This page covers 4 recalls, 124 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma.
17–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.8 L/100km
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain and suspension draw the most complaints from 2013 Tacoma owners. On the powertrain side, owners report transmission hesitation, rough shifting, and general driveline concerns. Suspension complaints center on a rough or harsh ride, with several owners describing the truck bottoming out on uneven roads, a pattern that shows up consistently across reports for this model year. Steering complaints, the third most reported system, involve looseness or vague on-center feel. A smaller cluster of owners mentions hood latch issues, describing the hood opening unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at highway speeds. Scattered reports also mention horn failure, with owners noting the horn stops working even after fuse replacement.
124
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Toyota Tacoma has 4 recalls, the most serious being a valve spring defect in the engine that can cause a sudden stall while driving, raising the risk of a crash. Recalls 1 and 2 describe the same underlying issue: the valve springs can break over time, and on four-cylinder models this may also produce abnormal noise or rough running before power cuts out entirely. The stall can happen without warning at any speed, leaving the driver without engine power in traffic.
On the equipment side, vehicles fitted with 18-inch Maverick Alloy Wheels have a spare tire that requires a different style of lug nut than the ones supplied with the truck. Because those specialized lug nuts were never included, an owner who changes a flat using the spare and the standard lug nuts risks damaging the wheel hub, and the wheel can work loose while driving. There is also a concern for vehicles with dealer-installed accessory hood scoops: the adhesive holding the scoop to the hood can weaken and allow it to tear free at speed, turning it into road debris that can strike other vehicles.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding certain aftermarket hood scoops to the hood may weaken over time, causing the scoop to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will mechanically fasten the hood scoop to the hood using mechanical fasteners instead of adhesive.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine's valve springs may break over time, potentially causing engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the valve springs at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine valve springs may break due to a manufacturing defect, causing abnormal noise, rough running, or sudden loss of power while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the valve springs.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire uses a different lug nut style than the other wheels, and the correct lug nuts were not included with the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a warning label on the spare tire, provide the correct lug nuts, and add documentation to the glove box.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
