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…
2018 Toyota Tacoma engine problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 14 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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.…
While driving I can here a ticking sound coming from the motor and it gets worse while I pick up speed
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.…
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 29,426 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.