Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was not driving smoothly. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that while disconnecting the trailer hitch, the contact proceeded to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the undercarriage was severely corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an unknown popping sound was coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion and a crack that had formed on the rear passenger's side fender. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,813.
Hi, i had the recall preventive performed by toyota for rusting and corrosion of the frame. Now, the vehicle is rusting throughout the frame and is very very unsafe to drive. TOYOTA is claiming that it was a program and not a recall and had no documentation to prove. Toyota performed the recall and now the frame is still at risk to crack and very unsafe.
Dec 13, 2015, while bending down to pick up my reading glasses in the driveway, I noticed a clean through fracture of the frame, rear passenger side, just in front of the shock absorber fitting. A few days earlier I had wondered why the bed was tilted up pinching the back of the cab. The vehicle had passed state inspection year after year and had been see by my regular mechanic less than 2 years ago and no issues with frame deterioration were found or brought to my attention. I contacted Toyota and just yesterday was told, sorry about your "rust" issue, but the warranty has long expired. This is a well documented design and manufacturing defect tied to improper prep by Toyota frame contractor dana holding corp. The vehicle was fully operational and now it is un-driveable. If the vehicle had come apart at highway speeds, it could have caused serious injury or fatality. …
I purchased my 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 11/2013 at a small dealership. I checked the vehicle out pretty good before purchase and found lite surface rust on frame and thought nothing to worry about. 12/2014 I was working on emergency brake, do to sticking and notices a large rust hole at the rear leaf spring. I started looking on the internet for local frame repair company's and found out about the problem with this year Tacoma. I called Toyota service and they said there was nothing they could do because the warranty ran out on frame rust. I called a local Toyota to buy a new frame, they told me they don't manufacture that year anymore. I took it to a frame repair shop and they told me it would cost $2600 to fix the rear half section of the frame and to replace the front section as soon as possible. The whole frame, if they locate one used from out west and repair would be $6000. …
My 1999 Tacoma has just been declared unsafe to drive by a local repair shop due to excessive rust on the frame (I brought it to the shop to have some A/C work done). As part of the Toyota service program, the truck was inspected last in October 2013, and passed the corrosion test. At that point the truck had 106,000 miles. I had purchased the truck afterwards, based on this inspection being done by Toyota and passing. The truck now has 119,000 miles on it, and it is not safe to drive. I called Toyota corporate and they stated that since the truck is now outside the 15-year coverage period, I have no options. I shared that the truck was inspected by them and that it is nearly impossible for a truck to go from no rust issue to significant rust issue in less than 2 years and less than 14,000 miles. …
Toyota rust recall. Truck purchased in 2003 and undercoated . [redacted] received recall, took it in, nothing was done. [redacted], son bought truck in 2008 went to l& s Toyota regarding rust, nothing was done. Frame has rusted so bad that it punctured hole in fuel tank; otherwise, truck in excellent condition. Too dangerous to drive. In 2008 toyotas frame rust was so bad on 1995-2004 tacomas (about 800,000 trucks) was so bad the company had to buy many of them back, conduct extensive frame repairs and/or extend frame corrosion warranties by 15 years. Company never issued a recall for that problem. We would appreciate getting our frame and fuel tank fixed. It has sentimental value to my husband since it was his dad's truck and he is deceased, and besides, it is a great truck and looks great!
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 01e041000 (trailer hitches). The manufacturer had not sent a recall notification. The vehicle was purchased from an independent source who did not mention if the vehicle was inspected before it was sold. The contact was not informed of the vehicle's extensive rust, corrosion, and holes pertaining to the frame until after it was purchased. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer issued 14 technical service bulletins regarding the structure. The manufacturer was contacted to determine if the recall remedy would still apply. The contact was waiting on their response. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was premature rust and corrosion on the vehicle. The manufacturer included the VIN in a limited service campaign in which the solution was to coat the rust, but this did not provide a permanent remedy. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times over the years and the dealer did not provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was recently diagnosed by a dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame was rotted with holes and could fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The failure mileage was 109,677. Updated 07/13/16
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was deteriorated and rusted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was not able to be repaired due to the frame. The contact researched and found that the vehicle was not included in a warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the fifteen year warranty for the frame had expired. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 164,603.
Body complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, 41% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is body (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Tacoma body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.