2005 TOYOTA TACOMA Power Train Problems

In May of 2018, I purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. After arrival of new title, I received a safety recall notice from Toyota in regards to possible abnormal frame rust. I was instructed to take my Tacoma to nearest Toyota dealership for frame inspection. Prior to taking Tacoma in for frame inspection, I scoped the frame myself, and noticed abnormal rust forming throughout both sides of the frame. Therefore, I took my Tacoma to Berge Toyota in Mesa AZ. for further inspection and to have some other repairs done. Upon my arrival to Berge Toyota, l informed the service writer of the repairs that were needed done and showed him the request from Toyota for the frame inspection. My vehicle was taken to a lift, where a brief frame inspection was performed with a flashlight only and I was told the frame was fine, and the rust I had witnessed during my personal inspection was within a standard tolerance of "normal". On September 12, 2022 my frame cracked in a horseshoe formation around the driver side motor mount, causing the engine to shift and sink approx. 3/4" towards the driver side. This frame failure has caused numerous problems to occur, such as the fan to continuously rub against the shroud, abnormal shifting of the transmission, ramping up and down of RPM's, vehicle's steering locks up and cannot be safely driven, leaving me without transportation After detailed inspection was performed on my Tacoma, the horseshoe crack around the motor mount was found and it was determined this was the source of all the problems. I contacted Berge Toyota where I was informed by their service manager that Berge Toyota was not certified to do the frame inspection or repair, and further explained the safety recall had expired and instructed me to contact Toyota to see what could be done. The question I had for the Berge Toyota service manager, was if they were not certified to do the frame inspection, or repair why did they inspect my frame and inform me it was fine, when it wasn't?

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.

Mileage: 128,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE U-JOINTS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE DEALER (LEGACY TOYOTA, 3800 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 688-9264) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE DRIVETRAIN AND THE U-JOINTS. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO LUBE THE U-JOINTS TO PREVENT DRYNESS, WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DRIVETRAIN TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE U-JOINTS AND TOOK THE DRIVESHAFT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE PART, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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.

Mileage: 200,000

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 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.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION RE-ENGAGED ON ITS OWN AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED, AND WHEN DRIVING OVER ICE, SNOW, AND/OR SAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 04/05/17 LJ *CN

Mileage: 5,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A THUD COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SLOWED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER CHECKED THERE WAS A CRASH AND IT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. UPDATED 08/22/16.*JB

Mileage: 120,000

I HAD COMPLETE FAILURE TO MY RACK AND PINION STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE COMPONENT. I WAS PULLING INTO A BUSINESS DOING ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND ON THE GROUND WAS A PUDDLE OF STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND WHEN HE EXAMINED THE TRUCK TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD COMPLETED ROTTED OUT AND BROKE. I ALSO HAD HIM CHECK THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK, SINCE I RECEIVED A TSB BULLETIN ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION DUE TO NOT ENOUGH FRAME UNDERCOATING BEING APPLIED IN COLD STATES. HE FOUND A LARGE HOLE BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME AND FOUND SOME SMALLER PERFORATIONS AS WELL. MY QUESTIONS IS IF THE FRAME IS BEGINNING TO ROT AND THEY ARE SELECTIVELY REPLACING THE FRAMES OR VEHICLE IF THEY ARE A DANGER, WHY ARE NO OTHER COMPONENTS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THESE FAILING PARTS COVERED AS WELL AND FAILING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROT OR RUSTING. IF ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS FAILED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING TO ALL INVOLVED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. SOMETHING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO OWN AND OPERATE THEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STOP PLAYING THE "ITS NOT COVERED OR APPLICABLE" GAME AND TAKE OWNERSHIP AND FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. I HAVE OWNED 5 TOYOTA'S PREVIOUSLY AND FELT VERY SAFE UP UNTIL NOW, NOW I AM NOT TO SURE!

Mileage: 168,210

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.

