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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

Structure complaints

181 reports
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110,000 miles · May 20, 2019
StructureSuspension

FRAME IS ROTTEN AND BROKEN, SHOCKS RIPPED OFF OF FRAME. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND STILL NEED TO USE DAILY.

NHTSA ODI #11208831

13,900 miles · May 18, 2019
Structure

FRAME IS RUSTY AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE PART MAY BREAK AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO ME OR ANY OTHER PERSON IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11208388

115,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DARCARS LOCATED AT 15625 FREDERICK RD, ROCKVILLE, MD 20855 WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DARCARS LOCATED AT 15625 FREDERICK RD, ROCKVILLE, MD 20855 WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR FRAME CORROSION EXPIRED, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11207598

250,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDDLETOWN TOYOTA LOCATED AT 634 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 (860) 347-7294. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FRAME HAD NOT BEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDDLETOWN TOYOTA LOCATED AT 634 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 (860) 347-7294. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FRAME HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. *BF IN MARCH 2019 IGNITION FAILED TOWED IT HOME. WHEN TOW TRUCK PICKED IT UP WE SAW BROKEN FRAME. WESTBROOK TOYOTA REPAIRED SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL (2016). *JB

NHTSA ODI #11207478

210,000 miles · May 10, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE CRACKS AROUND THE SUB FRAME AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNSTABLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE CRACKS AROUND THE SUB FRAME AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNSTABLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 210,000.

NHTSA ODI #11206898

180,000 miles · May 6, 2019
Structure

FRAME RUSTED RESULTING IN STRUCTURE FAILURE (AUTO BASICALLY BROKE IN HALF), CALL TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. SAID THE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPRAYED. BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A DEALERSHIP AND FEEL AS THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED INSPECTION AND SPRAY IF NECESSARY PRIOR TO SELLING AUTO.

NHTSA ODI #11205722

107,000 miles · Apr 15, 2019
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING DETACHED. THE HUB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING WAS LOOSE AND DETERIORATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUST AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING DETACHED. THE HUB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING WAS LOOSE AND DETERIORATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUST AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT CERTIFIED PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #11196517

146,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING HANGER WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING HANGER WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000 *BF.. CONSUMER STATED WHILE SEARCHING THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE THAT THE FRAME WAS SUSCEPTABLE TO CORRISION AND THERE WAS A RECALL/ REEPLACEMENT PROGRAM BUT HAS EXPIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11193289

172,000 miles · Feb 4, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND A HOLE ON THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND A 2 1/2 FOOT HOLE WAS PRESENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND A HOLE ON THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND A 2 1/2 FOOT HOLE WAS PRESENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11173926

156,059 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Structure

FRAME RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CAUSED FRAME OF TRUCK TO SNAP IN HALF WHEN LIFTED WITH A HYDRAULIC LIFT AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP

NHTSA ODI #11171266

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.