Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Toyota Tacoma problems

Owners filed 209 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA between Mar 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (44).

Complaints
209
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes44
  2. Fuel/propulsion system42
  3. Power train29
  4. Engine26
  5. Fuel system, gasoline24
  6. Vehicle speed control19
  7. Structure16
  8. Electrical system14
  9. Forward collision avoidance11
  10. Steering6
  11. Suspension6
  12. Visibility/wiper3
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  14. Air bags3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201819
201938
202065
202115
202217
20238
20248
202519
202620

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

44 reports5 crashes
“The vacuum pump. This vehicle was inspected by Dunn Tire. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. The safety issue that occurs is the loss of power assist to your brake system, and if not repaired, can impact the camshaft or the oiling system. (Please see attachment).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11728861

Fuel/propulsion system

42 reports
“2018 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD Double Cab, 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS). At about 87,000 miles the check engine light came on with code P11EC, Cylinder 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance (Port). Cylinder 1 failed compression. Leakdown and coolant tests had passed earlier; borescope did not show heavy scoring. The Toyota dealer said replacing the direct injectors would fix compression (quote about $4,499). After the dealer injector repair, cylinder 1 was still 124 psi (spec about 142-180 psi), so it did not fix compression. The dealer then quoted $11,778 for a short block (+$500 incidentals) and $14,238 for an engine assembly that was not new (about 45,000 miles on the replacement discussed); adding injectors again put the short-block path at about $16,278. I was steered toward buying a new truck and had the injector work reversed because it did not fix what they said it would. Toyota Brand Engagement Center reviewed the case, called the dealer, took VINs for other Toyotas, and denied goodwill; no recall or TSB. An independent shop later pulled the engine and found the cylinder 1 exhaust valves leaking badly; cylinder wall still looked good. Machine shop valve job, new rings, injectors…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769379

Power train

29 reports
“I HAVE HAD BELOW ISSUE AT 57000 MILES ON MY TACOMA. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I AM NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND COPORATE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY TRUCK BY SEARCH VIN, BUT ITS CLEAR IM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS BELOW AND SEEING OTHER VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, SO ITS CLEAR THIS TRUCK WAS BUILT WITH THE SAME DEFECTS. The Plano, Texas-based manufacturer sent a safety recall report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stating they will recall 6,046 2018 Toyota Camry, 2018 Toyota Highlander, 2017 Toyota Sienna, 2017 Toyota Tacoma, and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles built between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3, 2017. Toyota stated in the report the affected vehicles contain brake booster vacuum pump assemblies with improperly machined oil galleys. The vacuum pump is supplied oil from the engine to seal and lubricate the pump vane’s movement. The defect can cause oil to not properly circulate through the system, eventually breaking the pump vane and causing potentially dangerous braking assist loss.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2024Power train, Service brakesODI 11626240

Engine

26 reports
“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 numerous reports online of the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2026EngineODI 11729880

Fuel system, gasoline

24 reports2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made a rattling sound. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel tank cover had detached due to the well nuts being corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11469153

Vehicle speed control

19 reports
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS LOST POWER AND STARTED IDLING VERY LOW IN TRAFFIC. THERE HAS BEEN AN OPEN RECALL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAS NOT FIXED IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2020Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11342029
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.