Mileage: 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

Mileage: 140,500

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

THE FRAME IS RUSTING. THERE ARE HOLE STARTING TO FORM. *TR

I HAVE 2005 TACOMA 4X4 WITH A FRAME THAT CRACKED AND COLLAPSED INTO ITS SELF WERE THE LEFT MOTOR MOUNT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THE MOTOR CAME TO REST ON THE STEERING SHAFT KNUCKLE @ THE RACK AND PINION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE WEB THERE ARE WELL OVER 200 COMPLAINTS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS SUCH A PROBLEM THAT A FABRICATION COMPANY DMZ MAKES A GUSSET REPAIR KIT TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. IT'S A BOUT A 10 HOUR REPAIR. HTTP://DMZFAB.COM/PRODUCT/TACOMA-MOTOR-MOUNT-GUSSET-KIT/. TOYOTA SHOULD CONTACT THEM FOR THE CURE. *TR

Mileage: 157,995

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.

Mileage: 4,000

I HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA AND ALSO RUST HOLE THROUGH THE FRAME/LEAF SPRING MOUNT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I DID CONTACT AND SEND PICTURES TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER FILE# STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WONT REPAIR THIS UNSAFE CONDITION THAT SO MANY TACOMA'S ARE HAVING. WHEN ONE OF THESE TACOMA'S GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE FRAMES COMPROMISED BY THE RUST IT WILL CAUSE SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS AND THIS HAS TO BE FIXED NOW. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

STARTED HEARING RUBBING/GRINDING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. INSPECTED AND FOUND LF CV AXLE LEAKING GREASE, SO THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THERE. REPLACED LF CV AXLE, AND THE NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY. INSPECTED FURTHER AND FOUND DRIVERS SIDE FRAME WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET IS WELDED TO CRACKED, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FLEX AND THE FAN TO RUB ON THE FAN SHROUD. CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO INSTRUCTED ME TO GET IT INSPECTED AT A DEALERSHIP. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF DRIVER ABUSE, NO RUST, NOT REALLY ANYTHING THAT SHOWED WHY THE WELD HAD BROKEN, BUT THAT TOYOTA DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING DUE TO AFTERMARKET LIFT AND OVERSIZED TIRED. LIFT WAS ALREADY INSTALLED ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA CORPORATE TOLD ME THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE STEERING SHAFT IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE PART OF THE MOTOR THAT IS SAGGING DOWN, AND I AM AFRAID IF IT WERE TO BREAK COMPLETELY IT MIGHT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM BEING ABLE TO TURN. ALSO, IS THERE NOW EXTRA STRESS ON ANY OF THE WIRING? IS IT FLEXING AND POTENTIALLY BREAKING ANY FUEL LINES? I HAVE DONE SOME REASEARCH ON THIS, AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOLPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR TRUCKS. TOYOTA HAS STARTED PUTTING UPDATED FRAMES WITH MORE SUPPORT FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON THE 2007 MODELS, KNOWING THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE 05/06S, BUT ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE ONES THAT HAVE BROKEN. *TR

Mileage: 119,650

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.

Mileage: 35,000

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

Mileage: 83,000

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

Mileage: 77,000

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

Mileage: 89

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED IN FOURTH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARRANT. WHEN PLACED BACK INTO FOURTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTION AS NORMAL UNTIL THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WAS NO LONGER OPERATING IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Mileage: 1,000

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

Mileage: 45,261

MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA USED TO LUNGE FORWARD AND ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPED. IT HAPPENED OVER THE SEVERAL YEARS I OWNED IT. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY IGNORED ME. I WOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE I HAD THE BRAKE DEPRESSED HARD WHILE STOPPED. *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

Mileage: 89,000

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA AUTOMATIC LURCHES FORWARD AT STOP AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WIFE COMPLAINED THAT SOMETIMES IT FELT LIKE SHE HAD BEEN HIT IN REAR END. I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME WHILE DRIVING HER TRUCK. SHE SAYS IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. WITH ALL THE REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM, SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TRUCK LURCHES FORWARD AFTER COMPLETE STOP. *TR

