1999 Toyota Tacoma: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 249 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (40% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Hi, i had the recall preventive performed by toyota for rusting and corrosion of the frame. Now, the vehicle is rusting throughout the frame and is very very unsafe to drive. TOYOTA is claiming that it was a program and not a recall and had no documentation to prove. Toyota performed the recall and now the frame is still at risk to crack and very unsafe.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was not driving smoothly. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that while disconnecting the trailer hitch, the contact proceeded to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the undercarriage was severely corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an unknown popping sound was coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion and a crack that had formed on the rear passenger's side fender. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,813.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The Toyota Tacoma 1999 has a complete damaged , rusted, broken frame which is dangerous. I took the car to the dealer and they said the recall for the frame is already expired and they will not accept it, what could i do to resolve this issue. Thank You”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2020
“Within the last 6 months my frame is rusting out have never had a problem with them until now I was they had extended a recall of repair or purchase vehicle 15 years but my frame has been good up until these last 6 months I have called a toyota dealer ship can't get any help it looks like something could be done because during the time of the recall this truck had no problems and now the frame is rusting out from under it so could somebody help me with this”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
“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 · Suspension · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota tacoma. The vehicle was taken to be state inspected, but it did not pass due to severe rust under the bed of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the leaf springs were rusted and needed a new frame. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was deteriorated and rusted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was not able to be repaired due to the frame. The contact researched and found that the vehicle was not included in a warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the fifteen year warranty for the frame had expired. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 164,603.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota tacoma. While driving 20 mph over a bump in the road, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear shock absorber fractured and that there was a hole in the frame. Del toyota (2945 lincoln hwy e, thorndale, pa 19372, (610) 383-6200) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was sold as is without further assistance. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2018
“Takata recall vehicle was recalled for frame corrosion and was taken to dealer and inspected 11/21/11 and results was said to be ok. Vehicle was taken for yearly inspection 5/29/18 and was rejected for corrosion which is almost completely through the frame.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 40 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tacoma by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
NHTSA has 249 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The most complained-about area is structure (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Tacoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 120,817 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.