Is the 2018 Toyota TACOMA reliable?

The 2018 Toyota TACOMA has 273 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: FUEL SYSTEM problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota TACOMA?

Top problems: FUEL SYSTEM (65 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (46 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (29 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Toyota TACOMA?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Toyota TACOMA?

The 2018 Toyota TACOMA gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Toyota TACOMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Toyota TACOMA is approximately $1,703/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Toyota TACOMA

Q: Is the 2018 Toyota TACOMA often stolen?

The Toyota TACOMA was the #25 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 3,900 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Toyota TACOMA has 273 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 182. The most common issue is fuel system problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: a month after i lease the vehicle the check engine light came on one day after work.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 1 injury

273

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

FUEL SYSTEM

65 complaints

24%

• A MONTH AFTER I LEASE THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AFTER WORK.
• FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD ITS NOT READING CORRECTLY THE TANK AMOUNT OF FUEL. WHEN ITS FULL OF GASOLINE THE GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD GAVE ME WRONG READINGS MARKING AS EMPTY OR 1/4 OF THE FUEL TANK.
• 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 STAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“A MONTH AFTER I LEASE THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AFTER WORK.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Toyota TACOMA

Based on 140 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

111

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP04/11/2020

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, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

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 January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Above-average theft risk

#25 most stolen in 2025

The Toyota TACOMA was the #25 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 3,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Midsize truck; catalytic converters + wheels

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Toyota TACOMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Toyota TACOMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,703

Full coverage / month

$142

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

+2%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1703

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota TACOMA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2018 TACOMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 273 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: A MONTH AFTER I LEASE THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AFTER WORK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: THE 2018 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM THAT DOES NOTHING MORE THAN BEEP LOUDLY AT THE DRIVER WHEN IT "THINKS" I NEED TO BRAKE. IT IS OVERLY SENSITIVE AND SERVES AS A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION WHENEVER I AM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. AS AN EXAMPLE, ON TIGHT CITY ROADS WITH CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: BOUGHT TRUCK BRAND NEW. WITHIN A COUPLES OF WEEKS NOTICED RANDOM SHUDDERING VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOT AROUND 35-45 MPH. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT IMITATE THE ISSUE. SHUDDERING IS WORSE AND CONSISTENT AROUND 35-50 MPH. CURRENTLY AROUND 2000 MILES ON ODOMETER. SCHEDULE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AROUND 12:30PM ON 6/28 MY TOYOTA TACOMA 2018 VIN# [XXX] STARTED TO BLINK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT WAS FOLLOW BY THE ENGINE SHAKING AND NOT TAKING GEARS UP THEREFORE VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATING UP TO THE 40MPH. SEEING ALL THIS I DECIDED TO HEAD TO THE DEALERSHIP BIG HORN IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO AT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)