2019 Toyota Tacoma

Fuel System

Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has generated 140 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “While driving at Highway speeds fuel pump failed resulting in near miss collision on Interstate. Initial fuel pump was replaced with recall. This is second pump that failed. Vehicle towed to Bob Tyler Toyota in Pensacola Fl where fuel pump replaced by owner. Toyota refuses to pay for pump even though class action lawsuit resulted in Toyota being responsible for reimbursement. Vehicle has only 36000 miles.” (NHTSA Complaint #11695611)

Brakes

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has generated 112 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “I have the exact same issues as the big recall done with the Toyotas for the brake master cylinder. My Tacoma is leaking brake fluid from the inside of the cabin! I contacted Toyota showed the pictures and evidence, I have the exact same issue as all the other trucks with the recall, Toyota refused to help me fix my truck, even tho everything is exactly the same. They argued that because the date my truck was assembled is why they wouldn’t help. They cannot track which parts are used for which dates! It’s not fair, they know this is a huge problem which is why they had a large recall for the Tacomas. My truck barely had 55k miles on it, I shouldn’t be having brake master cylinder issues at this mileage, it’s a 2019, it’s way too new for these problems! This should be covered under the recall. It’s a faulty seal from the inside of the brake master cylinder. Toyota refuses to help or fix it. This is a severe safety issue and concern, I could have crashed or killed myself. My warranty just expired in December. This master cylinder is only made by Toyota and it’s a $1600 part. This should all be covered by Toyota under the recall for safety! This is now going to cost me around $2,000 to fix out of my pocket, all for my own safety. My truck sat for 2-3 weeks waiting for Toyota all for them to deny helping me.” (NHTSA Complaint #11652942)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 76 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Occasionally, my Tacoma jerk at lower speeds of 20 to 5 mph. Also, random I hear a click sound on brake.” (NHTSA Complaint #11501256)

Fuel System

Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has generated 64 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRM PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.” (NHTSA Complaint #11400188)

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 40 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clattering sound coming from the engine, with a misfire coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to several mechanics, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injector in cylinder #3 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11716829)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Toyota Tacoma

The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Toyota Tacoma by the NHTSA or Toyota. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2019 Toyota Tacoma:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Toyota to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Toyota must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2019 Toyota Tacoma qualifies as a lemon under California law, Toyota may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Toyota pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Toyota willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2019 Toyota Tacoma Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Toyota a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Toyota dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Toyota pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Toyota a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2019 Toyota Tacoma Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2019 Toyota Tacoma as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Toyota pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Toyota is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2019 Toyota Tacoma?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.