2013 Toyota Tacoma problems, complaints & recalls

2013 Toyota Tacoma recalls (6)

• Recall 17V425000Jul 3, 20173,547 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT · STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

  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.

• Recall 14V475000Aug 4, 201420,000 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  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.

• Recall 14V054000Feb 12, 2014261,114 vehicles
  ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  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.

• Recall 13V557000Nov 7, 20133,795 vehicles
  ENGINE

  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.

• Recall 13V494000Oct 17, 2013979 vehicles
  TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

  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.

• Recall 13V123000Apr 9, 20137,525 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

  Electrical overstress

  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 mount…

Recent 2013 Toyota Tacoma complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 8, 2026NYSteering

   Over the past two weeks the steering effort on my 2nd generation Tacoma has become progressively harder to turn the wheel past certain points in both directions. I initially thought it was a steering pump problem, but based on reporting on the TacomaWorld site, it appears very likely this is a problem with the universal joints at the bottom of the Steering Intermediate Shaft. Their site shows this problem being reported as early as 2008 however, it doesn't appear Toyota ever…

   NHTSA complaint #11762890 · source
2. Filed May 15, 2026MISuspension

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11738012 · source
3. Filed Feb 17, 2026107,000 miCABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while closing the hood, the hood prop rod unexpectedly fell behind the latch, ceasing to securely latch the hood. While driving at 80 MPH, the hood suddenly opened and fractured the windshield. There was no injury sustained. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road, closed the hood, and continued driving. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11718482 · source
4. Filed Feb 16, 2026CABody & Structure

   I am filing this consumer complaint against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Toyota Motor North America, Inc.) for unfair and deceptive business practices related to a known paint peeling defect on my 2013 Toyota Tacoma (VIN identified in form, paint code 040 Super White). The vehicle exhibits severe peeling on the passenger side rear door, engine compartment, and other areas due to primer adhesion failure from sunlight exposure—not accident damage—matching symptoms…

   NHTSA complaint #11718354 · source
5. Filed Feb 1, 2026NHCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   Vehicle involved in a head on collision resulting in a total loss. Frontal airbags did not deploy. Occupant (driver) sustained bilateral wrist injuries requiring surgery.

   NHTSA complaint #11714837 · source
6. Filed Dec 21, 2025MABrakes

   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 no warnings this was going to happen. The vehicle was bought brand new, and always well maintained. ALL work besides oil changes/new tires was completed at the…

   NHTSA complaint #11706368 · source
7. Filed Dec 21, 2025VAAirbagsOther / Unknown

   The horn started malfunctioning recently at around 200k miles, sometimes working sometimes not (regardless of steering wheel positioning). As prior complaints have stated; the suspect was likely the clockspring, but all the steering wheel controls were functioning with no issues and no warning lights illuminated. Also, I've continously found myself in the 3rd gear multiple times after very lighy taps (mainly from a drink falling/bumping into it) as the cupholders in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11706361 · source
8. Filed Sep 24, 2025RIOther / Unknown

   Unknown, The Horn failed to work suddenly when driving. It only works when I turn the wheel then press which I've been told is a clock spring failure in steering wheel which can also affect air bag. Thank You

   NHTSA complaint #11689389 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology