2005 Toyota Tacoma Powertrain & Transmission Problems

The differential drive housing failed due to corrosion resulting in the differential oil leaking out at a significant rate and in loss of lubrication of the differential gears. The condition was detected before any significant loss of material condition or function but could have lead to a loss of vehicle control if the differential had failed. The local Toyota Dealer has not reviewed the condition as of yet. A review of several Tacoma internet forum sights finds similar corrosion failures described (oil leaking from differential housing). There is no monitoring/warning indicator for the oil level condition in the differential housing in this vehicle.

SQUIRK-LIKE SOUND AT THE BEGINNING OF A TRIP, SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 5 MPH. THIS NOISE PREVAILS AS LONG AS THE SPEED IS INCREASED, SPECIFICALLY ALONG THE RANGE OF 5 TO 15 MPH. FROM 16 MPH IT STARTS A VIBRATION ALONG THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BODY, WHICH AUGMENTS AS LONG AS THE SPEED IS INCREASED. THESE SYMPTOMS APPEARED FOR FIRST TIME 5 YEARS AGO, APPROXIMATELY. ON THAT FIRST EVENT THE PROPELLER SHAFT SPIDER ANT THEIR BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE TECHNICIAN WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. NOWADAYS I JUST SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. IT IS NECESSARY TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS AUTOMOTIVE UNIT PRESENTED SYMPTOMS OF VIBRATION AT CRUISE SPEED (55 MPH), SINCE THE VERY FIRST TIME IT WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, FOR THE YEAR OF 2005. WHEN THAT OCCURRED, THIS DRIVER BROUGHT THE UNIT TO THE DEALER. THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE VIBRATION DESCRIBED IS "NORMAL". THIS STRANGE "SHAKING" AT CRUISE SPEED HAS NOT DISAPPEARED. IT THINK IT IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE PROPELLER SHAFTS AND THEIR JOINTS, WHICH CAUSE A DYSFUNCTIONAL PROPELLER SHAFT RUNOUT (GREATER THAN 0.6MM [0.024 IN.]). OTHER TACOMA 2005 OWNERS HAVE LET ME KNOW THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION IN THEIR VEHICLES. THIS COULD REPRESENT A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

I HAVE HAD THE REAR END ON MY VEHICLE REPLACED 2X. NO HARD DRIVING. NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR REGULAR WEAR BUT HAS COST ME OVER 2200 EACH TIME. THE HEAD GASKET HAVE NOW FAILED AND IN READING MANY ONLINE SITES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NEVER OVER HEATED. THIS JOB IS NOW GOING TO COST ME 2500. IT STARTED A GURGLING NOISE IN THE DASH AND GOT WARM ONE DAY. THE ENGINE THEN THREW A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 4 A PRESSURE CHECK CONFIRMED THE HEAD GASKET. THE REAR END IS A CONCERN ALONG WITH THE HEAD GASKETS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS SOFT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL TURN SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAUSED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ROD TO BEND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING, GEAR SHIFTER PROBLEMS AND STALLING ISSUES. *LD *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND IT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

MY FATHER HAS AN '05 TACOMA SR5 V6 WITH THE TRD OFF-ROAD PACKAGE. HIS TRUCK IS A 6-SPEED MANUAL. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL 1/2 WAY, THE ENGINE RESPONDS WITH A SEMI-VIOLENT JERK, AND THEN GOES. THIS SCARES ME, AS I COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE MY FATHER GOING FULLY DOWN ON THE PEDAL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE FIX THIS TOYOTA. *TR

MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA QUAD CAB SR5 HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE MY TRUCK LUNGES FORWARD IN A VERY DANGEROUS ABRUPT MANNER AS THOUGH SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AT STOP LIGHTS A FEW SECONDS AFTER I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. A SECOND ISSUE IS THAT MY PAINT IS CRACKING AND PEELING ON MY ROOF AND MY CLEAR COAT IS NOTICEABLY BAD ON THE EDGES OF MY HOOD AND DOORS. MY TRUCK IS NOT OF APPROPRIATE AGE OR WEATHER CONDITIONS TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF PAINT PROBLEMS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE OR PAY FOR MY ISSUES AND JUST RECOMMENDS THAT I GO PAY A DEALER TO FIX IT OUT OF MY POCKET. I SEE SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS ON MANY BLOGS, CLASS ACTION ANYONE? *TR

