1999 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability

303 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 39/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 123,173 miles.

303Complaints
39/100Trouble index
5Recalls
122,345Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 1999 sits among all Tacoma years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Body & structure 103 complaints (34%) · typically ~123,173 miles
“The frame is rusting out and falling apart. This has made the vehicle unsafe to drive.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Tacoma
Airbags 38 complaints (13%) · typically ~143,500 miles
“The airbag sensor won't stop blinking. What if there's an accident and the airbags won't deploy? I believe something with the airbag is defective and may be a potential safety issue.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Tacoma
Suspension 36 complaints (12%) · typically ~129,458 miles
“Frame rusting from inside out. Vehicle has been in same family since purchased new in 2000 and no recall notice was ever received. Rest of vehicle is in GREAT shape.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Tacoma
Other 24 complaints (8%) · typically ~126,958 miles
Wheels & tires 24 complaints (8%)
Transmission & drivetrain 16 complaints (5%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 151 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 122,345 miles. Half of those reports fall between 92,000 and 160,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (5)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E025000 2009

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…

Fix: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 2009

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…

Fix: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E049000 2006

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…

Fix: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E026000 2006

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…

Fix: 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.

TRAILER HITCHES 01E041000 2001

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…

Fix: 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…

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

1998peak 38 in 20002024

Questions buyers ask

Is the 1999 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

The 1999 Toyota Tacoma drew 303 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 39/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).

What are the most common 1999 Toyota Tacoma problems?

The top reported problems for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma are body & structure (103 complaints), airbags (38), and suspension (36).

At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?

Owners most often report 1999 Toyota Tacoma problems around 122,345 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 92,000 and 160,000 miles.

Does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

5 recall campaigns apply to the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-12 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.