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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Tacoma 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

360Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
45Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure187 complaints

187 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension68 complaints

68 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V225000.

Air Bags28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires22 complaints

22 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V542000.

Fuel and Propulsion System22 complaints

22 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V189000.

Brakes19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V189000Reported May 19, 2003 - 123,360 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on May 19, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 123,360 vehicles across all affected models.

05V225000Reported May 17, 2005 - 768,379 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on May 17, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 768,379 vehicles across all affected models.

12V542000Reported November 23, 2012 - 150,000 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on November 23, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 150,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200312
200413
200518
200619
20077
20087
200913
201022
201110
201211
201329
201430
201531
201635
201719
201820
201923
20209
202110
20224
20236
20245
20254
20263
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.