2019 Toyota Tacoma

Family: Tacoma · filed with NHTSA as TACOMA

Summary

In its first three years the 2019 Tacoma drew 143 complaints — 1.1× the median of its generation (2016–2023). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Fuel & Propulsion, holds 36% of the 210 that name a component.
4 recalls filed for this model year.
1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 219
Recalls: 4
Investigations: 1
NCAP overall: 4 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 18–21
Annual fuel cost: $2,950–$3,450
Median mileage at complaint: 5,500 mi (n = 103)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 11 / 1 / 6 / 0

What owners report

Fuel & Propulsion

75 complaints · 36% of complaints that name a component · median 8,000 mi (n = 39)

Owner report low pressure fuel pump in fuel tank failed. This part was already repaired from previous recall and failed again. Error code P0087. Vehicle shuttered and stopped in traffic. Broken bits of fuel pump were left in gas tank.

Owner report While driving at Highway speeds fuel pump failed resulting in near miss collision on Interstate. Initial fuel pump was replaced with recall. This is second pump that failed. Vehicle towed to Bob Tyler Toyota in Pensacola Fl where fuel pump replaced by owner. Toyota refuses to pay for pump even though class action lawsu…

Brakes

56 complaints · 27% of complaints that name a component · median 4,300 mi (n = 30)

Owner report The brakes failed, out of nowhere, no codes and no warning. The vehicle was taken to lithia Toyota of [XXX] on XXX for inspection and they say they couldn’t recreate the issue. 5 days later the vehicle was taken to Grants Pass Toyota and they have isolated the issue to be a faulty master cylinder. My safety and every…

Owner report Brake Master cylinder. The brakes lose all pressure and do not stop the truck all of a sudden. This is an open recall on many of these trucks but apparently my specific truck isn’t included in this. Because it just happened we are looking for the parts to fix this. Although it’s to the tune of over $1,000. There ar…

Powertrain

40 complaints · 19% of complaints that name a component · median 900 mi (n = 27)

Owner report Occasionally, my Tacoma jerk at lower speeds of 20 to 5 mph. Also, random I hear a click sound on brake.

Owner report A full replacement of the cylinder 1 head and valves at only 60,000 miles, repair estimate of $8000

4% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2016–2023)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 132.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2016	324	200	most complaints
2017	243	118
2018	209	122
2019	219	143
2020	90	49	not compared
2021	81	42	not compared
2022	59	38	not compared
2023	54	41	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

20V682000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Filed 2020-11-04 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

20V012000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Filed 2020-01-13 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

19V244000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2019-03-27 · 3,634 vehicles

Defect: Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.

18V888000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Filed 2018-12-13 · 44,121 vehicles

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.

Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
EA19001	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	2019-04-19	2024-09-19	20V024

EA19001: Electrical overstress

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Tacoma 2WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	20	23	21	$2950
Tacoma 2WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	19	24	21	$2950
Tacoma 4WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	19	22	20	$3100
Tacoma 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	18	22	20	$3100
Tacoma 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Manual 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	17	21	18	$3450
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab Off-Road	3.5L 6cyl	Manual 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	17	20	18	$3450
Tacoma 4WD TRD PRO	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	18	22	20	$3100
Tacoma 4WD TRD PRO	3.5L 6cyl	Manual 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	17	20	18	$3450

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2019 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 236 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about structure.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	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. The purpose of this Serv…
2025-11-11	STRUCTURE:BODY	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 paint color. Although th…
2025-08-20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	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.
2025-07-31	STRUCTURE:BODY	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 paint color. Although th…
2025-07-31	STRUCTURE:BODY	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
2025-07-31	STRUCTURE:BODY	Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid
2025-01-17	STRUCTURE:BODY	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) require repainting to addre…
2025-01-06	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	21TD03 Final Reminder
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	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 areas such as the hood…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	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 weather elements and in…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Tacoma, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Tacoma model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.