2018 Toyota Tacoma

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Service brakes is the leading concern among 206 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 206

Of the 2018 reports, 7 involved a crash. 2 people were injured.

Primary concernService brakes47 reports · 23% of complaints
Owner complaints206Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes47
  2. Fuel/propulsion system41
  3. Power train29
  4. Other or unspecified26
  5. Engine25
  6. Fuel system24
  7. Gasoline24
  8. Vehicle speed control19

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJan 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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 20V012000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderDec 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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 18V888000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

29 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2018

    SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE TOYOTA TACOMA V6 WITH 6SPD AUTOMATIC. SLUGGISH FROM A STANDSTILL, IF STARTING FROM A COAST, THERE IS A DEALY UNTIL IT ACCELERATES, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS ABRUPTLY INTO 4TH GEAR IF A GUST OF WIND OR ANY INCLINE CROSSOVER, BRIDGE, OVERPASS OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WILL LOCK DOWNSHIFT TO 4TH RAMP UP RPM'S TO 3300 AND ABOVE, AFTER CRESTING THE 3300 RPMS STILL OCCURS, IT WILL EVENTUALLY UPSHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR, BUT WILL HOLD 5TH GEAR AT 55MPH AND ABOVE SOMETIMES INDEFINITELY, OTHER TIMES, FOR MILES THEN SHIFT INTO 6TH, ALL THE WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. IT IS UNSAFE, CANNOT PROPERLY TOW ANYTHING, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MPG'S ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN POSTED DUE TO THE DEFECTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA FORUMS ARE UP TO 145 PAGES OF UNHAPPY TACOMA OWNERS SUFFERING THE SAME ISSUES, WHILE TOYOTA TAKES THE STANCE IT IS NORMAL. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY.

  2. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 6, 2018

    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.

  3. Power train, Oct 11, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTER KNOB BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEWART TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3400 I-145, CORSICANA, TX 75110, (903) 874-6556) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145.

  4. Power train, Jul 10, 2018

    BOUGHT TRUCK BRAND NEW. WITHIN A COUPLES OF WEEKS NOTICED RANDOM SHUDDERING VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOT AROUND 35-45 MPH. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT IMITATE THE ISSUE. SHUDDERING IS WORSE AND CONSISTENT AROUND 35-50 MPH. CURRENTLY AROUND 2000 MILES ON ODOMETER. SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPT WITH TOYOTA THIS WEEK.