2003 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was making a left turn and I lost control of my 2003 Toyota Tacoma which at that time cause my steering wheel to lock and I ended up crashing into a wall and totaling my truck. My concern is that the steering wheel locked.”
NHTSA complaint #10327356, filed 2010-04, 57,000 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“I was driving home on March 10 2023 well out of no where my Toyota Tacoma something on the front end suspension broke it looks to me the recal that Toyota fixed before I even got the truck well sent me into 3 trees head on 55mph no airbag deployed I didn't have a chance to try and stop the vehicle I thought I was going to die I know the road I was on isn't the best shape I need help”
NHTSA complaint #11521264, filed 2023-05“Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid, making it difficult to steer. The contact stated when the power steering fluid was low and was driving at lower speeds hear a noise coming from the vehicle. The service technician stated that there was a loud growling noise coming from the vehicle. The service dealer replaced the high and low pressure line power steering pump, and the power steering switch. These components are not covered under the warranty, and the consumer will be responsible for the cost of the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10135791, filed 2005-09, 47,500 miles“While driving, on the highway, the rear shock absorber support mount came loose, allowing the truck bed to come loose from the frame/chassis. Fortunately only the passenger side came loose, keeping the truck's bed attached to the rear of the truck I later found that this particular model has a problem with Frame rot which generated a Toyota bulletin. I bought the truck from Toyota, as a used truck in 2011, but received no notifications of this potentially hazardous vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11420490, filed 2021-06Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 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 complaintsEngine cooling
14 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 31, 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