Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 20 model years of Toyota Tacoma in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only. MagSafe devices, that are not Qi Certified, may not charge as expected with Qi Wireless Chargers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only. MagSafe devices, that are not Qi Certified, may not charge as expected with Qi Wireless Chargers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: All 2020 ? 2023 model year 4Runner, 2018 ? 2022 model year Sequoia, 2018 ? 2023 model year Tacoma, and 2018 ? 2021 model year Tundra vehicles are equipped with Pre-collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) as part of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package. The PCS and DRCC systems are designed to help mitigate a potential collision and maintain a pre-determined traveling distance. It is recommended to disable the PCS and DRCC systems on vehicles that have been modified (ride height, oversized wheels/tires, brush bars, etc.) in a way that potentially disrupts the functionality of these systems. Vehicle owner?s written consent is required before performing the calibrat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 20 complaints center on four distinct electrical problems. First, water ingress through the third brake light assembly flooded the cab, causing mold growth and ECM corrosion; one owner documents an $8,000+ repair estimate and notes that a Toyota dealer failed to perform the mandated seal repair under Service Campaign 21TD03 while the truck was in for service.
Second, infotainment system failures plague multiple owners: the Entune head unit reboots without warning during calls and driving, randomly disconnects Bluetooth during phone calls, refuses to pair or reconnect with iPhones, and loses rear-view camera access during reboots. Owners report this happening from 2 miles to 115 miles of driving, with one citing 20+ reboot instances in three months; dealers have blamed Panasonic and state backorders with no timeline.
Third, powertrain control issues include sudden uncontrolled braking in an intersection with the path clear, unresponsive throttle at highway speeds despite the accelerator being depressed, false ABS/collision/brake warnings, and limp-mode activation. One owner reports this hazard recurred three times; another documents the computer was flashed a year prior for lag and high RPM issues during gear shifts.
Fourth, peripheral electrical faults involve fuel gauge malfunction showing empty despite a full tank with no diagnostic codes, charging-port overheating with visible bubbling in the center console near 10,000 miles, and water intrusion through the dashboard during carwash—which Toyota claims is by design and not warrantable.
Same Toyota Tacoma electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Third brake light water seal failure and cab intrusion
Water leaked through the third brake light assembly into the cab roof, saturating ceiling, seats, and carpet, causing mold growth and electrical corrosion of the ECM and surrounding wiring.
When: No specific mileage given; vehicle at dealer during active Service Campaign 21TD03.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong musty smell in cab before visible leak; Water pooling in interior; Extensive mold growth throughout cab; Electrical corrosion near ECM; Vehicle undrivable due to water damage and electrical hazard; No warning lights or error messages before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota of Clermont provided written estimate exceeding $8,000 for interior remediation and electrical repair; mandated inspection and seal repair under Campaign 21TD03 were not performed while vehicle was in dealer custody.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Motor North America declined responsibility; Service Campaign 21TD03 was active but not executed.
Entune head unit uncontrolled rebooting and Bluetooth disconnection
The infotainment head unit reboots itself repeatedly during operation, with or without Bluetooth connected, rendering rear-view camera and other features inaccessible and creating driver distraction. Bluetooth randomly disconnects during phone calls.
When: At 2,000 miles and within 3 months of purchase for some owners; ongoing across multiple model years per forum reports since 2016.
Symptoms owners cite: Head unit screen goes black and restarts without warning; Bluetooth drops during active phone calls; Rear-view camera becomes unavailable during reboot; Driver forced to end and re-initiate phone calls via handset; Road attention distracted by screen activity; Affects iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and other devices; Resets occur at any speed and driving condition; No error message or code displayed on unit
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer requested video documentation from owner's phone rather than checking head unit error logs; backorder status cited for replacement units with no ETA; one owner notes dealer states warranty affected by model substitution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota (through dealer) blamed Panasonic; Panasonic backorder with no end date; no confirmed fix provided to owners.
Uncontrolled throttle cutout and false safety system warnings
Vehicle loses throttle response or applies brakes automatically without driver input or warning, triggering false ABS, traction control, and collision-avoidance warnings; incidents occur at highway speeds and in intersections.
When: At 42,600 miles for one owner; recurring incidents at 70,000 miles for another; one owner experienced issue since purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden vehicle deceleration or complete throttle unresponsiveness despite pedal depression; Automatic braking applied in clear intersection, stalling vehicle; ABS, traction control, and collision-avoidance warning lights illuminated; False display message claiming simultaneous gas and brake pedal depression; Vehicle limp-mode activation; Near-rear-end collision risk and oncoming traffic avoidance required; Lag in engine engagement and high RPM during first-to-second gear shift
Codes mentioned: ABS warning, Collision system warning, Traction control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports vehicle at dealership for 4+ days with no resolution; computer flashed one year prior for lag and high RPM issues during shifts; second visit one month later found no issues per dealership; owner found similar complaints in forums from other Tacoma owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Factory representative advised owner to read owner's manual; no technical remedy offered.
Fuel gauge and fuel system malfunction
Fuel gauge needle sticks at empty or shows incorrect levels (full after brief driving) with distance-to-empty warnings despite tank being full; issue occurred post-fuel pump recall in one case.
When: At 33,000 miles for one; observed on 4/17/2022 per another.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge needle stuck at E (empty); Dashboard warning 'please refuel' despite full tank; Dashboard showing 30 miles until empty with full tank; Distance-to-empty estimate off by approximately 10 miles; Odometer possibly malfunctioning (one owner notes uncertainty); Delay in engine acceleration when pedal pressed; Delay in brake response requiring hard pedal pressure to avoid collision; Check engine warning light appears and disappears
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic checked one vehicle and found no diagnostic codes or check engine lights stored; no repair completed; another owner filed complaint after fuel pump recall was performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives.
Electrical shock hazard in cab
Driver experiences electric shocks when sitting in and driving the vehicle, similar to shocks reported in a 2017 Prius, causing physical pain and bruising.
When: First trip in vehicle; second incident on 2/13/2020 with greater intensity.
Symptoms owners cite: Extreme discomfort and electric shocks upon sitting in vehicle; Shocks more intense on second exposure; Extreme stomach pain resulting from shocks; Bruising on body from shock contact; Seatbelt rested on arm instead of neck, causing bruising; No shocks reported when driving different Toyota model (Sienna)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner attributed initial incidents to personal health condition from prior car accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Center console charging port overheating and bubbling
The center console near auxiliary and charging ports became overheated with visible bubble formation, creating fire risk concern.
When: At 10,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Center console overheating; Bubble formed in console material; Concern of potential vehicle fire
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed; vehicle not taken to dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted or notified.
Water intrusion through dashboard during carwash
Water poured from under the dashboard onto the passenger-side floorboard when vehicle was stationary during carwash water spray.
When: During carwash operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Water flowing from under dashboard; Accumulation on passenger floorboard
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; Toyota stated it is the vehicle's design and not a warrantable defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated issue is by design and cannot be repaired or warranted.
Underhood fire with smoke and flames
Fire and smoke ignited near the air conditioner and phone charging plate while driving on freeway; vehicle became total loss.
When: During freeway driving on 605 freeway between San Diego and LA.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke smell detected while driving; Visible flames near air conditioner and charging plate; Vehicle unable to be stopped for fire suppression; Vehicle total loss per insurance
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; owner states insurance covered loan amount but left owner with financial hardship; owner mentions hearing of similar issues in other Tacomas.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented in narrative.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Bluetooth randomly disconnects during a phone call. Happened about 5 times on my way to work. Used another phone and did same thing. Dealership said they need more complaints before a recall is issued.
Radio/head unit keeps rebooting. Even when no bluetooth is connected.
On entering an intersection the vehicle applied brakes automatically and without warning. At that time the path forward of the vehicle was clear. This action caused a safety hazard by stalling the vehicle in the intersection. Applying gas resulted in no forward movement. Oncoming traffic had to stop abruptly to avoid a collision with my vehicle. I have been to the Toyota…
A lot of us tacoma owners are having trouble with our blue tooth dropping out during phone calls. I live in massachusetts and they frown us from holding your cell phone to talk to someone. I purchased a 2019 and it has 900 miles and did not ever think this would be a problem with a brand new truck. To this day, it's still a problem.
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2019 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 7,800 and 17,000 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,800; a quarter make it past 17,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.