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

Mileage: 98,146

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

Mileage: 25,420

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

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. SEE ALSO 10254167. DSY

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD 4X4 THEY HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 6 TIMES KNOW MY FRONT DIFF, THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND MY REAR END. *TR

Mileage: 1,500

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD 4X4 THEY HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 6 TIMES KNOW MY FRONT DIFF, THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND MY REAR END. *TR

Mileage: 1,500

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

Mileage: 26,200

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA 4.0 V6 LURCHES WHILE STOPPED AND TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. TRANSMISSION ALSO SHUDDERS BETWEEN SHIFTS. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON VACATION. THE MOTOR MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE BROKE, AND THE ENGINE WAS LEANING TO THE DRIVER SIDE. TOYOTA REFUSED COVERAGE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, INCLUDING SAYING IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, MY AFTERMARKET SHOCKS CAUSED THE MOTOR MOUNT TO BREAK, MY HEAVY FRONT BUMPER CAUSED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID I DROVE THE TRUCK TO HARD. UNDER THE MAGNUSSON-MOSS ACT, I ASKED THEM TO PROVE THAT MY AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEY COULDN'T DO THAT AND OFFERED ME ARBITRATION. BECAUSE OF THE COST OF RENTING A CAR WHILE WAITING FOR ARBITRATION, I DECIDED TO FIX THE TRUCK OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND TAKE TOYOTA TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I WON MY CASE, AND TOYOTA WAS ORDERED TO PAY ME $2,900.00. SINCE MY COURT CASE, I HAVE JOINED AN INTERNET FORUM IN WHICH THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 5 OTHER 2005 TACOMAS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE; MOST RECENTLY LAST WEEK. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES BEHIND THE WHEEL AS A RESULT OF ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

MY 2005 TACOMA HAS HAD A CLUTCH SQUEAL SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED 2 CLUTCHES AFTER 2 RELEASE BEARING FAILURES IN LESS THEN 1 YEARS TIME. AFTER THE SECOND CLUTCH THE SQUEAL CAME BACK WITHIN 3,000 MILES. THE DEALER LUBED THE SLAVE CYLINDER / CLUTCH FORK INTERSECTION POINT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS FROM 48 HRS TO 1 MONTH INTERVALS THEY LUBED IT NUMEROUS TIMES. FED UP I INFORMED THEM I WOULD NOT BE COMING IN CONSTANTLY TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LUBED. THEY REPLACED THE SLAVE CYLINDER AND CLUTCH FORK. WITHIN 48 HRS THE SQUEAL WAS BACK. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A TOYOTA FIELD TECH TO LOOK AT THE REPLACED THE CLUTCH RETURN SPRING. WITHIN 24 HOURS THE SQUEAL WAS BACK. DURING ALL THE INCIDENTS I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF THE ISSUES. THE LATEST CALL RESULTED IN ESCALATION AS I HAVE REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AS THERE IS APPARENTLY A DEFECT IN THE CASTING OF THE TRANSMISSION OR AN INTERNAL ISSUE. TOYOTA CALLED ME BACK TO SAY THEY WOULD WORK OUT A PLAN WITH MY DEALER TO FIX THE VEHICLE. (THIS IS AFTER 13 TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN REPAIRS AND LUBE TRIPS.) I WAS INFORMED I WOULD BE CALLED BACK NO LATER THEN THURSDAY NOV 14TH. AS OF THIS POINT THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTACT AND I'M TAKING LEGAL ACTIONS. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

2005 TACOMA, TRD SPORT PKG, 6 SPEED MANUAL BEHIND A V6. AT ABOUT 27K THE CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED MAKING THIS HORRENDOUS SQUEAK. THE DEALER PERFORMED A TSB TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY. SQUEAK WAS GONE FOR ABOUT 6K MILES BUT THE PEDAL STICKS. SINCE THAT FIRST REPLACEMENT OF THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THE DEALER GREASES IT EVERY 6-8K MILES BECAUSE THE SQUEAK KEEPS RETURNING AND THE PEDAL STILL STICKS! THEY DID REPLACE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY A SECOND TIME HOWEVER NOW THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF AND IT STILL STICKS. THE LAST STRAW WAS WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "EXCESSIVE USE OF THE PEDAL, THE TRUCK WAS NOT MADE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC". WHAT THE HECK WAS IT MADE FOR?? I DRIVE THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY TO WORK AND YES, I OCCASIONALLY GET CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, BUT THAT MIGHT HAPPEN ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK! TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS NO HELP, THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER DOESN'T RETURN PHONE CALLS AND I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT HAS A BAD CLUTCH PEDAL! *TR

Mileage: 27,000

ALMOST DAILY MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB TRUCK LURCHES FORWARD DURING DECELERATION AND ALSO AT A COMPLETE STOP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD A FOOT OR MORE WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. *JB UPDATED 10/16/07 *TR

UPON COMING TO A STOP (MOST OF THE TIME...PERHAPS MORE THEN 50%), THE VEHICLE WILL 'LURCH' FORWARD SLIGHTLY...EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER A YEAR AGO (AND IS ON FILE WITH THEM). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CONDITION WAS 'NORMAL'. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT OR OTHERWISE STOP THIS CONDITION. IT HAS NOT BEEN SO BAD THAT I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE (JUST PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER). STILL, IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION, A COLLISION MIGHT READILY OCCUR IN STOPPED TRAFFIC. *JB

Mileage: 19,000

LATE SHIFTING, SHUDDERING, LURCHING AT IDLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT SMELLED ASPHYXIATE GAS FUMES WHEN COLD STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 8,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE. THE DEALER STATED CREAK SOUND CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED AND DIFFICULTY PUTTING INTO 4WD, BUT FACTORY NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

Mileage: 7,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT SMELLED ASPHYXIATE GAS FUMES WHEN COLD STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 8,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE. THE DEALER STATED CREAK SOUND CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED AND DIFFICULTY PUTTING INTO 4WD, BUT FACTORY NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

Mileage: 7,500

WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS TO A MINUTE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE , E.G. AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY DEPRESSED.*AK

Mileage: 28,000

1) 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA "LURCH" WHILE SLOWING OR STOPPED. I HAVE NOTICED IT WITH OR WITHOUT A/C OR DEFROST ON. GENERALLY, I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD SLIGHTLY. 2) WHILE IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IT IS SOMEWHAT DISCONCERTING. 3) NO REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED. I'VE GUESSED IT IS A TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, AND THE RESULTING INCREASED TORQUE AT THE REAR WHEELS RESULTS IN THE LURCH. THE MORE FIRMLY THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE LESS NOTICEABLE THE PROBLEM. *JB

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT REGARDING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING PARTICULARLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND. AFTER SENDING THREE CERTIFIED LETTERS TO TOYOTA (THE LAST SENT TO THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE) I FINALLY, MORE THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, RECEIVED A WRITTEN RESPONSE. PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE REASONS I CITED FOR MY FAILED MEDIATION ATTEMPT (IN PARTICULAR BEING GIVEN BAD ADVICE, WHICH, AT THE TIME, I NAIVELY ACCEPTED, BY THE TOYOTA FACTORY TRAINED SPECIALIST ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MEDIATION) I WAS GRANTED A SECOND ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BEHAVE IN THE FASHION I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. I SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE GEARS TO INTERMITTENTLY CLASH (AND THE COLDER IT IS, GRIND) WHEN SHIFTING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 5 SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN 2 DECADES. *JB

