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
125 reports, newest first.
Structure, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 23, 2020
ALL OF THE HEAT SHIELDS PROTECTING MY FLOOR BOARDS FROM THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST ARE FALLING OFF. THE HAVE BEEN FALLING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AND GENERALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT SEEMS AS IF THE NUTS THAT HOLD THE SHIELDS ON ARE CORRODING THE ALUMINUM SHIELDS.
Seats, Sep 25, 2020, fire
DRIVERS SEAT HEATING STOPPED WORKING - PLUG BURNT IN CONNECTOR UNDER SEAT. ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WHEN SEAT STOPPED WORKING. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP WITH A CLEAR FIRE HAZARD.
Structure, Sep 14, 2020
THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED WITH HOLES IN IT.
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
Tires, May 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIP WITH NITTO TIRES, TIRE LINE: GRAPPLER G2 ALL TERRAIN, TIRE SIZE: 265/70/17, (DOT UNAVAILABLE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2019 AT SIMPLE TIRE ONLINE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT AND PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AFTER THAT.*JB
Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2020, crash
AS I STARTED TO APPLY GAS THE FOOT PEDAL ACCELERATOR MOVED TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN LEAVING THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND LAUNCHING ME THROUGH A CYCLONE FENCE. AT 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY FROM FENCE IS WHEN THE PEDDLE WHEN TO FLOOR. I STOMPED ON THE BREAK AND STOPPED THE TRUCK. PLEASE NOTE. THE MAT DID NOT MAKE THE PEDDLE STICK IT MOVED ON ITS OWN TO FULL THROTTLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Steering, Feb 18, 2020
THE STEERING IN THE TRUCK HAS TIGHT SPOTS. AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED THERE ARE PLACES WHERE IT SEEMS TO BIND AND GET STIFF THEN SUDDENLY LOOSEN AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY SHOWED ME THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE JOINT IS BADLY CORRODED AND BINDS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS. LUBRICATING IT HAS HELPED A SMALL AMOUNT TEMPORARILY. THE STEERING FEELS STRANGE AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHEN STATIONARY.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH THE HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER UNIT BECAME INOPERABLE AS SMOKE WAS ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WIRES WERE MELTED AND DISCONNECTED THE WIRES FROM THE COUPLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT (2525 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATED]. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Feb 4, 2020
STEERING IS VERY TIGHT DUE TO POORLY MADE U JOINT ON THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WAS QUOTED $460 BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE. I FEEL LIKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE RECTIFIED FREE OF CHARGE THROUGH A TSB OR RECALL
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2020
AC IS GOING ON AND OFF WHEN AC IS TURNED ON
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 20, 2019
FAULTY SECONDARY AIR PUMP OR SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE. LOST POWER IN MOTION ON CITY STREET
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT'S NOT GETTING CORRECT POWER AND FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER IS LAGGING THE THE VEHICLE BACK. THIS ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS AT 40 MPH AND FEELS AS IF VEHICLE MY DIE GOING 40MPH DOWN THE ROAD.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN HER PATH CAUSING A COLLISION. THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK AND RIGHT KNEE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHIPLASH, AND SORENESS TO THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. *TT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB*DT THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *TR
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).
Suspension, Sep 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEGHENY TOYOTA (722 ALLEGHENY BLVD, FRANKLIN, PA 16323, (814) 437-7884) FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,048.*PM CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS HAD SHOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *DL
Suspension, May 17, 2019
DRIVING ON ANY ROAD THE REAR SUSPENSION CREEKS BAD. WHETHER YOUR ARE COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING, TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION, OR TRAVELING DOWN A PAVED HIGHWAY WITH EXPANSION JOINTS. YOU HEAR A LARGE CREEK OF METAL COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER ON HIGHWAYS AND TOWN ROADS. THE TRUCK IS CARRYING NO LOAD IN THE BOX AND YOU HEAR THE CREEKS AND IT GETS WORSE WHEN IT IS LIGHTLY LOADED. IT STARTED IN LATE FEBURARY OF 2019 AND THE TRUCK HAS 81000 MILES ON IT.
Suspension, Mar 31, 2019
DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I FOUND THAT MY SONS TRUCK HAS A BROKEN LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. HAVING OWNED A NUMBER OF TACOMA'S OVER THE YEARS I AM WELL AWARE OF THE RECALL ISSUES IN PREVIOUS YEARS
Engine, Mar 19, 2019
TRUCK TURNS OVER, BUT NOT START WITHOUT STARTER FLUID (SPARK CONFIRMED, NO FUEL). P2440 CODE DISPLAYED; CLEARED BY SCANNER AND CODE HAS NOT RETURNED BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. ONCE STARTED WITH STARTER FLUID, TRUCK RUNS AND DRIVES NORMALLY, CONFIRMING NO ISSUES WITH FUEL SYSTEM. PROBLEM USUALLY RE-OCCURS ONLY ON COLD (LEFT OVERNIGHT) STARTS, BUT OCCASIONALLY RE-OCCURS EVEN WITH A WARM ENGINE (I.E., STOPPED FOR GAS).
Electrical system, Seats, Feb 28, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT OVERHEATED WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. *DT *DT
Steering, Dec 16, 2018
THE STEERING IN MY TACOMA HAS SUDDENLY BECOME STIFF. IT BEGAN 3 DAYS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THE TRUCK IS HANDLING POORLY. THE STEERING FEELS TIGHT AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AS YET BUT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATING THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING SHAFT. IT FEEL SIMILAR TO THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY 2005 TACOMA. THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT SHOULD BE DESIGNED AS A SEALED UNIT AND ABILITY TO GREASE IT.
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.
Seats, Nov 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY TILTED BACKWARDS AND COULD NOT BE RE-ADJUSTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (PEPABAD TOYOTA, BO MONTELLANO CARR 735, CAYEY, PR) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2018
I HAVE HAD 8 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL IN THE LAST THREE YEARS
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2018
ISSUE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING, ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE HORN WHEN VEHICLE IN ONCOMING LANE CROSSED IN TO MY LANE. HORN WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THANKFULLY OTHER DRIVER COURSE CORRECTED IN TIME. COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME BY TOYOTA AS SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING OR SPIRAL CABLE. HORN FAILED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED AN ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING "THAT HAPPENS" WITH TIME AND FORCED TO PAY $700 TO HAVE REPAIRED. WAS WARNED THAT PART THAT FAILED WAS ALSO IN CONTROL OF AIRBAGS, CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER ELECTRONICS EMBEDDED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS AN ITEM WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN VOLUNTARILY RECALLED ON OTHER MODEL YEARS OF TOYOTA TACOMA'S AND OTHER MODELS.