2019 Toyota Tundra Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two things: a low-pressure fuel pump on certain trucks that leaves the engine running rough, surging, or refusing to start, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite (pre-collision warning, radar cruise, lane assist) throwing intermittent malfunction messages and, in a few cases, braking on its own. Fuel-pump reports arrive at higher mileage than the driver-assist and brake reports, many of which show up within the first few thousand miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure / rough running and no-start

   • 23 complaints (31%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the engine running rough or surging, hesitation when accelerating, loss of power, and stalling or failure to restart. Several say a dealer diagnosed a failed low-pressure fuel pump, sometimes with the part on backorder, and some report their truck was reprogrammed or reset without lasting effect. Complaints also describe being told the truck was not covered by the fuel pump recall while showing the same symptoms. Mostly reported between roughly 36,000 and 117,000 miles, often on start-up or under acceleration.

   Recall 20V682000Recall 20V0120003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the low-pressure fuel pump recall (20V682000) was performed and whether the pump has been replaced since. Note any hard starting, rough idle, or hesitation on a test drive, and have fuel pressure checked if symptoms appear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle died while driving, found that fuel pump quit working. towed to a shop, they informed me that Toyota has a recall on the fuel pumps and was instructed to tow the vehicle to Central Toyota in Jonesboro AR. Was told that my vehicle didn't fall into the recall for fuel pump failing while driving. was forced to purchase a new fuel pump and have it installed after towing back to a repair shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11531565, filed 2023-07

   “One morning, I tried to start my truck, and it would not start. After taking it to Lipton Toyota in Fort Lauderdale, they determined the fuel pump was faulty. Unfortunately, they’ve had my truck for over two weeks and have informed me of a national shortage for Toyota fuel pumps. I have spoken to other dealerships in the area, including those in Kentucky, they are also on back order for these fuel pumps.”

   NHTSA complaint #11571173, filed 2024-02
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Pre-collision and radar cruise malfunction warnings

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • median 5,116 mi at 0.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane departure assist shutting off or flashing malfunction messages, sometimes with a 'clean sensor' prompt, and often with no weather or obstruction involved. Some describe the dash displaying a sudden BRAKE alert with no vehicle ahead, and a few say the truck braked on its own. Complaints also mention dealers unable to reproduce or find stored codes, and an internal failure of the forward recognition camera. Reported from a few thousand miles up, with several cases under 10,000 miles.

   Recall 18V6850003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that Safety Sense software updates and any related service bulletins were applied, and watch for stored or pending camera/radar warning lights during a test drive. Ask whether the forward recognition camera or radar sensor has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Radar sensor on the front of the truck was previously brought into the dealership pursuant to a recall. Months later the radar sensor is automatically braking, while I am driving, without any vehicle or obstacle in front of my truck. This had happened twice in the past couple of months. Date below is an estimate of the most recent event.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324704, filed 2020-05, 27,000 miles

   “Pcs system on 2019 Toyota displays that the system is on but the icon on the dash shows off . I have pics to provide proof. Been happening before the first srvc on the truck. When in during srvc to explain, dealership didn't find problem. Left and it came back on again. Since the 5k srvc this happens pretty much daily, I'm not sure if the pcs is going to work or not as I have become leary of this feature being a safety feature and more of an annoyance with Toyota not taking ownership in correcting it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11180222, filed 2019-02, 5,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Trailer brake disconnect message while towing

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.1 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners towing trailers report intermittent 'trailer disconnected' or 'trailer brake error' messages while the trailer lights keep working, leaving the trailer without electric brakes. Complaints describe this recurring on grades and repeatedly during a trip, with the truck's own brakes left to stop the load. Some say the messages appear even with nothing attached, and dealers characterized it as a warranty matter. Reported across a range of mileages, typically while towing, including on hills and grades.

   What to check: If you tow, test the trailer brake controller with a trailer attached on a grade and confirm the connection messages stay clear. Ask whether the trailer brake controller or its wiring has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A technical safety bulletin was issue for this issue (T-SB-0036-19). On a recent trip in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, my wife and I were pulling a travel trailer with LED lights and noticed that the trailer disconnected warning come on. We thought it was a loose cable and pulled over to check the plug. We started home after our trip and had this occur several times on step grades. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11469256, filed 2022-06

   “2019 Tundra: for no reason or indication the vehicle displayed a “Trailer Break Error” and “Pre-collision System malfunction” warning asking me to pull over if towing anything (nothing was being towed) and to contact the dealership. Vehicle still operational however the menus can’t be seen as the warning is consistent.”

   NHTSA complaint #11503022, filed 2023-01
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Faint front turn signals under LED lighting

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the front turn signals as hard for other drivers to see when the LED daytime running lights or headlights are on, because the amber bulbs are dim and set back in the housing. Some also report weak headlight output on low beam, and others describe snow or slush building up on the LED headlights and cutting visibility. Often noted early in ownership, in some cases within the first few hundred to a few thousand miles.

   Recall 21V688000Recall 20V410000

   What to check: Check that both lighting recalls were completed, and view the front turn signals from across the lot with the headlights on to judge visibility. Ask whether the headlight assemblies or bulbs have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Flashing front amber turn signal lights are not adequately visible to other drivers when drl or headlights are on. Due to this other drivers often don't see turn signal from the front of the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11302902, filed 2020-01, 12,000 miles

   “Factory installed OEM LED HEADLIGHTS: While driving in WET SNOW and SNOW conditions, headlights get covered in snow and visibility is greatly reduced to almost zero.”

   NHTSA complaint #11627040, filed 2024-11

Buying note. Check the recall history first, particularly the low-pressure fuel pump and lighting campaigns, since some owners report symptoms that were not covered by the recall for their truck. On a test drive, pay attention to cold starting, hesitation under load, and any driver-assist warning lights, and verify the trailer brake controller if you plan to tow.

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.