Mileage: 7,000

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA (6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) HAS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION NOISE AND CLUTCH JUDDER WHEN STARTING IN FIRST GEAR SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN, AT TIMES, EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AND THE JUDDER HAS BEEN, ON RARE OCCASIONS, EVIDENT IN SECOND GEAR. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 28TH, THE JUDDER PROBLEM WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AND WAS EVIDENT WITH EVERY START IN FIRST GEAR AND SOMETIMES IN SECOND GEAR. IT BECAME MORE VIOLENT WITH EACH START AND AT ONE POINT, AFTER THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN SLIP OF THE CLUTCH DISC FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN FRICTION. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF TRACTION OF THE DRIVE WHEELS AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONTROL WAS REGAINED RELATIVELY QUICKLY BY DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO REMOVE DRIVE POWER FROM THE WHEELS AND A CATASTROPHIC EVENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. TOYOTA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR OF THIS JUDDER PROBLEM THREE TIMES INCLUDING A COMPLETE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT AT 6,500 MILES, BUT NOW CLAIMS THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO A DEALER SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE AND THE SHOP FOREMAN SAID AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. HE ALSO CLAIMED THAT PER TOYOTA'S DIRECTIVE, HE IS NOT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNLESS HE HAS PRIOR APPROVAL FROM TOYOTA TO DO SO. *JB

Mileage: 9,400

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA (6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) HAS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION NOISE AND CLUTCH JUDDER WHEN STARTING IN FIRST GEAR SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN, AT TIMES, EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AND THE JUDDER HAS BEEN, ON RARE OCCASIONS, EVIDENT IN SECOND GEAR. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 28TH, THE JUDDER PROBLEM WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AND WAS EVIDENT WITH EVERY START IN FIRST GEAR AND SOMETIMES IN SECOND GEAR. IT BECAME MORE VIOLENT WITH EACH START AND AT ONE POINT, AFTER THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN SLIP OF THE CLUTCH DISC FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN FRICTION. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF TRACTION OF THE DRIVE WHEELS AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONTROL WAS REGAINED RELATIVELY QUICKLY BY DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO REMOVE DRIVE POWER FROM THE WHEELS AND A CATASTROPHIC EVENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. TOYOTA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR OF THIS JUDDER PROBLEM THREE TIMES INCLUDING A COMPLETE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT AT 6,500 MILES, BUT NOW CLAIMS THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO A DEALER SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE AND THE SHOP FOREMAN SAID AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. HE ALSO CLAIMED THAT PER TOYOTA'S DIRECTIVE, HE IS NOT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNLESS HE HAS PRIOR APPROVAL FROM TOYOTA TO DO SO. *JB

Mileage: 9,400

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH MY 2005 TACOMA AUTOMATIC AND I HAD MY FOOT COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE TRUCK LUNGED FORWARD. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. ITS BEEN DOING IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS SINCE THEN. *NM

Mileage: 100

WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THERE IS AN INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE MECHANICAL SENSATION THAT VARIED FROM A MILD YET DISTINCT ROUGH TRANSITION (CREATING THE PERCEPTION THAT I WAS FORCING THE GEARS) TO A DRAMATIC MECHANICAL SENSATION OF GEARS CHANGING (AT TIMES ACCOMPANIED WITH A CLICKING SOUND). I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE MASTER TECHNICIAN (MT) DRIVE THE TRUCK AND SEE IF HE WAS EXPERIENCING WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. HE SHARED THAT HE COULD FEEL THE GEARS AND SAID HE COULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF THE FACTORY TRAINED SPECIALIST (FTS) AGREED IT NEEDED REPLACING. FTS DROVE THE TRUCK WITH ME AND DID NOT FEEL THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING ABNORMAL ABOUT THE SHIFTING (VEHICLE OPERATES AS DESIGNED...). BECAUSE THE PRESENT SHIFTING SENSATION MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FORCING OR GRINDING GEARS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN I CAN TEND TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON THE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THAN ON DRIVING AND IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE TRANSMISSION WILL POSSIBLY FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK. I HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 5 OR 6 FIVE-SPEED VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO WORKED ON TRANSMISSIONS. IN ALL MY EXPERIENCE WITH 5-SPEEDS I HAVE OWNED, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SHIFTING PROBLEM LIKE I AM PRESENTLY EXPERIENCING. THIS IS A BRAND NEW, SUPPOSEDLY, QUALITY TOYOTA VEHICLE AND IT UNQUESTIONABLY SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I AM CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WAS SHIFTED FROM FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH OR LOW, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALWAYS SHIFT. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AUDIBLE ALARM STATING THE VEHICLE HAS NOT SHIFTED CAME ON. AN ADDITIONAL 5 ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED. THE TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. ALSO, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES WERE BELOW ZERO DEGREES THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED THE KEY FOB AND REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 15,400

AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE AT 6271 MILES, LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER AGAIN HEARD A CLINKING SOUND EMANATING FROM THE REAR TRANSMISSION WHEEL AREA. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND DURING TECHNICIAN TEST DRIVE WITH SPOUSE REAR END LOCKED UP. DEALER DISCOVERED ISSUE WAS BOLTS ON RIGHT REAR E-BRAKE CABLE INSIDE DRUM CAME OUT AND BRAKE SHOE WAS LOCKING UP REAR AND THEN MAKING IT HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND BOLT WAS MAKING THE GRINDING NOISE AT LOWER 1ST GEAR. DEALER REMOVED AND CLEANED AXLES, INSTALLED NEW BOLTS ON E-BRAKE CABLE, REMOVED AND REPAIRED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND MACHINED BOTH REAR DRUMS. *NM

Mileage: 6,558

DURING RECENT COLD WINTER WEATHER, HAD COUPLE INCIDENTS WHERE BRAKES APPEARED TO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY ON MODERATE ICE/SLUSHY ROAD CONDITION AND THIS CAUSED ON ONE OCCASION TO RUN THROUGH INTERSECTION DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEING FORTUNATE THAT NO OTHER TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME. THIS ALL COMES AFTER A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 6271 MILES AND REAR BRAKE WORK ON THE VEHICLE AT 6558 MILES. THIS TRUCK IS LIKE A LEMON. *NM

Mileage: 9,890

AT AROUND 6150 MILES, TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND OCCASIONAL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED GETTING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY IDENTIFIED THAT BEARING HAD SLIPPED LOOSE IN TRANSMISSION. DEALER ORDERED AND INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION INTO 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP. *JB

Mileage: 6,150

I PURCHASED A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA, 6 SPEED IN JUNE OF 2005. JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE ATTAINED 14,000 MILES IT STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF 4TH GEAR. I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALER, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED, "IT WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION" DURING THE 5 MINUTE CONVERSATION ON THE PHONE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON WEEK LATER, WITHIN THE FIRST 2 HOURS OF THEM RECEIVING THE TRUCK A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ORDERED. THIS TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM REGULARLY. IF A NUMBER OF 6 SPEED TACOMAS' HAVE BEEN RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SHOULDN'T THE CONSUMER BE NOTIFIED. AFTER ALL MY CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING, THAT SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. THE VEHICLE HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AT LEAST 25 TIMES PRIOR TO BEING FIXED. *JB

Mileage: 13,879

DT: THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PRESSURE PLATE HE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA STARTED JUMPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN FOURTH GEAR.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS WHILE IN 4TH GEAR. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO 5TH GEAR SAFELY. THIS VEHICLE WILL GO INTO EVERY OTHER GEAR PERFECTLY FINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION CONSUMER HAS PUT IN HIS VEHICLE AND HE ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON HIS VEHICLE. *TT

Mileage: 1,200

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD MANUAL WITH 800 MILES DEVELOP A MAJOR OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CRANK SHAFT. GEAR SHIFT NOT SMOOTH. *AK

Mileage: 800