KnownCarProblems2013 Toyota Tacoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the transmission (18% of complaints, typically around 6,500 miles). It is 19th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2013 Toyota Tacoma problems
Transmission
22 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that unless the emergency brake was engaged the vehicle would roll down hill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
There is a drive shaft vibration on acceleration, 0-20 MPH. This truck has a two piece drive shaft. The front shaft has a slip joint that slips into the trans, the other end of the front shaft is mounted to the body using a center support bearing. The rear shaft is a solid drive shaft that is mounted without a slip…
Brakes
18 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles.
The vehicle has extremely grabby brakes and I feel that they contributed to the loss of control I experienced on slippery road surfaces. As I attempted to gently slow down by applying the brakes I lost the back end of the vehicle resulting in a loss of control. The road conditions were not favorable, but I have driven…
When braking between 45-65 MPH, I can feel a strong shimmy and shaking in the steering wheel. I have to let off the brakes or it feels like something is going to break in the drive train, steering column, or wheels are going to fall off. Its very scary and dangerous, especially when you might not be able to stop the…
Suspension
14 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 38,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear.
Massive squeaking noise coming from the drivers side front suspension. Took it to the dealership and the replaced the upper a-arm and a corroded bolt that's in an area that water can't get into. Noise went away for a month and now has returned. In the same area. After getting some information from a suspension…
Driving on a road, passing another car, truck rolls and jouncy , soft shocks and struts, looked under, at home all shocks and struts are leaking oil and bouncy vehicle and bad ride in bumpy roads. I replaced rear shocks at my expense first then weeks later ,I replaced the front struts !all leaked oil from shocks and…
Steering
14 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
When at cruising speed between 45-65 MPH the steering wheel will begin to shake back and fourth/shimmy. Also at these speeds the engine begins to make noise compared to up and down revving sound it is mild sound maybe a 1000rpm change but the RPM gauge is not moving. Reminder this is in cruise mode.
When braking between 45-65 MPH, I can feel a strong shimmy and shaking in the steering wheel. I have to let off the brakes or it feels like something is going to break in the drive train, steering column, or wheels are going to fall off. Its very scary and dangerous, especially when you might not be able to stop the…
Electrical
13 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 40-45 MPH the heater/ air conditioner unit became inoperable as smoke was entered the vehicle through the vents. The contact noticed the wires were melted and disconnected the wires from the coupling. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of kingsport (2525 e stone dr…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Sun visors fail to stay in the up position. With normal use, the sun visors begin to stay about halfway down and fall further with time. Eventually, they no longer go up at all and may pose a risk to the driver's vision.
Driving to work traveling at between 55-60 I was going around a slight curve my foot was on the accelerator and out of no where the ABS or stability control or something caused my truck to slam on the brakes causing the front to dive down and a temporary loss of control. No crash just spooked. I drive the route every…
Body and structure
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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.
All of the heat shields protecting my floor boards from the heat of the exhaust are falling off. The have been falling off on the highway and generally while the vehicle is in motion. It seems as if the nuts that hold the shields on are corroding the aluminum shields.
Stability control
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
Driving to work traveling at between 55-60 I was going around a slight curve my foot was on the accelerator and out of no where the ABS or stability control or something caused my truck to slam on the brakes causing the front to dive down and a temporary loss of control. No crash just spooked. I drive the route every…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel began to pull in the opposite direction. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise emitting from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Toyota Tacoma recalls
Equipment
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on september 1, 2017. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-954-429-2000. Set's number for this recall is set17b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2011-2016 toyota tacoma and 4runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by set or set dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Equipment: labels
Risk: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in september 2014. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 fj cruiser and tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims for passenger cars."
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and toyota and lexus dealers will update the software for the skid control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on march 28, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 toyota tacoma and lexus rx350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 toyota rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the vehicle stability control (vsc) system, antilock brake system (ABS), and traction control system.
Engine
Risk: If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began on november 27, 2013. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing north america (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 tacoma vehicles manufactured july 1, 2013, through october 11, 2013. The engines of the affected vehicles contain valve springs that may break over time.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) install a warning label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an owner's manual addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on january 23, 2014. Owners may contact set at 1-954-429-2000.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" maverick alloy wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.
Equipment: labels
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on may 28, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 toyota tundra, 2010-2012 rav4, 2012 toyota sequoia, 2010-2011 toyota corolla, 2010-2011 toyota camry and camry hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota fj cruiser, 2011 toyota land cruiser, 2010-2013 toyota venza, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, 2010-2013 toyota tacoma, 2011-2012 toyota sienna, 2012 toyota prius, 2013 scion fr-s, 2011 scion xd, 2011 scion xb, and 2012 scion tc vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
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.â 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. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Tacoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (22 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles); brakes (18 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles); suspension (14 complaints, typically around 38,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2017 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Toyota Tacoma?
- It is 19th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints, with 125 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.