YearToAvoid

2013 Toyota Tacoma Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 15 engine complaints for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma, 12% of its 125 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,000. A related recall (13V557000) covers valve springs on engines built between July and October 2013.

Engine complaints
15
12% of 125
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
13,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden unintended acceleration in reverse or low-speed maneuvers, in one case leading to a crash into other vehicles and a building.
  • Whining noise from under the hood noticed at very low mileage, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
  • Stuck RPM gauge combined with abnormal handling or suspension pull while driving at various speeds.
  • Rattling or knocking noise from the front of the engine under load, suspected by owners to be timing chain tension loss.
  • Failure to accelerate when first pressing the pedal, and separately, a truck that would not start without starter fluid despite confirmed spark.
  • Loss of power or lag feeling around 40 mph, described by owners as similar to a transmission or torque converter issue.

When 2013 Toyota Tacoma engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 28, 2013, latest Aug 16, 2021.

2013 Toyota Tacoma engine complaints: complaints filed per month1Feb 2013Oct 2013Feb 2014Sep 2014Nov 2015Sep 2018Nov 2019Aug 2021
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2013 to Aug 2021; peak Feb 2013 (1).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma

  1. NHTSA 13V557000Nov 7, 2013Engine3,795 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.

Engine complaints by Tacoma model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201038 (13%)
  2. 201114 (8%)
  3. 2012135 (46%)
  4. 201315 (12%)
  5. 201411 (12%)
  6. 201519 (19%)
  7. 201653 (16%)
  8. 201746 (19%)
  9. 201840 (19%)
  10. 201938 (17%)
  11. 202022 (25%)
  12. 202115 (19%)
  13. 20228 (14%)
  14. 202311 (20%)
  15. 20248 (5%)
  16. 20254 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 15 engine complaints for the 2013 Tacoma, which is 12% of its 125 total complaints for the year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
Yes, recall 13V557000 covers 2013-2014 Tacoma trucks built between July 1, 2013 and October 11, 2013, for a valve spring issue; Toyota replaces the valve springs free of charge.
At what mileage do 2013 Tacoma engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this year is 13,000 miles.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to engine complaints?
NHTSA data for this component and year shows 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the reported cases.
Is the engine complaint rate on the 2013 Tacoma high compared to other years?
At 12% of total complaints, the 2013 Tacoma's engine share is lower than the 2012 model's 46% but similar to several other model years in the lineup.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.