Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V542000 (Tires) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair due to rust on the subframe, and the spare tire carrier needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000.
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 notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while having a routine check up at lithia Toyota of redding (250 e. Cypress ave, redding, ca 96002, [phone]) the technician informed him that the spare tire had severe corrosion, as well as the rear subframe. The vehicle was not repaired due to part not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 450,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while independently performing repairs on the vehicle, corrosion was noticed on the sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who initially stated that the sub frame had been sprayed with an anti-corrosion agent under a voluntary recall but then stated that the voluntary recall was never performed. In addition, the dealer stated that due to the corrosion, NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires) could not be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was extensive premature rust and corrosion associated with the frame of the vehicle. A mechanic indicated that the frame would need to be welded and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The VIN was included, but the contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 223,000.
I have had 3 out of 4 tires purchased in 9/08 develop large "bubbles" at the rim and 1 one of them went flat. The others were noticed and changed and all tires had tears in them that were not visible when the tires were on the rim. The first tire had around 25000 miles on it when it developed a large bubble while we were traveling. The receipt from the dealership that replaced the tire said it had a cut in it. Last week another tire went flat after I had driven over 400 miles and this caused me to inspect my tires and I noticed a "bubble" that started on the rim of another tire. When I took the vehicle in I had to buy 2 new tires because both of these tires had tears or cuts 1 1/2 - 3 inches long that were visible only after the rim was removed. These tires had around 40,000 miles on them. …
This is a follow from a recent call with the Toyota customer experience center (May 2, 2013). I called to get a status update on the claim referenced in case # [redacted] and was informed the claim was denied because the invoice from the dealer stated the spare tire was stolen. I never received notification that the claim was denied although the customer service agent suggested a letter has been mailed. I was instructed to return to the deal and get the ?stolen? Comments removed from the invoice. The original invoice suggested the spare tire was stolen because the service department and parts person at the dealer suggested the cable would not break and the conclusion was the cable must have been cut and the tire stolen. This was in August of 2012 prior to the recall notification. There is no evidence to support that the tire was stolen. …
I have a Toyota Tacoma 2003 took it in for a recall on the spare tire carrier lift plate. Told them I heard of recall or safety issue on the frame, they said it expired. Left the truck to do recall I took it in for. They called said couldn't do the recall I brought it in for because the frame was so bad, and that they couldn't believe I was still driving the truck and that it really is a safety hazard. I asked why they couldn't do the frame since it was recalled or a safety issue, again they say it was expired. I asked if he had kids, he said yes. Ask him if formula was taken off the shelves because of recall, and a month later was put back on because the recall expired would you still buy it. He said sorry he doesn't make the rules. How does a recall expire and if it was a factory defect or just a bad product that Toyota used, why aren't they held accountable? …
Dt: the contact stated a recall letter was received pertaining to the lower ball joints. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall on 12/27/05 where the ball joints were replaced and the vehicle was realigned. The vehicle began to shimmy after about three month later and it was taken to an independent repair shop. The front tires were balance which resulted in difficulty of steering due to the tires becoming worn. The contact expressed that the worn tires were a direct result of the improper alignment performed by the dealer on 12/27/05. After 3 days, the vehicle was taken back to the independent repair shop for tire rotation because the difficulty in steering had worsened. The rotation fixed the problem for awhile however after a couple of months the steering worsened. On 6/26/06, the vehicle was taken to another independent tire dealer for realignment. …
After getting off the highway, as I was pulling away at the end of the exit ramp I noticed the spare tire had fallen from the truck and was in the middle of the road. I was able to quickly back up and load the spare onto the back of the truck. I noticed part of the carrier was rusted to the spare, but the middle of the carrier had rusted through. I had participated in Toyota's frame recall a little over a year ago and believe they should have seen how bad the situation was at that time, and done something to rectify the problem. I had just spent a half-hour driving home on the highway. I can't imagine the damage that could have been caused had the tire dropped at highway speeds during rush hour rather than at 10 MPH!! In searching the internet, this is an all too common occurrence for older tacomas. I don't understand why this isn't considered a safety issue and subject to recall.
Related recalls
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Tacoma wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-542 (temporary/emergency spare tire, Nov 23, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Tacoma wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.