general problems of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma

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.

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.

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.

2005 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle pulls to the left while driving, gear shifter problems and stalling issues.

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!.

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.

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. . Read more...

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.

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.

The frame is rusting. There are hole starting to form.

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?.

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. . .

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!.

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.