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ProblemsByVin Index / 2018-TOYOTA-TACOMA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2018 Toyota Tacoma owner complaints

196 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 5 complaints shown

14 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/21/2018 1,957 mi ODI #11162977.0

Found metal shavings in the engine when checking oil level on the dip stick when the car only had 1,000 miles. The next day I went to tell them and they said it was normal but I asked for an oil change and asked for my filter and oil back when they were done. On the report they gave me they said they did not find any metal shavings but on my filter I found many, I still have the filter and oil just incase I need proof. Till this day I still can see metal shavings which worries me I found this in other tacomas too and I dont know why they always say it's normal when it's not.

12/17/2021 ODI #11444211.0

Driving down the road and was passing a truck. CEL and TRAC OFF lights came on and truck went into limp mode. Could not accelerate and truck was slowing down. Had to pull over turn truck off and restart and it ran fine until I duplicated the passing and push on the accelerator. Had codes check and was showing misfires on cylinder 3. I changed the spark plugs and checked the coils which were good. Next day was I was driving and truck had the same problems and eventually died and would not restart. I took it to the toyota dealer and they checked numerous things and had found #1 cylinder intake value was leaking. They suggested to replace the entire motor at a cost of $12,000. I declined and took it to another mechanic to see if the head just needed replacing. In that time I found others were

12/12/2025 ODI #11704749.0

While driving I can here a ticking sound coming from the motor and it gets worse while I pick up speed

12/08/2023 106,000 mi ODI #11559156.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was also diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

12/05/2022 ODI #11496050.0

When accelerating on highway check engine light started flashing and engine running rough. Pulled over and stopped vehicle turned off ignition. Restarted vehicle and light was out no longer running rough. Toyota dealer checked computer, cylinder #2 misfired 47 times & cylinder #3 misfired 3 times. They said they could not find what had created this problem and still charged me for engine diagnostics.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

25 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/13/2019 ODI #11288807.0

My transmission isn't working properly. It doesn't shift when it should or it downshifts when it shouldn't. When I am using cruise control it's stays in low gears way to long and reeves the engine very high. Once I take it off cruise control it gets better but still isn't right. This has happened since I purchased the vehicle in 2018.

12/07/2020 8,685 mi ODI #11378335.0

My 2018 Toyota tacoma pick up truck while driving especially on the highway has a skip or hesitation that randomly happens it's like a misfire in the engine it's much more noticeable when I haul my camping trailer up hills took it to the dealer a number of times in the last time the senior tech took it for a drive and acknowledged that there was an issue as l had explained the report says he called Toyota and that is a defect on the 2018 v6 Toyota tacoma's is a very dangerous it feels like it's going to stall at times especially if you're hauling a trailer that's over 5000 pounds uphill

12/02/2019 35,000 mi ODI #11286427.0

While driving under various speeds the truck will violently jolt forward. A stop control malfunction warning appears, the traction control, and the check engine light will illuminate. The truck will immediately enter limp mode which will not allow the truck to shift above 3/4th gear. This issue has occurred 8 times since the vehicle has been purchased and Toyota is refusing to cover the repairs under the power train warranty.

12/02/2018 5,150 mi ODI #11155497.0

Vehicle surges between 40-50mph, vehicle he a 4 sod automatic with 2 electronic overdrives, monroney label stated 6spd automatic. Vehicle sticks in it last gear 4th sometimes lock in 1st od rpms are high, mileage is 4 MPG less than listed. Vehicle stutters, doesn't accelerate well when transmission locks

brakes 3 complaints shown

34 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/28/2023 ODI #11562460.0

2018 Tacoma DC TRD Off Road, V6, hydraulic brake master cylinder, 49,000 miles: Brake fluid leaking into the cab of the vehicle beneath the brake pedal. Brake fluid is leaking from the rear of the master cylinder, running down the push rod and dripping off of the brake pedal bracket. Brake pedal resistance is slightly reduced. First noticed something dripping on my floor mat in April of 2023. I wasn't sure what it was. It never occurred to me that it could be brake fluid. There shouldn't be any vehicle fluids under the dash. There is the possibility of the system losing enough pressure that the brake system could fail entirely causing an accident and possible injury. (same symptoms as the recall for the vacuum boosted master cylinder-internal seal failure) This part should last at least

12/06/2024 85,000 mi ODI #11629242.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while inside the vehicle, there was brake fluid leaking from above the brake pedal. Additionally, while driving, the brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a brake booster leak inside the cab, and it was determined that the brake booster and brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V888000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

11/26/2025 ODI #11701669.0

The brake actuator assembly is leaking brake fluid and is dripping onto the brake lever and onto the floorboard. This concern has been inspected and confirmed by a local Toyota dealership. This problem is a known safety recall by Toyota (Safety Recall J06).

suspension 3 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
12/16/2018 2,700 mi ODI #11161776.0

After shifting into reverse from park and start backing up there is a 'clunk' noise from under the the vehicle and 'clunk' happens again once you brake in reverse. Vehicle inconsistently shifts while driving at normal city speed limits.

12/11/2022 ODI #11496942.0

When I go to accelerate at low speed my vehicle shudders shakes and vibrates, no engine lights or codes have popped up, the issue is somewhere from transmission to the rear end. Im guessing transmission or torque converter. With my vehicle only having 136,000 miles and is well taken care of this is ridiculous, I have checked drive line and tires and everything seems to be working as it should so it has to be something internal

11/29/2021 ODI #11442000.0

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 inspection. No warning lamps or messages appeared. This vehicle has not been driven off-road, only on smooth roads and highways.

electrical 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/14/2023 ODI #11560044.0

Display a message in screen "Pre-Collision System Malfunction", lost power and start blinking light in cluster

11/29/2022 ODI #11495375.0

IQ wireless charging pad gets hot pad has bubbled and dislodged from its place. Pad was replaced already for the same issue in Feb-2020. Now the same issue is recurring. The dealer said they had seen many more vehicles with the same problem. Charging pad gets hot when not in use. I contacted Toyota customer care to report and ask for advice, and they just said thank you for your feedback Vehicle is out of warranty nothing we can do about the issue. Explained this is an ongoing issue through this style of vehicle and should be noted or looked into as a possible safety concern. They said thanks for the feedback.

visibility 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/19/2022 ODI #11498006.0

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 through a door window glass. Toyota needs to redesign and replace all of their defective visor assemblies. The problem is with the rod holding design on the back side of the visor mounting plate. It is supposed to securely hold the plastic rotating arm from falling out of the mounting plate. It is wholly inadequate and will not safely support even the meager weight of the visor leaf itself. The only safe option is to leave the visor arm snapped into the end

steering 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/03/2018 ODI #11155811.0

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????

Showing 300 of 196 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/Tacoma#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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