Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 1999 Toyota Tacoma was involved in a rear end vehicle collision (the front of my vehicle struck the rear of a vehicle traveling in front of me) at a speed of approximately 40-45 mph. The roadway surface was smooth asphalt at a slight downgrade during clear/dry weather conditions on Monday 7/19/2021 at approximately 2:40 p.m. in Wythe County, VA. Neither the driver side nor passenger airbags deployed in this collision and the passenger side airbag switch was in the "ON" position. The front end damage was considerable to include destruction of front grille with radiator and other components pushed well into the engine compartment, hood, quarter panels, windshield cracked, and right front wheel joint assembly nearly detached. *Vehicle is available for inspection. *Complete failure of airbag deployment. *No indication of any airbag system issues with this vehicle. …
Takata recall- my husband had a seizure while driving. He crossed over to oncoming traffic. He hit one car, went over a curb and down an embankment and ended up hitting the back of a subway. His car went through the wall into the subway. Air bags did not deploy. Police did file a report and he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. His car was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment located above a large drainage pipe. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger side air bags failed to deploy and the driver and passenger side seat belts failed to secure the occupants during the crash. The driver sustained bruising to the knees, the back and head concussions. The passenger sustained a fractured vertebrae and bruising to both legs and left arm. The driver and the passenger did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.
While driving on I-5, just south of mt. Shasta, at about 2:45 in the morning, I hit a 400 lb brown bear, doing the speed limit for the road in the area(65mph). The bear brought the truck to a complete stop. Neither driver nor passenger side airbags deployed. I called a local Toyota dealer and they said that the bear was not a stationary object, and this is why the airbags did not deploy.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 1999 Toyota Tacoma with 172000 failure mileage at 20 MPH the vehicle hit a concrete pole on the center of the vehicle's bumper, and the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries. The contact stated that the vehicle was totally destroyed.
Hit a deer on the new york state thruway when traveling about 65 MPH. Air bags were not activated. No serious injury to myself but had $7500 damage done to the front of my 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Was told by repair department that sometimes air bags are not deployed in accidents.
Truck was involved in a frontal collision at 50 MPH. The driver nor the passenger side airbag deployed upon impact. The cause of the failure has yet to be determined. Please provide more information.
I was travelling north on hwy 3 at 55mph when I saw a lady, mrs keevy, turning left across traffic. I was wearing a seat belt. I locked up my brakes, but the road had been sanded for ice the night before. I broadsided her at a speed of at least 35 MPH. My vehicle was a totaled. Her vehicle was also totaled. She was air lifted to a hospital. None of the emergency workers could understand why my air bags did not deploy. Both auto body places, and a master mechanic said they should have deployed. A 1999 Toyota sat next to mine in the repair facility with severe front end damage and his did not deploy. I have pictures of my vehicle, mrs. Keevy's vehicle, and the other Toyota. I have also ordered a police report. I notified Toyota on their hotline, they sent an investigator who said I did not meet the criteria. I sent them two certified letters, one with pictures of all vehicles. …
Driving approx. 55mph when brakes were applied. Vehicle started to skid. Another vehicle making left turn was broadsided. Upon impact, neither air bags deployed. Owner suffered sprained wrist & slight back injury. Other driver hospitalized. Manufacturer sent an inspector & was told the accident did not meet their criteria.
Consumer was driving approximately 30 MPH. Upon impact, vehicle was struck at driver rear tire, vehicle flipped in air approximately 20 feet and landed on the front bumper, air bag did not deploy. Vehicle then flipped on its top and began to slide, and passenger's seat belt buckle came un latched.
Airbag complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, 15% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 147,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 0 fires and 22 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.