YearToAvoid

2011 Toyota Tacoma Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 17 airbag complaints for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of that year's 186 total complaints, including 3 crashes and 3 injuries at a median 62,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this year in the data provided.

Airbags complaints
17
9% of 186
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
62,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Frontal airbags failed to deploy during moderate to high-speed crashes, including one collision with a deer and one head-on impact.
  • A recurring spiral cable (clockspring) failure inside the steering wheel disables the horn and airbag function at the same time, often appearing as an inoperative horn first.
  • Several owners report the airbag warning light illuminating alongside horn failure, which dealers diagnosed as a bad clockspring or spiral cable.
  • Some owners noted a bulge or separation at the airbag cover seams on the steering wheel while the vehicle was parked and not in an accident.
  • Multiple owners compared their symptoms to the Takata recall issued on earlier Tacoma model years and asked why the 2011 was not included.

When 2011 Toyota Tacoma airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 25, 2012, latest Aug 18, 2026.

2011 Toyota Tacoma airbags complaints: complaints filed per month1Jul 2012Aug 2015Jun 2016Oct 2017Aug 2019Jul 2026
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2012 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2012 (1).

Airbags recalls for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Airbags complaints by Tacoma model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201016 (6%)
  2. 201117 (9%)
  3. 20129 (3%)
  4. 201310 (8%)
  5. 20148 (9%)
  6. 201511 (11%)
  7. 20165 (2%)
  8. 201713 (5%)
  9. 20183 (1%)
  10. 20194 (2%)
  11. 20204 (5%)
  12. 20217 (9%)
  13. 20228 (14%)
  14. 20238 (15%)
  15. 20242 (1%)
  16. 20251 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 17 airbag complaints for the 2011 Tacoma, which is 9% of the 186 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for airbag problems on the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
The data provided shows no related recall listed for the 2011 Tacoma's airbag complaints, though several owners reference recalls issued on earlier Tacoma model years.
What airbag problems do 2011 Tacoma owners report?
Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy in crashes and a spiral cable (clockspring) failure that disables both the horn and airbag warning system, typically noticed around a median of 62,000 miles.
Were there any injuries linked to airbag complaints on the 2011 Tacoma?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 3 injuries and 3 crashes among the 17 airbag complaints for the 2011 Tacoma.
How does the 2011 Tacoma compare to other years for airbag complaints?
The 2011 Tacoma's 9% share of complaints tied to airbags is higher than most other years listed, such as 2012 at 3% and 2018 at 1%, though 2022 and 2023 show higher shares of 14% and 15%.

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.