2019 Toyota Tacoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Tacoma most often describe a low-pressure fuel pump recall that left many trucks stalled or losing power, with parts unavailable for months after the notice arrived. Brake complaints rank second, mostly a pedal that slowly sinks toward the floor under steady pressure and rotors that pulse or warp. Many of these reports come in at low mileage, often within the first year of ownership.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump recall: stalling and loss of power

   • 52 complaints (24%)
   • median 6,900 mi at 1.3 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or losing power while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with the truck unable to restart or only running roughly afterward. Many say they received a recall notice but were told the replacement part was not yet available, and the truck was not repaired. Dealers are described as advising owners to keep driving, and some owners report limiting fuel level or avoiding long trips as a precaution. Reported from very low mileage, frequently under 15,000 miles, and often within the first year of ownership.

   Recall 20V012000Recall 20V6820002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the low-pressure fuel pump was replaced under the recall, and get the campaign number and repair date in writing. Note any long cranking, rough idle, or hesitation on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tacoma started having issues were it was turning off weeks after buying it in the beginning of 2018. Took it to shop 4 times and they kept saying nothing was wrong so on the 4thbtime I asked to speak to manager because of the risk this posses.they change gas pump but not sure if this actually fixed issue and I am concerned as there is no remedy in sight.”

   NHTSA complaint #11299411, filed 2020-01, 50 miles

   “Purchased 2019 Toyota truck / Tacoma 4wd/dbl cb 4w and was advised of a recall issue with the fuel pump. Now we don't drive it due to fear of an accident. Can't go off road due to fear fuel pump failure where we would be stranded out in desert. The vehicle I purchased basically sits in the driveway and Toyota has no remedy and it has been over 6 months now waiting for the recall issue to be repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11327205, filed 2020-06, 5,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fading to the floor

   • 24 complaints (11%)
   • median 2,700 mi at 1.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal continuing to sink toward the floor while pressure is held, for example at a stop light, and then needing to be released and reapplied to stop the truck. Some report longer stopping distance during normal driving, and a few describe hitting something after the pedal went down. Dealers reportedly told several owners the behavior was normal. Mostly reported between roughly 2,000 and 22,000 miles, in ordinary city and highway driving.

   Recall 18V888000

   What to check: With the engine running, hold firm pressure on the brake pedal for a half minute and see whether it stays up or creeps down. Ask whether the master cylinder recall (18V888000) was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Two days ago I felt slightly softer brake pedal on normal driving. Yesterday, 6/25/20, I was traveling in a 60 MPH speed zone approaching a traffic light. Light turned yellow and I attempted to slow and stop. I immediately noticed the brake pedal went very soft and could be pushed almost to floor with very little braking effect. Stopped about two feet into the intersection. Continued trip with caution and soft and abnormal braking capability. Calling Toyota today.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331017, filed 2020-06, 21,000 miles

   “When driving my 2019 Toyota Tacoma (approx. 6900 miles) I noticed the brakes were not firm after initial application. The pedal then would slowly sink to the floor and braking power was drastically reduced that time. I pumped the brake and achieved better braking result but when constant pressure was applied the braking result diminished very quickly. This continued during all driving conditions. To me it very closely resembled a master brake cylinder seal failure, which I have experienced with vehicles in the past. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11348508, filed 2020-08, 6,900 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalling and rough running

   • 37 complaints (17%)
   • median 10,500 mi at 1.4 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the engine stalling at various speeds, sometimes with a check engine light, and sometimes restarting and driving normally afterward. Other reports describe rough idle, sputtering, hesitation, and in higher-mileage trucks a misfire traced to a failed fuel injector. Some dealers could not find a cause, while others diagnosed fuel system components. Spread from low mileage to over 100,000 miles, with many reports under about 25,000 miles.

