2013 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Tacoma most often describe driveline shudder and vibration — felt on acceleration and deceleration, sometimes from the first few thousand miles — along with brakes that grab or engage on their own and a stiff or binding steering feel from a corroded intermediate shaft joint. Many complaints center on low-mileage vehicles, while steering and suspension reports tend to arrive later in life, often past 60,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Driveline shudder/vibration on acceleration

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a shudder or vibration felt through the whole truck when accelerating from a stop, most often between about 20 and 40 mph, and sometimes again while slowing down. Some say the dealer attributed it to mud on a brake caliper or to a service bulletin repair that did not help. A few report that the vibration persists after driveshaft or transmission work, and that further diagnosis was limited. Often reported on nearly new trucks, from a few thousand to about 10,000 miles, with a few reports later at 50,000-100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop through 45 mph and again during gentle braking, feeling for a shudder through the floor and pedals; ask whether any driveline or transmission bulletin work was performed and whether it changed anything.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After my taco was delivered to the dealer I drove it off the lot with 6 miles on it and while driving home I noticed what appeared to be a noise that sounded like radio feedback. I took it back to the dealer and after doing some checking was told that it was nothing serious and was scheduled to bring it in the following week. Upon taking it in and having it checked it was determined that there was a problem with it and that the noise was duplicated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10549451, filed 2013-10, 6 miles

   “My complaint is on a 2013 Toyota Tacoma trd offroad dc 4.0 at vehicle experiencing a bad driveline vibration when accelerating and especially breaking. I first experienced the problem around 2200 miles while driving back from another state. While driving over at least 40 MPH and while braking normally to a stop between 35 MPH and 20 MPH a vibration occurs from the driveline. The steering wheel doesn't vibrate but my pedals start shaking as well as the cab of the truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515860, filed 2013-06, 2,700 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes grab or activate on their own

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe brakes that grab sharply on slippery or uneven surfaces, and in some cases ABS or stability control engaging during a turn with no obvious skid, producing a dive or a pull. Owners say dealers typically could not duplicate the condition or found no warning light or code stored. Some relate the behavior to a brake actuator recall for this model year. Spread across the life of the truck, from a few thousand miles to over 100,000 miles, often during turning or low-grip conditions.

   Recall 14V054000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake actuator recall work (campaign 14V054000) was completed for this vehicle, and drive on a wet or gravel surface to see how the brakes and stability control behave.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2013 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 trd's front wheels attempt to lock up one at a time at highway speeds. It's like I'm tapping just one of my front brakes. If I'm not holding the steering wheel the truck will veer off the road. Beaverton Toyota has replaced the wheel bearing, hub and a wheel sensor, calibrated the steering sensor and realigned it. I believe the reason the alignment was so far off is due to the stress of just one front wheel locking up repeatedly at highway speeds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10724676, filed 2015-06, 12,000 miles

   “Driving to work traveling at between 55-60 I was going around a slight curve my foot was on the accelerator and out of no where the ABS or stability control or something caused my truck to slam on the brakes causing the front to dive down and a temporary loss of control. No crash just spooked. I drive the route every day the same way never had this happen before. The skid indicator was flashing but no noticeable skid. I am sensitive to that feeling and there was none detected prior to this happening.”

   NHTSA complaint #10714807, filed 2015-05, 48,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Stiff, binding steering from corroded shaft joint

   • 7 complaints (6%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners report the steering becoming suddenly stiff or having tight spots as the wheel is turned, at all speeds and sometimes while stationary. Several say a shop found the universal joint on the intermediate steering shaft badly rusted or binding, and that greasing it helped only briefly. Dealers quoted replacement of the shaft, and some owners describe no goodwill assistance once the warranty had expired. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles; a separate group describes steering wheel shimmy at highway speed from near-new mileage.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the truck stationary and slowly while rolling; feel for binding or notchy spots, and ask whether the intermediate shaft or its joint has been replaced or greased.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering in the truck has tight spots. As the steering wheel is rotated there are places where it seems to bind and get stiff then suddenly loosen again. I have taken it to a local garage and they showed me the universal joint in the intermediate steering shaft. The joint is badly corroded and binds in certain positions. Lubricating it has helped a small amount temporarily. The steering feels strange at all speeds and when stationary.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309965, filed 2020-02, 85,000 miles

   “The steering in my Tacoma has suddenly become stiff. It began 3 days ago and has gotten worse. The truck is handling poorly. The steering feels tight at all speeds. I have not solved the problem as yet but have been lubricating the universal joint at the bottom of the steering shaft. It feel similar to the same problem I had with my 2005 Tacoma. The steering shaft universal joint should be designed as a sealed unit and ability to grease it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11161777, filed 2018-12, 66,670 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear leaf springs weak or broken

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the rear of the truck sitting lower than normal, a harsher ride over bumps, and tires cupping repeatedly. Owners say inspections found weak or cracked rear leaf springs, in one case with a broken leaf near the fuel tank. Some note the truck was out of warranty and that earlier-model spring campaigns did not cover this year. Reported from about 29,000 miles up to roughly 65,000 miles, often noticed during routine maintenance or after repeated tire wear.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check ride height at the rear and look along the leaf packs for cracks or a shifted leaf; also look for uneven or cupped rear tires as a sign of worn springs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At around 40,000 miles my tires started cupping, I put on new tires with wheel alignment, at 55,000 miles I noticed my rear had a harder ride than usual and seemed to bottom out on bumps. Again with 85,000 miles (30k on new tires) tires were cupped and realized it after I spun out in the rain. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10874263, filed 2016-06, 65,000 miles

   “I need help please I brought a truck from dealer and they didn't tell me nothing about chases I have 45 days since I got it I was driving on freeway when I feel the truck was moving left side so I take to bodyshhop and the mechanic gave a report he found a lots problem with the truck I tried to speak with dealer but they not want to help or change the truck I want to return the truck because I can't pay for a truck t's not save to drive please help”

   NHTSA complaint #11340028, filed 2020-07, 109,000 miles

Buying note. On a used 2013 Tacoma, drive it at low and highway speeds to check for driveline shudder and steering binding, and confirm whether the brake actuator and other open recalls were completed for the VIN. Have the rear leaf springs and the fuel pump harness connector inspected, since both are recurring items owners raise.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.