MY TRUCK HAS BEEN AT [XXX] FOR 2 MONTHS TO BE WORKED ON AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT I COUNT ON MY TRUCK. WE HAD TO [XXX] AND WE COULDN'T COUNT ON THEM EITHER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF ONE LEFT US WAKING AND WE TRADE IT IN ON OTHER ONE BECAUSE IT WAS GONE OUT AGAIN SO THE NEW ONE WE JUST LET GO BACK BECAUSE THE SAME THING WAS HAPPEN TO IT REALLY DID MESSED UP OUR CREDIT I KNOW YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS BUT I WOULD LIKE MY TRUCK SOON AND I WON'T BUY NO MORE TOYOTA AND WON'T TELL ANYONE ELSE TO EITHER THANK YOU AS IF YOU CARE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO SHIFT AND CAUSED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME MY REAR END IN MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS BLOWN. EVERYTIME I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA AND IT REACHES THREE COMPLAINTS OR REPAIRS THEY DENY THE CLAIM SO IT DOESN'T GO AGAINST THEIR INCIDENTS FOR RECALLS. THE LAST REAR END WENT IN APPROX 4000 MILES AGO FROM ROHRICH TOYOTA. SOMEONE REALLY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE PRACTICES THAT TOYOTA AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS HAVE. I HAVE 77000 MILES AND AN EXTENDER WARRANTY 10 YEAR 100000 WARRANTY THE OEM JUST RAN OUT BUT I'M STILL WITHIN MY MILEAGE AND AGE. *TR

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA LUNGES OR SURGES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AT LIGHT. IF I DON'T HOLD THE BRAKE FIRM IT COULD REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL. AND CHARGED ME TO INSPECT. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A PART IN THE AIRBAG AND WANTED 612.00 TO REPLACE STATING THAT IT MAY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING.CAUSING A CRASH .SHOULDN'T A PART THIS CRITICAL BE COVERED FOR LIFE OF TRUCK? *TR

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A "CERTIFIED USED" 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA LAST YEAR. AUTO 4X4 EXT CAB TRD WITH 42K... GREAT TRUCK BUT WE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT I'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER IT WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD. NOT EVERY TIME BUT PROBABLY 1 OUT OF 5 STOPS. AS ONE OWNER PUT IT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH AS SOMEONE IS TRYING TO PUSH YOU WITH THEIR CAR. NO, ITS NOT THE FLOOR MATS OR ONE FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS. SO FAR IT HASN'T JUMPED FORWARD AND HIT ANYONE BUT I HAVE READ THAT IT'S HAPPENED.. PLAN ON TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER SO THEY CAN GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND... *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA WHEN SUDDENLY HE HEARD AND FELT A SUDDEN LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUN SHOT. HE LOST ALL POWER IN HIS TRUCK. HE WAS ABLE TO GET HIS TRUCK OFF THE INTERSTATE. HE DISCOVERED HIS DRIVE SHAFT HAD FALLEN OUT! IT IS A MIRACLE HE WAS NOT KILLED! IT IS ONLY BY GOD'S GRACE THAT WHEN THE FRONT U-BOLT BROKE, THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. THE REAR PIECE CAUGHT ON THE REAR AXLE. WE ARE PLEASED HE WAS NOT HURT, BUT IS THIS SAME PROBLEM TOYOTA HAS WITH ITS 2010 TOYOTA TACOMA? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR UPDATED 09/23/10 * BF THE DRIVESHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED IVOQ 09/24/10

