2018 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about fuel-system and drivability complaints — rough running, hesitation and stalling — many of them tied to an open low-pressure fuel pump recall that took months to receive a remedy. Brake complaints are the second large group, split between the master cylinder issue covered by a recall and general pedal or stopping-distance concerns; transmission complaints about shuddering and gear hunting are common too, mostly at low mileage.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Low-pressure fuel pump recall and stalling

   • 53 complaints (25%)
   • median 23,500 mi at 2.3 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe rough running, hesitation on acceleration and occasional stalling at speed, and many mention they received a notice for the low-pressure fuel pump recall but were told the replacement part was not yet available. Complaints describe long waits, trucks parked or driven with the open recall outstanding, and in some cases the pump being replaced without the symptoms going away. Several owners also mention hard starting or no-start after the truck sat in cold weather. Mostly reported between roughly 7,000 and 40,000 miles, with several complaints filed in 2019-2020 while the recall remedy was pending.

   Recall 20V012000Recall 20V6820003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the recall repair record and confirm whether the low-pressure fuel pump has actually been replaced under 20V012000/20V682000. Note any hesitation or rough running on a test drive, especially after a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Toyota dealer knowingly sold me a 2018 40k miles Tacoma with an open recall regarding failing low pressure fuel pump that can stall at high speed. This was not disclosed at time of purchase. We live a great distance from dealer on a remote island making returning to dealer a considerable hardship. Dealer keeps saying 'part is coming in a couple days' would like to clear this up asap .”

   NHTSA complaint #11400290, filed 2021-03, 42,000 miles

   “I received a recall notification from Toyota about a problem with the low flow fuel pump in february of 2020 and there still isn't a remedy. This needs to be addressed. When it was recalled because it has a chance to stall out while driving at higher speeds. And people like myself don't have another vehicle to drive while Toyota takes there time in developing a remedy. It seems like to me its taking to long to get the remedy. Its been over 6 months. How is this possible.”

   NHTSA complaint #11355536, filed 2020-09, 24,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal low or spongy, long stopping distance

   • 42 complaints (20%)
   • median 12,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling spongy, with the truck taking longer than expected to stop; a few owners report fluid leaking above the pedal into the footwell. Some mention brake judder or vibration under braking from highway speed that dealers addressed by replacing pads, rotors or rear drums, in some cases as a warranty repair. Others describe the automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly or ABS taking over on slick roads. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 2,000 to over 100,000 miles, with many clustered under 25,000 miles.

   Recall 18V8880002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the brake pedal for a firm feel and look for fluid or dampness around the pedal and firewall; ask whether the 18V888000 master cylinder recall repair was completed and whether brake pads or rotors have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The automatic braking system (ABS) engages when road surfaces are snowy or slick. When this happens, I cannot stop the vehicle within a reasonable distance. The ABS takes over and the car coasts indefinitely. I have never been in an accident in 40 years of driving, and have now had three near misses over the last two winters due to the ABS.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307450, filed 2020-02, 19,500 miles

   “I just called my dealer for a 6 month service appt and was informed about a recall on my vehicle that is not shown in your website tool. My Toyota Tacoma 2018 was recalled for kob millimeter radar sensor which reportedly could affect braking. Your site is not reporting this recall on my vehicle but the dealer is.”

   NHTSA complaint #11209775, filed 2019-05, 2,975 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission shudder and gear hunting

   • 22 complaints (11%)
   • median 7,400 mi at 1.8 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2022

   Owners of automatic trucks describe shuddering, hesitation or a miss at steady speeds, most often in the 35-60 mph range under light throttle, and gear hunting or delayed downshifts. Complaints also mention hesitation or bucking when accelerating from low rpm and a sluggish feel when merging or towing. Several owners say dealers acknowledged the behavior but called it a normal characteristic or were unable to duplicate it, and some mention software reprogramming that did not fully resolve it. Commonly reported from a few thousand miles up to about 35,000, often soon after purchase.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at a steady 35-60 mph and at light throttle from low rpm to feel for shudder or hesitation, and ask whether any transmission software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Acceleration delay/hesitation, unp? Try telling a driver what to doredictable and dangerous computer transmission combination. I now have just over 4000 miles on my 2018 Toyota Tacoma or 4x4 dcsb. Purchased in july, got a software update in august at about 1100 miles. While the throttle response improved post update, the hunting for gears and what gear do I belong in confusion has not really improved. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11152067, filed 2018-11, 3,500 miles

   “In august 2018, I purchased new, a 2018 Toyota Tacoma sr5, 4 door, 2 wheel drive, automatic transmission. The transmission jerks/delays/staggers at speeds of mid-30's, mid-40's, and around 65 MPH. This started around 8000 miles. Occurs with or without cruise control on. It has been to the dealer for 8 assessments or repairs for this issue. Recently, the transmission did not change gears until 4000 rpms while I was pulling a small utility trailer. We had to travel at less than safe highway speeds until pulling over. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341453, filed 2020-07, 8,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Hesitation and stumbling on acceleration

   • 35 complaints (17%)
   • median 15,000 mi at 2.3 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the engine hesitating or bogging for a second or two when pulling away from a stop or turning into traffic, and occasional surging or rough idle. Some owners say dealers reproduced the problem but a computer reset or software update did not fix it; others report the truck entering limp mode with warning lights, or a check engine light leading to a catalytic converter diagnosis much later in life. A few mention a knocking noise associated with the vacuum pump. Usually reported under about 20,000 miles, often from the first months of ownership; converter-related complaints appear at much higher mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test acceleration from a stop and from low speed in traffic, and ask whether the dealer has documented any reprogramming or diagnosis for hesitation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378335, filed 2020-12, 8,685 miles

   “My 2018 Tacoma had a check engine light come on, then the trac light came on. Cruise control quit working and engine runs rough. When driving, vehicle begins to lose acceleration and check engine light begins flashing. When idling, engine runs with with a miss, and when driving, at lower speeds the vehicle shudders as if its losing power.”

   NHTSA complaint #11302999, filed 2020-01, 48,000 miles

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.