a month now. Seems like this issue is happening to a lot of owners. In the pictures I am uploading you can see that the shock appears greasy that is from the oil.
My 2021 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing these exact conditions as discussed in this TSB. T12he only difference between the vehicle in this TSB and mine is I have a 2 wheel drive Tacoma and this TSB is for the 4 wheel drive model. 2021 Toyota Tacoma power train TSB (Bulletin T-SB-0124-20) Bulletin Date:Dec. 15, 2020 Component:Power train. Bulletin Summary:TSB: some 2016 ? 2021 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph. This vibration is felt in the seat, floorboard, and/or steering w Vehicles covered in this TSB: 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 2017 Toyota Tacoma, 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 2019 Toyota Tacoma, 2020 Toyota Tacoma, 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
the left side inner and outer tie rods pulled apart at threads at jam nut. The threads approx 2 to three inches of threads were 100% rotted. The jam nut showed no sign of being loose. It did not UNTHREAD. No noise or any indication ever of an issue. It happened at 5:15 am. It was dark. I was at best going 1 mph in reverse. If this had happened at road speeds the outcome could have been fatal for someone. For sure a lot of damage. I did not take a picture my bad. I did ask for the parts back but am 99%sure the part I got was not mine.it had a weld on it likely to move vehicle. The inner tie rod Was cut and looking like new, not a part exposed to the elements for 65k miles. I visually compared to other side. I will dissect it when I go to my friends shop. I could be wrong but doubtful. Call if questions. I had an extended warranty so they covered under that or a warranty/campaign? …
Rear leaf springs are flat and curving in opposite direction causing vehicle to bottom out with only 100 pounds in the truck bed. This is a potential safety issue as control problems to keep vehicle going straight.
Started noticing vibration on smooth roads a few weeks ago, as if tires were misaligned. Independent service center was able to reproduce the problem and found both rear shocks were cracked, with fluid leaking. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else, has not been repaired yet (but parts are being ordered), and is available for inspection. No warning lamps or messages appeared. This vehicle has not been driven off-road, only on smooth roads and highways.
Related recalls (4)
Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Tacoma Hybrid and 2024-2025 Tacoma vehicles. The metal flange on the front and rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external oil reservoir.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front and rear shock absorber assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 30, 2026.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Leaf
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint May have been scratched. The ball joint May eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Suspension › Front
Under certain driving conditions, the front suspension support can crack leading to failure of the support.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the suspension support.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Tacoma years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (154), 2005 (137), 2008 (125), 2009 (119) and 2007 (118) model years. Suspension complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Tacoma suspension problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-514 (shock absorber, Aug 6, 2026); 14V-604 (leaf, Sep 29, 2014); 05V-225 (lower ball joint, May 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Tacoma suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear › springs › leaf spring assembly (82 mentions), followed by the front (72).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.