Though it has been hit with nine recalls over safety issues, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma is still quite reliable, and complaints not involving recalls are few. But the annual maintenance cost is a bit high.
Key Points
- 2011 Toyota Tacomas are prone to fire from the factory, with one-third of its nine NHTSA recalls involving fire hazards, including one over faulty wiring in the seat heaters.
- Loose seat belts and faulty seat belt sensors put Tacoma passengers at risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.
- The transmission on higher-mileage 2011 Tacomas may be susceptible to malfunctioning.
- Running lights in the headlight assembly may burn so hot that melt the lenses of the headlight assembly.
- Annual repair costs of the Tacoma are relatively high, but they are worth the price given the Tacoma’s track record as a long-lasting vehicle.
Bad Wiring and Other Fire Risks Headline Recalls for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck
Toyota’s Tacoma is one of the most reliable pickup trucks on the market, with some having driven over a million miles. The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is no exception to this history, but it’s not without its faults either.
Most notable among the 2011 Tacoma’s nine recalls is an issue where the leaf spring rear suspension may break and possibly puncture the gas tank. The broken suspension could lead to a vehicle stall or the possibility of a fire.
Also two National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls concern faulty wiring in the seat heaters that could short circuit and cause a fire.
2011 Toyota Tacoma’s Seat Sensors May Malfunction, Preventing Airbags from Deploying
Toyota’s occupant classification system is essentially a weight sensor meant to communicate to the vehicle whether or not there is a passenger located in a seat. If there is not, the airbags will not deploy in a crash.
In a 2013 recall for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, it was reported that some occupant classification systems may be miscalibrated and thus are unreliable in the event of an accident. The solution is a recalibration via a dealership.
Hood Scoops and Seat Belts on the 2011 Tacoma are Prone to Loosening
In a recall issued in 2017, it was found that some 2011 Toyota Tacoma’s hood scoops were susceptible to loosening.
In the event of this happening, the hood scoop may fly upward and obscure the driver’s vision or land on the road, increasing the risk of an accident.
Further, seat belt fixture screws may loosen, as reported in a 2013 recall, possibly coming detached.
If a crash occurs under these conditions, vehicle occupants may not be restrained by the seat belts, increasing the likelihood of injury.
2011 Tacoma’s Other Issues are Few, but Transmissions are Susceptible to Problems at High Mileages
Complaints for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma that do not relate to recalls are relatively few.
There are only 163 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA. The majority concern the suspension and likely have been addressed in recalls.
Chief among the complaints for the 2011 Tacoma are reports that the automatic transmission loses its ability to shift when the truck reaches high miles.
The problem typically stems from improperly adjusted throttle position sensors or broken shift solenoids.
Another widely-reported complaint is that the running lights of the Tacoma are so hot when lit that they may melt or crack the lenses of the headlights.
Owners may have to replace the headlight assembly, which is not costly, but still an annoyance.
The 2011 Tacoma is as Dependable as Ever, and Addressing Any Issues Early Will Ensure a Long Life for the Toyota Pickup Truck
Annual maintenance costs for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma average around $839. While this is a little higher than some competitors, most of the 2011 Tacoma’s rivals are not be expected to surpass 300,000 miles in their lifetime.
So, despite some notable problems that are likely already handled via recalls, the Tacoma’s famous durability outweighs the risks associated with the 2011 model.
Toyota is great at addressing recalls quickly, and its reputation for building vehicles with impressive longevity persists through the challenges some model years face.
Photos: Toyota
