VehicleVerdict

2011 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 226 owner complaints run below the Tacoma median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

226

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

12

Injuries

3

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Tacoma years?

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension5826%
Lighting3214%
Electrical System2511%
Body & Structure209%
Steering178%
Airbags157%
Brakes136%
Other125%
Speed Control94%
Transmission84%
Engine52%
Tires & Wheels42%
Fuel System31%
Seats21%
Seat Belts21%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V425000Body & StructureJuly 3, 2017 · 3,547 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

14V743000SeatsNovember 19, 2014 · 3,233 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

14V604000SuspensionSeptember 29, 2014 · 710,711 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

Consequence

If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

14V475000OtherAugust 4, 2014 · 20,000 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

13V337000Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2013 · 342,451 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.

Consequence

If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

13V123000OtherApril 9, 2013 · 7,525 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

13V014000SeatsJanuary 16, 2013 · 3,235 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

11V148000Tires & WheelsMarch 4, 2011 · 22,000 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.

Consequence

FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2011 Tacoma, 4x4. Leaf spring is broken on the passenger side. 130,000 miles. According to Toyota my vin is not included under recall 14V-604. I do believe this is either an error or deliberate oversight to avoid responsibility. Manufacturer date 05/11 so according to the recall notice it falls…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 2026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED BURN MARKS ON BOTH FRONT HEAD LAMPS CAUSED BY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 31, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HE COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND SUDDENLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, WHO ARRIVED AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 4, 2013 · fire

WHILE PULLING MY TRUCK INTO THE GARAGE, I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND HEARD THE ACCELERATION TRACTION CONTROL TURN ON AND MY TRUCK LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT ONE TO TWO FEET. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK HIT AGAINST SOME ITEMS IN MY GARAGE AND BROKE MY HEADLIGHT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 10, 2014 · crash

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS CAUSED MY STEERING TO ALL OF A SUDDEN GO STIFF, I AM AT 97,000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN DRIVING IN MOTION ON A CURVE IT WAS LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY AND WENT INTO MANUAL WORSE WHEN HAVING TO SLOW OR STOP AND START AGAIN ON A CORNER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 31, 2018

2011 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 226 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tacoma year, with 9 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2011 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (58 complaints), lighting (32 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints).

Does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.