NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 251 owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve structure (102) and air bags (38). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Tacoma model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 257 |
| 1997 | 134 |
| 1998 | 310 |
| 1999 | 251 |
| 2000 | 221 |
| 2001 | 401 |
| 2002 | 360 |
| 2003 | 372 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 541 |
| 2008 | 450 |
| 2009 | 520 |
| 2010 | 294 |
| 2011 | 186 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 102 |
| 2016 | 324 |
| 2017 | 244 |
| 2018 | 209 |
| 2019 | 219 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 81 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 155 |
| 2025 | 116 |
“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.”
“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 collision date. *I am the original and only owner of this vehicle since the purchase date in January, 1999. *Vehicle has 329000+ miles with certain parts of the engine being rebuilt in…”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Tacoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 251 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (102), air bags (38), suspension (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Toyota Tacoma at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).