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2018 Toyota Tacoma

Gas
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA203
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma is sold in the U.S. as a gas pickup truck with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tacoma 2WD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 203 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Tacoma 2WDGasRWD3.5L 6-cyl192421$2,950
Tacoma 2WDGasRWD2.7L 4-cyl202321$2,950
Tacoma 4WDGas4WD (part-time)3.5L 6-cyl182220$3,100
Tacoma 4WDGas4WD (part-time)2.7L 4-cyl192220$3,100
Tacoma 4WDGas4WD (part-time)3.5L 6-cyl172118$3,450
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab Off-RoadGas4WD (part-time)3.5L 6-cyl172018$3,450

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39761, 39762, 39763, 39766, 39764, 39765.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200,RiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an
NHTSA campaign 20V682000reported Nov 4, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TB02/20TA02/20LB01
1,830,752 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200TRiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign 20V012000reported Jan 13, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

J16/J06
44,121 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.RiskReduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.
NHTSA campaign 18V888000reported Dec 13, 2018Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
203complaints filed

7 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 19 · 2019: 38 · 2020: 65 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

Service Brakes44
Fuel/Propulsion System41
Power Train29
Engine25
Unspecified25
Fuel System, Gasoline24

What owners describe

“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 jerki…”Nov 4, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Brake fluid is leaking into cab of the truck around the brake pedal area. Brake pedal needs to be pushed in slightly more than normal. My truck has the same issues stated in the 2018-2019 Tacoma brake master cylinder recall. As stated in the original recall braking could be affected which could result in crash. I calle…”Nov 1, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“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?”Oct 1, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆19%
PU/EC 2WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆15%
PU/EC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆19%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2018 Tacoma with

2018 Ford F-150 →2018 Chevrolet Silverado →2018 Ram 1500 →2018 GMC Sierra →2018 Chevrolet Colorado →2018 Honda Ridgeline →

Other Tacoma model years

A

2026 Toyota Tacoma

0 recalls · 6 complaints

D

2025 Toyota Tacoma

5 recalls · 92 complaints

C

2024 Toyota Tacoma

5 recalls · 145 complaints

D

2023 Toyota Tacoma

4 recalls · 53 complaints

B

2022 Toyota Tacoma

3 recalls · 57 complaints

A

2021 Toyota Tacoma

0 recalls · 80 complaints

A

2020 Toyota Tacoma

1 recalls · 87 complaints

C

2019 Toyota Tacoma

4 recalls · 218 complaints

D

2017 Toyota Tacoma

5 recalls · 239 complaints

D

2016 Toyota Tacoma

4 recalls · 323 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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