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2018 Toyota Tacoma: check engine light

14 of the 210 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma describe check engine light.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
7%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 20 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

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.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · NV

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Fuel system · AZ

The fuel pump as stopped working the vehicle will not start and the 4x4 is showing that it is not working. The vehicle is available for inspection. Thankfully this happened while the vehicle was sitting over night but we had driven it the evening before it just stopped running. the Fuel system could have failed while we were driving anywhere. It has not been inspected by anyone else. it is sitting in our driveway and my husband has done a lot of trouble shooting as to what could be wrong and all arrows point to the fuel pump. there have been no check engine light or nothing this came out of nowhere.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Fuel system · TX

On June 26, 2025, around 9:30 AM, I was driving my Tacoma on the highway at approximately 70 mph when the truck suddenly lost power. I was in the center lane and nearly got hit as I tried to exit the highway. After exiting, the engine warning light came on, and the truck eventually stalled. I was able to restart it with limited power and drove it to a nearby shop. The shop's diagnosis revealed several warning codes, and the fuel pressure was found to be only 14 psi. They recommended replacing the low-pressure fuel pump. After researching known fuel pump issues, I had the truck towed to a local Toyota dealership. The dealership confirmed the codes but couldn’t replicate the low-pressure reading after driving for about 30 miles. Because of this, they stated that it didn’t qualify for the extended recall offered by Toyota. Toyota refused to replace the pump, arguing that the recall had already been performed in 2020 and that the low pressure reading came from a non-Toyota repair shop. My response was: how can they be sure that the pump replaced under the recall wasn’t faulty as well? No answer In the end, I had no choice but to cover the repair costs myself. However, I made sure to get the old pump back from the dealership and documented its manufacturing details to support my claim moving forward.

Filed Dec 8, 2023 · Engine · 106,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was also diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Suspension, Transmission · WV

When I go to accelerate at low speed my vehicle shudders shakes and vibrates, no engine lights or codes have popped up, the issue is somewhere from transmission to the rear end. Im guessing transmission or torque converter. With my vehicle only having 136,000 miles and is well taken care of this is ridiculous, I have checked drive line and tires and everything seems to be working as it should so it has to be something internal

Filed Dec 5, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

When accelerating on highway check engine light started flashing and engine running rough. Pulled over and stopped vehicle turned off ignition. Restarted vehicle and light was out no longer running rough. Toyota dealer checked computer, cylinder #2 misfired 47 times & cylinder #3 misfired 3 times. They said they could not find what had created this problem and still charged me for engine diagnostics.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Fuel system · GA

The vehicle every time I fuel either does start afterwards or it would start and drive for about 3-6 minutes then it will stall. The very first time it happened was on the highway which I didn’t know why my car had stall but now that it has done it right at the fuel pump and also more often than not. I tried using other gas stations just to rule out bad fue but it has been like this for the past 6 month. I have taken it to Toyota MCDONOUGH in Georgia and they could not give a diagnostic because the check engine light does not stays on and they said they can’t replicate the problem.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Engine · TX

Driving down the road and was passing a truck. CEL and TRAC OFF lights came on and truck went into limp mode. Could not accelerate and truck was slowing down. Had to pull over turn truck off and restart and it ran fine until I duplicated the passing and push on the accelerator. Had codes check and was showing misfires on cylinder 3. I changed the spark plugs and checked the coils which were good. Next day was I was driving and truck had the same problems and eventually died and would not restart. I took it to the toyota dealer and they checked numerous things and had found #1 cylinder intake value was leaking. They suggested to replace the entire motor at a cost of $12,000. I declined and took it to another mechanic to see if the head just needed replacing. In that time I found others were having the same problem and it was a malfunctioning part in the intake manifold. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-in-limp-mode-fixed.659782/ This is the forum were I found the problem and it fixed it. A piece of it was holding my intake valve open and that was the cause of it not starting and the leaking valve. I went and showed the Toyota dealer and they were not aware of that problem. I would like it to get posted so others don't get con into putting a new motor if it has the same problem. It seems everyone that has this issue is around 17 and 18 year models and all ranges of mileage.

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Fuel system · CA

Vehicle may stall while driving. Is the recall for the fuel pump. That needs replacing. I get warning lights. The check engine light goes on. I also get a low fuel pressure light that also goes on. I've gotten the recall notice a year ago. And every time I go to toyota for an oil change they say that there's no fix yet for the problem. Its been a year already. What are they waiting for . For me to stall while am driving and kill someone or me. Unacceptable , am sick and tired of talking to the dealer. They seem to have no attention of fixing this dangerous recall

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 48,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 35,000 miles · MD

While driving under various speeds the truck will violently jolt forward. A stop control malfunction warning appears, the traction control, and the check engine light will illuminate. The truck will immediately enter limp mode which will not allow the truck to shift above 3/4th gear. This issue has occurred 8 times since the vehicle has been purchased and toyota is refusing to cover the repairs under the power train warranty.

Questions about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?

14 of 210 owner complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma (7%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?

There are 0 recalls and 20 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma

Fuel pump 26Stalling 24Hesitation 10Loss of power 10Misfire 10Adaptive cruise 9Collision warning 7Brake failure 5Jerking 5Shudder 5

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