2005 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rust and corrosion of the frame and subframe, many describing it as severe and noticed during routine inspections or service visits. Steering that binds or becomes stiff while turning and unintended acceleration at low speed also come up regularly, along with air bag warning lights and a few drivetrain and head gasket reports.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Frame and subframe rust-through

   • 237 complaints (34%)
   • median 127,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (193 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners describe heavy corrosion on the frame, with rust flakes, holes and cracks appearing near the catalytic converters, at the rear, or below the driver's door. Many say they found it during an oil change or inspection rather than by any warning, and several report the dealer confirming corrosion but declining repair because the vehicle was out of a warranty program. Complaints also describe repeated inspections that found the frame sound at the time, followed by rust-through later. Mostly reported between about 25,000 and 260,000 miles, with many in the 100,000-170,000 range, often in vehicles used in areas with road salt.

   Recall 14V604000

   What to check: Inspect the frame rails, crossmembers and area around the catalytic converters for flaking rust or holes, ideally on a lift before buying; ask whether any frame inspection or replacement program was applied and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a recall on the frame and in 2015 my father-in-law owned the vehicle and had it inspected and all I know is it passed. He is deceased now and I own the vehicle and recurved notification about a recall on the rear springs so made an appointment and they told me that they couldn't fix the problem because the frame was to rusted to safely take springs off to replace. The frame recall has expired but the spring recall is still in effect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11354655, filed 2020-09, 162,000 miles

   “My truck frame is severely rusted. Toyota had a voluntary frame exchange program, for which I qualified. I first took my truck to the local dealer (penn Toyota in greenvale, ny) for inspection as per Toyota's program in october 2015. Dealer confirmed that a new frame is needed and advised me that it is on order. Since oct 2015, I followed up with dealer several times, and in january 2016, dealer advised that they do not have the documentation in their system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10906889, filed 2016-09, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering binds or locks while turning

   • 60 complaints (8%)
   • median 102,831 mi at 9.5 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners describe the steering becoming stiff or binding, sometimes feeling like the power assist drops out in the middle of a turn, with the wheel slow to return to center. Several point to the intermediate steering shaft and its universal joint as the source, noting that a replacement part came with a protective boot the original did not have. Complaints mention dealers replacing the shaft or, in one case, finding a lower ball joint failure. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 145,000 miles, often starting as occasional stiffness that worsens over months.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen or feel for binding or a notchy spot; ask whether the intermediate steering shaft or its joint has been greased or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was driving I went to make a turn and the steering becomes very difficult and dose not respond as it should, Toyota is aware of this problem and told me the steering shaft must be replaced, I almost ran into oncoming traffic because of the steering problem. This problem has occurred numerous times on city streets county routes and us highway route 22 in the state of new jersey.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339305, filed 2020-07, 84,000 miles

   “While turning into a mild corner,steering started binding up,had to really pull on the wheel, as if power steering went away. Steering wheel would not return,had to pull it back to straighten out. I know my wife would not have been able to pull it to get through corner.”

   NHTSA complaint #10585295, filed 2014-04, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or lurching at low speed

   • 110 complaints (16%)
   • median 51,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (88 state mileage)
   • 30 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2024

   Owners describe the truck surging or lunging forward or backward while stopped at a light, parking, or creeping in traffic, even with a foot on the brake. Some report that braking did not stop the vehicle and that it struck a wall or building, and a few mention cruise control over-accelerating on an incline. Complaints do not agree on a single cause. Reported from very low mileage up to about 166,000 miles, typically at low speed or while parking.

   Recall 09V388000

   What to check: During a test drive, note any surge or lurch when creeping and braking at low speed, and confirm the floor mats are the correct type and secured; ask whether the accelerator pedal recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought truck 4 months ago from a no haggle dealer. Just recently truck has started to lurch forward if I had to brake suddenly or a fast/hard brake or when first accelerating after a stop. .Toyota certified 4x4. Upon research here at this site this seems to be a very common problem and quite a few complaints about this so why Toyota hasn't done anything to fix this problem I do not understand. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10943735, filed 2017-01, 150,000 miles

   “On the day of december 10, 2009 I was arriving home from work as I always do. I was preparing to park my 2005 Toyota Tacoma truck in front of the garage as I always do. As I began to back up the engine roared causing the truck to plunge backward into the garage door and house. I was unable to stop the vehicle even while having my foot on the brake. However this was not the first time this had happened. The first time was at a traffic light. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10303307, filed 2010-01, 61,400 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light on (spiral cable)

   • 51 complaints (7%)
   • median 79,184 mi at 6.8 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $570 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners report the air bag or SRS warning light staying on, with dealers diagnosing a faulty spiral cable (clockspring) and, in some cases, a wiring harness or squib cable. Complaints describe the light returning after a repair, and one owner reports the air bags not deploying in a collision. Several note that a recall covering the spiral cable was later issued. Mostly reported from about 60,000 to 150,000 miles, often appearing without any event beforehand.

   Recall 12V092000Recall 06V096000Recall 05V302000

   What to check: Check that the air bag light comes on briefly at startup and then goes out; ask whether the spiral cable recall was performed and whether any related repair was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Srs light is on at all times when vehicle is on. There was no cause, it simply came on. It does not seem to effect the vehicle, however, I am greatly concerned that my vehicles safety features are faulty and may not protect me in the event of a vehicle accident. I have done nothing to correct the issue other than research online and communicate with other owners of the same vehicle. There are many other instances of this problem and I feel there needs to be a safety recall by Toyota.”

   NHTSA complaint #10364143, filed 2010-11, 127,000 miles

   “My 05 Tacoma,dash light went on. I took it to the dealer and they oh yea, that's been a big problem with those models . Turned out it was the air bag warning light, after 85,000 it came on. It cost me $800.00 dollars to fix, they said it was a 5 hour job, but it only took 2 hours but charged me the $800.00 anyway.the part is called the spiral cable, and it attaches to the air bag, they said they had to pull my whole dash apart to fix. I later asked them if this is a common problem,then why hasn't it been recalled ? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10311296, filed 2010-02, 86,000 miles

Buying note. Rust is the main thing to verify on this model year, so have the frame and subframe inspected closely before purchase and ask for any prior frame or recall paperwork. Also confirm the air bag recall work and check steering feel and low-speed behavior on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.