YearToAvoid

2005 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2005 Toyota Tacoma has 707 complaints and a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Structure & Body problems lead at 37% of complaints, with 10 recall campaigns on file.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Tacoma years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
707
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
10
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
47
reported in complaints
Fires
4
Injuries
16
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

Top 2005 Toyota Tacoma problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body263 (37%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires168 (24%)
  3. Engine121 (17%)
  4. Steering61 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain57 (8%)
  6. Other47 (7%)
  7. Airbags46 (7%)
  8. Brakes29 (4%)
  9. Electrical System23 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers20 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the engine revs on its own while braking, sometimes causing a collision.
  • Front wheels have reportedly come off while driving at highway speed, in one case leading to a crash with injuries.
  • Brakes have reportedly failed or not engaged in wet or icy conditions, including one report of the rear sliding out and the truck flipping.
  • Mud flaps are reported to break apart during normal use, with pieces striking the vehicle or falling onto the roadway.
  • Some brake-related incidents occurred at low mileage, with one reported at 7,177 miles.
2005 Toyota Tacoma complaints: complaints filed per quarter432004 Q42007 Q22009 Q42012 Q22014 Q42017 Q22020 Q12023 Q1
707 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2010 Q1 (43).

2005 Toyota Tacoma recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V604000Sep 29, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires710,711 vehicles

    Suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:leaf

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V337000Aug 7, 2013Seat Belts342,451 vehicles

    Seat belts

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 12V092000Mar 7, 2012Airbags495,470 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 tacoma vehicles, manufactured from september 14, 2004, through august 29, 2008. Over time, steering wheel vibration may damage the spiral cable assembly (clockspring) that powers the driverâ’s air bag module. If damage occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the air bag may become deactivated.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the driverâ’s side air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spiral cable assembly, free of charge. An interim letter is expected to be mailed to owners during april 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

See all 10 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma →

2005 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Tacoma years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution707071018
2006Avoid907821118
2007Avoid855411018

All Toyota Tacoma years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
NHTSA lists 707 complaints for the 2005 Tacoma with a complaint index of 70, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years covered, better than 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, which are rated Avoid.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
Structure & Body issues make up 37% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 24% and Engine at 17%. The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints is 109,275 miles.
Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2005 Tacoma, covering suspension and rear leaf springs, seat belts, airbag spiral cables, side airbag inflators, tire labeling, and accelerator pedal entrapment. None are marked do-not-drive.
What year Toyota Tacoma should I avoid instead of 2005?
Based on complaint index, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts, all worse than the 2005 model's Caution rating of 70.
How many complaints report crashes for the 2005 Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 47 crashes and 4 fires among the 707 complaints for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, with 16 injuries reported and no deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.