2018 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 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

The fuel pump as stopped working the vehicle will not start and the 4x4 is showing that it is not working. The vehicle is available for inspection. Thankfully this happened while the vehicle was sitting over night but we had driven it the evening before it just stopped running. the Fuel system could have failed while we were driving…Owner complaint, filed 2025

On June 26, 2025, around 9:30 AM, I was driving my Tacoma on the highway at approximately 70 mph when the truck suddenly lost power. I was in the center lane and nearly got hit as I tried to exit the highway. After exiting, the engine warning light came on, and the truck eventually stalled. I was able to restart it with limited power and…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 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 contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle continued moving forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was repaired under NHTS Campaign Number: 18V888000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but the contact had evidence…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 8,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the brake pedal was spongy while depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted, and the contact discovered oil on the bottom of his shoe before discovering oil in the driver’s side footwell. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that oil was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 77,000 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

2018 2WD Tacoma. Auto transmission. Ever since new and even today, when traveling 30-40 MPH and slowing to anywhere from 10-25 MPH, and then trying to accelerate, the engine and/or transmission stumbles/hesitates for at least a full second, and then the engine races higher and a hard transmission downshift occurs jerking your head and…Owner complaint, filed 2022

2018 tacoma automatic transmission shudders, hesitates and misses at speeds between 35-60 MPH. This happens constantly. Slight pedal and low rpm's in 5th and 6th gear is when it's most noticeable. On occasion, there is a more serious miss, which feels as if you have turned the ignition off at 50mph and then right back on. This does not…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 35,600 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 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

The engine in my 2018 Toyota Tacoma failed at 39000 miles and Toyota is refusing to cover the repair costs. I have records of all regularly scheduled maintenance performed and I have never done anything that would put additional stress on the engine such as off-roading or towing. This engine is defective and should be recalled. There are…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Motor tensioner bearings. All of the motor tensioner bearings have completely failed on this vehicle at 70,000 miles. All have to be replaced in an effort to avoid motor seizure and or other grave safety issuesOwner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 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

I just called my dealer for a 6 month service appt and was informed about a recall on my vehicle that is not shown in your website tool. My toyota tacoma 2018 was recalled for "kob millimeter radar sensor" which reportedly could affect braking. Your site is not reporting this recall on my vehicle but the dealer is.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 2,975 miles

I was driving the truck and it just took off 'like a runaway vehicle over 100 MPH" and it did this twice.I was driving on expressway approx 65 MPH. My injury is that I am paranoid to drive this truck. The truck does what it wants.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 19,500 miles

Parts named most: Body (16).

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

Clear coat is failing. Roof is starting to oxidize, hood and all doors and truck bed are beginning the same process that started on the roof. Cosmetic issue. Problem was reported to Toyota costumer support program. Manufacturer refused to report and confirm, was given 1800 number, independent service center confirmed issue. Failure first…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I have a clear coat bubbling issue on my mirrors and also multiple clear coat stains on the hood that just developed on my Toyota Tacoma Off Road-Inferno Orange paint after two years that I own it. I called Toyota, there is no recall on my paint color, but I've viewed an online post someone has placed a lawsuit for the same reasons, but…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 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

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy, and the vehicle seller was not the title holder. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was purchased via private sale via Facebook marketplace. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 57,000, and at the time of…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 254,000 miles

Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6), Adaptive cruise control (5).

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

My 2018 Toyota Tacoma started showing a "forward collision detection system malfunction" "Contact your dealer" light came on that also indicates system is not on/functioning. I went to the dealer and was told the Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor Assembly #88210-04020 wad defective. My replacement cost and labor would be $1,543. I refused the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

While driving on 3 lane interstate, with the adaptive cruise control on, while passing a semi truck the front collision brake system activated. I was doing 72 miles an hour when it happened. The result was almost got rear-ended by another vehicle when my truck applied the brakes unexpectedly. The semi did not cross into my lane. My lane…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 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

am filing this complaint regarding a power steering rack leak on my [2018] Toyota Tacoma with [83,000] miles, which I purchased used three months ago from Fred Anderson Toyota of Greer in South Carolina. The dealer represented the vehicle as having passed a 160-point inspection and implied CPO-level standards, but it was not actually…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 35,000 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

Started noticing vibration on smooth roads a few weeks ago, as if tires were misaligned. Independent service center was able to reproduce the problem and found both rear shocks were cracked, with fluid leaking. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else, has not been repaired yet (but parts are being ordered), and is available for…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Hitachi shocks can't handle dampening requirements causing the tires to lose contact with the roadway - reducing traction, braking ability, and stability. My 10 year old son can collapse the shock with 1 hand - never mind a vehicle that weighs 4,000+ lbs. If there is any type of load - when hitting a bump the truck bounces down the road…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 28,000 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

The mechanical design of Toyota's plastic visor assemblies that are installed in my Tacoma truck is disgustingly worthless and every last one of them will ultimately fail unless they are left securely fastened in the end visor holding clamp, permanently, and at all times while driving. That means not rotating them to shade a glaring sun…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The hood bulge on the trd has severe glare when the sun is raising or setting. Many times I have rounded a corner and the sun reflects off the hood bulge and blinded me. Today I was almost in an accident. This happens when stationary or in motion on a city street or a highway.Owner complaint, filed 2019

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

I got in a car accident another car hit me T-bone right between the driver a d passenger door sideairbags weren’t deployed at all the incident cause me to jump into de sidewalk run over a sign and neither of the frontbags were deployed either the hit cause me to hit my head to the side window reason I got a concussion and been having…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2018 toyota tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v012000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called new country toyota of saratoga springs (3002 ny-50, saratoga springs, ny 12866; (518) 584-7272) where it was confirmed that…Owner complaint, filed 2020

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

Rear driver seatbelt retracts but won’t reel back up. After replacing it, shop recognized the ineffective nature of the other side. Safety of my children at risk. Inspected by independent shop and dealer. No warning lights. Symptoms include less effectiveOwner complaint, filed 2021

Vibration in steering wheel and seat when driving between 10-30mph and braking between 10-30mph. This is a new 2018 tacoma access cab with only 4000 miles. Tsb 0171 and 0023 address the same problem????Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 200 miles