Is the 2003 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
359 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tacoma years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma are in line with other Tacoma years. Body structure and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Tacoma owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 123,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 181 (50%) | 94k–162k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 66 (18%) | 93k–178k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 28 (8%) | 40k–157k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 26 (7%) | 47k–137k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 17 (5%) | 50k–137k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 12 (3%) | 48k–128k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 11 (3%) | 52k–136k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | 52k–174k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Fuel system | 22 (6%) | 60k–122k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 21 (6%) | 18k–116k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (5%) | 20k–116k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 15 (4%) | 30k–122k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 123,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 359 complaints: 30 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 18 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma: 5
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. 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.
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.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 75
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Toyota Tacoma. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
Neighbouring years
2002 Tacoma: 333 complaints, keep it · 2004 Tacoma: 415 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Tacoma year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Tacoma years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
359 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tacoma years. At 123,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (181), suspension (66), air bags (28), speed control (26), engine (17).
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tacoma have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Tires (NHTSA 12V-542), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E065000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000), Suspension (NHTSA 05V-225) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.