2013 Toyota Tacoma

Family: Tacoma · filed with NHTSA as TACOMA

Summary

In its first three years the 2013 Tacoma drew 54 complaints — 0.5× the median of its generation (2005–2015). It is among the least-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Powertrain, holds 19% of the 118 that name a component.
6 recalls filed for this model year.
1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 125
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 1
NCAP overall: 4 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 17–23
Annual fuel cost: $2,700–$3,650
Median mileage at complaint: 40,320 mi (n = 99)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 11 / 6 / 8 / 0

What owners report

Powertrain

22 complaints · 19% of complaints that name a component · median 8,000 mi (n = 22)

Owner report The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the unoccupied vehicle was parked on a slightly inclined driveway. The contact later noticed that the vehicle had rolled across the street into the neighbor's yard, causing the rear end of the vehicle to crash into a pine tree. There were no injuries sustai…

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL LETTER FOR THE CHASSIS, WHERE IT WAS COMPLETED AT LOCAL DEALER ANTWERPEN TOYOTA (12420 AUTO DR, CLARKSVILLE, MD 21029: (410) 531-5700). THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED…

Brakes

18 complaints · 15% of complaints that name a component · median 30,000 mi (n = 16)

Owner report The power brake booster failed while driving with my [XXX] and [XXX] old. Fortunately I was in a school zone with no traffic. This particular part is known to fail with Toyota's (recalled on a few models). The vehicle is 13 so Toyota will not back their product. The dealer charged $3,000.00 for the repair. There were…

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF ANY INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

Suspension

14 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 38,423 mi (n = 11)

Owner report 2013 Toyota Tacoma rear leaf spring is broken in half 3 leaf set up exactly like the recall up to 2011. Why didn’t the recall go up to 2013. Truck would bottom out easily for years on bumpy back roads

Owner report The rear leaf springs are rusted and corroded, and make a noise when I drive the vehicle.

6% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2005–2015)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 110.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2005	707	114
2006	782	110
2007	541	89
2008	449	112
2009	519	156
2010	294	78
2011	186	24	not compared
2012	295	36	not compared
2013	125	54	fewest complaints
2014	93	33	not compared
2015	101	45	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

17V425000 · EQUIPMENT | STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Filed 2017-07-03 · 3,547 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

14V475000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2014-08-04 · 20,000 vehicles

Defect: 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."

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.

Remedy: 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.

14V054000 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Filed 2014-02-12 · 261,114 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

13V557000 · ENGINE

Filed 2013-11-07 · 3,795 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

13V494000 · TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Filed 2013-10-17 · 979 vehicles

Defect: 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.

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.

Remedy: 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.

13V123000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2013-04-09 · 7,525 vehicles

Defect: 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."

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.

Remedy: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
EA19001	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	2019-04-19	2024-09-19	20V024

EA19001: Electrical overstress

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Tacoma 2WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19	24	21	$2950
Tacoma 2WD	2.7L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	21	25	23	$2700
Tacoma 2WD	4.0L 6cyl	Automatic 5-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	21	19	$3300
Tacoma 2WD	4.0L 6cyl	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
Tacoma 4WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	18	21	19	$3300
Tacoma 4WD	2.7L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	18	21	19	$3300
Tacoma 4WD	4.0L 6cyl	Automatic 5-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
Tacoma 4WD	4.0L 6cyl	Manual 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	16	19	17	$3650

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2013 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 429 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicl…
2024-12-05	STRUCTURE:BODY	Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure …
2024-12-03	STRUCTURE:BODY	Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the …
2024-07-29	STRUCTURE:BODY	Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-07-29	STRUCTURE:BODY	Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-07-12	STRUCTURE:BODY	Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-07-12	STRUCTURE:BODY	To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Tacoma, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Tacoma model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.