Frame and subframe rust perforation
STRUCTURE
39 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2026-06
“My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?”
“Rust flaking frame small hole”
“THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED”
2009 Toyota Tacoma Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Frame and subframe rust perforation.” 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.
Save this car as:
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 2009 Toyota Tacoma.
Reported to NHTSA
Rear leaf spring fracture and recall parts delay
SUSPENSION
55 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2019-08
“NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: OPENS NEW WINDOW TAKES AWAY FROM VIN LOOKUP SECTION> 14V604 RECALL DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: E02 SUMMARY: THE SUBJECT VEHICLES? REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTAINS LEAF SPRINGS THAT ARE CONSTRUCTED OF EITHER THREE OR FOUR LEAVES”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED”
“I AM STILL WAITING FOR A SOLUTION TO THE DEFECTIVE LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS NEGLECTED PROVIDE AN UPDATE OR REPLACEMENT LEAF-SPRING SOLUTION TO THE NOTED ISSUE”
Intermediate steering shaft corrosion
STEERING
25 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2026-06
“Unknown.no accident ,Steering is tight. Started noticing it May 12 2026”
“STEERING SHAFT BINDING UP WHILE TURNING. THERE ARE NO GREASE FITTINGS OR BOOT ON UNIVERSAL JOINTS”
“STEERING SHAFT JOINT FAILED (PN 45203-04021), CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING/ BINDING STEERING”
Daytime running light lens melting and cracking
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
14 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2024-01
“DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS MELTED HEADLIGHTS”
“BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES INNER LENS DISTORTED/BUBBLING, AND ONE SIDE IS CRACKED WITH THE INNER LENS SEPARATED”
“THE RUNNING LIGHTS MELT THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP COVERS AND LITERALLY MELT THE PLASTIC, THIS IS A PICTURE OF MY SECOND SET THAT ARE ALSO MELTING”
Brake line corrosion causing brake failure
SERVICE BRAKES
3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2025-03
“Brake failure because of rusted brake lines”
“Brake failure resulting from rusted brake lines. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer police or any other entity. No warning lamps or other indicators that detected brake failure”
“BREAKS FAILED AT RED LIGHT ON STATE HIGHWAY...PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THEN BACK BREAKS SLOWED TRUCK TO A STOP...RUSTED BRAKE LINE ON FRONT LEFT...RIGHT BRAKE LINE ALSO LOOKING TO BREAK FROM RUST IN THE FUTURE...NOT RUBBER COATING ON BREAK LINES LIKE OTHER LINES”
Airbag warning light and non-deployment
AIR BAGS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2023-06
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN”
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AIR BAG CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT BEING USED. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED FROM FIRE DAMAGE, SMOKE AND SOOT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY”
“TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE TAKATA RECALL AND WHEN I CALL TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN I COULD GET IT REPLACED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED!”
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.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter
Every 5,000 miReplace 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 miRotate 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 miInspect 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 miReplace 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 miReplace 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 miToyota 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 miToyota 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 miToyota 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 miReplace 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 miInspect 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 / lifetimeToyota'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)
88 crashes 1990–2024
How the 88 occupant deaths break down
71
driver deaths
17
passenger deaths
88
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 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.
25
complaints mentioning a crash
18
complaints mentioning a fire
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 2009 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.