The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 5 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a rear leaf spring that can fracture and puncture the fuel tank, and a short circuit in aftermarket seat heaters that can ignite.
The leaf spring issue affects Pre-Runner and 4x4 trims only. The seat heater recall covers vehicles equipped with specific aftermarket heated seat systems where a copper heating element can short circuit. On the occupant safety side, two recalls involve the driver's airbag becoming deactivated: steering wheel vibration can damage the spiral cable assembly that powers the airbag, and a separate wiring connection within that same assembly can lose continuity and cut power to the airbag module. Both issues leave the driver's airbag unable to deploy in a crash. There is also a seatbelt concern on Access Cab trims, where repeatedly slamming the rear access doors can gradually loosen the screws holding the front seatbelt pretensioner in place, preventing it from pulling the belt tight in a serious collision.