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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-TOYOTA-TACOMANHTSA data synced 21 hours ago
Toyota
2009 Toyota Tacoma problems
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 519 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 519 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 114 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,509 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
1
Critical
11
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Tacoma?
Avoid — the lighting
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the lighting was repaired or replaced.
15 fire-related complaints on the lighting
Cruise-control: 45 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,200–15,000 mi
Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average
13 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Toyota Tacoma? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
suspension — 114 owner reports
· tends to show around 78,509 mi · ~$900 to fix
lighting — 84 owner reports
· tends to show around 50,279 mi · ~$250 to fix
powertrain — 68 owner reports
· tends to show around 26,942 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 45 owner reports
· tends to show around 19,049 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: lighting is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 50,279 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 13 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the daytime running lights became overheated and fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while attempting to park and depressing the brakes, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into a pole. The contact stated that the brake and accelerator pedals were too close together and she has…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota tacoma. While driving the radio will suddenly turn off without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The technician stated that radio needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 3000. Updated…
Had a problem with your 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine Toyota or Lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and Lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331, Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
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
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.2 out of 10 based on 519 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the lighting was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 15 fire-related complaints on the lighting; Cruise-control: 45 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,200–15,000 mi; Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average; 13 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 114 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,509 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 519 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 78,509 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 114 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,509 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,509 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Tacoma has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 519 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 21 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Tacoma.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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