2009 TOYOTA TACOMA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. This model year has 515 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Toyota Tacoma Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Transmission / Drivetrain
Considering a 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 119 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 105 | — | 16 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 75 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 59 | 16 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 52 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 40 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 38 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 35 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 13 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 515 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,619. It was later discovered through Carfax in August 2025 that the mi…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the chassis was rusted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that an unknown Toyota recall for warranty coverage had expired. The man…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after maintenance service on the vehicle, it was discovered that the front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected, and determined that t…
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND HOLES ARE UNSAFE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THE SAFETY OF ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD I AM TRAVELING ARE AT RISK. I WENT TO LIBERTY TOYOTA IN BURLINGTON, NJ AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR. THE RUST IS UNUSUAL AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER YE…
Vehicle: 2009 Toyota Tacoma VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 128,400 Owner: Jacob Grove, Anderson, SC Summary of Issue: The frame of this 2009 Toyota Tacoma has developed severe rust perforation that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. My independent mechanic has refused to work on it due to…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a branch lodged beneath the vehicle and the corroded subframe with a hole …
Brake failure because of rusted brake lines.
Brake failure resulting from rusted brake lines. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer police or any other entity. No warning lamps or other indicators that detected brake failure.
I just learned from my Mechanic that the Frame Corrosion is bad. The frame was inspected by Vanderstyne (now West Herr) Toyota on 06/20/2020. It passed the Inspection at that time, so they did not do anything. But within 4.5 years and only a little more than 6,000 miles driving s…
See Attached Letter
My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?
Chassis in the middle frame back left too much rust and big hole due to rust
See attached document for complaint
Headlight shows visible signs of over heating of the amber lenses on both driver and passenger side. Amber lenses are melted, obscured, burned through and causing additional discoloration to the clear lens of the headlight itself. This creates a safety issue for both driver and p…
We recently went to have new tires put on the Tacoma at Costco. The Costco technician said that the frame was rusted and he had a similar problem with his Tacoma and Toyota repaired it. He told us that he couldn't install the new tires with the rusted frame and suggested that w…
Frame is rusted out under engine above axle housing.
Just learned from CT Toyota dealer that my 2009 Toyota Tacoma frame has significant corrosion and that it's time to replace frame or vehicle. Very disappointed. Vehicle did go in for recall service on 12/7/17 and CRC spray was applied as frame was determined ok at that time. L…
Frame rotten from salt corrosion. Rust holes in frame.
Rust flaking frame small hole
I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma that has a significant amount of frame rust. I have recently learned that Toyota lost a class action lawsuit on this model of Tacoma because the frames would rot quickly. I was not aware of this recall, nor was I notified and because of that I missed t…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma.
Recalls for 2009 Toyota Tacoma
13 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2009 Toyota Tacoma — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 515 NHTSA owner complaints, 25 crash-related, and 13 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (119 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (119 complaints). #2: Headlight/Taillight Failures (105 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (75 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?▾
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 25 crash-related complaints and 18 fire reports out of 515 total NHTSA complaints. 2 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?▾
Yes — 13 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The largest issue: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Tacoma?▾
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Tacoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Toyota Tacoma
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.