14 of the
281 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
27,203 miles.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy, and the vehicle seller was not the title holder. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 32,000, and the contact later discovered that the mileage was over 200,000 through the Carfax report.
NHTSA complaint #11692398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Navarre, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The master cylinder is leaking brake fluid into the cab and is dripping behind the brake pedal. There is brake fluid in the wiring harness that goes to the brake switch as well. This is a known fire hazard from other vehicle manufacturers.
NHTSA complaint #11685491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was purchased via private sale via Facebook marketplace. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 57,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 254,000.
NHTSA complaint #11654096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rodents ate through eleven soy base coated wires. These wires just so happen to go to the fob, my air conditioning, and one headlight. This is obviously a safety issue. I contacted Toyota and filed my concerns. They told me that there is nothing they could do. I at the least would like a reasonable explanation why they engineered food into their electrical system. Thanks for listening.
NHTSA complaint #11596364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caguas, PR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Display a message in screen "Pre-Collision System Malfunction", lost power and start blinking light in cluster
NHTSA complaint #11560044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Ysidro, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IQ wireless charging pad gets hot pad has bubbled and dislodged from its place. Pad was replaced already for the same issue in Feb-2020. Now the same issue is recurring. The dealer said they had seen many more vehicles with the same problem. Charging pad gets hot when not in use. I contacted Toyota customer care to report and ask for advice, and they just said thank you for your feedback Vehicle is out of warranty nothing we can do about the issue. Explained this is an ongoing issue through this style of vehicle and should be noted or looked into as a possible safety concern. They said thanks for the feedback.
NHTSA complaint #11495375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,203 milesLA Vernia, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DESIGN DEFECT RESULTING IN INABILITY TO OPEN HOOD. BATTERY FAILED (SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY) BUT COULD NOT OPEN HOOD TO JUMP START. TOW OPERATOR COULD NOT OPEN HOOD EITHER, SO VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PER DEALER EMPLOYEE, DESIGN DEFECT RESULTS IN HOOD BUMPERS EASILY GOING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, PREVENTING ABILITY TO OPEN HOOD. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT WHEN FUEL IS OR MAY BE LEAKING, THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT A FIRE, ESPECIALLY WHEN OCCUPANTS ARE STUCK IN WRECKAGE PENDING EMS ARRIVAL. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME, LIKELY SAVING LIVES AND CERTAINLY PREVENTING CATASTROPHIC BURNS. THE BUMPER IS CLEARLY DESIGNED THIS WAY AS A COST-SAVINGS MEASURE, SO THAT THE BUMPER CAN BE USED FOR VARIOUS MODELS AND MAKES. THE BUMPER'S DESIGN HAS ALMOST UNLIMITED ADJUSTMENT, AND EASILY COMES OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE EASILY CORRECTED BY SECURING THESE BUMPERS WITH AN ADHESIVE OR OTHER MEANS.
NHTSA complaint #11355358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,600 milesSimpsonville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AND THE WARNING TO BRAKE ALONG WITH THE ASSOCIATED BEEPING AND RED BLINKING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD APPEARED. THIS WENT AWAY AFTER ABOUT 2 SECONDS. IT WAS LIKE THE VEHICLE SENSED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT I WAS GOING TO HIT BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME WHATSOEVER. THE BRAKES NEVER ENGAGED BUT THE WARNING CAUSED ME TO JUMP. IF I WAS IN A CONGESTED AREA OR ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OR SWERVE INTO SOMEONE/SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #11328947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesBakersfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT A VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LANE ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ALSO WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL WRIGHT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5100 GASOLINE ALLEY DR, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313, (661)398-8697, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #11301674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesSaint Maries, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE GONE OUT TO MY TACOMA THAT I CAN HEAR THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING ON IT'S OWN. I HEARD IT RUNNING ONE EVENING, WHILE NO KEYS WERE INSERTED AND THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED UP. THE TRUCK RUNS ROUGH MOST OF THE TIME AND I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING AND NOT WANTING TO START BACK UP AGAIN. IT WILL TAKE 3 TO 4 TIMES TURNING THE TRUCK OVER BEFORE IT WILL RELUCTANTLY WILL START UP. ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AND THE DIFFERENTIAL BUTTON WHEN PUSHED ON DOES NOT ENGAGE THE DIFFERENTIAL. ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE STARTED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING WHEN NO ONE INSIDE IT HAS JUST THE MONTH BEEN NOTICED AS WELL AS THE BUTTONS. THE STALLING STARTED TO BE NOTICED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND I AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO IT BEING NOT BROKE IN OR ME NOT GIVING IT ENOUGH GAS, BUT IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME NOW WHEN I BACK UP OR GO FORWARD IT CAN STALL.
NHTSA complaint #11299461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesArnold, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11286427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,200 milesWinchester, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE OWNED MY TOYOTA TACOMA FOR 18 MONTHS AND MY RADIO HAS HAD PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT IT. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY HAS RAN TESTS ON IT EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT IN AT 5,000 MILE OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. IT STILL RANDOMLY CUTS OFF AND TAKES FOREVER TO COME BACK ON. IT ALSO WILL END A CALL WHILE I'M ON THE PHONE WITH SOMEONE OR DISCONNECT MY PHONE WHILE I'M ON THE PHONE WITH SOMEONE AND WON'T CONNECT BACK. TODAY I TOOK IT UP THERE AND I JUST HIT 37,000 MILES TODAY AND NOW THEY WANT TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW RADIO BUT IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I HIT 37,000 MILES SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. IT IS NOW BEING TAKEN UP WITH TOYOTA SINCE I HAVE TOLD THEM ABOUT IT SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #11270081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesAurora, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRE-COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN NOTHING IS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO MERIT WARNINGS OR ENGAGING THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY. HOWEVER, THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE TRUCK IS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE WALL OF A GARAGE. UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THIS FEATURE AND IT WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY BE FATAL.
NHTSA complaint #11190990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150 milesPflugerville, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOYOTA HAS AN ISSUE WHERE THERE SERVICE TECHNITIANS, DEALERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NHTSA MANDATED SEAT BELT INDICATORS AND OPTIONAL INDICATORS. I HAVE REPORTED AN ISSUE WHERE THE SEAT WILL NOT SLIDE CORRECTLY AND THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR AND OPTIONAL ALERT SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. THE OPTIONAL SEAT BELT INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES A PROLONGED AUDIO DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER THAT INTERFERES WITH THE ROLL THAT OTHER SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS REVERSE SENSORS, ETC. CANNOT BE DISTINGUISHED. TOYOTA ALLOWS THE DEALER TO TURN OFF THE DISTRACTING OPTIONAL CHIMES, BUT THE DISCRETION IS LEFT TO THE DEALER AND NOT THE DRIVER WHICH POSES RISK TO PEDESTRIANS, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MANDATORY ALERT SYSTEM AND THE OPTIONAL ALERT SYSTEM MEANS THAT DEALERS ARE IGNORING CUSTOMER REQUESTS TO MUTE THE OPTIONAL ALARM INCREASING THE RISK OF DISTRACTION TO AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL.
NHTSA complaint #11140422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.