NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
My tires have only 5600 miles on them...Nitto 265/65R17's. I have my 5,000 mile service. They rotated the tires. A couple of days later I noticed my steering wheel shaking. I took it back to the dealership. They said my tires have High Road Force..only the two that were from the rear. They contacted Nitto, they will not replace the tires because they only cover the first 1/32 of the tires and Im at 2/32. There has to be something wrong with these tires to be so new and yet have this problem. My tires cannot be rotated because the two with the problem will need to stay on the back of the truck so as that my steering wheel wont shake.
I buy a Toyota Tacoma 2021 on 5 of June 2021 in Toyota Walnut Creek California. And I have to sell it again on 15 november 2021 5 months later. Ok I was driving in a long trip of 9hrs. And I adjust the seat to be comfortable to drive but I notice that when I was looking to the front right side the mirror in the center to look to the back was in the way of my view, and I drive , moving my head down to look under the mirrorevery time when I look to the right front. A the end of the trip I get tired driving that way. Next time I was driving in Oakland Ca. I was in a stop waiting to turn to the left side in a road, and the cars in the other side in front of me the put me the high beams,and I was thinking they give me the pass, and I look around to drive,and right away 3 persons was in front of me, and thanks to GOD I don’t drive over and kill them. And I get very mad frustrated , I was ready to break the mirror with my right hand, but I control my self and don’t do it. That was when I notice the mirror and the black spot is in the mirrow is a very bad location, that take lot of view to the front right side, they need to relocated all the sensors are in that area. I sold the truck no because I can’t drive it eny more.I call Toyota I they. Don’t pat attention.
The Audio system sound cuts out intermittently when the vehicle is in motion. This occurs when using the AM radio, the FM radio, the SiriusXM radio, and when the phone is connected. The display on the Audio head unit remains on and shows the radio station and information about what's being broadcast, while the connection to the speakers cuts out at random. This has been an ongoing problem for the past 6 months. I have made 8 trips to a Toyota dealer to have this diagnosed and fixed to no avail as the dealer is often unable to replicate the problem. The Audio head unit has been replaced twice (3rd Audio head unit now) and the problem persists. I have cell phone video of the problem as proof. This would be a "safety" issue if I were attempting to be informed of an imminent severe weather event, or in the event I was attempting to make a phone call in the case of an emergency.
During driving for a little while and slightly braking, the brakes started to tug very strong. Brakes start pulling very hard sometimes preventing reliable braking
I was my 2021 Toyota Tacoma home after work on the highway at night at 11:00 pm. While on the highways there was highway construction and traffic was coming to a stop. I was driving in the slow lane doing 60-65. As I approached the stopped traffic i let my foot of the accelerator pedal and put my foot on the brake pedal to slow down, as i did this the rpm's jumped up to 4000 and the truck went to take off full speed on its own. I held the brake pedal down to the floor and i shifted the truck from drive mode to sport mode than back to drive mode. ( I panicked) but soon as i did that the engine stopped accelerating thankfully because i had many stopped cars in front of me that i would have plowed into. I love my truck but I am not scared to drive it always have my hand on the shift waiting for it to happen again possibly.
Not a "safety" issue per se, but the A/C expansion valve makes a loud whistling noise every 15 seconds when driving on freeway and the noise is quite distracting when combined with other possible safety alert noises. TAS case was opened with Toyoyta and they state that vehicle is operating as per design and no further action will taken on their part. Noise seems to be getting more frequent and I can't believe the vehicle is designed to be this way. It seems a redesigned expansion valve should be required to prevent unnecessary distracting noises.
Hello, I bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma this year. Soon I discovered that there was a problem with the brake system. We went to this store (Nashville Toyota North) to replace it, but we were told that we had to pay more than $200 for the brake pads ourselves, and My car does not have its own tire unlocking tool, and I was told by this store that I need to pay for it before I can order this unlocking tool that should have been on my car. Thanks!
Visible oil leak or staining in rear differential is consistent with a prior recall in 2016-2016 model years as described in this document https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCAK-17V285-5030.pdf. This is a 2021 model year vehicle, purchased brand new in January 27, 2021, with less than 10,000 miles. This document indicates that "If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash."
When starting and stopping there is a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
Tacoma was rear-ended at 80 mph. Tacoma rolled over three times front airbags did not go off.. side curtain bags did.. seat belt on driver side failed after the second rollover.. rear cross traffic warning did not go off.. driver seat collapsed. driver was injured and was in trauma unit for 3 weeks. Vehicle last known is located off of belvedere road in West Palm Beach Florida.. I called up Toyota and a third party got the EDR from the vehicle.. I have a copy of it. As far as I know the problem has not been inspected.
UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE WILL HAVE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT, UP TO AND INCLUDING A NEAR STALL OR STUTTERING. HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR MISSES (X2). THE TSS SYSTEM TAKES OVER AND DOES IT'S THING VERSUS ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR THE CONDITIONS. EXAMPLE WOULD BE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF BRAKES DUE TO DEER IN ROAD CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON AN ICY ROAD WAY. DRIVER RELEASED GAS PEDAL AND WAS COASTING AS DEER WAS CROSSING. DUE TO BRAKES BEING AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE, DEER BECAME SPOOKED AND STOPPED CROSSING, VEHICLE ENDED UP PARTIALLY IN THE DITCH. AFTER MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES (5+ MEMORABLE), DRIVER HAS LOST ALL FAITH IN THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE AND DOES NOT TRANSPORT PASSENGERS AS THEY FEAR FOR THE PASSENGER'S SAFETY. DRIVER ONLY UTILIZES VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS THEIR LAST AND ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED SEVERAL CRACKS TO THE FRAME WELDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE COST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REFUNDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the brake message and alarm were displayed on the infotainment screen. While driving, the blind spot warning light illuminated, and the brake seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the left. While driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was slow to respond. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure, but the contact was informed there was a code for a caliper malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was started; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Description of incident: Date: 02/25/21 Road condition: wet As I slowed to exit the highway (speed +/-55 mph), I heard a loud noise from the right rear of the vehicle. Vehicle was difficult to control until I slowed significantly. First thought was a blow-out. Was surprised by the extent of the damage to the wheel since I did not hit anything. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The right rear wheel failed. Tire was flat and showed no signs of damage. The wheel and tire are available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The instantaneous wheel failure and subsequent loss of air pressure in the right rear tire made the vehicle difficult to control. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The Toyota dealership, where the vehicle was purchased, inspected the vehicle on 02/26/21. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by the Toyota dealership on 02/26/21. Subsequently, I tried to work with Toyota at the regional and national level hoping to receive some insight into what might have caused the failure. Without an accident and injury, there was little interest in finding resolution. Toyota was unable to offer evidence that I hit something and they were unable to offer an explanation supporting the failure. Naturally, this leads me to question the integrity of the remaining wheels. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? TPMS activated.
Firestone Destination Le2 P245/75R16 On February 20, 2021 just 15 days after I purchased my brand new truck the rear passenger side tire dramatically exploded while I was driving in to my neighborhood. I was traveling at approximately 35 mph when out of nowhere a sound similar to a shotgun interrupted my driving and immediately forced me off the road in between two trees. I was narrowly missed by oncoming traffic and scared for my life. My side step of my brand new car was damaged as well as the rim and driver side wheel well where my car brushed the tree. I called Toyota and they said I didn't have tire coverage so I called my insurance company next. USAA sent a tow truck to pick up the vehicle and they brought it to Tire Choice. The associate said the tires were known for exploding and indicated that I needed to at least replace the damaged one and the driver side front for my own safety. The associate also said he didn't think these specific tires were even in circulation anymore. I went to Toyota and they said this was a manufacturers issue. No one was able to help me and I was forced to replace two brand new tires out of pocket. I was lucky I was in the neighborhood and not the interstate. There was absolutely no sign this was going to happen nor did I hit anything in the short time I had the car before the accident.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA TAKOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN COMING TO A RED LIGHT APPROXIMATELY 500 YARDS AWAY, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN IN SPEED THEN BEGAN TO PRESS THE BRAKES DUE TO A TRUCK NEARBY SUDDENLY COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES AND COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED TOTALED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR WRIST AND THE ABDOMINAL AREA. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, AND LEG INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH A DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I PURCHASED A NEW 2021 TOYOTA TACOMA IN DECEMBER 2021 WITH A PRE COLLISION SAFETY SYSTEM. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION ACCIDENT (DAUGHTER AT FAULT). THE SYSTEM DID NOT DO WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO, WHICH WAS WARN HER AND HELP HER APPLY THE BRAKE. AT THE REPAIR CENTER, I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE PRE COLLISION SAFETY SYSTEM. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BERT OGDEN TOYOTA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE SYSTEM WAS PROBABLY OFF OR NOT SET SENSITIVE ENOUGH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NOW THAT I HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK, I HAVE SET THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM TO THE MOST SENSITIVE SETTING AND IT APPEARS IT IS NOT WORKING. THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO WARN ME (ON THE MOST SENSITIVE SETTING) AS I ACCELERATED TOWARD A BRAKING CAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA OF PHARR AND SPOKE TO A SALESMAN, WHO TOLD ME ALL OF MY SETTINGS WERE CORRECT AND IT SHOULD BE WORKING. THOUGH THIS FAILURE WAS MINOR IN MY DAUGHTER'S CASE WITH NO ONE HURT (THOUGH IT DID COST $7,000 TO REPAIR), THIS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING AS ADVERTISED AND IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IN ORDER TO CLOSE PROPERLY, DOORS MUST BE CLOSED FORCEFULLY TO ACHIEVE CLOSURE.
WHITE SMOKE AND STRONG GAS SMELL OUT OF EXHAUST UPON START UP.
TROUBLE CLOSING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. HAVE TO FORCEFULLY SHUT IN ORDER TO CLOSE.
My 2021 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing these exact conditions as discussed in this TSB. T12he only difference between the vehicle in this TSB and mine is I have a 2 wheel drive Tacoma and this TSB is for the 4 wheel drive model. 2021 Toyota Tacoma power train TSB (Bulletin T-SB-0124-20) Bulletin Date:Dec. 15, 2020 Component:Power train. Bulletin Summary:TSB: some 2016 ? 2021 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph. This vibration is felt in the seat, floorboard, and/or steering w Vehicles covered in this TSB: 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 2017 Toyota Tacoma, 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 2019 Toyota Tacoma, 2020 Toyota Tacoma, 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD 6TH GEAR WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFT TO 5TH AND SOMETIMES 4TH. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE SURGE FORWARD ABRUPTLY.