2003 Toyota TACOMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
359 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
109,047 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 266 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 114 of 359 complaints (31.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 114 |
| Suspension | 48 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 22 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 |
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Structure | 20 |
Structure:Body: 114; Suspension: 48; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 29; Unknown Or Other: 26; Structure:Frame And Members: 22; Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Air Bags: 21; Structure: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 39 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 35 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 76 |
| 150,000 and above | 74 |
Under 25,000: 39; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 35; 100,000 to 149,999: 76; 150,000 and above: 74
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (76). 93 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2003: 12; 2004: 13; 2005: 18; 2006: 19; 2007: 7; 2008: 7; 2009: 13; 2010: 22; 2011: 10; 2012: 11; 2013: 29; 2014: 30; 2015: 31; 2016: 35; 2017: 19; 2018: 20; 2019: 23; 2020: 9; 2021: 10; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049263 · 2003-12-05 (December 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 VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052144 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IDLING IS HIGH FOR TWELVE MINUTES. THE DRIVER HAS TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE TECHNICIAN CAN NOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019266 · 2003-05-25 (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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111359 · 2005-03-15 (March 15, 2005)
THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES WEAR PREMATURELY. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED; ROTORS RESURFACED; AND STEERING KNUCKLE WERE ALL REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. CUSTOMER ALSO STATED THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS NOISY. A/C COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSOR CLUTCH WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. BUT NOT PROBLEM WAS FOUND BY THE DEALER. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 47,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297232 · 2009-12-28 (December 28, 2009)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES, LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. THE FRAME AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST FROM FRONT TO REAR. I BELIEVE THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AT THIS POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SHIELD AND THE FUEL TANK SHIELD ARE IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE SO CORRODED THAT THEY NO LONGER FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MUFFLER ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10351797 · 2010-08-25 (August 25, 2010)
GAS TANK FELL OFF, TILL IT WAS 2 TO 3 INCHES OFF GROUND. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10351797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114990 · 2005-03-11 (March 11, 2005)
WHILE BRAKING 70 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE STALLED , AND THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141385 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT AFTER SUDDENLY BRAKING ON LEVEL GROUND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS IT STALLED WHILE TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED ON AN INCLINE. ONE OF THESE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER BEING COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062833 · 2004-03-10 (March 10, 2004)
VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSES. VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, HAS A ROUGH IDLE, AND A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE INTERMITTENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130807 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DRIVEN IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ULTIMATELY THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DEVELOPED INTO A FIRE THAT DAMAGED COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL AS CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGES. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN ITS POST FIRE CONDITION AWAITING REPAIR. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB, IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WAS AND IS UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTIES. AS OF YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY TOYOTA OR BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263868 · 2009-04-01 (April 1, 2009)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TACOMA WHEN THE BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE TRUCK BECAME UNDRIVEABLE. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OFF I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN/SHEARED OFF. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR CONFIRMATION - THEY CONFIRMED. HAD INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOK AT IT TO DETERMINE IF RELATED TO ANY ACCIDENTS - NO RELATION. CALLED TOYOTA CORP AND THEY SAID THAT BOLT SHOULD NOT BREAK UNLESS UNDER EXTREME TORQUE OF DEFECT. MECHANIC, DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER ALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263868 at NHTSA ↗