TOYOTA TACOMA · model year

1999 TOYOTA TACOMA

303 NHTSA complaints, 47 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999TOYOTATACOMA carries 303 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 47 crashes, 1 fire, 40 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 TACOMA is structure:body with 38 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (37) and suspension (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1999 TACOMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

303
Complaints
47
Crashes
1
Fires
40
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

303 filings

Crashes Reported

47 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY38
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS37
SUSPENSION23
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS22
UNKNOWN OR OTHER20
TIRES17
AIR BAGS12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
POWER TRAIN6
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
STRUCTURE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SUSPENSION:FRONT3

Recent Complaints

20240513STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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.

Mileage: 103,000

20240314SUSPENSION

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.

20240314UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20240314STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20221110SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 147,813

20221110STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

Mileage: 147,813

20210813AIR BAGS

I WENT TO AGUADILLA AND HORMIGUEROS DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE A JOB . DON'T BRING ME A SERVICE.

20210813SERVICE BRAKES

I WENT TO AGUADILLA AND HORMIGUEROS DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE A JOB . DON'T BRING ME A SERVICE.

20210813FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WENT TO AGUADILLA AND HORMIGUEROS DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE A JOB . DON'T BRING ME A SERVICE.

20210720SUSPENSION

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.

20210720CrashAIR BAGS

My 1999 Toyota Tacoma was involved in a rear end vehicle collision (the front of my vehicle struck the rear of a vehicle traveling in front of me) at a speed of approximately 40-45 mph. The roadway surface was smooth asphalt at a slight downgrade during clear/dry weather conditions on Monday 7/19/2021 at approximately 2:40 p.m. in Wythe County, VA. Neither the driver side nor passenger airbags deployed in this collision and the passenger side airbag switch was in the "ON" position. The front end damage was considerable to include destruction of front grille with radiator and other components pushed well into the engine compartment, hood, quarter panels, windshield cracked, and right front wheel joint assembly nearly detached. *Vehicle is available for inspection. *Complete failure of airbag deployment. *No indication of any airbag system issues with this vehicle. *Vehicle component has not been inspected by anyone since collision date. *No warning lamps or indicators prior to collis

20210518UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20200821UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 213,500

20200530UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RUSTED FRAME. *TR

20190624STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20190624SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20190509UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN THE SUMMER OF 2016 I HAD NOTICED A LONG STRIP OF METAL HANGING BELOW MY 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PART OF THE FRAME. AFTER A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION I HAD FOUND THE WHOLE FRAME RUSTED. THEN THROUGH RESEARCH DEEMED IT NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IN 2009 , AFTER HEARING FROM A FRIEND(NOT TOYOTA), OF AN FRAME RUST ISSUE I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS GOOD WITH NO RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE NOR TREAT . I LEFT THINKING I HAD A GOOD ONE (FRAME) THAT WASN'T AFFECTED BY THE RUST PROBLEM. FAST FORWARD TO 2016 WHEN OBVIOUS SIGNS OF THE ISSUE BECOME PRESENT AND THEN FIND OUT THERE WAS A 15 YEAR WINDOW TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED, TREATED OR BOUGHT BACK. THIS WAS NOT MY DAILY DRIVER BUT DEPENDED ON FREQUENTLY FOR HAULING AND PROJECTS. SO HERE IT SITS GOING ON THREE YEARS STILL NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO WITH IT. IT RUNS GREAT AND TOO NICE TO SCRAP. AND PROBABLY TO COSTLY TO FIX. A BUY BACK WOULD BE THE BEST RESOLUTION

Mileage: 246,000

20190205STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01E041000 (TRAILER HITCHES). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO DID NOT MENTION IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES PERTAINING TO THE FRAME UNTIL AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 14 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL REMEDY WOULD STILL APPLY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THEIR RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

20190205TRAILER HITCHES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01E041000 (TRAILER HITCHES). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO DID NOT MENTION IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES PERTAINING TO THE FRAME UNTIL AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 14 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL REMEDY WOULD STILL APPLY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THEIR RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

20190125STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

Mileage: 164,603

Compare 1999TOYOTATACOMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA have?
The 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA has 303 NHTSA complaints, 47 crashes, 1 fires, 40 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA?
The most-complained component for the 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA is STRUCTURE:BODY with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS and SUSPENSION.
Is the 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.