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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,790 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

May 062009

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Toyota Tacoma suddenly accelerated to a dangerous level of speed while in cruise control. It happened several times during my long distance trip and scared me into not using it again. I thought it was me doing something wrong, until I read about other complaints. I bought it used in 2008, and wasn't aware of any issues until the road trip this year.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #21

Nov 242009

Tacoma

  • 45,206 miles
2005 Toyota Tacoma--it's not the floor mat! unintentional acceleration problem. Backing to turn around, looking over my right shoulder and turning the steering wheel to the left. When moving my right foot from throttle to brake, the truck suddenly accelerated and the harder I braked, the faster it went. Stopped the movement by shutting off the engine. What happened: In the position I was in, twisted to look over my right shoulder, when moving my foot to the brake, I inadvertently failed to move my foot completely onto to the brake and off the throttle. My foot engaged both pedals and the brakes did not engage until the brake pedal was pressed down far enough to also press on the throttle. This has happened to me 3 times, fortunately in my driveway and there were no collisions. The problem is that the brake pedal goes down too low before actually activating the brakes. The solution is to design so that the brakes engage when the pedal is a little higher than the throttle. Is it just me? could be, but I have been driving for 50 years and this has never happened with any other vehicle.

- Estacada, OR, USA

problem #20

Nov 262009

Tacoma

  • 71,000 miles
I was pulling up behind a car at a redlight, applying my brakes, when the brakes seemed to vibrate. Suddenly, my 2005 Toyota Tacoma's engine revved violently and the truck jumped forward and hit the car in front. My foot was pressing as hard as I could the entire time. I had to throw the truck into neutral. Following the accident report, I had the truck towed to my Toyota dealership. Hopefully they will do right by me as this was clearly not my fault! I refuse to drive it until they discover what went wrong. I can say that it was not a floormat issue!

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #19

Nov 132009

Tacoma

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Often times when I am braking to a stop in my 2005 Toyota Tacoma, I feel the truck lurch forward. I have been able to stop the truck by applying more pressure to the brake, but the truck still wants to move forward. I generally leave ample distance between myself and the cars in front of me. This has prevented two rear end accidents.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 152008

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 35 mph and making a right turn the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate on its own. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral in order to stop the vehicle from accelerating. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 77000. Updated 12/17/09 the consumer stated the floor mat was not the issue as the mats are cloth and not rubber and the pedal was up not down. Updated 12/21/09

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #17

Nov 012009

Tacoma

  • 169,788 miles
My 2005 Toyota Tacoma accelerator went full open throttle and the truck ran away full open throttle with out me pressing on the gas pedal, I could not stop this with condition with the brake pedal burning my brakes to a smell of burnt brake pad. This happen in the day time and the floor mat was no where close or near the accelerator pedal, I looked down to check the floor mat position. To stop the run away veh and over revving engine condition I had to turn the ign key to the off position, and I put the trans in neutral and coasted to a stop to void engine damage and crashing. This condition happened while accelerating onto a hwy where the posted speed limit is 65mph. After restarting the engine in was back to normal and this condition has not happened again in the last 150 miles that I have driven the truck. The Toyota dealership said they don't have a repair and don't no want caused my truck to go wide open throttle by itself.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #16

Mar 262009

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,146 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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!

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #15

Jan 292009

Tacoma

  • 26,075 miles
I was traveling on the freeway and was changing gears when the accelerator pedal suddenly dropped to the floor and the engine suddenly raced up to redline. I had the clutch in at the time. I checked to make sure my mat was not interfering with the pedal. This is the second time this has happened with this truck. I pumped the pedal several times but the engine continued to race. I switched to third gear and let out the clutch. This brought the RPM's down but caused the vehicle to begin rapid acceleration. I pushed in the clutch and the engine went back to racing at redline. After pumping the pedal for several more seconds the engine went back to normal idle. I put it back in gear and continued with my trip. I worry about how a less experienced driver might handle a problem like this. I am also concerned about what this behavior might do to engine life if it keeps repeating.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #14

