2009 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, and carries a rank of Avoid. It has 519 complaints, 13 recalls, and its top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 24% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Tacoma years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 519
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 18
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 17 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2009 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires125 (24%)
- Electrical System124 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain75 (14%)
- Engine74 (14%)
- Structure & Body55 (11%)
- Steering39 (8%)
- Brakes36 (7%)
- Other29 (6%)
- Airbags13 (3%)
- Fuel System6 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while driving above 45 mph, leading to loss of control and a crash.
- Brakes reported as unresponsive or requiring extreme pedal pressure, in some cases failing to stop the truck before a collision.
- Radio and dashboard lights reported to turn on and off without warning, sometimes accompanied by flickering.
- Driver frontal airbag reported to not deploy in a low-speed crash, while a side airbag deployed later without warning.
- Daylight running light lens reported to burn, melt, or break due to heat buildup in the light housing.
2009 Toyota Tacoma recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2009 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 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.
2009 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Compared to other Tacoma model years, the 2009 ranks near the bottom, with a complaint index of 95 and a rank of 2 out of 21 years by owner complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tacoma years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
- Owners most often reported issues with Suspension, Wheels & Tires (24% of complaints) and the Electrical System (24% of complaints), followed by Transmission & Powertrain and Engine issues, each at 14%.
- Does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2009 Tacoma, covering areas including Structure & Body, Suspension, Airbags, and Seat Belts. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Tacoma should I avoid instead of 2009?
- Among other years, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2024, and 2025 also carry Avoid verdicts, with 2024 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2014 model year has the lowest complaint index at 0 and a Best verdict.
- How many complaints does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have?
- NHTSA lists 519 complaints for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, including 25 crashes, 18 fires, and 2 injuries.