2003 Toyota Tacoma Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 8%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10532725, filed 2013-07, 188,707 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”
NHTSA complaint #11074591, filed 2018-02, 175,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11186933, filed 2019-03, 172,926 miles“I rear ended another vehicle on the interstate driving approximately 65mph, and my air bags did not deploy, luckily everybody had their seat belts on and nobody got hurt. I do not have a passenger turn off key for the air bag in the vehicle. I am told the truck will be totaled out due to the extent of the damage to the front end, the front cross member was bent.”
NHTSA complaint #10255459, filed 2009-01, 93,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11253652, filed 2019-09, 129,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10132149Oct 21, 2013Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 8 | 15% |
| 2022 | 8 | 14% |
| 2021 | 7 | 9% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 11 | 11% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 10 | 8% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 6% |
| 2007 | 44 | 8% |
| 2006 | 76 | 10% |
| 2005 | 46 | 7% |
| 2004 | 15 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 8% |
| 2002 | 19 | 6% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 12% |
| 1999 | 38 | 15% |
| 1998 | 46 | 15% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 16 | 6% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
181 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsTires
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology