Is 2009 a good year for Tacoma?

In brief, 2009 was not a good year for Tacoma. The global financial crisis weighed on the local economy, lifting unemployment, depressing housing activity, and tightening city and county budgets, even as certain sectors and redevelopment efforts kept some momentum. This article examines the year’s economic climate, the resilience shown by key industries and policy responses, and what those 12 months meant for Tacoma’s longer-term trajectory.

Economic climate in 2009

Here are the main economic forces shaping Tacoma in 2009:

• Unemployment rose as construction, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality shed workers, reflecting the nationwide recession.


• The housing market weakened further, with slow sales and rising foreclosures contributing to reduced consumer confidence and spending.


• Municipal and regional budgets faced pressure from reduced property and sales tax revenues, prompting belt-tightening and reassessment of capital projects.


• Trade and logistics demand at the Port of Tacoma and surrounding supply chains contracted with broader declines in global trade.


• Credit access tightened for small businesses, complicating new ventures and expansions already stressed by the economy.

Taken together, these conditions created a year of economic strain for residents and organizations across Tacoma.

Resilience, policy responses, and longer-term signals

Despite the downturn, Tacoma benefited from targeted policy responses and sectoral strengths that helped cushion impacts and set the stage for recovery.

• Federal stimulus funds and public works initiatives supported construction activity and local infrastructure projects, providing a temporary boost and preserving jobs.


• Healthcare systems, universities, and other public-friendly sectors remained relatively stable employers, helping to stabilize the job market.


• The Port of Tacoma and regional logistics continued ongoing infrastructure investments aimed at improving long‑term competitiveness.


• Downtown and waterfront redevelopment planning proceeded through public‑private partnerships, maintaining momentum for future growth.


• Arts, culture, and tourism initiatives helped diversify the economic mix and support consumer activity in some districts.

While the downturn lingered, these efforts aimed to cushion the impact and set the stage for a rebound when the economy recovered.

Notable sectors and developments to monitor

Beyond broad economic indicators, several sectors and projects stood out as potential drivers of recovery in the following years:

• Logistics and distribution, with investments aimed at improving efficiency and capacity to capture regional freight demand.


• Healthcare and education, which offered steadier employment prospects amid cyclical industries.


• Public investment in streets, parks, and energy projects that could boost short‑term employment while supporting long‑term livability.


• Real estate and urban redevelopment plans that targeted infill, waterfront development, and mixed-use projects as a path to revitalization.

These elements did not erase 2009’s challenges, but they signaled where efforts could translate into stronger momentum in the years that followed.

Summary

Overall, 2009 proved to be a challenging year for Tacoma amid the broader Great Recession. The city faced higher unemployment, a softer housing market, and tightened public finances, all of which dampened growth. Yet a combination of policy responses, federal stimulus spending, and targeted investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and redevelopment offered avenues for resilience and a pathway toward recovery in the subsequent years. The year stands as a difficult but formative period that influenced Tacoma’s economic trajectory into the 2010s.

What year to stay away from Tacoma?

The Toyota Tacoma years to avoid include 2006, 2009, 2016, 2017, and 2019 due to issues like frame rust, transmission problems, and engine issues. Other problematic years include 2005, 2007, and 2012, which also have known issues.
 
This video explains the Toyota Tacoma models to avoid: 39sShifting LanesYouTube · Oct 6, 2021
Second Generation (2005–2015) 

• 2005–2010: Prone to significant frame rust due to poor drainage, which can lead to costly repairs or replacement. 
• 2006: Suffers from frame rust, and has transmission issues such as slipping and hard shifting. 
• 2007: Experienced a spike in complaints related to body, engine, and drivetrain issues. 
• 2009: Had numerous complaints about the radio, and also featured frame rust issues. 
• 2012: Saw an increase in engine stalling and hesitation, and issues with the electronic stability control system. 
• 2015: Had a spike in complaints about transmission failures and faulty drivetrain components. 

Third Generation (2016–Present) 

• 2016: The first model year of the third generation, it has the most complaints, including transmission problems (rough shifting, slipping), engine issues (stalling, oil consumption), and infotainment system glitches. 
• 2017: Continues with transmission problems, rough and noisy steering, and issues with interior material quality. 
• 2019: Reports of sluggish and clunky transmissions with jerking and vibrating, and safety recalls for fuel pump issues. 

What years to avoid when buying a Toyota Tacoma?

Final Thoughts. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most respected midsize trucks on the market, but not all model years are equally reliable. The worst years for Toyota Tacoma include 2000–2004, 2005–2010, 2009–2011, and 2016–2017. Always check for frame rust, especially on older models.

Is 2009 a good Tacoma year?

As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and performance to be its strongest features and comfort to be its weakest. 1330 out of 1655 of owners (80% of them) rank the 2009 Tacoma five out of five stars.

What are the common problems of a 2009 Toyota Tacoma?

Common problems for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma include issues with frame rust, especially in rust-prone areas, and paint and trim degradation like peeling or fading. Other frequent complaints involve power steering leaks, leaf spring breakage, and daytime running light (DRL) assemblies melting. At higher mileage, automatic transmissions may exhibit shifting problems, and steering components can develop play.
 
This video discusses potential issues to look for when buying a Toyota Tacoma from 2005-2015: 52sAutoMotivateYouTube · Aug 15, 2021
Frame and rust

• Frame rust: A factory coating issue made the frames susceptible to rust, especially in areas with road salt. A class-action lawsuit led to a recall for frame replacements, but the program has ended. 
• Rusty exhaust: The entire exhaust system can rot, a common issue in areas with salty roads. 

Paint and exterior

• Paint peeling: The paint, particularly the "Ultra White" color, can peel, fade, or become chalky. 
• Daytime running lights (DRL): The amber DRL lenses can melt or crack due to heat from the headlight assembly. 
• Headlights: The plastic headlights can become cloudy or yellowed from UV exposure. 
• Rear bumper twist: A slight twist in the rear bumper is a common aesthetic issue. 

Steering and suspension

• Power steering leaks: Leaks are frequently reported in the power steering system. 
• Steering wheel play: Excessive play in the steering wheel is a common problem, often caused by a worn steering shaft knuckle or U-joint. 
• Leaf springs: The rear leaf springs can break, particularly if the truck is overloaded or the springs are weakened with age. 
• Wheel bearings: These can fail at higher mileages. 

Engine and drivetrain

• Automatic transmission: At high mileages, the automatic transmission may not shift correctly. 
• Four-wheel drive: The Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD) actuator on the front differential can seize up if the system isn't engaged regularly, making four-wheel drive engagement difficult. 
• Fan speed control: The blower motor often malfunctions, with only high speed working, due to a resistor in the wiring harness. 
• Oil leaks: As the truck ages, oil leaks from the valve covers and timing chain cover are common. 

Brakes

• Premature wear: Owners have reported premature wear on brake pads and rotors. 
• Sticky calipers: The front brake calipers can become sticky or freeze up, particularly in areas with road salt. 

Other issues

• Radio: The radio can malfunction, with issues like the volume knob not working or the unit randomly turning off/on, sometimes due to dust. 
• Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor: A faulty MAF sensor can cause the "Check Engine" light to come on. 
• Center console latch: The latch on the center console frequently breaks.