Toyota Tacoma loss of power problems

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CO

My 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter consistently experiences a severe loss of engine power while driving in rainy conditions. During precipitation, the vehicle suddenly loses acceleration capability, sputters, and becomes highly unresponsive, creating an immediate highway hazard as it cannot maintain traffic speeds. I suspect water ingress through the high-mount air intake (snorkel) system or factory airbox is affecting the engine's airflow sensors or electrical connectors. This happens every time I drive in heavy rain. I have brought it to 2 dealerships immediately after this has happened and both times I was told to just keep driving it until im stranded on the roadside because that's what roadside assistance is for. One time I had a car full of kids and they still told me to drive it until im stranded. Both times they didn't even scan the truck to see what happened.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · AK

On [XXX], my 2026 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter experienced an abrupt loss of power while passing a semi-truck on [XXX] in northern British Columbia, Canada. It was raining sufficiently to require windshield wipers but not at full speed. As I accelerated to pass a semi-truck in rain and road spray, the dash gauge indicated turbo boost increased, and then abruptly my truck suddenly lost power and entered what appeared to be a reduced-power or “limp” mode with many dash lights. It started slowing down immediately with no throttle response. I could no longer maintain highway speed and had to pull over immediately. This created an immediate collision risk while passing a large truck in highway traffic. After stopping, I inspected the air filter and intake. The filter was not visibly wet, but I found water droplets inside the intake near the sensor. I have a photograph documenting these droplets. I was approximately a couple hundred kilometers from the nearest Toyota dealer, so I drove at reduced power (max speed limited to approximately 40 mph) to the closest mechanic, who restored normal operation. I do not have the diagnostic fault codes. I suspect rainwater or road spray entered through the factory snorkel during a turbo boost event causing the sensor to detect water and the subsequent loss of power, but the underlying cause has not been confirmed. My primary safety concern is the sudden inability to maintain speed or accelerate during a highway passing maneuver, and the possibility of recurrence during driving in rain and road spray. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Sep 30, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

For second time fordt time was in 2024 bow again in September of 2026 while accelerating i loose power while shifting gears. No matter how hard i push accelerator it does not provide power feels almost like seiches to from drive . Worried that loss of power will cause accident since i csn accelerate. Toyoa want me to replicate this condition and is impossible to do. Offed to pay myself to check for metal shavings. I will pay to stay safe if they will deny the issue again. No check engine light

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Fuel system · MN

Long crank start. Loss of power. Stalling. Priming fuel system 3x before cranking results in normal start. Suspect low pressure fuel pump failure 115k km/ 70k miles

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Truck has 116k miles, started losing power and acceleration diminished. CEL and Trac Off light came on. Pulled over twice after experiencing same issue. Took to mechanic and diagnostic code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). Replaced 6 spark plugs to be safe, and replaced broken coil in cylinder 1. Drove less than a mile and CEL came back on. Brought to dealership this time and they found a leak in the head gasket and noticed warping in cylinder 1, along with code P0301 still present. They reported back to me stating it needed a machinist to resurface the the cylinder head, that the repair is mechanical. Even outside of warranty this fix should not be costing $13,000. The truck has been properly maintained for the past 9 years, all oil services and replacing any wear and tear items. Mechanical (warping) is manufacturing issues.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Body · TX

Front passenger door handle broke under normal use exiting truck resulting in inability to open door from inside, entrapping occupant. Warranty claim filed with Toyota dealership. Dealer service advisor stated this is a common failure on Gen 4.Tacomas, and Tundras. Part is on backorder. Service advisor stated backlog is large and no time estimate can be given when the repair can be made. This can result in entrapment in an accident if side windows lose power to roll down if capable of opening door from, or crawl in rear and exit through rear doors if child locks are not engaged. Recall is warranted.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Engine · 19,600 miles · UT

The contact stated that while driving in the rain, when passing another vehicle, the vehicle began shuddering and experienced a loss of power. The check engine light illuminated and multiple other warning indicators. The vehicle pulled over to the vehicle was stopped and eventually restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer were it was diagnosed with an air intake failure. Shortly after, the vehicle experienced the same issue. Again and was returned to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed with a turbo mud and water found inside the air intake, water is covering the filter and there was no additional repairs that could be completed so the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 19,600.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

While attempting to cross 3 lanes of oncoming traffic from a standstill the vehicle lost all power and barely moved 2 feet, irrespective my efforts of stabbing at the throttle, and almost got us killed. Fortunately I slammed on the brakes and barely missed being hit head on. No warning lamps or codes popped up. This is now the 3rd such incident in the 2 months we have owned this vehicle.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Fuel system · CO

The original low pressure fuel pump failed at 114,700 miles. The symptoms of the failure were loss of power on the freeway, quickly followed by the engine stumbling, then shutting off completely forcing me to change lanes without power. The vehicles has had to be towed on 2 occasions because of this. The pump was replaced at 114,700 miles by a Toyota dealer at my own cost (no warranty, no recall). Now only 20k miles later the fuel pump has failed again. This issue has put my family at serious risk of accident to complete engine shut off at highway speeds. Now that I am on my third low pressure fuel pump, I have little confidence that this is being addressed by the pump manuf. and Toyota.