2003 Toyota Tacoma problems
The 2003 Toyota Tacoma has 481 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (39%) concerns body & structure. After that come suspension (14%) and air bags (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 481 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 44 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 30 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 112,000 miles 354 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 35 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 23 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 20 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 39 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 47 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 43 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 36 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 25 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 17 |
| 200k+ miles | 43 |
What the data shows
Among the 354 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 112,000 miles. For body & structure specifically, the median reported mileage is about 123,000 miles (144 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 44 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 30 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 21st most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Toyota Tacoma with enough data (106 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the 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 failed to deploy, even though the side air bags were activated. The vehicle was towed and the side door panel, front bender, and front bumper were repaired. A police report was filed.
Whiled riving at 45 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision . Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained neck injuries.
Dt*: the consumer was involved in a frontal impact collision and the airbags did not deploy. Although there was pre-braking prior to impact, the speed at that time was unknown. The consumer sustained minor injuries, but was not wearing a seat belt. The police were at the scene and a report was taken. The vehicle was unable to be driven from the scene. The insurance adjustor has not inspected the vehicle. Updated 03/09/06
While replacing some parts of the truck (2003 toyota tacoma), the exhaust and shocks, I noticed rust holes on the left and right sides of the frame near the rear tires. Also the right side of the rear cross member was rusted and broken. The following day, I brought the truck to a toyota dealership and explained the situation. They agreed to inspect the frame. When they looked up the vehicles VIN, they noticed that the warrantee had expired in september of 2011.
"takata recall" my airbag light came on recently. I took vehicle into auto shop, they replaced the airbag sensor located under the battery and cleared codes. The airbag light remained off for approx 30 days. Light kept coming back on every few days.I kept taking vehicle to auto shop where thy would clear the codes. This is a weekly routine. I have been informed that eventually the light will stay on permanently. Is this true? And is there a recall for airbags on this vehicle?