The 2003 Toyota Tacoma has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,041,739 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 479 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
TIRES12V5420002012-11-23150,000 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
SUSPENSION05V2250002005-05-17768,379 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
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.
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.
Consequence
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY
114
4crashes3injuries
SUSPENSION
48
5crashes3injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
26
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
22
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
22
4crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
21
13crashes10injuries
STRUCTURE
20
1crashes1injuries
TIRES
14
1crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12
Total complaints479
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I took my 2003 toyota tacoma and for a tire alignment and was told by an employee of the tire shop that my rack and pinion needed to be replaced and lower ball joints. I checked the vin number and it said I have zero recalls, but there is a general recall on this make a model that I have what do I…”
“I took my 2003 toyota tacoma and for a tire alignment and was told by an employee of the tire shop that my rack and pinion needed to be replaced and lower ball joints. I checked the vin number and it said I have zero recalls, but there is a general recall on this make a model that I have what do I…”
“While driving at both high speeds (highway) and local road speed limits, toyota tacoma's rear passenger side frame split completely in half. While performing maneuvers such as right turns, vehicle wobbled and I, driver, lost temporary control of vehicle. Upon further inspection, rear driver side…”
“While driving at both high speeds (highway) and local road speed limits, toyota tacoma's rear passenger side frame split completely in half. While performing maneuvers such as right turns, vehicle wobbled and I, driver, lost temporary control of vehicle. Upon further inspection, rear driver side…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving over railroad tracks, the lower ball joint separated from its socket, which caused the cv axle shaft to break apart and led to the separation of the upper ball joint. As a result, the…”
“The contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear subframe of the vehicle was corroded and the subframe had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle…”
“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 frame rusted through and there are holes in the frame the frame broke while my wife was driving home from work. Had to get it towed to the house no no no, no symptoms”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.