2003 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 18%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 136,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 18% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 136,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The frame on my Tacoma has rotted beyond repair, over 6 gaping holes in the main frame near the suspension mounts. The rear leaf springs are bowed over as well! I was never notified of any recalls by Toyota. I contacted Toyota to have it looked at. They refused at 1st then aqccepted it at the whitby Toyota dealer. The results were that Toyota was willing to install an upgraded spare tire carrier & nothing more!”
NHTSA complaint #11076028, filed 2018-03, 130,000 miles“I was driving down the road goimg about 35 MPH heard a loud noise. Lost all control of the steering wheel and my tire had broken off from the ball joint. The place fixing it said the other side is about to break as well. This is very dangerous and I could have been killed.”
NHTSA complaint #11091500, filed 2018-05, 270,000 miles“Frame rusted/ cracked would not pass state inspection. Truck was taken to Toyota during the first recall and I was told it passed. Did not go back for subsequent recalls to have the frame sprayed. Called Toyota when the truck failed inspection and was told that because I didn't have the frame sprayed there was nothing they would do for me. The exhaust system outlasted the frame. This is not acceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10566106, filed 2014-02, 125,000 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“A Toyota Tacoma pickup was taken to my mechanic for routine maintenance and frame rust was noted. I called Toyota and took the car to a local Toyota dealership. They replied they could do nothing as the cost of repairing the frame was not worth the value of the car. They instructed me to call Toyota directly and have been told I am on my own. There are 96,000 miles on the car and this was the first time rust was noted. We never received any notifications that there were problems as I am not the original owner. I am stuck with a valueless car with no help from the parent company.”
NHTSA complaint #10525347, filed 2013-07, 95,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V225000May 17, 2005On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball…Covers: Toyota Tacoma 2001–2004, Tundra 2002–2004, Sequoia 2002–2004 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10177782Jun 23, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
- 10015504Jun 27, 2005Special service campaign 50j - phase I - front suspension lower ball joint may experience excessive wear and looseness causing increased steering, effort, reduced vehicle…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 5 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 4% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 21 | 7% |
| 2011 | 60 | 32% |
| 2010 | 95 | 32% |
| 2009 | 119 | 23% |
| 2008 | 125 | 28% |
| 2007 | 118 | 22% |
| 2006 | 154 | 20% |
| 2005 | 137 | 19% |
| 2004 | 85 | 20% |
| 2003 | 66 | 18% |
| 2002 | 82 | 25% |
| 2001 | 81 | 20% |
| 2000 | 52 | 25% |
| 1999 | 35 | 14% |
| 1998 | 28 | 9% |
| 1997 | 24 | 18% |
| 1996 | 87 | 34% |
| 1995 | 90 | 51% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma
181 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 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