Toyota Tacoma Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Tacoma across 26 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (26). The words owners use most often: “brakes failed” (6% of reports).
- 226service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 45mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 15%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 14 of 226 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 148 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 226 complaints, 45 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 20 an injury.
Toyota Tacoma service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Tacoma | 2 | 2% | 18,000 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 15 | 10% | 15,826 |
| 2023 Tacoma | 1 | 2% | 43,000 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 1 | 1% | 1 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 3 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 3 | 1% | 77,000 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 1 | 1% | 42,000 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 2 | 2% | 68,000 |
| 2012 Tacoma | 1 | 0% | 85,500 |
| 2011 Tacoma | 3 | 2% | 2,600 |
| 2010 Tacoma | 13 | 4% | 5,519 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 17 | 3% | 4,000 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 17 | 4% | 28,000 |
| 2007 Tacoma | 20 | 4% | 14,000 |
| 2006 Tacoma | 26 | 3% | 24,750 |
| 2005 Tacoma | 15 | 2% | 14,035 |
| 2004 Tacoma | 11 | 3% | 39,750 |
| 2003 Tacoma | 5 | 1% | 44,000 |
| 2002 Tacoma | 11 | 3% | 30,000 |
| 2001 Tacoma | 12 | 3% | 62,000 |
| 2000 Tacoma | 8 | 4% | 50,788 |
| 1999 Tacoma | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1998 Tacoma | 17 | 6% | 94,394 |
| 1997 Tacoma | 5 | 4% | — |
| 1996 Tacoma | 11 | 4% | 30,000 |
| 1995 Tacoma | 2 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2024, 2025
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel drive vehicles. The rear brake hoses can be damaged if mud and dirt builds up inside the rear wheels. This can result in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB04 and 25TA04.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2017
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2012, 2013
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle continued moving forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was repaired under NHTS Campaign Number: 18V888000 (Service Brakes…
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered, stalled, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The failure occurred…
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V152000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel was firm, the brake pedal was firm, and the vehicle was violently vibrating. Several unknown…
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the rear driver's and passengerâs side rotors and brake pads suddenly detached. No warning lights were illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware of metal debris on the ground…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the brake pedal was spongy while depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted, and the contact discovered oil on the bottom of his shoe before discovering oil in the driverâs side footwell. Upon inspection…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Tacomas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 226 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Toyota Tacoma. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Tacoma service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Tacoma?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes failed”, in 14 of 226 complaints.
Other Toyota Tacoma problems
- Structure problems (2,204)
- Suspension problems (1,533)
- Power Train problems (941)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (779)
- Air Bags problems (556)
- Steering problems (476)
- Electrical System problems (434)
- Engine problems (433)
See all Toyota Tacoma problems.