The Lemon Index2001 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2001 Toyota Tacoma is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 38 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 22, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 16 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 396 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 97K to 178K miles on the car (295 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 100K–174K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 132K–201K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 46K–211K miles
Recalls 6
- tires 2012
The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a sp.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 6 recalls
- suspension 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E.
- tires 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TU4 WHITE LETTER TIRE UPGRADE OPTION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 128 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Differential locking system - suspension and axle
- Excessive wear
- Information regarding the power door lock system may intermittently not unlock the doors on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving consumer skidded on ice and crashed head-on into a guardrail. Vehicle was traveling approximately 30 mph causing over $8000 worth of damage to truck. Neither driver or passenger air bags deployed. Mr
2001 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 8024158
More owner reports
While driving 40 mph the driver t-boned a vehicle that ran a red light. The vehicles driver and passenger air bags did not deploy on impact. The consumer sustained injuries to the neck and back. The vehicle was totaled.
NHTSA complaint 10042123
Another vehicle failed to yield right of way and I t-boned them at 30 mph. Airbag failed to deploy, and florida highway patrol officer was very concerned, as he felt the air bag should have deployed.
NHTSA complaint 742001
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 22; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (21%), brakes (21%) and suspension (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have?
6 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 97,800 and 178,600 miles. The middle report was at 144,000 miles, from 295 complaints.
Does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works