Jan 012009

Tacoma

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 282007

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
Have since had 4 situations of "sudden acceleration" a very horrifying experience. Date and approx miles: 1/28/07-16,000,4/11/07-19,000-9/18/07-26,000,12/20/08-42,600. 1st incident-stopped at stop sign with foot firmly on brake pedal. Truck forcefully lurches forward with tires screeching. Called dealership to notify them. Was suggested that it could have been the floor mat. I said possibly but didn't really think so. 2nd incident-very similar to 1st. 3rd incident-while slowly pulling into a parking space with a curb ahead I slowly applied brakes to come to a stop before hitting curb. As brakes are applied to stop, the truck makes a loud revving sound and is very forcefully lurching forward while the tires are making a very loud screeching sound. 4th incident-while stopped in traffic with my foot already firmly on the brake pedal waiting for the traffic to change the truck very suddenly lunges forward while tires are making a screeching sound. I quickly swerved into the left lane just missing the rear end of the car ahead of me.thankgod there was no traffic coming in the left lane as I swerved into it or it would have been a multi car accident not to mention possible injuries or death. 2nd,3rd&4th time truck was taken to dealership. Same old story each time, nothing showed up, everything seems to be working ok, we could not duplicate it. 1/7/09 talked with Toyota field specialist. Was asked if I could duplicate it, I said no. Was told if you can't duplicate it I guess we can't fix it. If we could duplicate it we would fix it. I guess there is a 2nd problem as well if the onboard computer does not show this problem is occuring. Believe me it is! this is a very serious situation which needs to be addressed soon before an accident, injury or death occurs. There seems to be nothing I can do as Toyota cannot duplicate the problem or maybe doesn't want to acknowledge the problem. What am I to do" just wait around and wait for the 5th time" 10253233 updated 1/29/08 updated 01/30/09.

- Mexico, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 062004

Tacoma

  • 4,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On two occasions since I purchased my 2005 Toyota Tacoma prerunner I have experienced sudden engine acceleration(4500 RPM) while parked. Each time this happened, I had my foot firmly planted on the brake pedal and nothing was in contact with the gas pedal. I managed to shut the engine off to avert any calamity.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #11

Jul 072008

Tacoma

  • miles
Part 3 this is a serious problem and my next stop is to notify my insurance company and my lender. I am waiting for a case manager to call me from Toyota, but it looks like Toyota doesn't want to believe those of us who have had the same problem. It was very real. Personally, I believe it has to do with the cruise control or whatever would make the accelerator suddenly pull itself to the floor making the truck take off! I am no mechanic, but I have been a driver for 35 years and this had never happened to me in any other vehicle. My truck has about 30K miles on it. It's been in an accident, (some ran a red light and the car they hit crashed into my parked truck), but most of the work was body work and it was recently moved to a more humid climate, rather than mostly dry san diego. It"S a 4X4, double cab and otherwise and well running machine. I leased it for the first 3 years and just purchased it from the leasing Agency because I had very low mileage and it was in great shape. Now I am concerned that no one is going to take me seriously. My plan by weeks-end if I don?T hear back something positive, is to go to the local and then perhaps national press. A story was done out of nashville last October about the same problem other Tacoma owners are having. I have contacted them with questions about their story and additional information. My gut feeling is that I need to stay one step ahead of Toyota and the NHTSA. Let them be on the defensive like I am driving around in a death trap! I understand that a recall is expensive. I value my life however far beyond what Toyota could loose and I will not take a shrug of someone"S shoulders for an answer. Not before I die anyway, either by natural causes or in the truck, perhaps wrapped around a tree. So, here is my long story in detail and I expect someone with some good sense will call me and make me a trade, their nice new truck for mine.

