2003 Toyota Toyota Truck: common problems

Owners of the 2003 Toyota Toyota Truck filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 6

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
2 Steering 33% of all complaints
3 Structure 17% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (33% of all).
Steering: 2 complaints (33% of all).
Structure: 1 complaints (17% of all).

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	2	0	0
Steering	2	0	0
Structure	1	0	0
Other	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

My 03 4 runner steering wheel flutters at highway speeds. It has happened since new and dealer has balanced the tires everytime. I can still feel the steering wheel flutter/shake
Steering · 2010-03-23 · NHTSA complaint #10321535
My catalytic converter was easily stolen from my vehicle. Four bolts and it's free from the exhaust system. I understand why these thefts are happening. What I don't understand is why toyota is charging me over $1,000.00 to replace it.
Engine and cooling · 2008-08-10 · NHTSA complaint #10237611
I get a shimmy (flutter) in my steering wheel at speeds above 50 mph, regardless of road conditions. I've taken this to the dealer numerous times, but they feel it, try to fix it, can't and call it "normal" for a toyota 4runner. It is not normal and it is dangerous.
Steering · 2007-06-02 · NHTSA complaint #10192293
The problem that exists is on my 2003 toyota tacoma. It will all of a sudden lose power and have no throttle response, almost as if it was hitting an engine governor. The rpms usually drop anywhere from 200-500 and then comes back up. The power would slowly come back after keeping my foot on the throttle.
Engine and cooling · 2005-08-29 · NHTSA complaint #10134459
Toyota has made several attempts to repair this problem and is still unsuccessful, but they state the problem is repaired because there leak test does not show the leak, however when it rains it gets wet.
Structure · 2003-04-29 · NHTSA complaint #10016676

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20031
20051
20071
20081
20102

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Toyota Truck has 8 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Toyota Truck?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, structure. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (17%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Toyota Toyota Truck?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2003 Toyota Toyota Truck from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2003 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.