Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
520 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 75, 6.3× a quiet Tacoma year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 0k–14k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Tacoma owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 2,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 75 (14%) | 0k–14k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 119 (23%) | 50k–102k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 105 (20%) | 35k–60k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 59 (11%) | 4k–15k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 55 (11%) | 41k–107k miles · ahead | — |
| Electrical system | 40 (8%) | 4k–66k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 39 (8%) | 71k–103k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 35 (7%) | 4k–80k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 16 (3%) | 10k–86k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 13 (3%) | 55k–125k miles · ahead | — |
| Equipment | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 2,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 520 complaints: 25 mention a crash · 18 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2009 Toyota tacoma 4X4 crew pickup truck with auto transmission and V6 engine accelerated unexpectedly to over 80 MPH, then later on the same trip it happened again.
I have a new 2009 Toyota tacoma truck which has exhibited transmission problems since I purchased it.
2009 Toyota tacoma automatic transmission slippage while trying to accelerate from low speed. This occurs after slowing down to between 5 and 10 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 2,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma: 13
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring. 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.
In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak. If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor. If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position.
Over time, steering wheel vibration may damage the spiral cable assembly (Clockspring) that powers the driver s air bag module. If damage occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the air bag may become deactivated. In the event of a crash, the driver s side air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury.
When factory-installed wheels and tires were replaced with Toyota authorized accessory wheels and lt tires prior to first sale, the tire pressure monitoring systems were not re-calibrated correctly and therefore do not start illuminating the low tire pressure warning telltale at the required minimum activation… Failure to warn of tire deflations is a non-compliance with FMVSS 138 and could lead to tire failure increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. 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.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 170
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released
Toyota has received a number of reports regarding Propeller Shaft Universal Joints on certain 2005-2011 model year Tacoma vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a condition where there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise
Neighbouring years
2008 Tacoma: 450 complaints, keep it · 2010 Tacoma: 294 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Tacoma year
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Questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
520 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 75, 6.3× a quiet Tacoma year. At 2,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 0k–14k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (75), suspension (119), exterior lighting (105), speed control (59), body structure (55). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 0k–14k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Seats (NHTSA 14V-743), Suspension (NHTSA 14V-604), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-475) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.