Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
163,230 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Toyota Tacoma seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 012022

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The local dealership Cloninger Ford /Toyota told me that I need to replace the airbag ECU and Pretensioner on drivers side. The cost estimate was $1,500. I have seen that Toyota has given recalls on other models for this defect. I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. I am submitting this complaint with hopes for my case to be considered. The airbag light cam on on my truck 2 months ago and Cloninger Toyota replaced the front seat belt assy. and erased dics. This cured the problem (light on) for a few weeks. Please consider this issue for recall further than you have at this point.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #17

Dec 182021

Tacoma

  • miles
Truck crashed into rocks on shoulder and rolled over. Driver side Windshield and roof crushed. Air bag did not deploy. Sheriff took a report of crash.HI213530034 Greenspot road. Highland, CA. Vehicle is in possession of coparts authorized by USAA insurance

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 052019

Tacoma

  • 129,000 miles
At approximately 128K miles, the air bag light illuminated and will not go out. The problem was first noticed while driving, but nothing happened to the vehicle that would have been an obvious cause. Additionally, the vehicle has been continually garaged since I purchased it new in 2003.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #15

Apr 162017

Tacoma

  • 172,926 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

"takata recall" my airbag light came on recently. I took vehicle into auto shop, they replaced the airbag sensor located under the battery and cleared codes. The airbag light remained off for approx 30 days. Light kept coming back on every few days.I kept taking vehicle to auto shop where thy would clear the codes. This is a weekly routine. I have been informed that eventually the light will stay on permanently. Is this true" and is there a recall for airbags on this vehicle" I'm afraid the airbags might deploy while being driven

- Portales, NM, USA

problem #14

Apr 282017

Tacoma

  • 175,000 miles
Takata recall: Airbag "warning" light on dashboard is on and has been since before I purchased the truck, according to the seller. Not sure if airbag would even operate (doubtful). Also, the "check engine" light is on, scans keep saying it is an emissions problem. Vacuum canister, wiring, oxygen sensor were replaced and light went off temporarily, then stays on even though truck runs fine. Date given below is date I purchased the truck, ongoing problems

- Mansfield, OH, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #13

Aug 162017

Tacoma

  • miles
Takata recall I would like to know why this vehicle is not on the recall list. Does this truck have takata airbags" did takata make these bags safe but all others defective. This needs to be checked out as well. I do not feel safe because we have been hearing about these dangerous airbags for years yet this vehicle does not have the recall. Are you sure of their safety"!!

- Kailua Kona, HI, USA

problem #12

Sep 262016

Tacoma

  • 158,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 20 to 25 mph and exiting a ramp, the rear of the vehicle swayed to the left, then back to the right, and turned 360 degrees. The back end of the vehicle bobbled, flipped over, crashed into trees, and landed on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were sustained that required medical attention. The rear driver side tire was flat. The tire was replaced and the vehicle was driven home and parked. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #11

Jun 152010

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not stop. As a result, the front driver's side of the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 09/10/15

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 282014

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 1,880,000 miles
Driving very slow on a rough terrain logging road and air bag light came on and has not gone off.

- Double Springs, AL, USA

problem #9

Apr 012014

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • miles
My 2003 matrix had less than 40,000 original miles when the dash air bag light came on. Toyota recalled the matrix for this problem and was corrected in 2013. My 2003 Tacoma truck's current mileage is only 29,667 original miles. At approximately 28,000 miles the dash air bag light came on. A friend who specializes in Toyota repairs checked it and said it was the B1100-air bag sensor module.. Toyota has yet to recall the 2003 Tacoma for an air bag problem.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #8

Jul 292013

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 188,707 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coming to a stop approx 2 mph the engine suddenly revved very loudly and the truck show forward. The brakes did not stop the truck. I swerved to avoid the campsite we were at and hit a tree very hard. The engine however continued to rev loudly and I shifted to park. With the engine still very loud and the wheels spinning I had to shut the engine by removing the key.

- East Islip, NY, USA

problem #7

Aug 012011

Tacoma

  • miles
Letter to the secretary from re complaint regarding the safety of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma the consumer stated while driving, another vehicle slid into his vehicle and he hit the passenger front tire of the other vehicle at 40 mph. The air bags failed to deploy. The consumer also stated the tires and front fender ratio had a design defect. The consumer was injured in the accident...updated 01/31/12..updated 11/19/13

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 142011

Tacoma

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving out in an intersection when a vehicle crashed into him at 45 mph. The air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home and had not been inspected. The contact was concerned that the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #5

Sep 052008

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 70 mph, the contact fell asleep or blacked out. The vehicle hit a guardrail went down an embankment and struck a tree and rolled over. The vehicle sustained major front end and rear damage damage due to the impact. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was trapped in the vehicle and sustained major scalp injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and deemed as destroyed. The insurance company is currently in possession of the vehicle. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 64,000. Updated 10/16/08 updated 10/20/08.

- Shawsville, VA, USA

problem #4

Jul 012007

Tacoma 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 25 mph in icy conditions, the vehicle crashed head on into a wired guardrail and rolled down a hill. The front passenger went through the windshield. The injuries were unknown. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained an injured right shoulder. The air bags failed to deploy, even though the side air bags were activated. The vehicle was towed and the side door panel, front bender, and front bumper were repaired. A police report was filed. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 40,000.

- Brattlevoraua , VT, USA

problem #3

Mar 152006

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 39,500 miles
- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a follow up notice for the suspension, lower ball joints. However, he never received a previous notice. The contact's vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 40 mph and was unable to gain control of the steering wheel. The air bags did not deploy, the contact's head shattered the windshield, and also sustainede bruising to the face. The contact stated that he made several attempts to call Toyota, and was told by the representative that he was the only person that hr ever reach and was not allowed to speak with a supervisor. Toyota sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle after the crash, and he advised the contact that the reason that the air bag didn't deploy was due to the location of the impact. While unable to gain control of the steering wheel the contact's vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The contact was very concerned that the related recall was identical to the failure that occurred while his family member drove the vehicle. The contact was dissatisfied that the Toyota representative failed to mention the recall that was effective a year prior which caused a collision while inspecting the vehicle. The current mileage was 76,000 and the failure mileage was 39,500.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #2

Jun 272003

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Passenger side air bag vibration when motor is running. Returned to local dealership due to loud rattle in dash board. Dealer inspected and reported that a majority of the clips holding the passenger side airbag in place were not there. Dealer ordered replacement clips and dashboard bolts and repair was made. In October 2003 rattle returned and a bolt appeared on the passenger floor board. Returned vehicle to dealership where inspection took place. Mechanic suggested that someone had hit the dashboard to loosen bolts, not the case, yet no attempt to repair or tighten equipment was made.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 262003

(reported on)

Tacoma

  • 6,000 miles
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision at 30/40 mph. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Not what you are looking for?