- Arabi, LA, USA

problem #10

Jul 072008

Tacoma

  • miles
Part 2: I started up the engine. It acted normal, no acceleration and it easily backed out of the space. Relieved, I drove back to my boyfriend's house. I turned it over and over in my mind what had happened, trying not to miss a step. My boyfriend is very familiar with the mechanics of a car, so as I explained what took place to him and he said over and over that it didn't make any sense. I was sure I had not mistakenly hit the accelerator and the floor mat was clearly under, not over the petal. I chalked it up, once again to a mystery because neither of us could make sense of it. Several days ago, we drove to downtown new orleans. I was driving and I had the cruise control avoiding the speed trap. We drove about 15 miles and parked in a large outdoor parking lot. We were gone for several hours. When we got back to the truck, he drove. About one minute or less into drive and while still going through the paid lot just coming up to railroad tracks, he put his foot on the brake and the truck accelerated forward, the petal once again pulling itself to the floor and the truck taking off like a jet. He hit the brake and I believe threw the truck into park. I was scared to death and then I felt that I had been vindicated! he looked at me and said, 'wow' and again I told him that it was nearly the same scenario that happened to me. He said, you have better call Toyota. We had one passenger who looked as shocked as my boyfriend and we all pondered the possibility of what would have happened if a train had been going by at that very minute. Part 3 to follow.

- Arabi, LA, USA

problem #9

Jul 072008

Tacoma

  • miles
Part 1: I am reporting a serious problem with my 05 Tacoma suddenly accelerating without reason, twice now, nearly causing an accident. First off, let me offer my truck to anyone who wishes to dispute my claim that my 05 Tacoma is not a danger on the highway. In exchange, I will accept another new truck while one of the 'experts' drives his kids around, waiting for my truck to crash and kill someone. Please, just email me and we can make the exchange right away. Before that happens, allow me to explain what has happened. I just moved this truck out from southern California where once I remember the truck lurching forward as I was coming to a stop, entering a driveway. Not really familiar with the truck then, I chalked it up to my driving and didn't give it much thought. Last month here in Louisiana, I drove to the store using my cruise control along a 10 mile highway known for fast cars and faster tickets. It is hot here in Louisiana. I had the ac on and left it turned it on when I went into the store. The truck was turned off of course. When I returned from shopping and back into my truck, I turned on the key and threw the truck into reverse. The petal pulled itself to the floor. It left my foot and went all the way forward. I hit the brake and it would not stop, so in my confusion, I threw it into drive and it lurched forward even with my foot on the brake. The wheels were jumping and the truck was inching forward. Everyone around me was scrambling away as it sounded as if I had little to no control over the roaring engine; you know, sensing something was wrong. All of this happened within seconds and I had all my weight on the brake. I finally had the sense to turn off the engine and it stopped, then I sat there for a second trying to figure out what I had done wrong. Look for part 2 and 3 to follow.

- Arabi, LA, USA

problem #8

Feb 262008

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,013 miles
I was approaching a stoplight, pressing on the brake to come to a stop behind the line of cars already waiting at the light. Right before my truck came to a complete stop, the engine starting racing. I pressed harder on the brake, but the truck surged forward 3 or 4 feet and hit the car in front of me. While I was pressing on the brake, I could hear the tires screeching on the road, but there was nothing I could do to stop the truck before it caused an accident.

- Newport, OR, USA

problem #7

Feb 102006

Tacoma

  • miles
My 2005 Toyota Tacoma has a problem with lurching in stop and go traffic. I end up riding the brakes all the time. Numerous times has it lurched at stop lights.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 012007

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
My 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4dr 2X4 is experiencing the lurching issue when A/C is running at a stop light. Although it has not caused any accidents thus far, I've come close in many occasions and nervous at letting my wife drive the vehicle. Now that I've just had a child, I'm even more interested in getting this issue fixed. This issue occurs repeatedly when A/C is running.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 082006

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving in reverse at an unknown speed, the vehicle dramatically accelerated. No pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal at the time. The contact shifted into park to stop the vehicle and heard a loud revving sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they could not find any failures. A complaint has not been filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 33,000 and current mileage was 34,000. Updated 01/11/08.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #4

Apr 202007

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Truck lurched forward when at a stop sign. Foot was on the brake, yet truck moved forward an inch or two. Happens regularly, 4-5 times a week. Last time was on Sep 10th, 2007.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #3

May 102007

Tacoma

  • miles
This is for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma. I have noticed several times when coming to a stop that the truck lounges forward. Even with my foot completely on the brake the truck still will pull forward. I have had this happen so many times, one time stopping for a pedestrian crossing in front of me and the truck trying to pull forward. I took the vehicle to the dealership numerous times and they just told me it wa S normal or they could not duplicate the problem.

- Claremore, OK, USA

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