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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

8 reports
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96,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION (APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM). THE ENGINE WILL NO LONGER OUTPUT POWER THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT I AM REQUESTING WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE THE ISSUE OCCURS, THE MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT IS ONLY 2000 RPM WITH THE GAS PED…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION (APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM). THE ENGINE WILL NO LONGER OUTPUT POWER THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT I AM REQUESTING WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE THE ISSUE OCCURS, THE MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT IS ONLY 2000 RPM WITH THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED. THE ISSUE IS OCCASIONALLY RESOLVED BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE CODE PO120. THE CODE TRANSLATES TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE $60 SENSOR INDIVIDUALLY, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE $1,200 THROTTLE BODY THAT INCLUDES A NEW SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11061554

200,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER SUCH AS FUEL PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES IT PICK BACK UP HAPPENED TO MORE TIMES WITHIN 10 MI1NUTES IT DID NOT THROW A CODE BEEN CHECKING IT MAY RELATE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN HE…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER SUCH AS FUEL PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES IT PICK BACK UP HAPPENED TO MORE TIMES WITHIN 10 MI1NUTES IT DID NOT THROW A CODE BEEN CHECKING IT MAY RELATE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10897349

60,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10577839

108,000 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE STUCK AT ABOVE NORMAL IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE TRAFFIC BUT THE IDLE WOULD NOT COME BACK TO NORMAL CURB IDLE. WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED AND THEY CAN ONLY GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER. IF THIS HAD HAPPEN…

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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE STUCK AT ABOVE NORMAL IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE TRAFFIC BUT THE IDLE WOULD NOT COME BACK TO NORMAL CURB IDLE. WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED AND THEY CAN ONLY GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE NOT BEEN SO GOOD. I HOPE TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND GOING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555835

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

124,000 miles · Mar 23, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure

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 TOO HAD…

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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 TOO HAD RUSTED OUT. LAST YEAR TO PASS INSPECTION I NEEDED TO PAY $1600.00 FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS YEAR I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND DESPITE 2 ATTEMPTS TO FIND THE PROBLEM (AND $200.00 LATER) THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THE SUSPICION IS THE GAS TANK IS RUSTED "AT THE TOP" AND WILL COST ME $1800.00 TO REPLACE. I JUST RECEIVED A "PRELIMINARY" RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT, I IMAGINE I WILL RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN A FEW YEARS FOR THE GAS TANK AS WELL. RIDICULOUS THAT ONLY SOME PARTS WERE RECALLED...AND RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE OTHERS... NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504256

140,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE WHILE I WAS GROCERY SHOPPING. I HEARD THE TANK RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE ABLE, AND I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492421

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.