TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 39 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 20 model years of Toyota Tacoma we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 39.
Owners have filed 39 electrical 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
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 ↗TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Tacoma electrical cluster spans persistent manufacturing defects across multiple systems. Daytime running lights are the most common complaint: DRL bulbs generate excessive heat that melts and cracks plastic lens covers in headlight assemblies. Owners report this begins within the first year and progressively worsens, with charred sockets and burned lens material. Multiple owners cite fire hazard concerns. Toyota issued Service Bulletin TSB-0129-11 in 2011 calling it an "appearance concern," but dealers refuse coverage once the warranty expires at 36 months.
Radio malfunctions are widespread: units turn on and off randomly, switch stations and bands without driver input, and display garbled characters. Owners report the dealership claims all replacement radios are equally defective and refuses to swap units. There is no recall or service bulletin addressing this.
Airbag clockspring (spiral cable) failures trigger warning lights and disable horns and steering wheel audio controls. A recall (12V-092) exists but only covers 7-channel spiral cables without steering wheel audio controls, excluding the 16-channel audio-control versions despite identical failure mode.
Owners also report door lock actuators failing due to carbon buildup, FOBs becoming unprogrammed, and unintended acceleration episodes early in vehicle ownership. One vehicle continued running after the ignition was switched off and key removed.
Same Toyota Tacoma electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Daytime Running Light (DRL) Heat Damage
DRL bulbs generate excessive heat, melting, cracking, and burning plastic lenses and housings in both front headlight assemblies. Owners report discoloration, bubbling, charring, and complete degradation of amber/orange lens covers. Socket bases also show burn marks and charring. The damage occurs due to bulb-to-lens proximity and inadequate thermal management in the assembly. Owners express fire hazard concerns as plastic melts and wires/connections blacken from heat.
When: Typically begins appearing within first 12 months of ownership; reported at mileages ranging from under 1,000 to 67,000 miles. Accelerates in hot ambient temperatures (over 105°F cited).
Symptoms owners cite: Melted and cracked plastic lens covers in headlight assemblies; Bubbling and discoloration of amber/orange DRL lens; Charred and burned socket bases; Main headlight lens fogging and heat damage around DRL area; Dark burned appearance on lens; Lens separating from housing
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of entire headlight assemblies at dealership. Parts cost alone reported as $1,100 in one case. Some owners report Toyota offered to cover only 50% of repair costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Service Bulletin TSB-0129-11 (September 2011) for 2005-2011 vehicles, designating it an 'appearance concern' rather than a safety issue. Despite bulletin, Toyota has refused coverage once warranty expires (36 months or 3 years typically). Dealers deny warranty claims citing warranty expiration and refuse replacement. Upgraded/redesigned headlight assemblies made available but owners responsible for cost.
Radio Malfunction (Intermittent On/Off and Channel Switching)
Radio exhibits random and uncontrolled behavior: turning on and off without driver input, switching FM bands or stations on its own, refusing to power on, and displaying garbled or unreadable characters on LCD display. Volume increases randomly to maximum without input. Behavior is erratic and occurs during normal driving. Issue appears to affect Access Cab models prominently. Owner reports indicate widespread complaint prevalence on internet forums.
When: Reported from day one of vehicle ownership (right off dealer lot) through later use. Affects vehicles across mileage range from 3,000 to higher.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio turns on and off randomly without driver input; Switches between FM bands and stations spontaneously; Volume changes without input, sometimes blaring at maximum suddenly; Radio refuses to turn on; LCD display shows unreadable or strange characters; Radio becomes unresponsive to dash controls; Does not respond to steering wheel audio controls
Repairs/costs cited: Technicians typically recommend radio replacement, but owners report dealers have stated all units are defective. One owner at 3,000 miles had radio recommended for replacement. Repair requires multiple dealer visits (at least two trips reported).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota has not issued a recall or service bulletin for this issue. Dealer service writers claim no awareness of problem despite widespread internet complaints. Toyota accused owners of 'internet hysteria.' No fix available as of owner complaint dates (complaints span years with no resolution). Owners expected to troubleshoot on multiple visits before repair attempted.
Airbag Clockspring (Spiral Cable) Failure
Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard due to faulty airbag clockspring (spiral cable) in steering column. Related failures include horn not working and steering wheel audio controls becoming inoperative (volume, channel, and mode buttons). Cruise control also becomes intermittent or fails completely. Owners report a recall exists (Campaign 12V-092) but covers only 7-channel spiral cables (non-audio control steering wheels), excluding 16-channel versions with steering wheel audio controls, despite identical failure mode.
