2009 Toyota Tacoma Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 8%of 520 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the 520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Both left and right dtrl lenses are melted from heat from the bulb, I am worried about an electrical short, or fire. Dealer says it is cosmetic and does not want to replace headlight assemblies since vehicle is out of warranty. I believe this is a safety issue that Toyota motor company should address with urgency.”
NHTSA complaint #10567043, filed 2014-03, 93,545 miles“My vehicle daytime running lights (drl), are burning through the lenses. The lens in front of the bulb is discolored and seems to be melting and cracking due to overheating. The plastic is dark and looks burned. Because of the defect there is concern for driver safety as there seems to be an obvious fire hazard that has not been addressed by Toyota. This problem exists in both of my front headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10548255, filed 2013-10, 49,567 miles“My vehicles daytime running lights (drl), which are located in the headlight assembly, are burning through the lenses. The lens in front of the bulb is discolored and seems to be melting due to overheating. The plastic is dark and looks burned. Because of the defect there is concern for driver safety as there seems to be an obvious fire hazard that has not been addressed by Toyota. This problem exists in both of my front headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10532986, filed 2013-07, 30,500 miles“Cruise control became finicky spring/summer 2019. I found articles stating that it could be the clockspring/spiral cable. I replaced the clockspring and that fixed the cruise control issue, but it caused my airbag light to turn on. I have been driving around with the airbag light on for the last year and a half. Over that time, the radio controls on the steering wheel have quit working (first the volume, then the channel, and the mode buttons). These haven't been working for at least 3 months now. Just yesterday, the cruise control went out completely. No warning signs or acting up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11364831, filed 2020-10, 155,500 miles“Inside the front left and right headlight assembly is a combination turn signal indicator/ emergency flash indicator/daytime running light. The lense for this combination indicator inside the headlight assembly has melted and affected the integrity of the component. I contacted my local dealership twice and Toyota customer satisfaction by telephone. But they did not offer any additional information for correcting the problem, except for total replacement of the complete assembly at my expense. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513237, filed 2013-05, 41,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 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…
- 10155247Feb 28, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10140633May 25, 2016TSB: The breather plug should be replaced during any differential/transfer case repairs to prevent possible repeat failures. The subsequent use of the original breather plug…
- 10096909May 25, 2016Tsb: the breather plug should be replaced during any differential/transfer case repairs to prevent possible repeat failures. The subsequent use of the original breather plug…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 15% |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% |
| 2024 | 16 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 22% |
| 2022 | 4 | 7% |
| 2021 | 9 | 11% |
| 2020 | 9 | 10% |
| 2019 | 21 | 10% |
| 2018 | 14 | 7% |
| 2017 | 22 | 9% |
| 2016 | 37 | 11% |
| 2015 | 8 | 8% |
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 13 | 10% |
| 2012 | 19 | 6% |
| 2011 | 22 | 12% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 40 | 8% |
| 2008 | 27 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 25 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 3% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma
119 complaintsExterior lighting
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
75 complaintsVehicle speed control
59 complaintsBody and structure
55 complaintsSteering
39 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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