AI DamageToyota SR5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Toyota SR5 across 5 model years: 20 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 45% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (45% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 20 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle was involved in one rear end collision due to brake failure. Vehicle has been in/out of dealer's shop numerous times, and the problem cannot be found and corrected. Consumer is requesting an investigation as soon as possible before someone gets hurt.
Tl* the contact owns a 1989 toyota pickup sr5. The contact performed routine maintenance on the vehicle and noticed there was excessive oil on the reservoir. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that his vehicle had no recalls.
1989 toyota sr5. Consumer states problem with head gasket the consumer stated the previous owner had the original head gasket repaired under recall at 90,000 miles. The consumer discovered another recall was issued on new head gasket, however toyota informed him his vehicle did not qualify for the recall replacement.
The contact stated that the frame was rusted on his vehicle. He received a recall notice and took the vehicle to the dealer for repair, but they only performed an inspection. The vehicle failed the inspection due to the rusted frame.
Tl* the contact owns a 1991 toyota sr5. The contact received a recall notice for the steering relay rod. The dealer stated that before the steering relay rod was replaced that the other parts on the vehicle must also be replaced. The contact did not recall the specifics about the additional parts.
New 1992 toyota 3vze long bed truck blew the headgasket three times, about 6 months apart & as it was a "campaign" & not a recall the dealerships would not fix it until I called toyota mfg. Each repair, I had to pay approx $1k to $2k and the first two times they used the same defective gasket!
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.