Owners have reported 6 crashes and 1 injury to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints32
SERVICE BRAKES
Multiple owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma report issues with brake fluid leaking into the cab, often from above the brake pedal, which can affect braking performance. Complaints frequently mention that the brake pedal requires more force to engage and sometimes goes to the floor, indicating potential brake system failures. These issues are often observed around 49,000 to 87,500 miles. Some reports associate these symptoms with previously recalled components, but several vehicles experiencing these issues are not covered under the recall. Safety implications are significant, with five reported crashes and one injury, highlighting potential loss of braking control. This information is crucial for used car buyers considering a 2018 Tacoma, especially regarding brake system inspections and recall status verification.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints29
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the fuel propulsion system, particularly concerning the low-pressure fuel pump. Common symptoms include a strong smell of fuel in the cab, sudden loss of power while driving, stalling, and the inability to start the vehicle. Many complaints reference issues occurring around the time of a recall announced in January 2020, with some owners experiencing ongoing problems despite recall repairs. Safety implications are significant, as multiple reports describe stalling at high speeds, which poses a risk of crashes. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring fuel pump issues and verify if recall work has been completed effectively.
Owner complaints25
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving the transmission and clutch. Common symptoms include transmission hesitation, shuddering, jerking, and difficulty with gear shifting, often occurring at speeds between 30-60 mph or during acceleration from a stop. Some manual transmission owners describe clutch pedal problems, especially in cold weather, and both manual and automatic transmission users report issues with throttle response and engine stalling. These issues often appear as early as 8,000 miles and can persist beyond 57,000 miles. Safety concerns arise from the potential for loss of power or unintended acceleration, which could lead to dangerous driving situations. This information is particularly useful for used car buyers assessing the reliability and performance of the 2018 Tacoma's power train.
Owner complaints24
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues related to the fuel system, primarily involving delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts. Many complaints highlight that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide parts for the repair, with no failures experienced by most owners. However, some owners describe symptoms such as vehicle hesitation, stalling, and rough driving, often occurring around 6,500 to 56,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are reported, these issues may affect vehicle reliability and performance. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential delays in recall repairs and consider the impact on vehicle operation.
Owner complaints13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma. Odometer discrepancies are noted in two cases, with significant differences between displayed and actual mileage. Multiple complaints mention problems with the pre-collision system, describing false activations and failure to engage when necessary, which could pose safety risks. Rodent damage to soy-based wiring, issues with the wireless charging pad overheating, and a malfunctioning fuel pump running without ignition are also observed. These complaints arise at varying mileages, with some issues appearing as early as 3,000 miles, indicating potential concerns for used car buyers regarding vehicle reliability and safety features.
Owner complaints12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unintended acceleration and delayed engine response. Several complaints describe the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly when the cruise control is activated, sometimes exceeding 100 mph, while others mention significant delays in engine response, taking up to 8 seconds to accelerate from a stop. These issues often occur at mileages ranging from approximately 10,000 to 21,000 miles. Additionally, some owners note problems with the Pre-Collision System (PCS) erroneously activating, causing sudden braking without clear cause. These symptoms suggest potential safety implications, including the risk of rear-end collisions and loss of control.
Owner complaints12
ENGINE
Owners report several engine-related issues with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma. Common symptoms include engine hesitation during acceleration, often described as surging or bogging, particularly in lower gears and when shifting early. Multiple owners mention misfires, particularly on cylinders #2 and #3, with some experiencing the vehicle entering limp mode or stalling. Issues often arise around 10,000 to 70,000 miles. Some complaints include ticking sounds from the engine and metal shavings found in the oil, raising concerns about potential long-term engine wear. Safety implications are noted, as hesitation and stalling can occur during critical driving maneuvers, such as merging or turning across traffic.
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the steering system. Common symptoms include increased effort required to maneuver the vehicle due to electronic power steering failure, and vibrations in the steering wheel, particularly noticeable between 10-30 mph. Some owners also note vehicle surges when turning the steering wheel and hesitancy in shifting gears on the highway. These issues are reported at varied mileages, with some occurring as early as 2,000 to 4,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted in instances where steering issues coincide with loss of power at highway speeds, posing potential risks of loss of vehicle control.
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving unexpected activation of the collision braking system and system malfunctions. Common symptoms include sudden braking at highway speeds, as described by one owner who experienced a sudden deceleration from 82 mph to 60 mph, and another who nearly got rear-ended when the system activated without cause. These issues often occur when the adaptive cruise control is engaged, and some owners mention a malfunction indicator on the display. Problems have been reported as early as 2019, suggesting they can occur within the first few years of ownership. Safety implications are notable, with risks of rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially if the vehicle's forward collision avoidance system has undergone recall-related repairs.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma report issues with airbag deployment and recall-related delays. One owner describes a crash where side and front airbags failed to deploy after a T-bone collision, resulting in a concussion and ongoing headaches. Another owner reports delays in obtaining parts for a Takata airbag recall repair, with the parts being unavailable despite the recall notification. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, particularly in crash scenarios, and suggest delays in remedying known airbag defects.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
