2005 Toyota Tacoma Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 8%of 707 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the 707 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had the rear end on my vehicle replaced 2x. No hard driving. No signs of abuse or regular wear but has cost me over 2200 each time. The head gasket have now failed and in reading many online sites this is a common problem. My vehicle has been serviced and never over heated. This job is now going to cost me 2500. It started a gurgling noise in the dash and got warm one day. The engine then threw a misfire in cylinder 4 a pressure check confirmed the head gasket. The rear end is a concern along with the head gaskets.”
NHTSA complaint #11081730, filed 2018-03, 200,000 miles“2005 Toyota Tacoma lunges or surges while holding the brake at light. If I don't hold the brake firm it could rear end vehicle in front of me. Dealer says its normal. And charged me to inspect. Airbag light came on dealer told me it was a part in the airbag and wanted 612.00 to replace stating that it may go off while driving.causing a crash .shouldn't a part this critical be covered for life of truck?”
NHTSA complaint #10335062, filed 2010-06, 89 miles“I had complete failure to my rack and pinion steering due to excessive corrosion to the component. I was pulling into a business doing about 10 MPH and the steering locked up completely. I checked the power steering fluid in the reservoir and it was completely empty. I checked under the truck and on the ground was a puddle of steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to a local garage and when he examined the truck to see what had happened, he stated that the rack and pinion had completed rotted out and broke. …”
NHTSA complaint #10727023, filed 2015-06, 168,210 miles“My 2005 Toyota Tacoma engine suddenly accelerated. The pedal moved to floor and stayed there. I immediately pushed in the clutch. I checked to make sure there was no interference from the rubber mat and pumped the pedal several times while coasting. After about five seconds, the engine dropped from redline and resumed normal idle. In an automatic transmission this would have been a highly dangerous condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10256970, filed 2009-01, 25,420 miles“I took my 2005 Toyota Tacoma in for a squeal in the window, under warranty. Sun Toyota told me I would need a regulator. I left my truck there for four hours, when I returned to pick it up, they informed me that my clutch was completely warned out. I didn't bring it in for any kind of clutch repair, mind the fact I was only at 26k miles. I asked how did they determined that. The guy in the service dept. Said he, could feel it with his foot . …”
NHTSA complaint #10214715, filed 2008-01, 26,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244108Aug 16, 2023TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
- 10164907Aug 19, 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12. * Applicability has been updated to include 2018 and 2019 model…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10150021Sep 14, 2018Customer Support Program: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10146002Jun 27, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 27, 2018 Rev2: ? The Production Change Information and the Parts Information sections have been updated. March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change…
- 10142895Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10142876Jun 8, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May…
- 10152113Mar 14, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change Information and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10129996Feb 21, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 21, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Parts Information and Repair Procedure…
- 10129209Jan 23, 2018Dealer Daily Message: Customer Support Program ZH2 Certain 2005 ? 2011 Model Year Tacoma Coverage for Propeller Shaft Universal Joints ? If the ZH2 condition is present for an…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 22 | 19% |
| 2024 | 55 | 35% |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% |
| 2008 | 23 | 5% |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma
260 complaintsSuspension
137 complaintsVehicle speed control
93 complaintsSteering
61 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsTires
25 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology