2011 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Tacoma years
The 2011 Toyota Tacoma has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Tacoma years. It has 186 complaints, 9 recalls, and a top problem area of Suspension, Wheels & Tires (63 complaints, 34% share).
- Complaints
- 186
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 17.5 city / 20.5 hwy
Top 2011 Toyota Tacoma problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the front turn signal housing lens melting from heat buildup, burning out the bulb and charring the socket.
- Some describe a burning odor and a burned wiring harness behind the firewall, with the daytime running light fixtures melting.
- Reports include sudden unintended acceleration while stopped in traffic, causing the truck to hit the vehicle ahead.
- One owner described the steering shaft u-joint seizing, causing a total loss of steering control.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal crashes, including one crash into a deer and one crash into a wall.
- A parked 2011 Tacoma reportedly caught fire near the engine area and the fire spread to a nearby residence.
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?
- Compared with other Tacoma model years, the 2011 has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst of 16 years tracked, which earns it a "Good" verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 63 of 186 complaints (34% share), with a median mileage at failure of 95,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, covering areas like Structure & Body, Suspension, Seat Belts, and Other, with none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2011 Tacoma compare to the 2012 and 2013 model years?
- The 2012 Tacoma has a Complaint Index of 80 and an "Avoid" verdict, while the 2013 Tacoma has a Complaint Index of 20 and a "Best" verdict, making 2011 sit between them at a Complaint Index of 40.
- What fuel economy does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma get?
- EPA rates the 2011 Tacoma at 18.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 20.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.