2010 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rear leaf spring problems, often tied to a recall for fractured springs, plus a steady stream of frame/subframe corrosion reports and headlight or daytime running light housings that melt or discolour. Sudden-acceleration complaints were also filed, mostly at very low mileage on new trucks, and transmission or brake complaints describe intermittent slipping or pedal behaviour.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rear leaf spring squeak or fracture

   • 77 complaints (26%)
   • median 46,473 mi at 5.3 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe a loud squeak from the rear springs, or a loud bang followed by a visibly broken leaf, sometimes with the broken leaf touching the brake line area. Many complaints mention the recall on rear leaf springs and say the dealer had no parts available or could not perform the work because of an aftermarket lift kit. Some report paying out of pocket for a spring replacement before the recall remedy was available. Reported roughly between 35,000 and 130,000 miles, often on trucks that owners say were never used for heavy loads or off-road.

   Recall 14V604000

   What to check: Look at the rear leaf springs for cracks, flaking or a leaf that has shifted out of the pack, and listen for squeaking on a test drive. Ask whether the leaf spring recall work has been completed and whether the truck is stock or lifted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Broken rear spring leaf. Same issue as NHTSA recall id 14v604000 dated 29 jan 2016. Recall issued for Tacoma pre-runner and 4x4. My vehicle is a 2010 Tacoma base model. Last couple of days the vehicle sounded different after going over a pothole. Took the vehicle to my mechanic and he reported a broken spring leaf”

   NHTSA complaint #11322905, filed 2020-04, 85,900 miles

   “Recall number 14v604 - rear suspension leaf springs. One of the leafs on the drivers side rear spring has broke and moved out of position and is hitting the rear brake line. Please see photos attached. I spoke with Toyota and after some extensive dialog have been assured that when I take it to the dealer and it is confirmed that the spring is indeed broke, that the dealer will temporarily remedy the defect at no cost to me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10823528, filed 2016-02, 95,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Frame and subframe rust

   • 36 complaints (12%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 13.9 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report frame or subframe corrosion found during state inspections, routine oil changes or service visits, sometimes described as holes or cracks near a front wheel. Several say they were told the vehicle would not pass inspection, and that dealer or manufacturer assistance was refused because the relevant coverage had expired. A few mention an anti-rust coating applied previously that did not stop the corrosion. Mostly reported between about 49,000 and 183,000 miles, on trucks driven in areas where owners describe rust as a concern.

   What to check: Inspect the frame rails and subframe underneath for scaling, flaking or holes, especially around the front wheel area and near the brake lines. Ask about prior frame inspections, any rust coating work, and whether the truck has spent time in a road-salt region.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while getting the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that there was rust located on the frame next to the front passenger side wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11413208, filed 2021-04, 104,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving a routine oil change, the mechanic observed that the frame was corroded and fractured near the front passenger’s side wheel. The contact was informed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11560049, filed 2023-12, 120,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight and running light housings melt

   • 23 complaints (8%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners describe the daytime running light or headlight housings overheating, with melted or discoloured plastic, cracked lenses and burnt or blackened bulb connectors; some report a burning smell. According to the complaints, dealers replaced light assemblies in some cases but the problem returned, and others were told the vehicle was outside warranty or that a related customer-support program had expired. Reported from roughly 34,000 to 110,000 miles, appearing on both sides and recurring after repair in some cases.

   What to check: Check both headlight and running light housings for yellowing, melted plastic or hairline cracks, and look at the bulb connectors for darkening. Ask whether the assemblies were replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall the yellow part of the headlight has melted cracking both lenses inside, was told by the Toyota dealership/crbin, ky the recall was over and I was too late to have both headlight assemblies replaced. I didn't receive anything in the mail about a recall, nothing from the dealer to let me know there was a recall on the lights. I bought the truck in ohio, but I live in ky”

   NHTSA complaint #11132359, filed 2018-09, 34,087 miles

   “Auxiliary audio jack is designed poorly causing failure. Front turn signal both sides yellow bulb the connector for the bulb and the bulb itself blackens and is fragile. Fake front bumper cover is misleading and falsely gives a feeling of safety. Actual bumper is quite small and may lead to catastrophic injury or death in the event of a moderate overlap collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10583470, filed 2014-04, 86,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Spiral cable failure (airbag light, horn, controls)

   • 16 complaints (5%)
   • median 68,250 mi at 4.6 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2020

   Owners report the airbag warning light staying on, the horn or steering-wheel controls stopping, or the horn failing outright, attributed by dealers to a faulty or corroded spiral cable in the steering column. Some also describe the steering binding or locking up and the intermediate shaft or column being replaced. In several accounts the work was paid for by the owner. Reported from about 27,000 to 180,000 miles, sometimes after years of use; steering bind reports cluster around 41,000 to 53,000 miles.

   Recall 14V168000

   What to check: With the ignition on, check that the airbag light goes out after start-up and that the horn and steering-wheel buttons work. Ask whether the spiral cable or steering shaft has been replaced, and feel for binding while turning at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My airbag light came on for no apparent reason. There was a recall for other Toyota tacomas for an air bag spiral assembly however my model was not included. I took the truck to a Toyota dealer who informed me that the cable and connections were rusty and the air bag would not function in a crash unless the assembly was replaced. I paid out of pocket to have the cable replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #11354076, filed 2020-09, 180,000 miles

   “Steering seizes while driving making it nearly impossible to steer. This is extremely dangerous as I have been stuck in a turning position while entering traffic. I narrowly avoided being struck on my drivers side by oncoming traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11091906, filed 2018-05, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration at low speed

   • 57 complaints (19%)
   • median 7,250 mi at 1.2 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the truck accelerating on its own at low speed, such as in a parking lot, at a stop sign or while approaching a light, with the brakes unable to hold it back in some accounts. One report describes the accelerator pedal sitting close to the brake pedal and the driver catching the wrong pedal. Complaints say dealers either found nothing, called it normal design, or did not offer assistance. Nearly all reports came under 3,000 miles, often on new or recently purchased trucks.

   Recall 09V388000

   What to check: Confirm whether the accelerator pedal recall and any brake override work were completed, and sit in the truck with the engine off to see how much space separates the pedals under your foot position.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2010 Toyota Tacoma new vehicle owned less than 2 months with 1200 miles on vehicle. Approaching red light had taken foot off accelerator to slow, upon placing foot on brake , realized, vehicle was not slowing. Standing harder on brake, it held the truck back enough to bump into car infront of me. Truck continued to push the vehicle infront of me, with rear wheels spinning on wet roadway...I jammed shift lever into park position with motor and tires still spinning to finally stop it. Not apparent damage to either vehicle or injuries known. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10352163, filed 2010-08, 1,207 miles

   “Were pulling out and smell of gas filled up the cab, jerking occurred. Experiences of intermittent acceleration had been occurring for a very long time as been made aware of recently. Smell of gas has been overwhelming. Vehicle now parked outside and will not drive until it can be fixed or replaced, have been warned of potential air bag failure in japanese plants found last week in this model. This vehicle is the only car we have, paid on it for a very long time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10663747, filed 2014-12, 22,813 miles

Buying note. Give the underside and rear springs the most attention on a used example of this year: look closely for frame or subframe corrosion and leaf spring cracks, and ask for paperwork showing any recall work was completed. Also test the lights, horn and airbag warning light, since those come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

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.