VehicleVerdict

1999 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Toyota Tacoma sits mid-pack among Tacoma years: 303 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 300, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 40 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 103 reports (34% of the total).

303

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

47

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

40

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Tacoma years?

Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted977 complaints1995: 214 complaints1996: 321 complaints1997: 148 complaints1998: 358 complaints1999: 303 complaints2000: 274 complaints2001: 504 complaints2002: 443 complaints2003: 479 complaints2004: 545 complaints2005: 871 complaints2006: 977 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 556 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 343 complaints2011: 226 complaints2012: 406 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 133 complaints2015: 140 complaints2016: 416 complaints2017: 318 complaints2018: 275 complaints2019: 299 complaints2020: 124 complaints2021: 113 complaints2022: 77 complaints2023: 65 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 89 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure10334%
Airbags3813%
Suspension3612%
Tires & Wheels248%
Other217%
Transmission165%
Electrical System134%
Engine114%
Steering103%
Speed Control83%
Brakes62%
Seat Belts62%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seats21%
Lighting21%
Fuel System21%
Trailer Hitch10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

01E041000Trailer HitchAugust 1, 2001 · 70,717 units

Defect

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: THIS RECALL IS FOR TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS OR FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THE CONNECTORS INTEGRATE THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WITH THOSE EQUIPPED ON THE TRAILER, ARE DEFECTIVE. AFFECTED PART NUMBERS ARE: PT207-34000, PT207-34002, PT207-04981, AND PT214-04985. IN THE TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE CIRCUITRY UTILIZED IN THE CONVERTER WAS INADEQUATE TO PROPERLY MANAGE VEHICLE AND/OR TRAILER-SIDE VOLTAGE SPIKES. IF THE CONVERTER IS EXPOSED TO A VOLTAGE SPIKE, IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT WITHIN THE CONVERTER. IN THE TACOMA VEHICLES, DUE TO DEFICIENT WATERPROOFING AND IMPROPER INSTALLATION LOCATION OF THE CONVERTER, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE CAVITY OF THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT WILL OCCUR IF WATER ENTERS THE CONVERTER HOUSING.

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE A FAULT IN THE CONVERTER AND A NON-OPERATIONAL CONDITION OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WITHOUT TRAILER LIGHTS, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE SUPPORT CABLE ON THE LEFT SIDE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK THE RIGHT SIDE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH BUT WAS STILL INTACT. REPLACEMENT ON ORDER FOR RIGHT SIDE. THE LEFT SIDE CABLE HAS BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 26, 2005

“TAKATA RECALL- MY HUSBAND HAD A SEIZURE WHILE DRIVING. HE CROSSED OVER TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HE HIT ONE CAR, WENT OVER A CURB AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE BACK OF A SUBWAY. HIS CAR WENT THROUGH THE WALL INTO THE SUBWAY. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE DID FILE A REPORT AND HE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 12, 2015 · crash

“THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. MY FRONT RIGHT HIT HIS REAR LEFT, AND MY CAR SPUN 180 DEGREES INTO THE LANE NEXT TO THE ONE I HAD BEEN IN AND I WAS FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 24, 2013 · crash

“PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: OWNER IS ABLE TO SEE RUBBER BREAKDOWN BETWEEN TREAD AND EXCESS OF RUBBER WHERE THE TREAD HOOKS TO THE CAP ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, AT, P26575R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS TOLD TO GO TO FIRESTONE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

“MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK IN MARCH. HE LOST CONTROL AND TOTALED THE TRUCK. I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON TOYOTA TACOMA FOR RUSTED FRAMES. I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS BENT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEREFORE I THOUGHT THAT THE RUSTED FRAME MAY HAVE CAUSED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 4, 2008 · crash

1999 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 1999 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tacoma: 303 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (103 complaints), airbags (38 complaints), suspension (36 complaints).

Does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.