Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 27 | 13% |
| Fuel system | 22 | 11% |
| Engine | 12 | 6% |
| Structure | 11 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 5% |
| Power train | 11 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I own a 2018 Toyota Tacoma SR, manufactured 11/2017, with factory paint code 1G3 Magnetic Gray Metallic. The factory clear coat is experiencing extensive delamination/failure on the hood and roof. This isn't isolated sto
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Vehicle hits a bump in the road and the check engine light comes on, followed by the gas pedal being non-responsive and an error code on the instrument panel saying “Brake Override System Malfunction. Check with dealer.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The cab vents failed causing water to soak the carpet and pad from the back wall to the front of the cab. Mold was growing through out the the cab. Carpet & pad had to be removed. This is a known problem by dealerships
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHAT FAILED: The clear coat finish on the exterior paint of my 2018 Toyota Tacoma has failed (cracking) in two separate locations on the same vehicle, indicating a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear. In late 20
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I was traveling southbound on I-25 when the flatbed truck in front of me came to a sudden stop. I was unable to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the truck. The airbags did not deploy upon impact.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The cabin pressure vents, located at the rear of the cab below the rear window on the body frame have failed. The seal on the exterior of the vents has dry rotted. This has caused an extensive amount of water intrusion t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal odor coming from the inside of the vehicle. While the vehicle was being serviced, the dealer discovered t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
am filing this complaint regarding a power steering rack leak on my [2018] Toyota Tacoma with [83,000] miles, which I purchased used three months ago from Fred Anderson Toyota of Greer in South Carolina. The dealer repre
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota 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, 20
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota 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 Janu
Toyota 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,
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota 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 servic
Toyota 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.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota 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. Toyot
| Reliability | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 98 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 28 of them (14%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2018 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.