2013 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The power brake booster failed while driving with my [XXX] and [XXX] old. Fortunately I was in a school zone with no traffic. This particular part is known to fail with Toyota's (recalled on a few models). The vehicle is 13 so Toyota will not back their product. The dealer charged $3,000.00 for the repair. There were no warnings this was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 92,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the unoccupied vehicle was parked on a slightly inclined driveway. The contact later noticed that the vehicle had rolled across the street into the neighbor's yard, causing the rear end of the vehicle to crash into a pine tree. There were no injuries sustained. The tree…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 275,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 toyota tacoma. The contact stated he received an unknown recall letter for the chassis, where it was completed at local dealer antwerpen toyota (12420 auto dr, clarksville, md 21029: (410) 531-5700). The contact stated shortly after the recall repair was performed, while driving over a speed bump he heard an…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 100,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Over the past two weeks the steering effort on my 2nd generation Tacoma has become progressively harder to turn the wheel past certain points in both directions. I initially thought it was a steering pump problem, but based on reporting on the TacomaWorld site, it appears very likely this is a problem with the universal joints at the…Owner complaint, filed 2026

my lower [ntermediate steering shaft has to be replaced repair is pending the u joint was so rusted steering was very difficult i noticed that the vehicle steering wheel would not return to normal straight it was a gradual process at least 3 months of minor to very hard steering while having some routine work done it was pointed out to…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

2013 Toyota Tacoma rear leaf spring is broken in half 3 leaf set up exactly like the recall up to 2011. Why didn’t the recall go up to 2013. Truck would bottom out easily for years on bumpy back roadsOwner complaint, filed 2026

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…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 29,048 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 toyota tacoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the speedometer and the fuel gauge stopped working. The contact also stated that after replacing the battery, the vehicle failed to start-up. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed.…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 127,817 miles

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)…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 80,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 95,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (11).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while closing the hood, the hood prop rod unexpectedly fell behind the latch, ceasing to securely latch the hood. While driving at 80 MPH, the hood suddenly opened and fractured the windshield. There was no injury sustained. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 107,000 miles

I am filing this consumer complaint against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Toyota Motor North America, Inc.) for unfair and deceptive business practices related to a known paint peeling defect on my 2013 Toyota Tacoma (VIN identified in form, paint code 040 Super White). The vehicle exhibits severe peeling on the passenger side rear…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Vehicle involved in a head on collision resulting in a total loss. Frontal airbags did not deploy. Occupant (driver) sustained bilateral wrist injuries requiring surgery.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Within 1 month of buying a 2012 and 2013 tacoma the clockspring goes out. This repair is incredibly expensive and has happened with every single Tacoma I have ever bought. Toyota needs to do something about this, this is unnaceptable that my horn/clockspring goes out almost immidiately.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while in reverse and attempting to park the engine RPMs suddenly increased while pressing the brake pedal and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering. During the incident, the vehicle crashed into two separate…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 75,000 miles

My 2013 toyota tacoma 4 cylinder truck, while in motion, intermittently [VIN], without warning, for a few brief seconds then correct it self. This acceleration happens without the driver initiating the acceleration by pressing on the accelerator. This has been happening for about 1-1/2 years. For approximately the past 4 months (july -…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 63,500 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 47,000 miles

I am professional fire investigator assigned to investigating the origin and cause of a fire involving the subject vehicle identified. The evidence revealed to date supports that the cause of the fire was the result of the failure identified in NHTSA campaign number: 13v557000. My concern involves the consequence section listed in the…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 55,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2020

Takata recall - error code p2437 and p2438. My truck has 76000 miles on it and is now in limp mode. It was very scary when it went there on the highway. I've seen online this problem existing on other toyota vehicles and they have recalls, but not the tacoma. This problem needs to be addressed. The truck won't go above 45 MPH and the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 76,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Engine and trac off warning lights illuminate for various duration two days or more then shut off after driving sometimes.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 45,640 miles

I was going to visit a friend in lancaster sc when I noticed a crack in the windshield. This crack appeared and nothing had failed on it. It starts at the bottom, just slightly to the passenger side from center and it goes upward about 7"-8", then goes towards the driver's side for an additional 12"-15". There was nothing that fell on it…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 14,600 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 100,000 miles

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 [VIN] were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 65,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 10,000 miles

The contact leased a 2013 toyota tacoma equipped with bf goodrich rugged trail t/a tires, size p265/70/r16. While the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that all four tires had visible cracks and were dry rotted in between the two exterior treads. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or replaced. The [VIN]…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 19,647 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 95,000 miles