2011 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Toyota Tacoma has 186 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls, giving it a complaint index of 35 and a Caution verdict, ranked 14th worst out of 21 model years. The verdict is capped to Caution mainly because of the nine recall campaigns, not the complaint volume alone.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Tacoma years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 186
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 17.5 city / 20.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 2
Top 2011 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires63 (34%)
- Electrical System50 (27%)
- Structure & Body23 (12%)
- Airbags17 (9%)
- Steering17 (9%)
- Engine14 (8%)
- Brakes13 (7%)
- Other11 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (4%)
- Fuel System3 (2%)
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 the daytime running lights and headlamp wiring harness overheating and developing burn marks, sometimes with a burning odor coming from behind the firewall.
- Several owners describe electrical fires starting near the dashboard or engine compartment while driving at highway speed or parked with the engine off.
- Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration or unexpected lunging forward at low speed, including one case while parking in a garage.
- Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a fatal collision and a deer strike at highway speed.
- One owner reported rear seat belts failing to restrain occupants during a rear-end collision at 40 mph.
2011 Toyota Tacoma recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V425000Jul 3, 2017Other3,547 vehicles
Equipment
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2011 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 20.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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.
2011 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- NHTSA lists 186 complaints and 9 recalls for the 2011 Tacoma, producing a complaint index of 35 and a Caution verdict compared with other Tacoma model years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area with 63 complaints, 34% of all complaints, and a median failure mileage of 95,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2011 Tacoma covering areas including structure/body, suspension, seat belts, and accessory equipment, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Tacoma compare to other Tacoma years?
- The 2011 Tacoma ranks 14th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 35, better than Avoid-rated years like 2009 (index 95) but worse than Best-rated years like 2014 (index 0).
- Why is the 2011 Tacoma rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of nine recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index alone might suggest a better rating.