There are 7 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2018 Toyota Tacomain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The 3rd generation Tacomas rear cabin vents (2 vents) allow water to enter the cabin because they are not tight to the body or sealed properly. The water leaks down the back wall and forward onto the floor soaking the carpet and padding underneath. The water in the carpet/padding has yielded mildew/mold throughout (water goes all the way to the front of the truck). The water also leaks through a floor grommet into a section where the cab mount bolts are and significant rust develops. Not only is the exposure to mold a health hazard, but the corrosion/rust on the cab mount bolts is a significant structural concern. There are many online posts with this problem, and i have just recently found this on my Tacoma. My vehicle has had the 3rd brake light recall, and this issue is completely separate from that recall. Toyota has a history on these vehicles not sealing them as they should. 1. The 2 rear cabin vents fail to keep water from entering the cab. I am happy to provide the vehicle for inspection. 2. Exposure to toxic mold is a health concern. Significant structural damage to the cab mount bolts is a concern if the vehicle were to be in an accident. 3. Numerous people online have confirmed this issue, and they have indicated dealerships are well aware of the issue. I put a garden hose to the back of my truck myself and saw water entering the vehicle. 4. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance, etc. 5. Unknown when water leak first started. In the past 2 years i have started to notice a mildew smell after a rainy day. I am happy to provide additional photos, but the internet is full of this very issue. Please see the following sites with photos/videos/descriptions of other Tacoma owners having the exact same issue. Thank you very much for your time. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The clear coat on the exterior paint of the truck has failed. This has left the base coat paint exposed which means the metal frame is susceptible to rusting now.
Factory paint peeling off
Paint on hood is coming up.
The paint is peeling off the top sections of both of my trucks rear doors. The paint appears to be peeling away down to either the primer or possibly the bare metal. This trucks paint code is 040 super white.
My 2018 tacoma has recently started leaking from the ceiling of the cab in the back seat. It is dripping water from melted snow onto the seat, causing a continuously damp seat.
3RD GENERATION TACOMA AC CONDENSATION OUTLET TUBE IS POSITIONED OVER THE TACOMA FRAME RAIL. THEREFORE CONDENSATION DRIPS RIGHT ONTO THE FRAME RAIL EVENTUALLY CAUSING RUST. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE MATTER TO REQUEST A FIX.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026