Recall 25V656 affects 5,960 2025 Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid trucks for driveshaft CV joints that can break. Free Toyota dealer repair once available.
Toyota is recalling 5,960 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles under recall 25V656 because the front driveshaft CV joint can deform and break. A broken driveshaft can impair steering, and full-time 4WD vehicles can roll away when parked without the parking brake applied; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front drive shaft assembly on the 2025 Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid carries engine power to the front wheels. Inside that assembly, the constant-velocity joint lets the shaft keep turning smoothly while the suspension moves and the front wheels steer. A ball cage inside the joint holds the internal balls in position so the joint can transfer power at changing angles.
On included trucks, the ball cage was made with the wrong material by a supplier. That material did not meet Toyota's hardness specification. Under normal driving, the cage can deform or crack, and the CV joint can bind or break. If that happens, the front drive shaft assembly no longer moves as designed.
A driver can notice popping or grinding sounds from the front driveline, reduced steering rotation, or trouble finishing a turn. On a full-time 4WD model, a broken ball cage can also let the truck move while the transmission is in "Park" if the Electronic Parking Brake is not applied.
Who's affected?
Covers the Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid pickups using the same right-front drive shaft assembly.
| 2025 Toyota Tacoma | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid | driveline |
| Units affected | 5,960 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 74 field incidents to date. |
A matching 2025 Toyota Tacoma or Tacoma Hybrid does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A broken driveshaft can impair steering and make a turn hard to complete. On full-time 4WD Tacoma models, a broken ball cage can also let the vehicle move while parked if the electronic parking brake is not applied. Use the parking brake every time, watch for limited steering rotation, and schedule service when Toyota opens the final repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Toyota Tacoma or Tacoma Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Watch for Toyota's final remedy letter, expected in late May 2026, before scheduling the final driveshaft repair.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions and reference recall number 25V656 (Toyota recalls 25TB11 and 25TA11).
- Use the parking brake every time you park, especially on full-time 4WD vehicles, until the repair is complete.
- Schedule the free front driveshaft inspection and CV-joint driveshaft replacement once Toyota opens the final remedy.
What happens at the repair
The final remedy is still under development, so do not schedule this as a completed recall repair yet. Once Toyota opens the repair, a Toyota technician will inspect both front driveshaft assemblies and replace the assemblies that need replacement. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. If you already paid for a related front driveshaft repair, ask Toyota customer service how to submit documentation under Toyota's general reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 1, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 1, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V656?
Recall 25V656 covers 5,960 2025 Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles with front driveshaft CV joints that can deform and break. A broken driveshaft can impair steering, and full-time 4WD vehicles can roll away while parked without the parking brake applied.
What should I do if my 2025 Toyota Tacoma or Tacoma Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 25V656. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask whether the final remedy is open. Toyota dealers will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies as necessary for free once the repair is available.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Toyota to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies as necessary free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Tacoma before the repair is available?
Use caution and contact a Toyota dealer for guidance if your VIN is included. The defect involves a front driveshaft CV joint that can break, impair steering, and increase crash risk. On full-time 4WD vehicles, use the parking brake when parked.
When will Toyota notify owners about recall 25V656?
Toyota mailed interim owner letters on November 14, 2025. Those letters notified owners of the safety risk. Toyota expects to send additional owner letters once the final remedy is available, anticipated in late May 2026.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V656000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V656 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V656000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →