Toyota Tacoma / 2003
2003 Toyota Tacoma problems
Owners have filed 479 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 39% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of suspension at 14.2%.
Complaints479
Crashes44
Fires1
Injuries30
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Structure 39.0% · 187
Suspension 14.2% · 68
Air bags 5.6% · 27
Vehicle speed control 5.6% · 27
Unknown or other 5.4% · 26
Tires 4.6% · 22
Power train 3.8% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 2.9% · 14
Severity
Of those complaints, 44 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 30 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Toyota Tacoma in this data, 2003 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2006 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 13 in the last three years against 32 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 113,300 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being serviced for an unrelated repair, the technician informed the contact that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000. The vin was not provided. Structure · reported at 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame of the vehicle was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The vin was not available. Structure · reported at 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the rear sub frame on the driver's and passenger's side were corroded. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 345,000. Structure · reported at 345,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…