TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
severe 59 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
59
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
4crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 59 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 59 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12. * Applicability has been updated to include 2018 and 2019 model year Tacoma vehicles. * The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Some 2005 - 2019 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer Support Program: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to be driven with the aforementioned condition, there is risk of severe damage to the propeller shaft.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 27, 2018 Rev2: ? The Production Change Information and the Parts Information sections have been updated. March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change Information and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2005 ? 2011 model year Tacoma vehicles may exhibit a condition where there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Tacoma powertrain complaints center on several recurring failures. Unintended acceleration shows up most often—vehicle surging or revving at stops, traffic lights, or while braking, sometimes reaching 4000+ RPM with the driver's foot nowhere near the accelerator. Dealers frequently cannot replicate the issue or locate a cause. Transmission engagement problems involve the vehicle acting as if it's in Neutral when in Drive, lurching when accelerating from a stop, or refusing to disengage when braking. One owner had a new transmission installed on an 800-mile truck that still produced trouble codes.
Driveshaft and U-joint failures span the entire ownership period. Multiple owners report propeller shafts snapping at highway speeds, separating from joints, or causing differential overheating with metal flakes visible inside. One owner's differential lost all fluid and locked the rear wheels despite the transmission in Neutral. Some vehicles are subject to NHTSA recall 07V324000 for incorrectly cast shafts, but several owners report their VINs don't match the recall eligibility list despite identical failures.
Drivetrain vibration between 5–40 MPH is reported consistently, described as feeling like driving on gravel. Tire balancing does not fix it. Costs for driveshaft and U-joint replacement range from $731 to over $1,000. Limited idle control and surging at stops is common, with dealers claiming it's normal behavior while owners cite safety hazards on slippery roads. Steering lockup, parking brake interlock failure allowing the vehicle to roll on inclines, and transfer case motor failure round out the pattern. Dealership responses vary from "can't find the problem" to "this is normal"—not reassuring for safety-critical systems.
Same Toyota Tacoma powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission engagement/disengagement failure
Vehicle acts as if in Neutral when in Drive; slams into gear with lurch. Some reports of transmission not disengaging during stop, requiring driver to manually shift to Neutral. Erratic shifting reported. One case involved new transmission installation that did not resolve trouble code.
When: Early ownership (800 miles, 62k miles); recurring across mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Lurching forward after traffic light turns green; Vehicle momentarily feels like it's in Neutral despite being in Drive; Erratic shifting; Transmission not disengaging during braking; Engine dies when brakes overcome engine torque while transmission still engaged
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission installed at dealer; trouble code persisted after replacement. Manual shift to Neutral required as temporary workaround by some owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Customer Experience Center assigned case managers; dealers unable to locate defect or provide fix
Unintended acceleration
Engine revs and vehicle accelerates without driver foot on accelerator. Occurs at stops, traffic lights, while braking, and in Neutral. Brake application either ineffective or insufficient. Multiple incidents where drivers had to shift to Neutral or turn off ignition to regain control. Some single incidents; others recurring. Dealer diagnostics unable to replicate.
When: Ranging from 800 miles to 140k miles; some sporadic, some recurring over months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 4000–6000+ RPM without foot on accelerator; Vehicle accelerates forward when brakes are applied; Accelerator stuck in full throttle; RPM surge lasting 3–4 seconds; Vehicle accelerates when transitioning from Neutral or when shifting; Surges forward after abrupt braking stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers tested vehicles but could not replicate or locate defect. No repairs documented. One owner reported dealer inquired about floor mats.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota attributed similar incidents in recalls to floor mats; owners dispute this explanation. Dealers unable to provide remedy; manufacturer opened cases but offered no solution.
Idle and surge control issues
Engine idles very high (1500 RPM when cold, 600–700 warm but surging). Vehicle surges 200–300 RPM when in gear at stop. Rough idle. TSBs reference these symptoms but dealer claims normal behavior. Idling/surging causes near-accidents and vehicle to slide through stops on slippery roads.
When: Beginning after 500 miles; present across low and high mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine idles extremely fast when cold (1500 RPM); Vehicle idles rough; Vehicle surges 200–300 RPM when in gear at a stop; Idle presents safety hazard on slippery roads; Surging feels like rear-end impact
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers tested vehicles; one stated could not detect problems. Others claimed behavior was normal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim high idle and surging are normal; TSBs known to Toyota but no recall issued
Driveshaft and U-joint failures
U-joints deteriorate requiring replacement multiple times. Driveshaft fails catastrophically at highway speeds: breaks, snaps, separates from joint. Damage to exhaust, fuel tank, and other components results. Casting defects noted. One owner unable to get full shaft replacement under recall despite damage from faulty U-joint. Propeller shaft froze on one vehicle. Smoke and overheating from differential when shaft failed.
When: Varying mileage: 15k to 170k; some early ownership, others after extended use
Symptoms owners cite: U-joints deteriorate and require replacement multiple times; Propeller/driveshaft breaks or snaps off at highway speeds; Shaft separates from joint; Smoke and extreme heat from differential; Rear wheels lock despite brakes off and transmission in Neutral; Loud bang or noise from underneath; Shaft appears ground down with metal flakes; Pinion seal leak
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement costs cited: ~$1,000 for driveshaft and U-joints (owner paid $731, Toyota covered remainder under TSB). Dealers gave contradictory repair assessments. Parts availability issues reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 07V324000 issued for incorrectly cast propeller shafts; however, some owners' VINs reported as not matching recall eligibility. Toyota refused coverage citing improper casting not covered or driver not eligible.
