2018 Toyota Tacoma Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 48 brake complaints for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 23% of all complaints filed for the year, including 5 crashes and 1 injury. A related recall (18V888000) covers a brake master cylinder machining defect that can cause internal seal damage. Median mileage at failure is 12,000 miles.
- Brakes complaints
- 48
- 23% of 206
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 12,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brake pedal drops to the floor with reduced or no stopping power, sometimes leading to a collision or hitting a wall.
- Hydraulic brake booster or master cylinder loses boost pressure suddenly, especially in cold weather, causing pedal travel to increase.
- Brake fluid leaks into the cab through the master cylinder or booster, leaving an oily residue on the pedal and floor.
- Owners report the recall remedy (18V888000) was delayed due to part backorders or, in some cases, appeared incomplete after service.
- Automatic emergency braking (pre-collision system) activates unexpectedly at highway speed without a vehicle in the driving path.
- Brakes reportedly fail to engage in time during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or reversing, resulting in minor collisions.
When 2018 Toyota Tacoma brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 23, 2018, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
- NHTSA 18V888000Dec 13, 2018Brakes44,121 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.
Brakes complaints by Tacoma model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
- NHTSA lists 48 brake complaints for the 2018 Tacoma, which is 23% of the 206 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
- Yes. Recall 18V888000, reported December 13, 2018, covers improper machining of the brake master cylinder that can damage an internal seal and affect braking. Toyota's remedy is free replacement of the brake master cylinder.
- At what mileage do 2018 Tacoma brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 12,000 miles.
- Have the 2018 Tacoma brake complaints led to crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint category shows 5 crashes and 1 injury reported for the 2018 Tacoma.