NHTSA has received 202 owner complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, or 23.3 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.55, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #37 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Toyota models its rate is 32% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 12% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-03-08 and 2026-07-22. Median delay from incident to filing: 18 days.
202Complaints
23.3Complaints per year on the road
0.55Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
3.5%Share involving a crash or fire
20Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 28.1 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 57 complaints, 36% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Fuel system (26.2% of complaints), followed by Brakes (19.8%) and Engine (12.9%). Fuel system complaints are 6.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Fuel system reports, owners most often mention “fuel”, “system gasoline”, “gasoline recall”, “tool” and “pump”. 7 reports (3.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 26 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the third year (26% of incidents). In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 46% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Electrical overstress” (opened 2019-04-19, closed 2024-09-19).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.55
vs. other Toyota models0.68
vs. other 2018 models0.47
vs. other Midsize pickups1.12
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (57)0.64
I was traveling southbound on I-25 when the flatbed truck in front of me came to a sudden stop. I was unable to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the truck. The airbags did not deploy upon impact.
Pulling vehicle into the garage on a cold morning (15 deg F). Hydraulic booster/brake master cylinder suddenly stopped providing boost pressure and brake pedal dropped to the floor.
Brakes · 2023-03-18 · ODI 11512521 · Crash
Vehicle hits a bump in the road and the check engine light comes on, followed by the gas pedal being non-responsive and an error code on the instrument panel saying “Brake Override System Malfunction. Check with dealer.” and “Pre-collision System Malfunction.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-22 · ODI 11752269
The cab vents failed causing water to soak the carpet and pad from the back wall to the front of the cab. Mold was growing through out the the cab. Carpet & pad had to be removed. This is a known problem by dealerships and owners of Toyota Tacoma.
Body & structure · 2026-07-19 · ODI 11751422
WHAT FAILED: The clear coat finish on the exterior paint of my 2018 Toyota Tacoma has failed (cracking) in two separate locations on the same vehicle, indicating a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear.
Body & structure · 2026-07-13 · ODI 11750035
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020.
On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Campaign 18V888000 · 2018-12-13
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.
EA19001 · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19 · Campaign 20V024 · Model years: 2018, 2019
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicl…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
202 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, or about 23.3 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
The most common category is Fuel system, accounting for 26.2% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Electrical overstress” (opened 2019-04-19, closed 2024-09-19).
Is the 2018 Toyota Tacoma still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 202 owner complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, or 23.3 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.55, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #37 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Toyota models its rate is 32% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 12% higher.