2003 Toyota Tacoma Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The headlight harness plug burned up I had to replace it headlights burn out with in months as do tail lights I have replaced both bulbs three times in the last six months.and replaced tail light bulbs twice in six months”
NHTSA complaint #10794528, filed 2015-11, 100,000 miles“While driving down the highway, I moved into the left lane to pass another car. When I stepped on the accelerator the nose pitched forward and the engine felt like it was not getting any gas. I was able to press the accelerator nearly all the way to the floor to continue getting power to the engine, but the first 2/3 of the pedal stroke were completely unresponsive. A check engine light came on and it was diagnosed as a throttle body issue. After doing some research, this seems to be a well documented issue on a number of Tacoma forums. …”
NHTSA complaint #10749074, filed 2015-08, 120,000 miles“We bought this truck in 2015 and was never informed of any recalls.we found out about the frame recall when it broke.it also has 5 other recalls which we were never informed on those either so when I called Toyota they said the frame recall and the frame warranty had both expired because the previous owner didn't make good on the recall letter he received but maybe he never received one because I know we never did on any of the 6 recalls and we still haven't even after calling them.we are still paying almost $400 a month and still have 13 payments left and we cant even drive it.I would say…”
NHTSA complaint #11141546, filed 2018-10, 200,000 miles“I'm filing the compliant to acknowledge the fact that these older fly by wire throttle bodies have a faulty tps that is only replaceable as a whole new throttle body. The cost on them is between 700 to 1000 dollars. My Tacoma do have a faulty tps on it. I'm waiting to save up enough money to replace the throttle body however, there have been numerous times that upon pulling out into traffic it has acted up. When this happens you get a very bad hesitation or lack of acceleration to the point of endangering myself and other drivers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520372, filed 2013-06, 80,000 miles“I purchased my 2003 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 in may of 2003 in which as of this date of 12.29.06 my truck has 43k miles on it and is in excellant condition. Over the course of the past 6 months I have had to spend thousands of dollars on this truck and still can not drive it. I have had to put a brandnew crankshaft kit in my truck due to the keyway on the crankshaft shearing off resulting in my truck shutting down. After inspecting my truck by a certified mechanic the key was not there after it had sheared off in which parts had moved forward and ground into the metal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177304, filed 2006-12, 42,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 15% |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% |
| 2024 | 16 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 22% |
| 2022 | 4 | 7% |
| 2021 | 9 | 11% |
| 2020 | 9 | 10% |
| 2019 | 21 | 10% |
| 2018 | 14 | 7% |
| 2017 | 22 | 9% |
| 2016 | 37 | 11% |
| 2015 | 8 | 8% |
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 13 | 10% |
| 2012 | 19 | 6% |
| 2011 | 22 | 12% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 40 | 8% |
| 2008 | 27 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 25 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 3% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
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 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsEngine
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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