2003 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 371 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 31 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V542000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointMay 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.
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
Campaign 05V225000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 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.
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
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.
Campaign 03V189000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
371 reports, newest first.
Seats, Feb 14, 2004
THE FRONT SEATS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 XTRACAB ROCK ON THEIR TRACKS WHEN I DRIVE ON ROUGH SURFACES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY NEAREST DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD APPLY A SHIM IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE NOISE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE SHIMS WERE ALREADY INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURING, SO THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Feb 6, 2004
2003 TOYOTA LIMITED 4-RUNNER V8- AWDFRONT-END VIBRATION PROBLEM. I FIRST PRESENTED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM TO MY DEALER THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST! THEY TRIED BALANCING THE WHEELS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY AGREED THE PROBLEM WAS THERE AND NOTIFIED CORPORATE. THEIR TECHNICAL STAFF HAD THEM REMOVE THE FRONT AXELS AND RETEST THE VIBRATION WHICH STARTED AT 22 MPH, WENT TO 32MPH 42, 55, AND 62MPH NOW DISAPPEARED! A WEEK LATER A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE MET WITH ME AND MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES IN PHOENIX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED IT PROBABLY WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO GET A FIX. TWO MONTHS LATER I TALKED TO THE TECH. REP. AGAIN AND HE MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINEERING GROUP HAD DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERFERENCES IN THE SPIDER GEAR ASSEMBLY IN THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, THEY WERE TRYING TO CORRECT THE CONDITION WITH THRUST WASHER SHIMS AND OTHER THINGS. I HAVE PRESENTED MY CLAIM TO THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT GROUP. I HAVE CALLED THEM REGULARLY ONCE A MONTH AND HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS AT FINDING WHAT THEIR SCHEDULE IS FOR THE FIX,--ONLY TO SAY WE ARE WORKING ON IT AND YOUR DEALER WILL NOTIFY YOU. IVE SINCE HEARD FROM MY DEALER STAFF THAT THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF LEXUS GX470'S AS WELL AS 4-RUNNERS INVOLVED. IM BEGINNING TO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY VEHICLES WITH DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLIES INVOLVED, THAT IT MAY REQUIRE SOME KIND OF MAJOR REDESIGN AND BUILD. IT MIGHT BE A LONG TIME BEFORE WE SEE A FIX! I HAUL A POP-UP TRAILER AND DOES IT MAGNIFY THE PROBLEM!*AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2004
AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE THE RPM'S REVVED EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL MOTOR THREE TIMES IN AS MANY DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NM
Tires, Jan 12, 2004
2003 CREW CAB TACOMA: DRIVE TRAIN CLUNK WHEN STOPPING, FEELS LIKE I WAS REAR ENDED LIGHTLY. FIRESTONE TIRES ARE SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF SIDE WALLS, LOOK LIKE RE-TREADS, ALL FIVE TIRES ARE THE SAME. 7000 MILES ON TRUCK. *LA
Tires, Jan 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE THE TIRE.*AK THREE DAYS LATER THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ABOUT TO FAIL AS WELL. THE NEXT DAY, TOYOTA HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND ALL 5 TIRES WERE REPLACED. *CB *JB
Suspension, Dec 31, 2003
THE FRONT TIRE TREADS ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES OF THE VEHICLE WORE OUT WITHIN 10,000 MILES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SHOCKS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE SHOCKS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Power train, Dec 5, 2003
AFTER APPROX. PUTTING 5,000 MILES ON MY TACOMA 2003 DOUBLE CAB, I STARTED NOTICING WHEN NORMALLY BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A CLUNCKING SOUND FROM THE REAR END. THE HARDER YOU STOP THE VEHICLE THE WORSE IT GETS. IT'S LIKE GETTING SLIGHTLY REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IF IT DOESN'T MAKE THIS CLUNCKING FEELING AND SOUND AS YOU COME TO A STOP, IT WILL DO IT ONCE YOU LET OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO IDLE/ROLL FORWARD TO ADVANCE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. THIS APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH NOW HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO RON CARTER AUTO WORLD AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TELLS ME THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND CONSIDERED IT NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL WHY DON'T OTHER VEHICLES DO THIS? IT GETS ANNOYING LOOKING INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THINKING THAT YOU'VE BE REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB
