Toyota Tacoma Seat Belts Problems
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about seat belts problems on the Toyota Tacoma across 29 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (23). The words owners use most often: “seat belt” (49% of reports).
- 153seat belts complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 20mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 19%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Seat belt: mentioned in 75 of 153 complaints (49%)
- Driver passenger: mentioned in 9 of 153 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do seat belts problems happen?
Based on 70 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 153 complaints, 20 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 20 an injury.
Toyota Tacoma seat belts complaints by model year
| Model year | Seat Belts complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Tacoma | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Tacoma | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Tacoma | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2019 Tacoma | 4 | 2% | 18,260 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | 150 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 3 | 1% | 75,000 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | 29,800 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 2 | 2% | 18,000 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 5 | 5% | 88,000 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2012 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | 250 |
| 2011 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | 42,884 |
| 2010 Tacoma | 9 | 3% | 35,907 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 5 | 1% | 14,250 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 6 | 1% | 107,500 |
| 2007 Tacoma | 5 | 1% | 67,510 |
| 2006 Tacoma | 9 | 1% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Tacoma | 6 | 1% | 174,500 |
| 2004 Tacoma | 6 | 1% | 113,000 |
| 2003 Tacoma | 5 | 1% | 112,000 |
| 2002 Tacoma | 4 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Tacoma | 5 | 1% | 104,718 |
| 2000 Tacoma | 5 | 2% | 206,000 |
| 1999 Tacoma | 6 | 2% | 154,000 |
| 1998 Tacoma | 23 | 8% | 130,000 |
| 1997 Tacoma | 11 | 8% | 118,500 |
| 1996 Tacoma | 11 | 4% | 119,000 |
| 1995 Tacoma | 6 | 3% | 121,450 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
Risk: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Seat belts:front
Model years: 2004
Problem: Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, 'seat belt assemblies.' the driver's side seat belt has incorrect markings.
Risk: This does not meet the standard.
Fix: Dealers have replaced the seat belts. No vehicles were sold to consumers.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was traveling on highway 12 at 60 mph when the seat belts exploded and cinched up tight to child safety lock mode. There was an odor of burning wires/electrical.
On 7/6/2024 after already having driven my truck to the store I noticed that the rear cab power sliding window exploded outward. Most of the glass was on the tonneau cover but some was inside. While cleaning it I noticed some has fallen into the seat belt assembly for the rear passenger seat. The…
Purchased this vehicle used from dealership after reviewing the carfax and receiving reassurance from dealer that airbags were never deployed. 4 days after purchase passenger window needed to be reset into the track and upon removing plastic around front pillars, discovered vehicle had airbags cut…
Dear Toyota Japan Customer Experience Team, I am the owner of a 2016 Toyota Tacoma currently registered in Guam, U.S.A. I am writing to request your assistance regarding a water leak issue from the rear brake light area, which has caused the carpets and seats to become wet and develop mold. I…
2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Water has been leaking through the rear air-pressure vents for quite some time. I have had a moldy/musty smell in the truck after a good rain for at least 6 months. Then I started noticing mold coming up on the driver's side kick plate. We went through all the diagnostic steps…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Tacomas have seat belts problems?
No. NHTSA has 153 owner complaints about seat belts for the Toyota Tacoma. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Tacoma seat belts?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list seat belts. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about seat belts problems on the Toyota Tacoma?
The most frequent phrase is “seat belt”, in 75 of 153 complaints, followed by “driver passenger” (9).
Other Toyota Tacoma problems
- Structure problems (2,204)
- Suspension problems (1,533)
- Power Train problems (941)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (779)
- Air Bags problems (556)
- Steering problems (476)
- Electrical System problems (434)
- Engine problems (433)
See all Toyota Tacoma problems.