When: Failures reported at various mileages; one complaint references two-year duration of problem. Cruise control issues noted in spring/summer 2019 on vehicle with unknown model year reference.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on dashboard; Horn does not work; Steering wheel audio controls non-functional (volume, channel, mode buttons); Cruise control intermittent or inoperative; No warning signs before cruise control failure
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost reported as $400 for part alone plus labor at dealership. One owner paid $500 out of pocket. Replacement clockspring confirmed to fix issue but triggered airbag light in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota recall 12V-092 (2005-2009 Tacomas) applies only to 7-channel spiral cables, not 16-channel audio-control versions. Recall does not cover all configurations despite identical design flaw. Toyota dealerships charge full repair cost for non-recalled vehicles.
Door Lock Actuator and FOB Failure
Door lock actuators fail due to light-duty DC motors prone to carbon buildup. Remote keyless entry FOBs become 'unprogrammed' and cannot be reprogrammed. Rear door interior exit handles fail (life-safety issue), making doors difficult or impossible to open from inside.
When: Reported as ongoing for at least two years prior to complaint submission.
Symptoms owners cite: FOB does not lock/unlock doors; FOB cannot be reprogrammed after losing programming; Door lock actuators inoperative; Rear (and possibly front) door interior exit handles non-functional; Doors unable to be opened from inside
Repairs/costs cited: Specific repair costs not cited in complaints.
Bluetooth Compatibility Issue
Bluetooth system fails to read phone contacts automatically. System requires manual entry of 500+ contacts one by one rather than syncing from phone. Toyota claims phone is incompatible despite no documentation in manual specifying required phone make, model, or carrier compatibility.
When: Noted on one-week-old vehicle (new 2009 model).
Symptoms owners cite: Bluetooth does not auto-read/sync cell phone contacts; Requires manual single-contact entry into truck system; Bluetooth system inoperative for hands-free calling with stored contacts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota emailed owner claiming phone incompatibility without providing specification of which phone makes, models, or carriers are compatible. No resolution offered; Toyota ignored subsequent requests.
Unintended Acceleration with No Permanent Fix
Vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input when brakes are applied. Occurs at low and moderate speeds (5 mph to 65 mph). Driver must shift to Neutral to stop acceleration. Initial suspect was driver-side floor mat interference, but problem recurred even after mat removal. No confirmed root cause identified and no fix provided by Toyota.
When: Reported at 1,500 miles (September 2009), 2,500 miles (November 2009), and 3,000 miles (December 2009). Another incident at 3,100 miles. All occurring early in vehicle ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input when brakes applied; Acceleration occurs at low speed (5 mph) and moderate speed (20-65 mph); Sudden jump from applied braking to acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle held at Toyota dealership in Chico, CA for inspection. Dealership advised no 'fix' or campaign available to repair defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota has no confirmed fix or recall campaign for unintended acceleration. Dealer initially suspected floor mat interference and owner removed mat, but problem persisted. Toyota provided case number but no remedy.
Engine Running with Ignition Off and Key Removed
Engine continues running after ignition is switched off and key is removed from switch. Represents significant safety and operational anomaly.
When: Occurred on three separate occasions (specific mileage and dates not provided).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine runs with ignition switch off; Engine runs with key removed
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 01/26/10 *bf the radio would come on and go off various times with no warning. The dash and head lights flickered. Updated…
Airbag warning light on and horn does not work. After researching, learned this is an airbag clock spring (otherwise known as a spiral cable) issue that has a related recall for 2005-2009 Toyota tacomas under campaign number 12v-092. That recall applies only to 7 channel circuit spiral cables and not the 16 channel ones. The 7 channel circuits are steering wheels without the audio controls,…
1. Was parking tacoma in garage at about 5 MPH or less; when I applied the brakes, the vehicle accelerated. Put gear into neutral to avoid crash. (sept 2009; about 1500 miles on vehicle) 2. Was slowing down; at a speed of approximately 20 MPH I applied the brakes and the vehicle accelerated. Put gear into neutral to avoid crash. (nov 25, 2009; about 2500 miles on vehicle) ---->>>…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 19,250 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,250; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2009/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.