2003 Toyota Tundra
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.
- Complaints
- 399
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
38% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 399 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1,011 |
| 2001 | 415 |
| 2002 | 482 |
| 2003 | 399 |
| 2004 | 465 |
| 2005 | 376 |
| 2006 | 545 |
| 2007 | 390 |
| 2008 | 327 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 134 |
| 2012 | 154 |
| 2013 | 85 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2016 | 119 |
| 2017 | 78 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 425 |
| 2023 | 405 |
| 2024 | 338 |
| 2025 | 137 |
| 2026 | 31 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
38% · 152 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
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, 2019-04-22
Also filed under Air bags
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 driverâs side was rusted.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-14
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, 2024-04-30
Air bags
22% · 86 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
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, 2014-06-22
Suspension
16% · 64 reportsMost commonly citing lower ball joint and leaf spring assembly.
Service brakes
11% · 42 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
I bought a brand new 2003 Toyota Tundra and never had any problems with the vehicle until my first cross country retirement trip in September 2013. My planned trip was from Tennessee to California.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-26
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Power train
10% · 38 reportsMost commonly citing differential unit and driveline.
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 399 complaints filed for this model year.
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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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2007-01-12Air bags05V254000 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…
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…
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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2009-10-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-01-26 Frame corrosion
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2010-05-03Structure09V444000 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…
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…
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2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 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.
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2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 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.
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2019-01-23Air bags18V883000 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.
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2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 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.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Toyota Tundra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 152 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 86 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 64 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 05V254000 · Air bags
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V444000 · Structure
- Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V883000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
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, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tundra have?
- 10 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.