TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Toyota Tacoma airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 43,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Tacoma | 7 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 6 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 11 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 3 |
| 2017 Tacoma (this page) | 10 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 3 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 3 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 4 |
| 2021 Tacoma | 7 |
8crashes
8injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2014-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20TA02, Safety Recall 21TA03, Safety Recall 21TA05 or Special Service Campaign 21TC03. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions 010171, 010170, or 01017D) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Head unit reboots at a specific location. ?Abnormal Destination Search app operation. ?Rebooting caused by no songs on the USB-connected iPhone. ?A one-time reboot after ignition is cycled to ACC-ON. ?Audio stays muted after the key is cycled. Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 010144), Entune? Audio Plus (version 01015E), Entune? Premium Audio (version 010182), or earlier may exhibit one or m
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2017 Tacoma describe airbag non-deployment in eight distinct crash scenarios: head-on collisions at 40 mph, T-bone impacts at 45 mph, side-impact strikes, rear-end collisions at 40 mph, and a wildlife strike at 50 mph. In two of these cases, occupants sustained serious injuries—one driver and passenger hospitalized with herniated discs, nerve damage, broken kneecap, and head trauma; another two occupants injured in a T-bone with injuries requiring hospitalization. Owners explicitly note airbag switches were ON and vehicles showed no warning lights before impact.
Two complaints mention potential Takata inflator involvement. Separately, two owners report airbag warning lights illuminating on the dash—one after hitting a pothole at 35–45 mph, another spontaneously during normal driving when an occupant shifted position—and both lights remained on afterward.
One complaint describes unintended acceleration at 80,000 miles with simultaneous brake failure during a stop attempt; the vehicle struck another car, yet airbags did not deploy. The dealer could not diagnose the acceleration event despite event data recorder data.
Manufacturers opened investigation cases on multiple complaints and dispatched third-party inspectors. No repairs were documented across the narratives.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in frontal/side collisions
Multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy during crashes where the vehicles sustained significant impact. Eight separate incidents document front airbags, side airbags, or both not deploying despite moderate-to-high-speed collisions (31-87 kph) and occupant injuries.
When: During various collisions between 31,000 and 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during head-on collision at 40 mph; No frontal airbags deployed during head-on impact at 40 mph; Airbags failed to deploy during T-bone collision at 45 mph; No airbag deployment during animal strike at 50 mph; No airbags deployed in 45 mph rear-end collision; No airbags deployed during side-impact collision at 45 mph; No airbags deployed during front-left side impact at approximately 40 mph
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was destroyed; others towed to dealers, insurance companies, or independent mechanics. Manufacturer third-party inspector examined one vehicle. No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall potentially involved (mentioned by owner in narratives #5 and #9). Manufacturer opened case numbers and notified in multiple complaints; case number 1909101335 referenced in complaint #3.
Airbag warning light malfunction
Dashboard airbag warning lights illuminate and remain illuminated, either after minor impact or spontaneously during normal operation, indicating potential sensor or electrical failure.
When: One instance at 35-45 mph after bumping pothole; one instance during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag OFF warning light on dashboard illuminated after hitting pothole; Cluster gauges and center warning light activated; Seatbelt and airbag lights came on and won't turn off after occupant movement
Unexplained unintended acceleration with brake failure
Vehicle suddenly accelerated to full speed and brakes became unresponsive when driver attempted to stop at traffic light. Event data recorder showed accelerator pedal depressed but owner alleges they did not press it. Airbags did not deploy despite collision.
When: 80,000 miles, sudden during normal stop attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own; Brake pedal depressed to floorboard with no stopping effect; No warning lights illuminated before incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer. Not repaired. Dealer unable to diagnose, citing event data recorder showing accelerator pedal depressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2017 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 airbags problem on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 20,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 43,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2017/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.