2013 Toyota Tacoma: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 124 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 · Suspension · May 2026
“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 dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2025
“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 front are very small and/or not stable for anything other than small disposable containers.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
“The frame was "repaired" by the spray foam, not replaced. This foam has been falling off since I purchased the vehicle and there is much rust on the frame. I have gone into Toyota for this to be inspected and they said that the foam that was applied to the frame and was sufficient enough to meet the standards. I don't find this to be safe especially on vehicle that is 12 years old. There was rust that was clearly repainted in spots.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2025
“The srs airbags both driver and passender side warning lights turned on 1/23/2025 at 6:06 pm right after I got home from work. The air bag failed to turn off when the seat belt is fasten to the seatbelt buckle. When the seat belt was in place and removed from holster, the indicator light lit up and a bell sound alerted me as the operator of the truck, the seat belt warning also triggered the air bag lights to turn on with a indicator srs airbags off. The indicator resumes as the airbag off lights remain on until the car engine is off. When the engine is turned back on, the warning lights of both driver and passenger seat belt is on.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2025
“While backing in camper to my driveway after a 3.5 hr return trip, the back part of the frame which holds the rear bumper and the trailer hitch let go from a rusted frame. See attached pic. I inquired with a Toyota dealer who said my vehicle is out of warranty for the CSP from Toyota for rusting frames. They indicated there was a recall that wasn't repaired on my vehicle but I don't recall seeing a recall for rusting frames. They also said this wasn't a safety recall which I have a hard time understanding. If this happened while on the highway and not in front of my house the entire camper would have completely let go from my vehicle. Any information would be appreciated.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2024
“Within 1 month of buying a 2012 and 2013 tacoma the clockspring goes out. This repair is incredibly expensive and has happened with every single Tacoma I have ever bought. Toyota needs to do something about this, this is unnaceptable that my horn/clockspring goes out almost immidiately.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2023
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the ABS activated at approximately 35 MPH while making a turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2023
“1. Fuel door hinge broke. Checked on Tacoma forums, this is a common problem with 2005-2015 model. 2. Not a safety risk. 3. Toyota does not acknowledge this is as a problem for the 2005-2015 model. 4. Vehicle has been inspected for repair estimate. 5. Prior to hinge breaking, the fuel door was not mating properly.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tacoma by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The most complained-about area is power train (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Tacoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,500 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Toyota Tacoma have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning tires:temporary/emergency spare tire. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.