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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-TOYOTA-TACOMANHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Toyota
2013 Toyota Tacoma problems
The 2013 Toyota Tacoma has 124 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Toyota Tacoma has 124 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 19 complaints, typically surfacing around 55,737 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Tacoma?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★4/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Toyota Tacoma? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 55,737 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
suspension — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,894 mi · ~$900 to fix
steering — 13 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,931 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,151 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 55,737 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Tacoma· electricalCrash
We hit black ice and spun flipped into a ditch onto the passenger side of the truck airbag deployed on the passenger side the airbag caught on fire catching the whole truck on fire.
On date of service I was informed by advisor [xxx] that all 24 wheel fasteners (lugs) holding on the wheel studs did not have ample threads. I was escorted to service area of my vehicle and saw what he was describing to me. It was the wrong lugs nuts installed. There was no…
Tl* 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…
Truck will making a rattle or knocking noise under load usually I can hear at 25 MPH sometime 45 MPH even at 65 MPH at high way speed . That sound come from front of the engine, sound like timing chain losing tension . Took to dealer the tech also heard that noise but they said…
Had a problem with your 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Toyota Tacoma is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2013 Toyota Tacoma is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 19 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,737 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Toyota Tacoma a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 124 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 55,737 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,737 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 55,737 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Tacoma has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 124 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Tacoma.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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