2003 Toyota Tacoma Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 4%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 4% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles.
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.
“My engine light on my 2003 Toyota Tacoma keeps coming on. I sent $1000 to replace the oxygen sensor and then the evap connector assembly. The engine light is still on. The repair shop told me they've replaced many of these on toyotas.”
NHTSA complaint #10244130, filed 2008-10, 60,000 miles“I was driving my 2003 Tacoma when the battery and oil lights came on and the truck became undriveable. When the lights went off I was able to drive again. I had truck towed to mechanic and found out that crankshaft bolt was broken/sheared off. Had truck towed to dealership for confirmation - they confirmed. Had insurance adjuster look at it to determine if related to any accidents - no relation. Called Toyota corp and they said that bolt should not break unless under extreme torque of defect. Mechanic, dealership and insurance adjuster all said the same. …”
NHTSA complaint #10263868, filed 2009-04, 92,000 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 miles“Dt: the contact states that after suddenly braking on level ground the vehicle stalled. On three other occasions it stalled while trying to increase speed on an incline. One of these occasions while driving between 40-45 MPH the vehicle would restart after being completely turned off. The dealership could not duplicate the problem. Updated 11/29/2005 -”
NHTSA complaint #10141385, filed 2005-11, 15,500 miles“While exiting a 65 MPH tollway during the rain. The driver encountered a puddle approximately 18 - 24 deep and ~70' long going ~35mph. About halfway through the puddle the vehicle started to faulter. Upon exiting it totally stopped and would not turn over. The repair shop reports that the engine had ingested water, destroying the internal workings and it would require a long block replacement at a cost of ~$6,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10096375, filed 2004-10, 62,010 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10109402Oct 14, 2014TSB: Some 2012 - 2014 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with 1GR-FE engines may exhibit spark knock (detonation) during light acceleration and/or uphill in hot weather (80°F or…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 2% |
| 2007 | 12 | 2% |
| 2006 | 27 | 3% |
| 2005 | 14 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 14 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 9 | 4% |
| 1998 | 15 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 20 | 8% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
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 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 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