2003 Toyota Tacoma Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 5%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,420miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 5% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,420 miles. 2 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“The back brakes on my Tacoma froze up causing the vehicle to spin out of control. I could of been killed or seriously hurt. The brakes froze up causing the skid and the parking brake cable snapped. There was a new frame put on under a recall along with the cable less than 2 years ago. I notified Toyota of a possible defect cause I don't want anyone hurt but they have not responded back.”
NHTSA complaint #10639138, filed 2014-09, 217,000 miles“So in december I took my Tacoma to the dealership for a regular frame inspection after learning upon the issue. The truck is in almost perfect condition, spotless inside and out. The frame failed inspection, and I was unable to drive the vehicle home. First off, a service rep at the dealership tried to send me off to a friend of his who could patch up the frame so that it would pass inspection (great idea, right?). Toyota has provided me with a rental, but the only rental they would give me is a corolla. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670536, filed 2015-01, 122,000 miles“I bought a 2003 Toyota Tacoma from a Toyota dealer in december 2011 with 81,841 miles on it. Upon driving the vehicle from tennessee to oregon a leak in the oil pan appeared. I looked under the vehicle and to my surprise the whole undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely rusting. The leak was from the oil pan that was corrected badly. I was able to make it from there to my home in oregon having to add about one quart of oil. The distance was about 700 miles. I took it to my local Toyota dealer and he informed me that I had major rust problems under the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10446727, filed 2012-02, 88,841 miles“The rear brake lines that connect over the rear axle rusted into and caused the brake fluid to leak from the braking system. When the truck was taken into a local service center for repair to the brakes the service center representative informed me that they could not repair the brake lines because the frame was rusted so severely that if put on a lift the frame would fall apart and the truck would break in half. The service center determined also the truck was not safe to drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #11164154, filed 2018-12, 115,680 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 33 | 21% |
| 2023 | 6 | 11% |
| 2022 | 6 | 10% |
| 2021 | 12 | 15% |
| 2020 | 13 | 14% |
| 2019 | 56 | 26% |
| 2018 | 48 | 23% |
| 2017 | 32 | 13% |
| 2016 | 19 | 6% |
| 2015 | 12 | 12% |
| 2014 | 17 | 18% |
| 2013 | 18 | 14% |
| 2012 | 22 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% |
| 2010 | 21 | 7% |
| 2009 | 35 | 7% |
| 2008 | 30 | 7% |
| 2007 | 43 | 8% |
| 2006 | 49 | 6% |
| 2005 | 26 | 4% |
| 2004 | 24 | 6% |
| 2003 | 19 | 5% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 5% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 21 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 5% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
181 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsTires
21 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