2003 Toyota Tacoma
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 360
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2003
None on file
52% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 360 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 177 |
| 1996 | 253 |
| 1997 | 131 |
| 1998 | 300 |
| 1999 | 249 |
| 2000 | 210 |
| 2001 | 396 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 360 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 541 |
| 2008 | 445 |
| 2009 | 519 |
| 2010 | 293 |
| 2011 | 186 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2016 | 323 |
| 2017 | 239 |
| 2018 | 206 |
| 2019 | 216 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 79 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 151 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
52% · 187 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
Power steering pump having issues I can fill it up to the full line and it will go down to half empty everytime I've done it therefore steering is very tight and difficult, the truck bed has huge holes rusted/corrosion completely through it on both...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-31
Also filed under Steering
Pick-up roll over at 30MPH due to unknown reason. Please investigate.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-23
Suspension
19% · 68 reportsMost commonly citing lower ball joint and front.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving down the road goimg about 35 MPH heard a loud noise. Lost all control of the steering wheel and my tire had broken off from the ball joint. The place fixing it said the other side is about to break as well.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-03
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driverâs side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle to safety.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-14
Air bags
8% · 28 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
I was getting on the freeway when my truck either got hit by someone or it sped up without me pressing the gas causing me to spin and catch the bushes on the side of the on-ramp where I rolled and slammed my front end continuing to roll 3 times.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-30
I was getting on the freeway and was hit by another driver (who fled the scene and didnât get caught) and my truck spun around 180 before catching bushes and rolling three times smashing my front end and almost collapsing my roof and my airbags...
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-26
Coming to a stop approx 2 MPH the engine suddenly revved very loudly and the truck show forward. The brakes did not stop the truck. I swerved to avoid the campsite we were at and hit a tree very hard.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-30
Also filed under Vehicle speed control and service brakes
Vehicle speed control
8% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Tires
6% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing temporary/emergency spare tire and sidewall.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 360 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-06-03Fuel system, gasoline03V189000 On certain pickup trucks, during side impact ncap test (I.e. Lincap test), a flange at the rear end of the double cab body deformed and interfered with the fuel inlet hose that connects the fuel…
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel hose protector on the body flange. Owner notification began June 3, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
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2005-07-05Suspension05V225000 On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched.…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
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2013-02-15Tires12V542000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their…
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 187 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 68 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 28 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V189000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 12V542000 · Tires
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.