KnownCarProblems2003 Toyota Tacoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 360 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the body and structure (50% of complaints, typically around 122,500 miles). It is 8th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Tacoma problems
Body and structure
181 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 122,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My truck was part of the frame recall and I had the frame replaced in 2010, since then I have had to pay to replace other rusted parts that were not "part of the recall". First the spare tire mount rusted off and the tire fell out from under the truck while driving. Next the entire exhaust needed to be replaced as it…
Was driving and entering a freeway onramp when the door swung wide open after the latch failure. Had to secure a replacement (used) and found several others with the same problem. It obviously appears to be a common problem due to the latch being constructed from plastic. To me this constitutes a saftey issue.
Suspension
66 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 136,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Brought truck into body shop in june 2019 to have work done. They told me the frame on the truck was severely rusted in several places. They said it may be unsafe to drive. In 2016 (about 2.5 yrs ago) I brought the truck into the local Toyota dealer to have frame inspected under a recall notice. At that time they told…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the rear leaf spring fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Air bags
28 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 25 MPH in icy conditions, the vehicle crashed head on into a wired guardrail and rolled down a hill. The front passenger went through the windshield. The injuries were unknown. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained an injured right shoulder. The air bags…
- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a follow up notice for the suspension, lower ball joints. However, he never received a previous notice. The contact's vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 40 MPH and was unable to gain control of the steering wheel. The air bags did not deploy, the…
Speed control
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
My Toyota Tacoma pre runner 2003, throttle position sensor failed on the freeway and I could not accelerate. Almost crashed because traffic was really going fast and I had no throttle response . I put the truck in neutral and I put my emergency lights on and rolled to the nearest of ramp. If it wasn't for my years of…
There is a serious hazard with the throttle body where hitting the gas pedal when accelerating will sometimes cause the truck to act as though you took your foot off the pedal - turning left with oncoming traffic almost caused an accident when the truck did not accelerate as you would expect when pressing the gas…
Other or unspecified
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 137,500 miles.
Frame is rusted and gas tank strap broke off. Was told by Toyota there was recall for this but expired 2011. How can I get this fixed? This is my only vehicle. It was my late husband's until his death in april 2017.
Brought truck into body shop in june 2019 to have work done. They told me the frame on the truck was severely rusted in several places. They said it may be unsafe to drive. In 2016 (about 2.5 yrs ago) I brought the truck into the local Toyota dealer to have frame inspected under a recall notice. At that time they told…
Wheels and tires
25 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, temporary/emergency spare tire, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
I have had 3 out of 4 tires purchased in 9/08 develop large "bubbles" at the rim and 1 one of them went flat. The others were noticed and changed and all tires had tears in them that were not visible when the tires were on the rim. The first tire had around 25000 miles on it when it developed a large bubble while we…
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 # [] 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…
Fuel system
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Slow fill up at the gas pumps. The tank takes 10-12 minutes to fill. It takes the gas very slowly. Pump will keep clicking off. The pump hose has to be kept half to three-quarters out in order that the gas flow into the tank.
The check engine light came on as the car decelerated. I had to depress the gas peddle to the floor to accelerate the vehicle. Took it to the dealer and they told me the choke was sticking and I needed to have an upper engine cleaning. 10000 miles later the same thing happened. Now I need a new throttle body.
Engine
19 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
While exiting a 65 MPH tollway during the rain. The driver encountered a puddle approximately 18" - 24" deep and ~70' long going ~35mph. About halfway through the puddle the vehicle started to faulter. Upon exiting it totally stopped and would not turn over. The repair shop reports that the engine had ingested water…
My engine light on my 2003 Toyota Tacoma keeps coming on. I sent $1000 to replace the oxygen sensor and then the evap connector assembly. The engine light is still on. The repair shop told me they've replaced many of these on toyotas.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Tacoma recalls
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 r
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: This damage could result in fuel leakage, which could result in a fire if in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (181 complaints, typically around 122,500 miles); suspension (66 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles); air bags (28 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 23, 2012 (wheels and tires). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Tacoma?
- It is 8th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints, with 360 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.