Tires, Wheels, Oct 10, 2003
DRIVER REPLACED FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE . THREE STUDS BROKE WHILE CHECKING THE WHEEL DUE TO CORROSION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Air bags, Sep 26, 2003, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 30/40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
Structure, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SPLASHED WATER FROM THE FRONT TIRES OVER THE HOOD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE VISIBILITY. THE CONSUMER STATED WATER SHOULD SPLASH TO THE SIDE OF VEHICLE NOT OVER THE HOOD OF VEHICLE. *AK TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2003
NAR 9-10-03. FOIA EMAIL FWD FM KOST/GC INQUIRING HOW MANY 2003 TOYOTA'S HAVE HAD A PROBLEM OF ACCELERATING WHILE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED, ES HAVE NO RECORD. *CB
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 9, 2003
DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS CLOSE WITH SAFETY LATCH UPON ENTERING OR EXITING. "NORMAL" SWING IS APPLIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. HAVE FOUND DOOR COMPLETELY ABLE TO BE OPENED, EVEN THOUGH I HAD LOCKED VEHICLE WITH REMOTE.*AK
Equipment, Aug 29, 2003
PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA ON JUNE 4, 2003, AND PAID CASH IN FULL. THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) IN THE TRUCK WENT OUT. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COVINGTON PIKE THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND EACH TIME THEY FAILED TO REPAIR THE A/C. I INFORMED THE MANAGER ON DUTY THAT I WOULD BE GOING OUT OF TOWN FOR THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND WOULD NEED A LOANER TRUCK. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER THAT HE COULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY. I HAVE RECENTLY BEGAN NEW EMPLOYMENT AND, HAVING TO LEAVE WORK DUE TO THE INCOMPETENCE OF COVINGTON PIKE TOYOTA HAS LEFT A BAD IMPRESSION WITH MY NEW EMPLOYER. *AK
Structure, Jul 26, 2003
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA REGULAR CAB (2 DOOR) PICKUP TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2002. WATER LEAKS INTO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK ONTO THE SEALPLATE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS OCCURS WHEN WASHING THE TRUCK OR DURING RAIN STORMS, ETC. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN MARCH 2003. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A NUMBER OF TIMES, AND IT STILL LEAKS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED.*AK
Structure, Jul 23, 2003
PICK-UP ROLL OVER AT 30MPH DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.*AK
Power train, Jul 1, 2003
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO DRIVER ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE SHIFTER AND IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING THE LOCK. CONSUMER CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THIS IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. *AK
Equipment, Jun 2, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WATER IS ON FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
Structure, May 25, 2003
PURCHASED A NEW 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 TRD P/U. THE TRUCK SWAYS AND PITCHES EXCESSIVELY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS VERIFIED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FRAME. THE STEERING RACK BRACKET WAS WELDED AT AN ANGLE. TOYOTA CORPORATION SAYS THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WON'T EVEN LET ME TAKE IT OFF THE LOT. THE PROPOSED FIX IS TO REBUILD THE TRUCK ON A NEW FRAME. *NLM
Electronic stability control, Feb 27, 2003
2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER - COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL, WITHOUT WARNING OR UNUSUAL CAUSE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 25 MPH. TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND MEETS DESIGN INTENT. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDS SNOW TIRES. SNOW TIRES THAT MEET TOYOTA SPECS ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE.*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2003
CAR STALLS (GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND) WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN SLOWING TO A LOW SPEED AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SIDE AND IN THE REAR. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WITH TIRE MARKS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AND FLASHES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ACCELERATOR WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO GO YOU HEAR DINGING SOUNDS AND FEEL AND HEAR BUMPS AND GRINDING NOISES. 2 LIGHTS COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 1 READS VSC TRAC AND THE OTHER READS TRAC OFF. IF YOU STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP DOING IT. SOMETIMES THIS IS AFTER 1 RESTART AND SOMETIMES IT HAS TAKEN 5 AND 6. ON DAY IT WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RESTARTED AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 5, 2003
CONSUMER IS LOOSING ENGINE POWER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PH