2003 Toyota Tacoma Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 1% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200,000 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.
“I was driving my vehicle 2003 Toyota Tacoma on highway 156 downhill to hollister, ca I was going approx 65 MPH and it just jerked back and lost power I was only able to go 40mph no higher , the engine light has not turned on and it seems I am getting no kind of diagnostic error of what could be wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10872458, filed 2016-06, 246 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“I was driving down the highway experience loss of power such as fuel push the throttle down a couple of times it pick back up happened to more times within 10 mi1nutes it did not throw a code been checking it may relate to a throttle body problem been reading about problems with the throttle body do not want this to happen in heavy traffic or pulling out in front of traffic please let me know what or how to take care of this problem”
NHTSA complaint #10897349, filed 2016-08, 200,000 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…
- 10149217Sep 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…
- 10134128Jan 15, 2015TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10096036Jan 15, 2015"tsb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix…
- 10132812May 1, 2014Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 23% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 6 | 4% |
| 2023 | 8 | 15% |
| 2022 | 7 | 12% |
| 2021 | 12 | 15% |
| 2020 | 14 | 16% |
| 2019 | 29 | 13% |
| 2018 | 26 | 12% |
| 2017 | 36 | 15% |
| 2016 | 47 | 15% |
| 2015 | 12 | 12% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 7 | 6% |
| 2012 | 122 | 41% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% |
| 2007 | 8 | 1% |
| 2006 | 18 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 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 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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