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2003 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

268 reports with mileage · 91 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

30 crash reports1 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

359 reports
95,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
StructureSuspension

A TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WAS TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND FRAME RUST WAS NOTED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLIED THEY COULD DO NOTHING AS THE COST OF REPAIRING THE FRAME WAS NOT WORTH THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL TOYOTA DIRECTLY AND HAVE BEEN TOL…

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A TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WAS TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND FRAME RUST WAS NOTED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLIED THEY COULD DO NOTHING AS THE COST OF REPAIRING THE FRAME WAS NOT WORTH THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL TOYOTA DIRECTLY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD I AM ON MY OWN. THERE ARE 96,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME RUST WAS NOTED. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I AM STUCK WITH A VALUELESS CAR WITH NO HELP FROM THE PARENT COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525347

90,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
StructureTires

THIS IS A FOLLOW FROM A RECENT CALL WITH THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER (MAY 2, 2013). I CALLED TO GET A STATUS UPDATE ON THE CLAIM REFERENCED IN CASE # [XXX] AND WAS INFORMED THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS STOLEN. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENI…

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THIS IS A FOLLOW FROM A RECENT CALL WITH THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER (MAY 2, 2013). I CALLED TO GET A STATUS UPDATE ON THE CLAIM REFERENCED IN CASE # [XXX] AND WAS INFORMED THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS STOLEN. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED ALTHOUGH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT SUGGESTED A LETTER HAS BEEN MAILED. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEAL AND GET THE ?STOLEN? COMMENTS REMOVED FROM THE INVOICE. THE ORIGINAL INVOICE SUGGESTED THE SPARE TIRE WAS STOLEN BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND PARTS PERSON AT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE CABLE WOULD NOT BREAK AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THE CABLE MUST HAVE BEEN CUT AND THE TIRE STOLEN. THIS WAS IN AUGUST OF 2012 PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT THE TIRE WAS STOLEN. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND ATTACHED IS AN UPDATED INVOICE WITH ?STOLEN? REMOVED. TO SAY I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE FACTS ARE THE SPARE TIRE AND ASSEMBLY WERE MISSING. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THEY MUST HAVE BEEN STOLEN AND WROTE THAT ON THE ORIGINAL INVOICE. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THE RECALL THAT THE CABLE BROKE AND THE TIRE AND ASSEMBLY WERE LOST AS A RESULT OF THE THIS MALFUNCTION. AGAIN DENIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524301

189,560 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Structure

DURING A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION SEVERE FRAME CORROSION WAS FOUND. THE GARAGE SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD A FRAME RECALL. WHEN I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AMERICA THEY SAID IT HAD EXPIRED BECAUSE I HAD NOT ANSWERED THE RECALL NOTICES. WICH INEVER RECIEVED. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AT THE SAME ADRESS AS THE TIME OF THE PURCHAS…

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DURING A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION SEVERE FRAME CORROSION WAS FOUND. THE GARAGE SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD A FRAME RECALL. WHEN I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AMERICA THEY SAID IT HAD EXPIRED BECAUSE I HAD NOT ANSWERED THE RECALL NOTICES. WICH INEVER RECIEVED. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AT THE SAME ADRESS AS THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. THEY REVIEWED IT AGAIN AND THE NEXT DAY SAID THEY SENT THE REQUIRED NOTIFICATION 5 TIMES. BUT COULD NOT TELL TO WHAT ADDRESS THEY WERE SENT .THE FINAL ANSWER WAS I WAS NO LONGER COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523102

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME, FRONT BUMPER, AND UNDERCARRIAGE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE REAR. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. AS A REPAIR, THE D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME, FRONT BUMPER, AND UNDERCARRIAGE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE REAR. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. AS A REPAIR, THE DEALER APPLIED AN ANTI-RUST COATING ONTO THE FRAME TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. THE REPAIR DID NOT PREVENT THE FRAME FROM BECOMING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522789

144,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Structure

WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO ADDRESS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT, THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS NOT SAFE AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PERFORATIONS IN THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. I ADDRESSED WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE VALIDATED THE PROBLE…

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WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO ADDRESS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT, THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS NOT SAFE AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PERFORATIONS IN THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. I ADDRESSED WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE VALIDATED THE PROBLEM AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES BUT THAT TOYOTA AND "THE GOVERNMENT" DID NOT DEEM IT NECESSARY TO PUT A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND INDICATED IT IS THE CUSTOMER.S RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. THE TRUCK (NORMAL BLUE BOOK VALUE APPROX $7-8K) IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A FAULTY FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522100

80,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I'M FILING THE COMPLIANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THESE OLDER FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES HAVE A FAULTY TPS THAT IS ONLY REPLACEABLE AS A WHOLE NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE COST ON THEM IS BETWEEN 700 TO 1000 DOLLARS. MY TACOMA DO HAVE A FAULTY TPS ON IT. I'M WAITING TO SAVE UP ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HOWEVER, TH…

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I'M FILING THE COMPLIANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THESE OLDER FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES HAVE A FAULTY TPS THAT IS ONLY REPLACEABLE AS A WHOLE NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE COST ON THEM IS BETWEEN 700 TO 1000 DOLLARS. MY TACOMA DO HAVE A FAULTY TPS ON IT. I'M WAITING TO SAVE UP ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES THAT UPON PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC IT HAS ACTED UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU GET A VERY BAD HESITATION OR LACK OF ACCELERATION TO THE POINT OF ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE HESITATION HAS LASTED AS LONG AS 3 TO 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE THROTTLE WILL FINALLY RESPOND. THE CONDITION WILL ONLY HAPPEN DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WOULD LIKE THE SEE THIS LOOKED INTO AND OR RESOLVED. I WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE I WORK AT A DEALERSHIP AND GET THE PARTS AT COST. HOWEVER SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE UP THE COST FOR THE NEW PART. THANKS AGAIN SINCERELY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520372

96,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE STRUCTURE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE STRUCTURE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10511233

60,000 miles · May 3, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10510490

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

COVER FOR GAS TANK TOTALLY ROTTED OUT AND TANK IS EXPOSED. THIS VEHICLE HAS RECALL 9355 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T ALSO COVERED. LOOKS UNSAFE TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510373

73,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509687

Official recalls

3

12V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Nov 23, 2012

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 following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

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 Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 17, 2005

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 BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

May 19, 2003

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 FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.