2013 Toyota Tacoma: common problems

Owners of the 2013 Toyota Tacoma filed 125 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 125
involving a crash: 11

What fails most often

1 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
3 Steering 11% of all complaints
4 Suspension 11% of all complaints
5 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
6 Electronic stability control 9% of all complaints
7 Structure 9% of all complaints
8 Air bags 8% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Powertrain: 22 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 18 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Steering: 14 complaints (11% of all).
Suspension: 14 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 13 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
automatic, 5-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: RWD, 4WD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 125 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

vibration13 · 10%
warning lights, check engine12 · 10%
rust, corrosion10 · 8%
A/C or heater5 · 4%
smoke, burning smell, fire5 · 4%
jerking, harsh shifts4 · 3%
knocking, grinding or other noise4 · 3%
airbags did not deploy3 · 2%
fuel system, fuel smell3 · 2%
unintended acceleration3 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Powertrain	22	2
Service brakes	18	2
Steering	14	0
Suspension	14	1
Electrical system	13	1
Electronic stability control	11	1
Structure	11	2
Air bags	10	4
Vehicle speed control	8	1
Engine	7	0
Fuel/propulsion system	6	1
Seats	4	0
Exterior lighting	3	0
Visibility	3	1

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Frontal airbags did not deploy. Occupant (driver) sustained bilateral wrist injuries requiring surgery.
Air bags · crash · 2026-02-01 · NHTSA complaint #11714837
The contact stated that both taillights were damaged, the tailgate was pushed into the bed tonneau cover, there was a significant dent on the bumper, and the vehicle sustained other unknown damages. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the scene.
Powertrain · crash · 2025-06-24 · NHTSA complaint #11668993
The contact stated that while in reverse and attempting to park the engine RPMs suddenly increased while pressing the brake pedal and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2021-08-16 · NHTSA complaint #11429292
The vehicle can experience sudden acceleration, noted especially while idling. The set idle speed, which the dealer has told me conforms to manufacturer's guidelines, is very high, and when at a stop sign or other stop, it can suddenly lurch forward.
Service brakes · crash · 2021-03-08 · NHTSA complaint #11399765
The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a whiplash and pain in the lower back and right knee. The front seat passenger sustained bruising to the right knee, whiplash, and soreness to the body. Medical attention was not required.
Air bags · crash · 2019-10-01 · NHTSA complaint #11265490
I noticed after the accident that neither the driver side air bag nor the passenger side air bag did not deploy. Los angeles police department concluded that I was not at fault. Driver initiated a 21801(a) vc-unsafe left turn in front of me. I still suffer from the accident and my hand is not the same.
Air bags · crash · 2016-01-21 · NHTSA complaint #10821557
We hit black ice and spun flipped into a ditch onto the passenger side of the truck airbag deployed on the passenger side the airbag caught on fire catching the whole truck on fire.
Electrical system · crash · 2015-12-31 · NHTSA complaint #10817278
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it rolled away in reverse independently. The vehicle then crashed into a nearby tree. There was no personal injury. A police report was not filed of the incident.
Powertrain · crash · 2014-05-02 · NHTSA complaint #10586157

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

201316
201422
201516
201610
20175
201811
20199
202012
20217
20221
20232
20242
20256
20266

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 3,035 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Tacoma has 258 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 125, below average.

What to check before buying

Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, service brakes, steering. Total complaints: 125. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (10%), warning lights, check engine (10%), rust, corrosion (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2013 Toyota Tacoma from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2013 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.