Know Your Truck

2005–2015 Toyota Tacoma common problems and fixes

Frame rust on 2005–2010 trucks led to a huge settlement with frame replacements and buybacks. Rear leaf springs that can break and puncture the fuel tank were recalled on certain trucks, and 2012 trucks are known for air injection pump failures.

What owners should know

Covers 2005–2015 · 4.0L V6, 2.7L four · Updated 2026-10-05

The second-generation Tacoma came with a 4.0L V6 or a 2.7L four, with automatic or manual transmissions, and ran from 2005 to 2015.

We counted 4,073 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2005–2015 Tacomas (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 2,841 from V6s and 768 from four-cylinders, identified by VIN. The other 464 had a missing VIN or one that couldn't be matched. We left out 13 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle. 2005 and 2006 trucks have the most. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Frame rust on 2005–2010 trucks, the subject of a roughly $3.4 billion settlement.
  • Rear leaf springs that can break and puncture the fuel tank, recalled on certain 2005–2011 trucks.
  • Air injection pump failures on 2012–2015 trucks, especially 2012.
  • Floor mat and accelerator pedal recalls on 2005–2010 trucks.

Frame rust

About 710 complaints mention rust, rot or holes in the frame; 602 of them are from 2005–2008 trucks. Toyota settled a class action in 2016, inspecting frames and replacing or buying back trucks that failed. On TacomaWorld, owners note the claim window has closed for most trucks, so check whether a truck already has a replacement frame.

Leaf springs

About 340 complaints mention broken or cracked leaf springs. Toyota recalled certain 2005–2011 PreRunner and 4x4 trucks built September 14, 2009 to October 11, 2010, because a broken leaf can move and puncture the fuel tank (14V604000).

Air injection pump

157 complaints from 2012 trucks mention the secondary air injection pump or switching valves (or their P244x codes), often with the truck in limp mode. Toyota's Customer Support Program ZHA covered these parts on certain 2012 trucks for 10 years or 150,000 miles, which has now expired.

Recalls to check

  • Accelerator pedal entrapment by floor mats on 2005–2010 trucks (09V388000)
  • Driver air bag spiral cable on 2005–2009 trucks (12V092000)
  • Valve springs that can break on some 2013–2014 trucks (13V557000)
  • Rear propeller shaft on some 2007 4x4 trucks (07V324000) and front propeller shaft on some 2010 trucks (10V042000)

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN.
  • Get under the truck and inspect the frame, especially around the rear spring mounts.
  • Ask whether the frame or leaf springs were replaced under Toyota's programs.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (13)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Frame rust (2005–2010)

    Best left to a shop

    Signs: Scaly or flaking frame rails, holes near the rear leaf spring mounts and under the cab.

    Fix: Toyota's settlement program inspected and replaced frames, but its deadlines have passed for most trucks. A frame with holes needs replacing before the truck is safe; many trucks already have a new frame, which is a plus.

  • Rear leaf spring breaks

    Dealer job

    Signs: A sagging rear corner or a clunk; a broken leaf can shift and puncture the fuel tank.

    Fix: Toyota's recall covers certain 2005–2011 PreRunner and 4x4 trucks built September 14, 2009 to October 11, 2010: new rear leaf spring assemblies. Trucks outside that build window aren't covered, but their springs can still break with age and rust, so have a shop inspect them. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 14V604000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

    Shop: Tacoma rear leaf spring

  • Secondary air injection pump (mostly 2012)

    Hard DIY

    Signs: Limp mode with a check engine light, often after cold, wet starts.

    Fix: Limp mode and a check engine light have many causes, so read the codes first. Air injection codes (P2440–P2445 range) point to the air pump or switching valves, which Toyota's program found can fail from moisture; a shop should confirm which part has failed before replacing it. Toyota's Customer Support Program ZHA covered certain 2012 trucks for 10 years or 150,000 miles from first use, so it has now expired.

    Shop: Tacoma secondary air injection pumpShop: Tacoma air switching valve▶ How-to videos

  • Air bag light (clockspring, 2005–2009)

    Dealer job

    Signs: The air bag warning light stays on and the horn may stop working.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall that replaces the spiral cable behind the steering wheel. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 12V092000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →