2013 Toyota Tacoma recalls and problems

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma has 6 safety recalls and 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
125
Crashes / fires
11 / 6
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Toyota Tacoma recalls

Recall 17V-425: Equipment, Structure

Reported Jul 3, 2017 · 3,547 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 14V-475: Equipment

Reported Aug 4, 2014 · 20,000 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 14V-054: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 12, 2014 · 261,114 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 13V-557: Engine

Reported Nov 7, 2013 · 3,795 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 13V-494: Tires

Reported Oct 17, 2013 · 979 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 13V-123: Equipment

Reported Apr 9, 2013 · 7,525 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2013 Toyota Tacoma problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train22
Service Brakes16
Suspension15
Electrical System14
Steering14
Unknown or Other13
Structure11
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)11
Air Bags10
Vehicle Speed Control8
Engine7
Fuel/Propulsion System6

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 11
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Power Train › Driveline — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 1
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 40,320 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Toyota Tacoma complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Sep 8, 2026
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 addressed this with maintenance recommendations, an extended warranty, or safety recall.
Suspension · reported May 15, 2026
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
Latches/Locks/Linkages · at 107,000 miles · reported Feb 17, 2026
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 repaired. The Insurance Provider was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was…
Air Bags · reported Feb 1, 2026
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.
Air Bags · reported Dec 21, 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.

Other Toyota Tacoma years

Compare all Toyota Tacoma years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma: 17V-425 (equipment, structure), 14V-475 (equipment), 14V-054 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic), 13V-557 (engine), 13V-494 (tires) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?

Owners report power train problems most often (22 reports), followed by service brakes (16). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 40,320 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.