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2007 Toyota Tacoma Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Toyota Tacoma has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Frame and chassis corrosion.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Toyota Tacoma.

Reported to NHTSA

Frame and chassis corrosion

STRUCTURE

74 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2025-10

“My Tacoma has a frame rust issue. I have been told that Toyota did a "voluntary recall" and replaced rusty frames under warranty but that program has ended”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556691
“2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUSTED FRAME. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH A RUSTED FRAME AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THIS DEFECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11503141
“INSPECTION NOTICED UNDERFRAME IS BADLY RUSTED (PENETRATION NOT SURFACE RUST) AND IS IN DANGER OF FAILING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10840009

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Delayed rear leaf spring recall repairs

SUSPENSION

30 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2014”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10822489
“RECEIVED THE NOTICE IN APRIL 2016. WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 7-29-2016 AND TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER. ITS BEEN MORE THAN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ON A SAFETY RECALL THAT SEEMS SERIOUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10891761
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10906898

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermediate steering shaft corrosion and seizure

STEERING

28 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2022-05

“Steering has developed a clunk at low speeds. Appears intermediate shaft is bad. Dealer wants over 500 to replace. Online it is a very common problem. The steering shaft goes bad ..how much more dangerous can you get?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463742
“STEERING SEIZED, LATER DETERMINED TO BE A SEVERELY CORRODED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT. WAS TURNING A CORNER AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11006462
“THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT RUSTS AND CAUSES THE STEERING TO STIFFEN UNEXPECTEDLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208753

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear driveshaft and U-joint failure

POWER TRAIN

16 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2021-07

“THE REAR PROPELLER SHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 2 AT 60 M.P.H. (WASHINGTON STATE). THE DRIVELINE FLAILED AROUND AND DAMAGED THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE METAL BRACKET COMMON TO THE FUEL TANK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11001384
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AT THE KNUCKLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10937557
“THE U JOINTS ON MY 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA DETERIORATED TO THE POINT IN WHICH I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THEM, MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS ISSUE WITH THE U-JOINTS HAS NOW LED TO AN INCREASE DETERIORATION IN MY DRIVE SHAFT AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080991

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank strap corrosion

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2023-05

“Gas tank gas strap bracket rusted off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522611
“The rear strap that holds the gas tank to the bottom of the truck broke. When It came loose on one side it dropped to the street and was bounced up and bent up against the flexible, rear brake line”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11456290
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926602

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and recall eligibility

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2025-11

“Single car accident resulting in rollover. Concerns about NO airbag deployment”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700448
“"TAKATA RECALL". I WAS IN MOTION TRAVEL HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE AIRBAG PART CUT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CHIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11123368
“MY TOYOTA TACOMA (2007) APPEARS TO QUALIFY FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL BUT SEARCHING MY VIN DOES NOT BRING IT UP. THE MANUFACTURING FACILITY, DATES AND VIN RANGE ALL SEEM TO MATCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11194788

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

209 crashes 1990–2024

How the 209 occupant deaths break down

167

driver deaths

42

passenger deaths

209

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

65

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Toyota Tacoma reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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