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Reliability report · 2019 Toyota Tacoma · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,950/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

A durable third-gen Tacoma whose fuel-pump recall is the real story — some replacement pumps failed again, so confirm the fix and take any stall symptom seriously.

The 2019 is the same durable third-generation Tacoma, and its recent complaint file is unusually concentrated: the low-pressure fuel-pump recall (20V682) dominates, and a notable share are owners whose recall replacement pump failed again — check-engine code P0087, shudder, and near-miss stalls at highway speed. That makes recall verification necessary but not sufficient; treat any hesitation or stall on a 2019 as something to diagnose, not dismiss.

Beyond the fuel pump, the 2019 carries the Tacoma-specific brake master-cylinder recall (18V888) and the familiar V6 coolant-bypass pipe leak (owners report it as early as 44,000 miles). Toyota also issued a service bulletin for 2019–2020 V6 trucks acknowledging lack of power, delay/hesitation, and frequent shift changes, fixed with an engine-computer logic update — the driveability story is software, not a failing gearbox.

Evidence: 209 NHTSA complaints · 4 recall campaigns · 6 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 209 federal complaints and four recalls. The recent complaint file is dominated by the low-pressure fuel pump — including trucks whose recall replacement pump failed a second time. Combined with the Tacoma-specific brake master-cylinder recall (18V888), the 2019 is a verify-the-safety-recalls year. Underneath, the V6 remains durable; the coolant-bypass pipe and a Toyota-acknowledged shift-hesitation are the mechanical checks.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

209

Federal complaints

4

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2019 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab 4WD (NHTSA VehicleId 13223)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Low-pressure fuel-pump stall — recall 20V682, including repeat failures

major

The dominant 2019 story. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can fail and stall the engine while driving; it's part of a wide Toyota/Lexus campaign (Tacoma scope 2017–2020, Toyota code 20TA02) with a free improved-pump remedy. What stands out in the 2019 file is repeat failures — owners reporting the recall replacement pump failed a second time, throwing code P0087 with shudder and stalls at speed. Confirm the recall was completed, and if the truck shows any fuel-delivery symptom, have the pump inspected regardless of recall status.

Recall remedy (dealer)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Tacoma · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recalls 20V682, 18V888; SSC K0B; 2019–2020 shift-hesitation TSB)

Brake master cylinder — recall 18V888major

Carryover from 2018 and Tacoma-specific: improper machining of the brake master cylinder can damage a seal and reduce brake performance, lengthening stopping distance. It covers 2018–2019 Tacomas (Toyota codes J16/J06) with a free master-cylinder replacement. Verify it was done by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Tacoma · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recalls 20V682, 18V888; SSC K0B; 2019–2020 shift-hesitation TSB)

$0

Recall remedy (dealer)

Coolant-bypass pipe leak and the shift-hesitation bulletinmoderate

Two V6 items with federal or mechanic backing. The plastic coolant-bypass pipe behind the engine can crack — 2019 owners report it as early as 44,000 miles, citing the inferior plastic material; check the passenger side and top of the transmission for a coolant trail. Separately, Toyota's own service bulletin for 2019–2020 Tacomas with the 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic acknowledges lack of power, delay/hesitation, and frequent shift changes, and modifies the engine-control-module logic to reduce it. So a hesitant-feeling 2019 is usually a software update away from better, not a failing transmission.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Tacoma · Independent mechanic/owner channel transcripts (3rd-gen Tacoma, incl. The Car Care Nut)

several thousand

Coolant-bypass pipe (out of warranty)

low cost / in warranty covered

ECM logic update (per Toyota bulletin)

