My problem was associated with the air bag warning light. It came on and so I took my truck to Big Two Toyota in Chandler AZ. Dealer said I had a faulty clock spring assembly that will prevent the air bag system from functioning properly and was a major safety risk.... So I let Dealer remove and replace it for $511.82. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFETY RECALL.... Please look into this issue for me and other Toyota Tacoma truck owners. Thank you.
2005 Toyota Tacoma: airbag warning light
27 of the 707 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 73,105
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 11 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
Driver airbag light is on. Why is my VIN not included in the following recall by toyota for airbags for tacoma pickups. The federal safety agency campaign number: 12v092000 component(s): air bags
My driver side air bag light has been on for some time. There was a recall for a harness in the steering column but that did not repair it. Then they tested the one thing and another and say it is a common issue where in the fender it can rub and cause the air bag to not deploy. I have seen a recent recall on various models where they call this a safety concern and can only wonder if it is also the case on the toyota tacoma prerunner I drive.
The airbag warning light came on and has mostly stayed on for quite a while. Toyota issued a recall for the spiral/clockspring cable on my vehicle in march 2012, which addressed this problem. However, my VIN was not included in the recall. The problem on my vehicle has gotten worse. I took it to a toyota dealer shop and they indicated that it was probably the spiral cable, as well. Since that time, toyota just issued another recall (april 2014), again for the same problem on the tacoma and other vehicles. Again, my VIN was not included in the second recall. I contacted toyota hq to address the problem. They noted it, but have taken no action. My vehicle has the problem identified in both recalls for the same vehicle, yet my VIN is not included. I'm concerned about my safety and others since this problem can prevent the airbag from deploying in an accident. I believe there could be a gap in the scope of toyota's recall for this problem. Please help.
Tl* the contact owns as 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v092000 (air bags) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacture and dealer were both made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The vehicle has never been in an accident and is not modified in any way. The vehicle is 8 years and has 64,000 miles. Air bag indicator light came on. Dealer diagnosed faulty spiral cable, $500 repair. After repair, condition returned. Subsequently a recall was issued by toyota for the spiral cable. New spiral cable was installed by dealer. Airbag indicator light returned within 1 week. Returned to dealer, new diagnosis: need to replace engine wiring harness. Cost $2300 + tax. Dispute started with toyota USA. Toyota subsequently offered to pay for 1/2 of the cost of the replacement part, leaving me to pay the other half and the replacement labor. Text of recall: "due to combination of factors, a part in the steering wheel assembly in your vehicle called the spiral cable may become damaged. If damage occurs, this can affect the electrical connection to several systems, including the driver's air bag. Such damage would cause the air bag warning light to stay on after starting the engine, and the air bag may not work. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver in a crash in which the air bag is designed to inflate." the critical part of the recall notice is "the spiral cable may become damaged. If damage occurs, this can affect the electrical connection to several systems, including the driver's air bag". It appears that toyota recognizes the effect of a damaged spiral cable (the issue of the recall) on other systems but refuses to repair any such damage when found. The spiral cable has been replace twice, the air bag light is still on, and according to nys law the vehicle will not pass inspection because of the failure of a factory installed safety component.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v092000 (air bags:frontal), the air bag warning light illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was an ECM air bag malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance and referred her to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 110,000.
Just started my truck up to go to work as usual and after about 1/2 a mile the airbag light came on. My truck has never been in an accident and the airbags have never been deployed before so I wanted to get it checked out when I got to work. As an ase certified technician I hooked up my scan tool and pulled code b1801-open in d squib circuit. So I examined it more and pulled up airbag operation data passenger buckle sw (seatbelt) unplugged=unset plugged in=set d seat pos with seatbelt unbuckled=bkwrd buckled=frwrd driver buckle sw unplugged=unset and plugged in=unset. I followed the toyota motor sales USA inc trouble tree for this dtc and came to the conclusion that the spiral cable needs replaced. Went online and googled the dtc and have found several complaints and questions about this dtc. Several failures of the spiral cable. This seems like it is a manufacturing defect that has been designed to fail. I feel toyota needs to step up and correct the defective parts.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Srs lite came on and never has gone out, for the driverside air bag. After investagating this problem, it seems that hundreds of these toyotas have the same problem. At the dearship, diagnosis, is about $115.00 to pull the code, and then run up to about $500.00 for repairs. The spiral cable in the steering colomne has a short life. 35k mile on some and up in miles after that for others. Srs systems such as this I understand is lifetime warrenty. That may be cut short if the air bag does not inflate if needed. Toyota should be responable, and fix this problem, as the cost of repair is out of reach for many people. Using inferior wires, that is not the consumers fault. I bought this toyota new, thinking that toyota will last a long time, it has been serviced at the dealership regular, and on time. Please help in this matter, as it affects many owners and life. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2005 toyota tacoma sr5 dbl cab, 6 cyl, 4.0 eng. 50k miles, 4 wheel drive, manual transmission: driver side airbag light turned on and stays on. I have searched the internet for info. On it and have found a lot of people have been having this problem. Going by the info. Found on line, from google to newsgroups it seems that the spiral cable in the steering column is failing at a alarming rate. The toyota dealers are just charging for diagnostics and not admitting a product defect. I am taking mine to the dealer and is $117.00 just to diagnose it.. And I know this takes them 10 min or less to hook it up to the computer and get the error codes printed. This dealers are charging $90 to $120 just for the diagnostic.. And it seems the repairs can go from $300 up to $800.00. Srs (air bag) issues should be covered for the life of a vehicle or SRS (air bags) should be optional! If it is a required part like a seat belt toyota should cover the part free. Please take time to review my compliant and those of others.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer advised the contact that the spiral cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current and failure mileages were 95,261. Updated 10/27/11
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition in which a musty smell is present
- Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Revision notice
- Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in...
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 tacoma vehicles, manufactured from september 14, 2004, through august 29, 2008. Over time, steering wheel vibration may damage the spiral cable assembly (clockspring) that powers the drivers air bag module. If damage occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the air bag may become deactivated.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the drivers side air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spiral cable assembly, free of charge. An interim letter is expected to be mailed to owners during april 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 12V092000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.
- Risk
- This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑888‑270‑9371, scion at 1‑866‑548‑1851, or lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 06V096000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- On certain regular cab pickup trucks equipped with a bench seat, the seat position and seat belt buckle sensor connector pins are incorrectly positioned due to a wire harness manufacturing process error.
- Risk
- In this condition, the seat position and seat belt buckle sensor may not function as designed, affecting the adaptive air bag deployment, which if the vehicle is involved in a crash, could result in improper occupant restraint.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the seat position and seat belt fastening condition sensor connector. An additional sub-wire harness will be installed to correct the connector pin manufacturing error, if necessary. The recall began on july 25, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑431‑4331.
Recall number 05V302000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
27 of 707 owner complaints about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma (4%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
There are 3 recalls and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma
Sudden acceleration 40Jerking 20Adaptive cruise 15Grinding brakes 15No deployment 8Power steering loss 8ABS 6Brake failure 6Knocking 6Transmission failure 6Tire blowout 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history