Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Toyota Tacoma

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 487 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V542000

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

Component
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
150,000
Reported to NHTSA
2012-11-23
Owners notified
2013-02-15

Defect description

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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V225000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
768,379
Reported to NHTSA
2005-05-17
Owners notified
2005-07-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V189000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
123,360
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-19
Owners notified
2003-06-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: body115125,000 mi
Suspension53143,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields29130,000 mi
Unknown or other26139,400 mi
Structure: frame and members22104,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2292,000 mi
Air bags2180,000 mi
Structure2190,000 mi
Tires1480,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1280,000 mi
Steering1280,000 mi
Service brakes9133,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint925,000 mi
Electrical system899,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8108,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling762,010 mi
Power train7106,235 mi
Air bags: frontal620,458 mi
Engine5200,000 mi
Seats578,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine415,500 mi
Parking brake416,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission45,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit421,000 mi
Seat belts4112,000 mi
Tires: sidewall41,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire4100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic347,800 mi
Suspension: front3172,661 mi
Wheels3158,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner247,800 mi
Exterior lighting2100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip22,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly2130,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs214,700 mi
Electrical system: ignition1250,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline154,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)117,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings175,000 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)150,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission129,000 mi
Service brakes, electric1—
Steering: electric power assist system147,500 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door12,300 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint120,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber110,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1107,000 mi
Suspension: rear1180,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs1146,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle1160,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control147,800 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.