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 ↗2011 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Tacoma | 59 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 19 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 68 |
| 2011 Tacoma (this page) | 8 |
| 2012 Tacoma | 32 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 19 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 9 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 8 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded.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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Vehicle was brought to dealer to replace ROTTED transmission cooler lines. During inspection it was noticed that the vehicles rack & pinion steering tube is almost completely ROTTED through as well, this is a complicated and expensive repair, which if it completely fails will render the vehicle unsafe for the road, a danger to myself and others on the road. The vehicle has only 127,000 miles. I…
Extreme wear and structural deterioration of the rearend gears that causes a clunking and winding sound. The clunk sound occurs when the vehicle it put into gear and the winding sound as it is driven.
First experienced clutch slippage under acceleration in 4th gear about 240 miles into a 300 mile trip on 12/16. Again later the same day I experienced more severe clutch slippage in 3rd and 4th gear while trying to merge onto I-95 and was almost rear ended by a waste truck due to lack of acceleration (slippage). 20 miles later I experienced pronounced clutch slippage at 50-55 MPH in 5th gear…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 18,350 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2011/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.