AI Damage2019 Toyota Tacoma: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma filed 219 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 171 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 219
- involving a crash
- 11
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 171
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 26% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 56 complaints (26% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 55 complaints (25% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 40 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Engine: 29 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 219 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 56 | 5 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 55 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 40 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine | 29 | 2 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 0 | 24 |
| Fuel system | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 12 | 3 | 51 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 | 4 |
| Steering | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I wrecked my truck in a snowstorm, and the front airbags did not deploy. The crash had me and 2 others in my vehicle. I have permanent injuries
Right before each incident the truck would shake then skid along the floor causing sparks.
The side curtain air bags deployed however, the front driver-side air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. A police report was filed however was not available. The contact did not seek medical attention however felt sore within the next few days.
Fuel system - vehicle surged (high RPMS) while gearshift lever was in the Drive position after release of pressure on the accelerator as I was parking the vehicle surged and smashed into a cement post, the vehicle traveled approximately 10 to 15 feet.
Reported incident to local toyota service department & was informed toyota corporate was aware of fuel pump defect in my vehicle vin-safety are all and had provided the toyota dealership no direction on how remedy . 3.
The passenger side front was damaged, air bags did not deploy, twice while I was driving the vehicle, the "brake!" flashed on the dash info center. Both times I was coming to a stop behind vehicles coming to a stop.
The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained back injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact was unaware of injuries to the other vehicle occupants. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed a total loss.
While attempting to park the vehicle, the brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a cement wall. The contact and a passenger were injured and transported to a hospital for medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 301 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tacoma has 141 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 219, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner…
Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White…
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
- Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR FRAMES, FRONT INNER FENDERS AND A-PILLARS CERTAIN 2016-2022 MODEL YEAR TACOMA
- Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along…
Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along the exterior window door frames, inner fender edges under the hood, and/or A-pillars. The affected panel(s)…
- 21TD03 Final Reminder
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
NHTSA lists 171 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Tacoma?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, fuel/propulsion system, powertrain. Total complaints: 219. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (14%), fuel system, fuel smell (13%), warning lights, check engine (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 171 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Toyota Tacoma from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.