I BOUGHT MY 2005 TACOMA ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES NOW. THE LAST TIME BEING TONIGHT AFTER PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER AT WORK. THE TRUCK WAS ACCELERATING AND I WAS LITERALLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND WOULD NOT STOP. I THROUGH IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE! I HAVE NO RUGS IN MY VEHICLE, IT DID NOT COME WITH ANY, AND I WAS GOING TO GET THE ALL WEATHER MATS, BUT HAVE NOT BOUGHT THEM YET. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. I DO CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A FAIRLY EXPERIENCED DRIVER, I USE TO RACE A 70 CHEVELLE IN THE 1/4 MILE (THIS WAS MANY YEARS AGO.), IF I DID NOT HAVE SUCH EXPERIENCE I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE RAN THE CAR UP A TREE OR SOMETHING. I AM SCARED, I HAVE BEAT CANCER TWICE AND I'LL BE '!@#$% IF I AM GOING TO LET A FAULTY TACOMA TAKE ME OUT! *TR

TRUCK LURCHES FORWARD AFTER COMPLETE STOP. *TR

VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD SLIGHTLY WHEN STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT. HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING IT IN PARK MODE. THE SEVERITY OF THE SURGE SEEMS TO BE PROPORTIONAL WITH THE VELOCITY OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO STOPPING (I.E. SURGE IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN STOPPING FROM A HIGHER VELOCITY THAN FROM A LOWER VELOCITY). THE SURGE EVENT OCCURS ROUGHLY 2-3 SECONDS AFTER VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP, AND LASTS PERHAPS 0.5 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE DOESN'T GO VERY FAR, BUT IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT THE SURGE BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TO MAINTAIN A GREATER-THAN-USUAL DISTANCE FROM THE INTERSECTION OR FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSE, WHICH WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND CAUSING THE ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE BELL HOUSE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE PEDAL MOVED TO FLOOR AND STAYED THERE. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO INTERFERENCE FROM THE RUBBER MAT AND PUMPED THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE COASTING. AFTER ABOUT FIVE SECONDS, THE ENGINE DROPPED FROM REDLINE AND RESUMED NORMAL IDLE. IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A HIGHLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

I TOOK MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA IN FOR A SQUEAL IN THE WINDOW, UNDER WARRANTY. SUN TOYOTA TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A REGULATOR. I LEFT MY TRUCK THERE FOR FOUR HOURS, WHEN I RETURNED TO PICK IT UP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY WARNED OUT. I DIDN'T BRING IT IN FOR ANY KIND OF CLUTCH REPAIR, MIND THE FACT I WAS ONLY AT 26K MILES. I ASKED HOW DID THEY DETERMINED THAT. THE GUY IN THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID HE, "COULD FEEL IT WITH HIS FOOT". THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $800.00 UP FRONT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT IT, AND THAT WOULD JUST TELL THEM IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AND IF IT WAS A WARRANTY ITEM OR IF I WORE IT OUT. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD HAVE WORN OUT THE CLUTCH IN 26K MILES, THEY TOLD ME THAT TEENAGERS CAN WEAR A CLUTCH OUT AT 18K MILES, HOWEVER I AM NOWHERE NEAR A TEENAGER ANYMORE. SO ANYWAY, I DID NOT SHELL OUT $800.00. INSTEAD I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY SERVICE MAN, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TOYOTA, AND TOLD HIM EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED AT TOYOTA. HE COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I HAD BEEN TOLD. THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK OUT THE TRUCK, PUT IT ON A LIFT, TOOK IT DOWN AND ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH, AND TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CLUTCH, AND HE DIDN'T CHARGE ME ANYTHING! AFTER THAT EPISODE I CONTACTED THE BBB, I TRIED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CORP., USELESS! THE BBB COULD NOT RESOLVE THIS EITHER. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, TOYOTA THE COMPANY STINKS, THEY WILL TELL YOU LIES, TO GET MONEY OUT OF YOU. THEN WHEN YOU PROVE THEM WRONG. THEY STILL WON'T ADMIT THEY MADE A MISTAKE. I LOVE MY TRUCK AND STILL OWN IT. HOWEVER NOW I TELL EVERYONE WHAT A BAD COMPANY TOYOTA IS AND TO RESEARCH IT BEFORE THEY BUY, SO FAR I'VE TALKED THREE PEOPLE OUT OF BUYING ONE. I ALSO HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE TOLD ME OF PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD WITH THEIR TOYOTA TRUCKS! *TR