2003 Toyota Tacoma Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  6

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  635%
• 25k–50k
  318%
• 50k–75k
  16%
• 75k–100k
  212%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  424%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was getting on the freeway and was hit by another driver (who fled the scene and didn't get caught) and my truck spun around 180 before catching bushes and rolling three times smashing my front end and almost collapsing my roof and my airbags failed to deploy as well as my seatbelt tensioner not tightening resulting in me breaking my back in three spots. I was going approximately 35-45 mph and the first roll from the top of the embankment dropped about 15 which is where the front end got smashed due to being front heavy and this is where I broke my back before continuing to roll

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

I was getting on the freeway when my truck either got hit by someone or it sped up without me pressing the gas causing me to spin and catch the bushes on the side of the on-ramp where I rolled and slammed my front end continuing to roll 3 times. I broke my back due to the airbag failure to deploy

Truck crashed into rocks on shoulder and rolled over. Driver side Windshield and roof crushed. Air bag did not deploy. Sheriff took a report of crash.HI213530034 Greenspot road. Highland , CA. Vehicle is in possession of coparts authorized by USAA insurance

The local dealership Cloninger Ford /Toyota told me that I need to replace the airbag ECU and Pretensioner on drivers side. The cost estimate was $1,500.00. I have seen that Toyota has given recalls on other models for this defect. I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. I am submitting this complaint with hopes for my case to be considered. The airbag light cam on on my truck 2 months ago and Cloninger Toyota replaced the front seat belt assy. and erased dics. This cured the problem (light on) for a few weeks. Please consider this issue for recall further than you have at this point.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 20 to 25 MPH and exiting a ramp, the rear of the vehicle swayed to the left, then back to the right, and turned 360 degrees. The back end of the vehicle bobbled, flipped over, crashed into trees, and landed on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were sustained that required medical attention. The rear driver side tire was flat. The tire was replaced and the vehicle was driven home and parked. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a follow up notice for the suspension, lower ball joints. However, he never received a previous notice. The contact's vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 40 MPH and was unable to gain control of the steering wheel. The air bags did not deploy, the contact's head shattered the windshield, and also sustainede bruising to the face. The contact stated that he made several attempts to call Toyota, and was told by the representative that he was the only person that hr ever reach and was not allowed to speak with a supervisor. Toyota sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle after the crash ,and he advised the contact that the reason that the air bag didn't deploy was due to the location of the impact. While unable to gain control of the steering wheel the contact's vehicle crashed into a guard rail. …

Tl* - the contact stated that airbag did not deploy. In March 2005 the contact was driving on a snowy road when the vehicle veered to the left on its own. He attempted to brake after leaving the road, and hit a telephone pole head on. The front license plate became embedded in the telephone pole. The vehicle received front end damage. The contact was travelling approximately 25-30 MPH. The contact was wearing his seat bel,t and sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed away. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated no one investigated why the airbag did not deploy. The contact stated he believed the insurance company has pictures of the incident.

Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 70 MPH, the contact fell asleep or blacked out. The vehicle hit a guardrail went down an embankment and struck a tree and rolled over. The vehicle sustained major front end and rear damage damage due to the impact. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was trapped in the vehicle and sustained major scalp injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and deemed as destroyed. The insurance company is currently in possession of the vehicle. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 64,000. Updated 10/16/08 updated 10/20/08.

Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 45 MPH, an oncoming vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle had frontal air bags on both the driver's and passenger's side; however, neither deployed at the time of the crash. The contact sustained injuries to his back. The front driver's side was smashed into the body of the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that the air bags did not deploy because the entire front end needed to be smashed. The failure mileage was 20,458 and current mileage is 34,000. Updated 02-23-09 updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/24/09.

Airbag complaints in other Tacoma years