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2018 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 112 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

25 reports
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16,500 miles · May 11, 2019
EngineService BrakesSteering

VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, ALSO IS HESITANT TO SHIFT GEARS ON HIGHWAY. FRUSTRATING AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE EFFICIENTLY WHEN YOUR CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AS EXPECTED. TIRING TO DRIVE IN THIS WAY.

NHTSA ODI #11206996

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2019
Engine

2018 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ENGINE NOT PROPERLY CIRCULATING OIL WHEN ASCENDING HILLS. *AS *TR

NHTSA ODI #11180790

1,957 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Engine

FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL ON THE DIP STICK WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 1,000 MILES. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO TELL THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL BUT I ASKED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED FOR MY FILTER AND OIL BACK WHEN THEY WERE DONE. ON THE REPORT THEY GAVE ME THEY SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANY METAL SHAVI…

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FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL ON THE DIP STICK WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 1,000 MILES. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO TELL THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL BUT I ASKED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED FOR MY FILTER AND OIL BACK WHEN THEY WERE DONE. ON THE REPORT THEY GAVE ME THEY SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANY METAL SHAVINGS BUT ON MY FILTER I FOUND MANY, I STILL HAVE THE FILTER AND OIL JUST INCASE I NEED PROOF. TILL THIS DAY I STILL CAN SEE METAL SHAVINGS WHICH WORRIES ME I FOUND THIS IN OTHER TACOMAS TOO AND I DONT KNOW WHY THEY ALWAYS SAY IT'S NORMAL WHEN IT'S NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11162977

500 miles · Nov 6, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION LOCKS OUT IN 4TH GEAR, MID SPEED SURGE, SURGE AT IDLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T FUNCTION IT WILL INCREASE RPM'S ON A FLAT ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11149646

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2018
Engine

AROUND 12:30PM ON 6/28 MY TOYOTA TACOMA 2018 VIN# [XXX] STARTED TO BLINK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT WAS FOLLOW BY THE ENGINE SHAKING AND NOT TAKING GEARS UP THEREFORE VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATING UP TO THE 40MPH. SEEING ALL THIS I DECIDED TO HEAD TO THE DEALERSHIP BIG HORN IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO AT ABOUT 1:00PM FROM MY HOUSE IN …

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AROUND 12:30PM ON 6/28 MY TOYOTA TACOMA 2018 VIN# [XXX] STARTED TO BLINK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT WAS FOLLOW BY THE ENGINE SHAKING AND NOT TAKING GEARS UP THEREFORE VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATING UP TO THE 40MPH. SEEING ALL THIS I DECIDED TO HEAD TO THE DEALERSHIP BIG HORN IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO AT ABOUT 1:00PM FROM MY HOUSE IN BASALT, CO. BUT AS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED I HAD TO STOP IN EL JEBEL, CO AND CALL BOTH THE DEALER AND TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO RECEIVE SERVICE FROM BOB ADAMS TRUCKING RESULTED IN A TWO HOUR WASTE OF TIME, BY THEM CANCELING SERVICE AND SAYING IT WAS ME WHO CANCEL. BY THIS TIME I ALREADY SPOKE TO BOTH DAWN AT SERVICE AND GUEST RELATIONS. 3:30 HOURS HAVE PASSED BY AND HERE I AM STILL SITTING BY THE SIDE OF A DANGEROUS BUSY HIGHWAY STARVING AND THIRSTY IN A 95 DEGREES SUMMER DAY AND TOYOTA HAS NOT STILL DO THE BEST THEY CAN TO TAKE ME OUT OF THIS SITUATION. A BRAND NEW $38,000 TRUCK THAT I HAVEN?T EVEN MAKE THE FIRST PAYMENT IS STUCK IN THE ROAD. MY TRUST AND LOVE FOR THE BRAND AND ITS SERVICES HAS BEEN LOST. HOW CAN I TRUST TO DRIVE MY FAMILY SAFE THINKING IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD THAT THIS CAN POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN? VALLEY TOWING 24HR IS FINALLY HERE TO PICK UP THE TRUCK AT 4:30PM ALMOST 4 HOURS AFTER I MADE MY FIRST CALL TO TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. 3 DAYS HAS PASSED BY AND THEY STILL HAVE THE TRUCK IN THE DEALER NOT KNOWING WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11104866

Official recalls

3

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 13, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

18V888000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Dec 13, 2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.