Pre-collision radar sensor — Special Service Campaign K0Bmoderate

Toyota's Special Service Campaign K0B (a non-recall service campaign) covers 2018–2019 Tacoma and Tundra whose front-grille millimeter-wave radar sensor can admit water, causing the Pre-Collision System (PCS) — automatic emergency braking — to deactivate or briefly self-apply the brakes. The remedy is a PCS software update and sealer on the sensor, with free sensor replacement if faulty. Ask whether it was completed, particularly on a modified front end.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Tacoma · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recalls 20V682, 18V888; SSC K0B; 2019–2020 shift-hesitation TSB)

Paint, labels, and the frameminor

The lighter checks. 040 Super White trucks peel at the door frames, inner fenders, and A-pillars — covered by Customer Support Program 23TE08 (a quiet, extended coverage program) for 2016–2022. One of the 2019 recalls (19V244) is a Gulf States load-capacity label item, paperwork only. The 2019 frame is factory-sprayed inside from the wax-coating era, a real improvement, but a salt-belt truck still deserves an underneath inspection and exterior coating.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Tacoma · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recalls 20V682, 18V888; SSC K0B; 2019–2020 shift-hesitation TSB) · Independent mechanic/owner channel transcripts (3rd-gen Tacoma, incl. The Car Care Nut)

$0 covered

Paint peel (CSP 23TE08)

more than the truck is worth

Frame replacement (rotted)

Low pressure fuel pump in the fuel tank failed. This part was already repaired from a previous recall and failed again.
6 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Toyota dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 20V682Low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank may fail and stall the engine while driving (2017–2020 Tacoma within a wide Toyota/Lexus campaign; expansion of 20V-012; Toyota code 20TA02). Free improved fuel-pump assembly. Some replacement pumps later failed again.open
  2. 20V012Original low-pressure fuel-pump recall that 20V682 later expanded; lists 2018–2019 Tacoma among many models (Toyota codes 20TB02/20TA02). Same defect and free pump remedy.open
  3. 18V888Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may damage a seal and reduce brake performance (2018–2019 Tacoma only; Toyota codes J16/J06). Free master-cylinder replacement.open
  4. 19V244Gulf States Toyota: load-capacity label text may become illegible, FMVSS 110 (2019 GST-region Tacoma and many other models; code 19R1). Free corrected labels.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2019 Tacoma

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway) for the RWD, 3.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 40730 (Tacoma 2WD).
Other builds EPA lists: 4WD, 3.5L 18 MPG · 4WD, 2.7L 20 MPG · RWD, 2.7L 21 MPG.

$2,950/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen about 32% less often than the average vehicle. One less thing to price into coverage.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2019–21 models, published April 2022 (report WT-21). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Toyota Tacoma double cab 4WD.
Other series: Toyota Tacoma double cab 106 · Toyota Tacoma double cab LWB 4WD 55 · Toyota Tacoma xtra cab 4WD 89 · Toyota Tacoma xtra cab 92, where 100 = average.

68 vs 100

32% below average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Recall remedy (dealer)$0
Recall remedy (dealer)$0
Coolant-bypass pipe (out of warranty)several thousand
ECM logic update (per Toyota bulletin)low cost / in warranty covered
Paint peel (CSP 23TE08)$0 covered
Frame replacement (rotted)more than the truck is worth
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Confirm fuel-pump recall 20V682 shows completed — and because some replacement pumps failed again, have the pump inspected if the truck shows any fuel-delivery symptom.
  2. 02Confirm brake master-cylinder recall 18V888 was performed — it is specific to 2018–2019 Tacomas.
  3. 03Ask whether Special Service Campaign K0B (pre-collision radar sensor) was done, especially on a modified front end.
  4. 04Check the passenger side and top of the transmission for a cracked coolant-bypass pipe leak (reported as early as 44k).
  5. 05Test-drive for lack of power or shift hesitation; it is usually addressed by Toyota's engine-computer logic update, not a transmission repair.
  6. 06Check 040 Super White paint at the door frames and A-pillars for peeling (CSP 23TE08).
  7. 07On a northern truck, inspect the frame from underneath even though 2019 frames are factory-sprayed inside.

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