2009 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year cluster around two main areas: front subframe/underbody corrosion on ageing trucks and daytime running light bulbs that overheat and melt the headlamp lens. A separate, well-described group covers the automatic transmission's hesitation and lurch when accelerating out of a slow turn, often reported on nearly new trucks. Reports span a wide mileage range, from trucks with only a few hundred miles to high-mileage examples, with corrosion complaints becoming more common with age and use in road-salt areas.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Daytime running light melts headlamp lens

   • 99 complaints (19%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2024

   Owners report the amber daytime running light or turn signal bulb inside the headlamp assembly overheating and melting or cracking the plastic lens, sometimes leaving a brown burn spot or a socket showing heat damage. Several say the bulbs were replaced and the lens melted again later, and some question whether the bulb sits too close to the lens. Complaints describe dealers replacing bulbs or the whole assembly, sometimes with partial goodwill coverage, and telling owners there was no recall for the condition. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles, with some appearing on trucks with very low mileage.

   What to check: Look closely at both headlamp assemblies for melted, cracked or brown-spotted lenses and check the bulb sockets for heat marks. Ask whether the assemblies or bulbs have been replaced and whether the same problem returned.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed the daytime running light lens had cracked & melted. This is obviously a defect due to the amount of heat the bulb is putting out. I am disappointed that a company such as Toyota will not take care of this problem. According to what I have read the fix is over $700 to fix. It makes you wonder if greed is the root of all evil.”

   NHTSA complaint #10458786, filed 2012-05, 35,000 miles

   “The running lights melted the lenses at 35000 miles and I took my truck back to Toyota and they replaced the lights, said they put bulbs in there that would not get as hot. Now at over 80000 miles they have melted again, the plastic is turning black, looks like a possible fire hazard. I have seen this same issue with other similar models. Toyota is aware of the problem, needs to recall and properly fix!”

   NHTSA complaint #10619534, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Front subframe and frame rust-through

   • 45 complaints (9%)
   • median 92,458 mi at 9.4 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe discovering severe corrosion of the front subframe or frame, often during routine service or when a shop refused to put the truck on a lift. Some report holes rusted through the subframe and are told the subframe needs replacement; several note a previous undercoating or rustproofing treatment that later deteriorated. Complaints say dealers attributed the damage to rust and told owners the applicable recall or warranty program had expired or that the VIN was not included. Reported from roughly 34,000 to over 250,000 miles, typically on older trucks, with several reports after prior undercoating work.

   What to check: Have the front subframe and frame rails inspected on a lift before buying, especially on trucks from salt-belt states, and ask whether any rustproofing or frame warranty work was done. Look for bubbling, flaking or holes in the subframe rather than relying on a fresh coating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a rusty frame recall which I took in on feb. 2018 and had they supposedly repaired this by rustproofing. Since then all the new rustproofing applied for this fix has deteriorated. This truck has only been driven less than 10,000 miles since that time and is housed in a garage. This recall ends on july 28th of 2020 and my dealer says the will do nothing. Because no perforations are seen they will not help. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11328984, filed 2020-06, 68,000 miles

   “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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11694959, filed 2025-10, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission hesitation and lurch

   • 64 complaints (12%)
   • median 1,000 mi at 0.9 yrs old (61 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2022

   Owners describe the automatic transmission revving without engaging when accelerating after slowing to a low speed, such as coming out of a turn, then engaging abruptly with a lurch or thud. Some also mention a pause or clunk when slowing to a stop or a brief delay before power reaches the wheels. Complaints say dealers described the behavior as normal or told owners a software update was being developed, without a lasting fix. Reported from a few hundred to roughly 100,000 miles, usually on early-life trucks and often in slow-speed acceleration from a turn.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at low speed: slow to about 10-15 mph through a turn and accelerate, and see whether the transmission hesitates, revs or engages with a clunk. Ask whether the transmission fluid and any control software have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When re-accelerating after a low speed turn my 2009 Toyota Tacoma revs high but does not go anywhere. After a second or so it returns to a normal RPM and then is in gear to drive normally. I feel this is a safety concern because if cars were approaching in a fast manner, the truck would not be able to accelerate properly to get out of the way.”

   NHTSA complaint #10289433, filed 2009-10, 7 miles

   “I have a new 2009 Toyota Tacoma truck which has exhibited transmission problems since I purchased it. This is not a quality issue as much as it is a design issue since the problem I am experiencing is well documented and occurs with all the tacomas using their new 5 speed ect-I automatic transmission. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10283664, filed 2009-09, 1 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Leaf spring fracture or noise

   • 58 complaints (11%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners report broken or fatigued rear leaf springs, sometimes with a cracked spring contacting or damaging the brake line. Others describe loud noises from the leaf springs and find dealers unwilling to replace them because no visible crack was found. Complaints also mention slow or incomplete handling of the leaf spring recall, including parts not being available at the appointment. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles, including trucks not used for towing or off-road driving.

   Recall 14V604000

   What to check: Check both rear leaf spring packs for cracks, missing leaves or heavy corrosion, and have the brake lines near the springs inspected for contact damage. Ask whether the leaf spring recall work was completed and keep documentation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A broken leaf spring cut my brake line and my brakes stopped working with my 8 year old child in the truck. I had already replaced a leaf spring on the other side. This could have caused a very serious accident, luckily the brakes still had some fluid in them when I realized there was an issue. The truck had to be towed to the dealership for repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10595778, filed 2014-06, 100,000 miles

   “I received a notice of recall over a year ago, but only got the actual recall notice about a month ago. I scheduled an appointment to have the rear leaf springs replaced at Toyota of poway. When I arrived for the appointment I was told they did not have the recall parts! I called the Toyota customer experience line and despite what the recall letter said, I was told that the dealership would not have the parts and that the dealership would only do an inspection first. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10881455, filed 2016-06, 118,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration and stuck throttle pedal

   • 55 complaints (11%)
   • median 8,200 mi at 1.4 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners report the engine revving or the truck surging without a pedal input, including while braking at a stop or at low speed in a parking lot, and in some cases the accelerator pedal staying down after release. Several say the floor mat was suspected, and one notes the mat was not near the pedal. Complaints describe dealers replacing floor mats under the recall or finding no fault, and a few report continued symptoms after the remedy. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, including trucks with very low mileage.

   Recall 09V388000

   What to check: Confirm the floor mat recall work was done and that the mat is secured and clear of the pedals. Ask if any throttle-body or pedal sensor work was performed and whether the owner ever experienced a surge.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Unintended acceleration in a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. While shifting from the 3rd to 4th gear, the engine stayed at high speed even though my foot was off accelerator pedal. I was able to get the truck off the road with the engine off. After getting out of traffic, I restarted the engine and it was still racing. I turned it off and restarted it about 1-2 minutes later and it was normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10324176, filed 2010-04, 26,000 miles

   “2009 Toyota Tacoma gas pedal stuck on freeway on our 16 year old son. We had taught him from seeing Toyota on the news to put it in neutral and get to the side of the road, which he did successfully. The truck was towed to thousand oaks Toyota, they stated nothing was wrong and asked for my son to drive it with a technician and try to replicate the problem . We sold it back to them, lost $8500 dollars, the dealer was unhelpful and other imho rude and Toyota corporate 800 number didn't answer after 5 attempts and 3 hours on the phone. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10319362, filed 2010-03, 9,975 miles

Buying note. These are older trucks, so the frame and subframe condition matters more than mileage when choosing one; have it inspected on a lift. Also check the headlamp lenses and test the automatic transmission at low speed, and confirm which recall work has already been completed.

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.