MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Tundra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Tundra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Tundra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1999: 1 complaints 1999 2000: 1011 complaints 2001: 414 complaints 2002: 481 complaints 2003: 399 complaints 2003 2004: 465 complaints 2005: 374 complaints 2006: 545 complaints 2007: 389 complaints 2007 2008: 326 complaints 2009: 38 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 134 complaints 2011 2012: 154 complaints 2013: 84 complaints 2014: 92 complaints 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 118 complaints 2017: 78 complaints 2018: 99 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 45 complaints 2021: 23 complaints 2022: 413 complaints 2023: 369 complaints 2023 2024: 304 complaints 2025: 126 complaints 2026: 18 complaints 2026
2003: 399 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19991
20001011
2001414
2002481
2003399
2004465
2005374
2006545
2007389
2008326
200938
2010163
2011134
2012154
201384
201492
201547
2016118
201778
201899
201971
202045
202123
2022413
2023369
2024304
2025126
202618

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 23%

23% of complaints: structure — 91 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH MY TOYOTA TUNDRA WHEN A NISSAN ALTIMA FAILED TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN. AT WITCH POINT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED AND SO WAS THE NISSAN! I WAS DRIVING EAST ON QUINCY AVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190422

In October 2024, my truck's frame exhibited significant rust, a defect that aligns precisely with a previous recall on this model. The rust has spread to critical parts, making the vehicle unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240430

On 4/19/2024 I arrived for an appointment at Corwin Toyota of Bellvue, Nebraska for inspection of my vehicles known recall of the frame due to excessive rust and potential failure due to a faulty manufacturing process.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240420

AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 83 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH MY TOYOTA TUNDRA WHEN A NISSAN ALTIMA FAILED TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN. AT WITCH POINT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED AND SO WAS THE NISSAN! I WAS DRIVING EAST ON QUINCY AVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190422

MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON HWY 49 FROM OAKHURST TO MARIPOSA, CALIFORNIA. THE HIGHWAY SURFACE WAS WET AND SLICK AS WE HAD JUST EXPERIENCED OUR FIRST RAIN OF THE SEASON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140622

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while working underneath the vehicle, he became aware that the junction point on the frame rail of the front driver’s side was rusted.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240514

STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 22 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 399
R 20050705 — suspension

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. THE

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.

Campaign 05V225000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070112 — air bags

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH TO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH, REPLACE THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND AFFIX A NEW SUN VISOR AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAN IN EARLY JANUARY 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA A

Campaign 05V254000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20091006 — PE (closed 20100126)

FRAME CORROSION

R 20100503 — structure

TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSAC

Remedy: TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INC

Campaign 09V444000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150713 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

Campaign 15V285000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150713 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

Campaign 15V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190123 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

Campaign 18V883000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Toyota Tundra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (91 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (83 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V225000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V254000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V444000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V285000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V286000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V883000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2006 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Tundra is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Tundra?

The most-reported component is structure:body, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tundra have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.