1999 Toyota Tacoma

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Body, Seats & Latches

Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 104 of 249 complaints (42%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (23) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 300 in 1998 to 249 in 1999.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 1999: 4 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category19971998199920002001vs. 1999 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,850–3,9002,950–3,9002,950–3,9002,950–3,9002,950–3,900
Combined MPG16–2216–2116–2116–2116–21
City / Highway MPG15–20 / 18–2615–19 / 18–2515–19 / 18–2515–19 / 18–2415–19 / 18–23
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)404–555423–555423–555423–555423–555
Complaints filed131300249210396Not compared
Recalls issued45556Not compared
Crash-involved complaints1349402440Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00124Not compared
Injuries reported929281736Not compared
Deaths reported01004Not compared
Configurations compared410555

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Toyota Tacoma?

Body, Seats & Latches: 104 of 249 NHTSA complaints (42%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Toyota Tacoma get?

EPA rates it 16–21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Toyota Tacoma?

EPA estimates $2,950–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (9)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.4LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD19 mpg (high)22 mpg20 mpg$3,100444 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd42.4LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD19 mpg (high)25 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$2,950 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd42.7LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD17 mpg20 mpg18 mpg$3,450494 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic 4-spd63.4LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD17 mpg21 mpg18 mpg$3,450494 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 5-spd63.4LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD17 mpg22 mpg19 mpg$3,300468 g/mi
Configuration 6Automatic 4-spd42.7L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD16 mpg19 mpg17 mpg$3,650523 g/mi
Configuration 7Manual 5-spd42.7L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD16 mpg20 mpg17 mpg$3,650523 g/mi
Configuration 8Automatic 4-spd63.4L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD15 mpg (low)18 mpg (low)17 mpg$3,650523 g/mi
Configuration 9Manual 5-spd63.4L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD15 mpg (low)18 mpg (low)16 mpg (low)$3,900 (high)555 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine100000
Transmission & Drivetrain160000
Fuel System20000
Electrical111100
Brakes53030
Steering102030
Suspension, Wheels & Tires582050
Airbags & Restraints43320230
Driver Assistance & Speed Control83010
Body, Seats & Latches1040010
Visibility & Lighting50000
Other221000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (5)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

    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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006

    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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

    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.

  • TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 01E041000 · Aug 9, 2001

    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.