The 2005 Toyota Tacoma has 9 recalls, the most serious involving rear leaf springs that can fracture from stress and corrosion, swing into the fuel tank, and puncture it, creating a fire risk.
On the occupant safety side, several recalls affect seatbelts and airbags. On Access Cab models, repeatedly slamming the rear access doors can loosen the fasteners holding the front seatbelt pretensioners in place, which can prevent the belts from properly restraining occupants in a crash or sudden stop. Separately, steering wheel vibration can damage the electrical connection in the steering column that powers the driver's airbag, causing it to deactivate and fail to deploy in a crash. On Regular Cab models with a bench seat, incorrectly positioned wiring connector pins can prevent the seat position and seatbelt buckle sensors from working correctly, which can interfere with how the airbag deploys in a crash.
The parking brake also has a recall affecting automatic transmission models: a cable lock nut that was not tightened to spec can loosen and fall off, reducing braking effectiveness and allowing the vehicle to roll on a slope if the transmission is not in Park.
At a glance
What can fail
A rear leaf spring may crack from stress or corrosion. If it breaks while driving, the fractured piece could shift and puncture the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear leaf spring assembly with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear leaf springs can crack from stress and corrosion. A broken leaf can shift and repeatedly hit the fuel tank, potentially puncturing it and causing a fuel leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear leaf spring assemblies with improved versions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Repeated forceful closing of the access doors can loosen the screws securing the seat belt pre-tensioner to the retractor. If screws fully loosen, the pre-tensioner and retractor spring cover may detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly and either replace it or install new pre-tensioner screws with thread-locking sealant and a modified spring cover to prevent loosening.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On Access Cab vehicles, repeated forceful closing of access doors can loosen fasteners in the front seat belt assemblies. Loose fasteners may cause seat belts to fail in restraining occupants during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fasteners or entire seat belt assemblies as needed to secure the connections.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical wiring in the steering wheel assembly can become damaged, preventing the driver's airbag from deploying properly during a crash and triggering the airbag warning light on the dashboard.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the spiral cable assembly in the steering wheel.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Steering wheel vibration can damage the spiral cable assembly (clockspring) that controls the driver's air bag. When damaged, the air bag warning light comes on and the air bag may stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the spiral cable assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain regular cab pickup trucks with bench seats, connector pins for the seat position and seat belt buckle sensor are misaligned due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the sensor connector and install an additional sub-wire harness to correct the pin misalignment if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake cable lock nut may not be tightened enough. Over time, it can loosen or fall off, causing too much play in the parking brake pedal and reducing braking power.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten the parking brake lock nut to the correct tension.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lock nut securing the parking brake pedal cable may not be tightened properly, causing it to loosen and fall off, which reduces parking brake effectiveness.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the parking brake pedal cable lock nut to the correct specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
