2018 Toyota Tacoma: jerking or lurching

5 of the 210 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2025
2
2024
5
2023
1
2021
1
2020
4
2019
11
2018
5
2017
6
2016
12
2015
2
2013
1
2011
1
2010
12
2009
11
2008
9
2007
18
2006
21
2005
20
2004
4
2003
6
2001
2
1999
2
1998
2
1996
2

What owners say

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Transmission · NJ

2018 2WD Tacoma. Auto transmission. Ever since new and even today, when traveling 30-40 MPH and slowing to anywhere from 10-25 MPH, and then trying to accelerate, the engine and/or transmission stumbles/hesitates for at least a full second, and then the engine races higher and a hard transmission downshift occurs jerking your head and body back and sending the vehicle into a fast acceleration.

Filed Oct 1, 2022 · Transmission · SC

My 2018 Tacoma is experiencing issues with the transmission jerking and shaking. It is not safe to drive. It is currently sitting parked because we can no longer drive it. We are out of a car due to this issue. Is there anything that can be done to get the problem resolved?

Filed Jul 25, 2020 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · FL

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. This almost resulted in an accident. The problem is constant and reproducible. The service manager at the local dealership claims this happens in some, but not all 2018 tacomas. This is a safety issue.

Filed Jul 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 15,000 miles · OR

My 6 speed manual v6 3.5l trd off road tacoma has hesitations and bucks when you apply throttle in the lower RPM 1000 to 2000 range to accelerate and also has poor throttle response when down shifting to slow and make a turn onto a side street. You have to apply almost 3/4 throttle to get the RPM to come to where you can rev match to the appropriate gear. It makes for a jerky ride for passengers and seems hard on the drivetrain. No dealer fix is available. Clutch pedal also squeaks on warmer days.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Engine · 500 miles · ND

He truck idle speed management under load from cold start is erratic. If I put vehicle into reverse to back out of garage idle speed jumps 200-300 RPM and jerks before settling down. If I turn the steering wheel at creep speed (engine at idle) idle speed jumps 200-300 RPM. I took to dealer 8/7/19 and dealer says no problem found. This only happens when coolant temp is stone cold. It has done this since new.