Lot of issues with 2009 Tacomas?

Found a couple of threads on here about what was best and worst years of the 2nd gens. On a chart it showed the 2009 and being the worst year. I found an 09 access cab near me i was considering looking at until i saw that graph. What exactly was wrong with the 09? I noticed on edmunds they got so-so reviews for that year model also

 

That thread that showed the graph didnt say what the issues were? At the core, all 2nd gens are pretty much the same. '05 and '06 tend to have issues with the head gasket on the V6 so theres that.. And obviously the older the truck the more likely it is to have rust, thats just nature / physics.

Right off the top of my head though I cant think of anything specific to 2009. That might have been the year traction control became a standard feature on all Tacos? And maybe they added the secondary air injection pump around that time.. Not 100% sure

 

I had a 2009. I know they had issues with the radios...I went through 8 from the dealership. Otherwise, sames issues as all other years for the most part.

 

I had one, bought new in 2009. Never had any trouble with it. I liked it a lot. Two years ago it got rear ended by a much bigger F350 that bent the frame so it was totaled. Grrrr .... I prefer the old V6 over the new one.

BTW, I know it runs without oil! Well sort of. On its second oil change the shop forgot to add oil. The LP cutoff if killed it after a couple of minutes. Let's just say the shop owner and I had a discussion. I called the dealer service manager and he told me to drive it hard and get a few hundred miles in a few days. Then have the oil changed. Mean while get a test kit from the local CAT dealer and send a sample to their oil test lab. I put 700 miles on it over the weekend (during hot summer in AZ) and sent the sample in. It came back clean with no metal. I changed oil every 3K miles and sent in a sample for the next 10 or so changes. All came back negative. I did dodge a bullet on the one. Or the shop did.

 

Think they added the secondary air injection pump in 2012. I have a 2011 and to my understanding it does not have it.

 

I had a 2009 4-cyl MT Access Cab bought new, just sold it last week on TW. Only thing "wrong" was the radio that would turn itself off randomly. Replaced under warranty, then the replacement eventually started doing the same thing out of warranty. Replaced that one with an aftermarket radio. Couple of recalls... the major one was for the leaf springs. Also a seatbelt tensioner recall, and the "melting running lights" recall. But no repairs issues, just regular maintenance for 71k miles.

 

I call BS on any notion the '09 is inferior. I've had one for year and a half and it's perfect. 155k miles going for 500

 

I purchased my 2009 DCSB TRD OR new on 3 July 2009. Since then, I've put 141,000 miles on it on both coasts and throughout the Rocky Mountains. I've even lived in the salt fields of Ohio for the last 3 years. I can honestly say, unequivocally, that it has been the best purchase of my life. The only problem I experienced was failed wheel bearings (1x) on my driver's side front. No radio problems. No head gasket issues. Minimal frame rust, but that's expected considering how the Midwest abuses their roads during the winter. No suspension issues, vibrations, wobbles, electrical issues, transmission issues, or otherwise. I do take deliberate steps to perform routine mx myself (synthetic oil changes every 6k miles, synthetic differential and t-case changes every 15k, grease the zerks, bleed the brake lines, clean the MAF, fully disassemble and thoroughly clean the throttle body... basic stuff). Again, in my opinion, this truck is incredible and has been beyond reliable and predictable for me during the last decade. I hope to take it to 350-400k miles minimum.

 

I've had mine for about 8 years (can't recall exactly). The radio went south a couple of years ago. The springs were replaced in a recall; one broke just before the replacement. I replaced the original battery last year because I feared a failure when in a remote area. I guess the major reliability problem has been the hub caps--the springs that grip the lug nuts have failed on two or three wheels.

 

Nevermind truck is still available. May go look at it this weekend. What all should i look at / questions to ask dealer before i consider purchase?

 

2010 was the best year . Very few issues, and none major unlike 2008,2009, 2012, 2013, 2014

 

I call BS on those threads as well. I have a 2009 Tacoma SR5 Pre-Runner v6 AC with 113k, Love it. Zero major issues. But, what I would say is the OEM sound system is garage. Had all that replaced. I did have to replace the usual suspects for my milage:

Tire pressure sensors, both wheel Bearing/Hubs, Charcoal canister, REM Alternator, Serpentine belt, Tension Pulley.

I've owned a 93, 03 and currently the 09 by far my favorite

 

False, 2013 was the best year unlike 2010

 

nah...

 

I have an 09 with 107k miles on it. Bought it new and I can tell you it has never once broken down ir needed any repair. Yes now it needs some wear item attention but that’s it. There is no issue with the 09.

 

Nothing wrong with 09 Tacoma's.

 

I have an 09, Off Road with RR locker. Brought it brand new. I Haven't had nothing but FUN with the truck. I've taken it places most people wouldn't take their trucks. I honestly am surprised it has NO leaks. I would buy the same truck, same year, same trim.

Yes I ripped the tranny at 80k, I'm on my 3rd set of gears, not a single bolt is stock from the suspension (front and rear), etc, etc. Then again, this truck has seen and done some stuff. LMFAO

 

Cant believe everything you read on the internet, there's nothing wrong with an 09. People split hairs around here and we're all pretty spoiled in general with these trucks. They rarely break at all compared to other manufacturers

 

'09 owner with ~130k miles. The radio was a fun one...turn the volume knob and the volume would change, but in what direction it would change was randomly independent of what direction the knob was turned.

Other than that, I got the recalls done for the rear springs and driveshaft joints. The clutch chirps. It's still dirty where the in-law's cows licked it...

 

Got a 2010 here and I had radio issues. The dot display would go blank and stuff would be weird. I forget exactly what happened. Eventually it stopped doing that and worked again perfectly. Weird.

Might be just me but I think the taillights on the 05-08 look super dated. The led tails on the 09+ are much better.