Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was also diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Driving down the road and was passing a truck. CEL and TRAC OFF lights came on and truck went into limp mode. Could not accelerate and truck was slowing down. Had to pull over turn truck off and restart and it ran fine until I duplicated the passing and push on the accelerator. Had codes check and was showing misfires on cylinder 3. I changed the spark plugs and checked the coils which were good. Next day was I was driving and truck had the same problems and eventually died and would not restart. I took it to the toyota dealer and they checked numerous things and had found #1 cylinder intake value was leaking. They suggested to replace the entire motor at a cost of $12,000. I declined and took it to another mechanic to see if the head just needed replacing. In that time I found others were having the same problem and it was a malfunctioning part in the intake manifold. …
When accelerating on highway check engine light started flashing and engine running rough. Pulled over and stopped vehicle turned off ignition. Restarted vehicle and light was out no longer running rough. Toyota dealer checked computer, cylinder #2 misfired 47 times & cylinder #3 misfired 3 times. They said they could not find what had created this problem and still charged me for engine diagnostics.
The engine in my 2018 Toyota Tacoma failed at 39000 miles and Toyota is refusing to cover the repair costs. I have records of all regularly scheduled maintenance performed and I have never done anything that would put additional stress on the engine such as off-roading or towing. This engine is defective and should be recalled. There are numerous reports online of the same issue.
Motor tensioner bearings. All of the motor tensioner bearings have completely failed on this vehicle at 70,000 miles. All have to be replaced in an effort to avoid motor seizure and or other grave safety issues
2018 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD Double Cab, 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS). At about 87,000 miles the check engine light came on with code P11EC, Cylinder 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance (Port). Cylinder 1 failed compression. Leakdown and coolant tests had passed earlier; borescope did not show heavy scoring. The Toyota dealer said replacing the direct injectors would fix compression (quote about $4,499). After the dealer injector repair, cylinder 1 was still 124 psi (spec about 142-180 psi), so it did not fix compression. The dealer then quoted $11,778 for a short block (+$500 incidentals) and $14,238 for an engine assembly that was not new (about 45,000 miles on the replacement discussed); adding injectors again put the short-block path at about $16,278. I was steered toward buying a new truck and had the injector work reversed because it did not fix what they said it would. …
Vehicle exhibits a stumbling condition and loss of power when applying heavy throttle to accelerate from a stop or slow vehicle speeds. While driving under moderate throttle at approx. 45-60mph the vehicles engine feels as if it is misfiring and not running on all cylinders with a heavy delay in throttle response when the throttle is applied to increase vehicle speed. Issue has been brought up with multiple Toyota dealerships and also with Toyota corp customer service. There is a software flash to correct this issue but Toyota refuses to offer it to customer with manual transmissions because their TSB's do not list that manual trans. There is a 145 page forum thread regarding this issue where customers are resorting to flashing their trucks on their own to avoid the dangerous driving condition these trucks are exhibiting. …
2018 Tacoma trd sport manual transmission - this has been going on since day 1 - engine hesitation in 1st and most noticeable in second gear. The truck hesitates and surges during light and moderate acceleration - feeling like an extreme lean running condition. This puts the driver and other people around you at risk when pulling out into traffic or highway. If you shift a touch early into second gear the truck occasionally bog ( starve for fuel )heavily - where you must either be patient, slip the clutch press on the accelerator harder, or downshift. The hesitation is there all the time and more noticeable with any load up any incline. This is dangerous and the driver must be prepared at all times to down shift, slip the clutch, and must know about the hesitation. My co-workers and friends have driven with me and can't believe Toyota hasn't fixed it yet. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking. The contact stated occasionally the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) and the vehicle was taken to chuck patterson Toyota (200 east ave, chico, ca 95926) where the fuel pump was replaced however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The contact called another dealer hanlees davis Toyota (4202 chiles rd, davis, ca 95616) and informed them of the failure. The contact was informed that due to the pandemic there was no technician available to test drive the vehicle for a diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
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. …
Engine complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 13% of the model year's 209 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Toyota Tacoma engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Tacoma engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 76% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.