Vibration in drivetrain and driveline
Persistent vibration between 5–40 MPH range, sometimes up to higher speeds. Feels like driving over gravel. TSBs issued by Toyota for similar issues but dealer claims no recall. Multiple tire balancing and rotation attempts did not resolve. Driveline squeals. One case resolved by replacing driveshaft; another involved replacing U-joints. Some owners spent over $1,000 without resolution.
When: Ranging from early ownership (around 500 miles) to 147k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration between 5–40 MPH, persisting or increasing above 40 MPH; Vibration feels like gravel road; occurs during acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration; Vibration present whether braking or not, regardless of AC or heat; Driveline squealing noise; Engine braking sensation when releasing accelerator at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Tire balancing and rotation did not resolve. Driveshaft and U-joint replacements done but some vibrations persisted. Costs: $731–$1,000+ documented; many dealers unable to pinpoint cause or provided conflicting diagnoses.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs exist for similar vibration issues; extended warranty to 5 years/80,000 miles mentioned for one case. Dealer claims no recall applicable.
Park/Shift interlock failure
Vehicle pops out of Park when parked on incline by touching linkage. Shifter can be moved out of Park position without brake pedal pressed. Vehicle rolls when parked on incline. One incident resulted in vehicle rolling across street and striking sign; another potential accident averted when customer noticed shift move.
When: One incident at ~62k miles; another recreated by owner on incline
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts out of Park when parked on incline; Shifter moves toward back of truck when linkage touched; Vehicle rolls despite Park engaged; Shift interlock control unit failed; Clicking noise heard when rolling out of Park
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one vehicle rolled across street. Shift interlock control unit diagnosed but not repaired in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer ran open recalls but said no evidence of incident occurred. Manufacturer not notified in shift interlock failure case.
Limited-slip differential issues
Grabbing feeling and noise in rear end when releasing parking brake and starting from stop. Dealers claim this is normal for limited-slip differentials, but owner reports it began after ~1 year of ownership and noise is increasing. Not present when vehicle was new.
When: After approximately 1 year of ownership; problem ongoing for at least 5 months
Symptoms owners cite: Grabbing feeling and audible noise in rear end; Noise occurs when releasing parking brake and starting from parking lot; Noise is increasing in volume over time; Symptom was not present when vehicle was new
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealer claimed normal behavior.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed grabbing noise is normal operation of limited-slip differential
Differential failure and overheating
Rear differential overheats and loses fluid. Pinion gear appears ground down with metal flakes present. Pinion seal leaks. Rear wheels lock despite all brakes off and transmission in Neutral. Smoke and extreme heat when failure occurs.
When: One case at highway speed (~70 MPH); mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke and steam from differential; Differential very hot to touch; No fluid in differential; Pinion gear ground down with metal flakes; Pinion seal leak; Loss of acceleration despite engine revving; Both rear wheels locked despite brakes off
Repairs/costs cited: Owner removed third member assembly and found fluid loss and internal damage. No dealer repair documented.
Manual transmission clutch and engine control issues
Engine RPM does not decrease properly during shifts (upshift 4th–5th or downshift 5th–4th with clutch depressed). RPMs remain constant for several seconds then increase or decrease slowly, causing engine speed/vehicle speed to increase despite clutch engagement. Results in excessive clutch slippage and safety concern.
When: Highway speeds; no specific mileage cited
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM remains constant during shift then increases for several seconds before decreasing; Engine RPM remains constant for several seconds then decreases; Engine RPM decreases very slowly during shift (not clean shift execution); Engine speed increases despite clutch pedal depressed; Accelerator 'goosing' has no effect on RPM response
Repairs/costs cited: Owner attributes to poor engine control software.
Steering failure
Steering wheel locked up without warning at low speed. Vehicle crashed into pole. Driver sustained fractured pelvis. One police report filed. Vehicle destroyed.
When: At approximately 74,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Popping sound in steering wheel; Steering wheel locked up without warning at ~10 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle completely destroyed; towed to salvage yard
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Rear-end shaking/cone failure
Rear end shakes abnormally when shifting into Drive. Cone on rear end required replacement. Problem recurred after repair.
When: At 5,000 miles (early ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shaking in rear end when shifting to Drive; Shaking recurred after cone replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Cone on rear end replaced at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated nothing could be done to assist after failure recurred
Harsh transmission shift
Harsh, stuttering shift between 1st and 2nd gear. Shift feels jerky and abrupt. Begins early in ownership.
When: After 500 miles; early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Harsh stutter shift between 1st and 2nd gear
Transfer case/4WD actuator failure
Four-wheel drive actuator/transfer case motor failed and was not repairable; had to be replaced. Dealership indicated this is a common failure.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: 4WD actuator/transfer case motor fails and does not function
Repairs/costs cited: Motor not repairable; complete replacement required at considerable cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership staff indicated this failure happens often
Cold weather clutch stiction
Clutch does not return or returns very slowly in extreme cold (single digits or below zero). Returned to dealer for service; dealer found no problems and advised customer to return when temperature is colder.
When: Extreme cold temperatures (single digits or below zero)
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch will not return or returns very slowly in extreme cold
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found no problems.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised to return for service during colder temperatures
Synthesized from 59 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My truck has a vibration in the rear of the truck we have balanced the drive line 3 times replaced both u-joints and there is still a vibration between 30 and 40 miles per hour. I took it to the Toyota dearer ship and they keep it almost 2 weeks and first said it was the tires, and then the transmission and then the wheels and then maybe if I spent the money and put a new drive line on that might…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the rear driveshaft fractured at the knuckle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v324000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 59 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 42 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 15,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.