   Recall 20V0120002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Scan for stored or pending engine codes rather than relying on dash lights alone, and ask whether fuel system or injector work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2019 Toyota Tacoma trd off-road 4x4 11,800 miles. -driving at highway speeds on busy interstate in traffic. Check engine light appears, then vehicle loses all power. Miracleulously was able to coast into a clearing on side of road, with being struck by another vehicle. Had vehicle towed to. Newbold Toyota o'fallon, illinois. They kept the truck two days, said the ran numerous test, but could not determine cause. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306400, filed 2020-01, 11,800 miles

   “Vehicle tends to stall after take off (4 cylinder) I've taken the truck to the Toyota dealership service (no open recall) and service tech/mechanic stated that's how the 4 cylinder is suppose to drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11338244, filed 2020-07, 30 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or delayed shifting and low-speed vibration

   • 28 complaints (13%)
   • median 1,200 mi at 1.0 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners describe hesitation and jerky acceleration from a stop, delayed downshifts when slowing from highway speed, and a vibration felt through the seat and floorboard under light throttle or coasting. The vibration often goes away in neutral. Dealers reportedly called the behavior normal or could not reproduce it; some owners say they drive in manual or sport mode to avoid it. Reported mostly under about 15,000 miles, on both automatic and manual trucks, often at steady 30 to 50 mph.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test at a steady 50 mph and while coasting down from 40 mph, and check for vibration or a downshift lag. Ask whether any driveline diagnosis or repair was recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 2019 Tacoma sr5 to headquater Toyota miami today. I told them that my truck vibrate when braking between 25 to 15 MPH. They inspected my truck and told me they felt the vibration so they called the corporate and the mechanic was told to test drive a similar truck. The mechanic told me that it does the same thing and to wait for a maybe recall. Next week I'm taking my truck to another dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307523, filed 2020-02, 3,000 miles

   “Acceleration is often hesitant and jerky. When at a complete stop,turning or driving , I will push the gas to accelerate but the truck takes about 2 seconds to finally move. The dealership stated it was the traction control because I turn too fast. When asked about why it hesitates to accelerate when at a stop or when I'm driving straight, they stated they didn't know but it wasn't an issue since their mechanicals couldn't replicate the problem. I don't feel confident or safe in this truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11323943, filed 2020-05, 10,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Warped rotors and pulsing brakes

   • 16 complaints (7%)
   • median 3,000 mi at 0.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2023

   Owners report shaking or pulsing through the truck when braking, most noticeable slowing from highway speed, and some say it returns a few thousand miles after rotors or drums were resurfaced or replaced. Dealers are described as confirming warped rotors and drums and replacing them under warranty, without resolving the repeat occurrence. Reported from about 3,000 miles up to the 20,000 to 45,000 mile range, mostly on highway driving.

   What to check: Brake firmly from highway speed on the test drive and feel for steering wheel or pedal shake, then look at service records for repeated rotor or drum work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2019 Tacoma 4x4 dbl cab sr5 has 22000 miles on it and has a history of the brakes pulsing. The dealer has replaced both front and rear brakes at 5k and 11k miles, and now again at 22k miles. At each service appointment I complained that the brakes pulse badly, and they confirm that the rotors and back drums are warped. So they replace the rotors & drums, and the problem is relieved for a time, but the pulsing comes back within a few thousand miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11385789, filed 2020-12, 22,000 miles

   “I was drivin in the highway 65 m/h and I was using the cruise control, just as it passed through the ezpass toll booth the pre-collision system activated and brake abruptly,I also feel that when you drive about 60 miles per hour you apply the brake I feel small vibrations in the car and finally the 4x4 control knob is close to the fan knob and by mistake I connected the 4x4 when I want to turn on the fan I think it should have something like security to not be connected so easily”

   NHTSA complaint #11306435, filed 2020-02, 5,500 miles

Buying note. Check that the low-pressure fuel pump recalls were completed and look for records of brake and driveline repairs, since several of these reports repeat after the first fix. A thorough test drive covering hard braking, steady-speed cruising, and coasting down from highway speed will surface most of the patterns owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.