1999 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 249 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, 4% of the 249 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Lower ball joint severed. My family and I were lucky that it did not happen a few minutes before on highway going 60mph. We were on an extended trip and had slowed down going through a town, stopped and were making a u-turn when the front left wheel practically fell off.”
NHTSA complaint #10534445, filed 2013-08, 125,323 miles“I've had complete failure of both sides- front ball joints. I chalked up the the drivers side failure to happenstance, but after passenger side recently had the same failure I did some investigating and realized this is a vehicle assembly issue. The same issue had recalls for the later models 2001-05 tacomas, I believe. Not sure why the earlier models were excluded, but this is scary and dangerous to have a complete breakdown while in traffic. The tows and repairs cost over $500 in total for both instances. …”
NHTSA complaint #11001382, filed 2017-06, 106,000 miles“Truck shakes at about 45 MPH and continues to shake through highway speeds. When looked at for inspection I have been told by both Toyota dealer service centers and independent garages that the play in the rack and pinion is causing the shake and the play is to significant to pass inspection. As I write, my truck is at a Toyota dealer having the 4th rack and pinion installed. The shake causes seals in the rack to wear and break. When these seals break it will quickly empty the power steering pump of fluid causing loss of power assist steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154648, filed 2006-04, 84,000 miles“The car in front of me stopped on the freeway and I was not able to stop in time. My front right hit his rear left, and my car spun 180 degrees into the lane next to the one I had been in and I was facing the oncoming traffic. My air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10523807, filed 2013-07“I lease a 1999 Toyota tocoma when I turned into my driveway an started to back up. The tie rod end pulled out out of the knuckle on the rack an pinion without stripping the threads. Due to the fact that one si smaller than the other. The threads are there they are worn on the outer ends of both pieces. The truck has 50,100 miles on it. So far I am told this is my problem for me to fix. This is a serious safety problem to me. Because I did buy new parts to fix it. So I could have my truck. After two and a half weeks this all started 6-18-03 . …”
NHTSA complaint #10025564, filed 2003-07Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma
102 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsSuspension
35 complaintsTires
23 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology