2013 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 125 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 11 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hood, hinge and attachmentsJul 3, 2017
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Campaign 17V425000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsAug 4, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V475000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 12, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V054000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineNov 7, 2013
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Tacoma vehicles manufactured July 1, 2013, through October 11, 2013. The engines of the affected vehicles contain valve springs that may break over time.
If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V557000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireOct 17, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.
If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) Install a Warning Label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an Owner's Manual Addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.
Campaign 13V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electronic stability control (esc)
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the ABS activated at approximately 35 MPH while making a turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Suspension, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 17, 2020, crash
I NEED HELP PLEASE I BROUGHT A TRUCK FROM DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T TELL ME NOTHING ABOUT CHASES I HAVE 45 DAYS SINCE I GOT IT I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN I FEEL THE TRUCK WAS MOVING LEFT SIDE SO I TAKE TO BODYSHHOP AND THE MECHANIC GAVE A REPORT HE FOUND A LOTS PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK I TRIED TO SPEAK WITH DEALER BUT THEY NOT WANT TO HELP OR CHANGE THE TRUCK I WANT TO RETURN THE TRUCK BECAUSE I CAN'T PAY FOR A TRUCK T'S NOT SAVE TO DRIVE PLEASE HELP
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2019
ON AUGUST 17, 2019, I HAD BEEN STOPPED AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WHEN I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE STEAM COMING FROM THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOTICEABLE ENOUGH TO HAVE ME GET DOWN AND PHYSICALLY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR ERROR, SO I WENT ABOUT MY DAY AS USUAL. I HAVE NOTICED SINCE THEN, THIS NOISE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND THE A/C IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I PARKED THE TRUCK FOR THREE WEEKS AND WHEN I WENT TO START THE TRUCK, A BUNCH OF INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, WIPERS WERE WIPING AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING OFF AND ON. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT START SO I HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHARGED. NOW THE VEHICLE'S REAR BLINKERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND STEREO WILL NOT TURN ON. FUSES SEEM ALRIGHT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE THAT CONTINUOUSLY POPS WHEN REPLACED (FUSE FOR STEREO).
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 25, 2018
CODE C1241: LOW OR HIGH POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE CODE C1422: MASTER CYLINDER PRESSURE SENSOR ZERO POINT HIGH CODE P0304: CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED CODE P0304: CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED CODE P0304: CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED CODE P0304: CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED CODE P0304: CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED BOTH CHECK ENGINE & TRAC OFF ALUMINATE ON DASHBOARD.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 9, 2018
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE MAKING A TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO PULL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES SINCE 2013.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 29, 2017
WHEN COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND WILL NOT REENGAGE FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE ENGINE REACHES 1.5K RPM AND JOLTING THE TRUCK FORWARD. THE TRUCK WILL THEN NOT SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF WARNING LIGHT COMES ON UNTIL THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SHUT OFF.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO PULL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 10, 2016
2013 TACOMA, FROM PARKED POSITION, STARTED TRUCK, RELEASE PARKING BRAKE, FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED TO DRIVE, ACCELERATED, MOVE ABOUT 5-10 FEET TRUCK ACTED AS IF BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED, WOULD NOT MOVE. I PLACED TRUCK IN PARK POSITION SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES THAT SAME DAY ABOUT 20 MINUTES APART.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 10, 2016
I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE SAME WHEELS AND TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW, RUNNING 17" ALUMINUM WHEELS WITH A 10- PLY RATED 265/70/17 MICHELIN LT WHICH IS A STANDARD SIZE FOR THIS VEHICLE. AT ABOUT 47,000 MILES THE TRACTION CONTROL ON MY TACOMA STARTED ACTING UP BADLY MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH SUPER-ELEVATED TURNS. BASICALLY THE TRUCK THINKS IT IS SLIDING WHEN IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BREAKING LOOSE AT 35 MPH. THE SENSORS OR COMPUTER IS FAILING CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT OR LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO PULSE (APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE) WHICH RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE PULLING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I AM STEERING. THIS IS AT LOW SPEED 35 TO 40 MPH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS 'PULLING ME ACROSS THE CENTER LINE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHICH COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION AND I GOT NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN " IF MY SHOP FOREMAN TELLS ME THE TRUCK IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED THERE IS NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO OR YOU. WHEN I CALLED IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SHOP FOREMAN AT NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA, I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE SHOWS NO ERRORS SO THE TRUCK IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED' AND THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO DEACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL FROM NOW ON, EACH TIME I DRIVE A MOUNTAIN ROAD. I EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE ASKING ME TO DEACTIVATE THE ON BOARD SAFETY MEASURES ON THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE TRUCK IN THE HIGHEST RISK DRIVING CONDITIONS, THEY AGAIN SAID THE TRUCK WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THAT I SHOULD NOT EXPECT THEIR TO BE ANY REPAIRS MADE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INEXCUSABLE. THEY WENT ON TO SUGGEST I SEEK A SECOND OPINION AT ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SENT ME DOWN THE ROAD IN MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM THE SYMPTOMS, DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM WITH SHOP FOREMAN IN THE TRUCK AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FASCINATING!!!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 3, 2016
WHAT HAPPENS: THE FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATE FOR APPROXIMATELY .5-2.5 SECONDS. WHEN: TURNING LEFT 90%, RIGHT 8% AND FORWARD 2% THE MOST FREQUENT IS A LEFT TURN WHERE THE BANK OF THE ROAD IS AT A SIGNIFICANT ANGLE. IT IS TERRIFYING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD TO HAVE YOUR FRONT END DIVE DOWN AND LOOSE CONTROL. MY NERVES ARE ON EDGE WITH EVERY TURN, WONDERING IF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO DO ITS DIVE. MY GIRLFRIEND REFUSES TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF IT. IT STARTED HAPPENING APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO AND I HAD FAITH TOYOTA WOULD COME OUT WITH A FIX. TOYOTA HASN'T AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS ARTICLES/COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY ON WINDING ROADS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING HORRIFIC HAPPENS. THAT ONE INEXPERIENCED DRIVER THAT DOESN'T REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH. PLEASE PUT OUT THE FIX BEFORE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 6, 2015
DRIVING TO WORK TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 55-60 I WAS GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE ABS OR STABILITY CONTROL OR SOMETHING CAUSED MY TRUCK TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE FRONT TO DIVE DOWN AND A TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. NO CRASH JUST SPOOKED. I DRIVE THE ROUTE EVERY DAY THE SAME WAY NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. THE SKID INDICATOR WAS FLASHING BUT NO NOTICEABLE SKID. I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT FEELING AND THERE WAS NONE DETECTED PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. *TR