Clear coat is failing. Roof is starting to oxidize, hood and all doors and truck bed are beginning the same process that started on the roof. Cosmetic issue. Problem was reported to Toyota costumer support program. Manufacturer refused to report and confirm, was given 1800 number, independent service center confirmed issue. Failure first appeared 1 month ago, has quickly spread to full vehicle.
The worst 2018 Toyota Tacoma problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system66
- Brakes48
- Transmission29
- Engine27
- Acceleration19
- Body17
- Electrical14
- Driver assistance11
- Steering6
- Suspension6
- Visibility4
- Airbags3
- Lights2
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
Fuel pump 26Stalling 24Check engine light 14Hesitation 10Loss of power 10Misfire 10Adaptive cruise 9Collision warning 7Brake failure 5Jerking 5Shudder 5
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 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 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.
Recall number 20V682000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V012000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 18V888000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
Defect investigations
Electrical overstress
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 vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V‑668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (âEOSâ) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.  In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V‑668, 18E-043, 18V‑137, 18V‑363, and 20V‑024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA19001
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma 294
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner...
- Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process
- Structure: body
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner...
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
- Technical instructions for customer support program 23TE08 coverage for paint peeling on exterior door...
- Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid
- Paint peeling along the exterior window door frames, inner fender edges under the hood, and/or A-pillars
- 21TD03
2018 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| 2.7L 4‑cyl | RWD | 20 | 23 | 21 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17-18 | 20-22 | 18-20 |
| 2.7L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19 | 22 | 20 |
What 2018 Toyota Tacoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have been having issues with an intermittent rain smell in my vehicle for the past few months not realizing the smell was due to water intrusion in the cabin of my truck. I own a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. As of recently the situation has been getting exceedingly worse due to stormy and rainy weather during the month of September. At this point I noticed the floor throughout my whole cabin was flooded with water. I was sure my windows were not open and my doors were closed and sealed properly. I took the vehicle to the Honda dealership and they provided me a Condition, Cause and Remedy (CCR). The CCR stated that water was entering my vehicle through the cabin vents located between my truck bed and the cabin of the vehicle. These cabin vents do not have any maintenance plan surrounding them, the seals are also not accessible or visible without complete removal of the back end of the truck. This is a manufacturer design issue and Toyota needs to warn their consumers to correct. Also because water intrudes in the vehicle it builds up moisture on the drivers windshield so you cannot see when driving early in the morning. The defroster does not help reduce visibility enough while driving. I was quoted a repair cost of $4500 by the Toyota dealership to fix. There is now mold growing through the only vehicle I own. I reached out to Toyota customer service to help get this resolved. It’s been over a week and they closed my case without providing any assistance or solution despite acknowledging the design issue. This is a common issue with Gen 3 Tacomas and driving with mold growing in your vehicle is NOT safe. I will follow up with my doctor to see if this problem is contributing to some of the current health issues I am experiencing.
Cab air vents behind rear seat leaks causing mold to form under carpet.
2018 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD Double Cab, 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS). At about 87,000 miles the check engine light came on with code P11EC, Cylinder 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance (Port). Cylinder 1 failed compression. Leakdown and coolant tests had passed earlier; borescope did not show heavy scoring. The Toyota dealer said replacing the direct injectors would fix compression (quote about $4,499). After the dealer injector repair, cylinder 1 was still 124 psi (spec about 142-180 psi), so it did not fix compression. The dealer then quoted $11,778 for a short block (+$500 incidentals) and $14,238 for an engine assembly that was not new (about 45,000 miles on the replacement discussed); adding injectors again put the short-block path at about $16,278. I was steered toward buying a new truck and had the injector work reversed because it did not fix what they said it would. Toyota Brand Engagement Center reviewed the case, called the dealer, took VINs for other Toyotas, and denied goodwill; no recall or TSB. An independent shop later pulled the engine and found the cylinder 1 exhaust valves leaking badly; cylinder wall still looked good. Machine shop valve job, new rings, injectors tested (two bad), all six replaced; repair about $8,000. Truck runs normally after. Consequences: loss of power, failed emissions monitors, risk of further engine damage if driven, high repair cost. Not a crash. This appears to be a known pattern on the 2GR-FKS in 2016-2019 Tacomas (P11EC, cylinder 1, leaking/burnt exhaust valves, often after direct-injector washdown). Toyota has not recalled; dealers stop at injectors or quote a short block/used engine, and owners pay out of warranty. Please log this under 2018 Toyota Tacoma: engine, fuel system, and valve train (cylinder head/exhaust valves, fuel injectors), so the pattern is on record. Servicing dealer: Nashville Toyota North. Toyota Brand Engagement case 260521000967.
Rear cabin air vents not sealed properly from factory. Water leaks in and soaks interior carpet and gets moldy.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle continued moving forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was repaired under NHTS Campaign Number: 18V888000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but the contact had evidence that the repair was not performed. There was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside of the vehicle before the failure, which continued afterwards. The manufacturer was informed through brand engagement and customer care. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
I have a clear coat bubbling issue on my mirrors and also multiple clear coat stains on the hood that just developed on my Toyota Tacoma Off Road-Inferno Orange paint after two years that I own it. I called Toyota, there is no recall on my paint color, but I've viewed an online post someone has placed a lawsuit for the same reasons, but a different color. They've had a recall on white paint but not my color and I wanted to document the complaint. I called Toyota corporate and they said to file it with NTSB.
I own a 2018 Toyota Tacoma SR, manufactured 11/2017, with factory paint code 1G3 Magnetic Gray Metallic. The factory clear coat is experiencing extensive delamination/failure on the hood and roof. This isn't isolated stone damage or normal cosmetic wear. The clear coat is failing extensively across the horizontal panels. I'm aware Toyota has previously acknowledged clear-coat peeling on Tacoma vehicles through T-SB-0004-20 and Customer Support Program 20TE02, and that there are documented complaints involving 2018 Tacomas experiencing clear-coat failure on the hood and roof. I understand my VIN may not currently fall within those programs, but I'm requesting that Toyota inspect and document the condition and consider goodwill assistance toward repainting the affected factory-painted panels. I'd also like a Toyota case number assigned to the paint failure.
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. Visit your dealer. ” When this occurs, have to coast the vehicle to a safe place, turn off and wiggle the Radar Control piece attached to the front grill sometimes multiple times before the truck will clear the code and accelerate. Been an ongoing issue for several months. Have replaced the front grill sensor and plate and the issue persists.
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. Because the water was under the seats, trim and weather mats it went undetected exposing us to mold. Problem was reported to Toyota dealership and Toyota Corporation. A case was logged 07/10/2026 as Case # 260710001840. The resolution offered was ordering and replacing parts. All parts required for repair and on backorder. Hundreds of orders for these parts in their system. Carpet and under mat had been replaced 05/02/2025 due to a Toyota recall campaign 21TD03.
Compare the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
Is the 2018 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Owners have filed 210 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, fewer than a typical Tacoma model year.
What is the 2018 Toyota Tacoma year score?
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma scores 80 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Tacoma: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 66 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles. Next is brakes (48).
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V682000, 20V012000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Tacoma have the most fuel system problems?
The Toyota Tacoma model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2019 (75 complaints), 2018 (66 complaints) and 2012 (53 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma get?
Official estimates for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 24 highway.
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