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2003 Toyota Tacoma Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Apr 9, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 359 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 22 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, RODENTS ATE THE FUEL LINE CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALEY TOYOTA OF ROANOKE (1530 COURTLAND RD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FUEL LINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE HOWEVER, THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11407284
Incident
Apr 7, 2021
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 9, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION (APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM). THE ENGINE WILL NO LONGER OUTPUT POWER THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT I AM REQUESTING WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE THE ISSUE OCCURS, THE MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT IS ONLY 2000 RPM WITH THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED. THE ISSUE IS OCCASIONALLY RESOLVED BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE CODE PO120. THE CODE TRANSLATES TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE $60 SENSOR INDIVIDUALLY, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE $1,200 THROTTLE BODY THAT INCLUDES A NEW SENSOR.

NHTSA ID
11061554
Incident
Jan 3, 2018
Mileage
96,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2016

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER SUCH AS FUEL PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES IT PICK BACK UP HAPPENED TO MORE TIMES WITHIN 10 MI1NUTES IT DID NOT THROW A CODE BEEN CHECKING IT MAY RELATE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10897349
Incident
Aug 15, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 18, 2014

CAR STUMBLES/HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAVE SPENT TIME/MONEY TROUBLE SHOOTING THE PROBLEM/MAKING REPAIRS WITH NO AFFECT ON PROBLEM. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY TOYOTA PART # 22030-62020 (TOYOTA DATA PER VIN SHOWS THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE ON MY CAR). TOYOTA HAS A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY IF FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE (FOR A LIMITED TIME) EXCEPT PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE SHOP AND IT DOES NOT CAUSE ANY CODES. ON-LINE RESEARCH INDICATED PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TSP) OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (APPS) ON THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING. RESEARCH INDICATES TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THEY WILL REPLACE PART FREE IF PROVEN DEFECTIVE AND APPARENTLY HAS REDESIGNED THEIR THROTTLE BODY. ISSUE IS, MOST OF THE TIME THE DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP AND SINCE IT DOES NOT CAUSE A CODE THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED WITHOUT PROVING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN VEHICLES WITH AS LITTLE AS 30000 MILES TO OVER 250000 MILES PER ON-LINE RESEARCH. WHILE RIDING WITH ME THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN HAS SEEN AND FELT THE STUMBLE/HESITATION (RPM DROPS ABOUT 150 TO 250 RPM WHEN TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED FOR NO REASON) BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT IN THE SHOP OR IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THIS STUMBLING/HESITATION OCCURS EVERYTIME THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONGER THAN 20-30 MINUTES SINCE THE 1ST OCCURRENCE. TWICE IT HAS STUMBLE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET HIT BY AN ON COMING VEHICLE. THIS THROTTLE BODY IS A NON-SERVICEABLE PART AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED, PER THE DEALER IT IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AS A UNIT. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND TOYOTA REQUIRED TO REPLACE IT AT NO COST NOW INSTEAD OF ONLY WHEN IT FAILS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10599102
Incident
May 19, 2014
Mileage
236,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10577839
Incident
Apr 6, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Dec 12, 2013

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE STUCK AT ABOVE NORMAL IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE TRAFFIC BUT THE IDLE WOULD NOT COME BACK TO NORMAL CURB IDLE. WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED AND THEY CAN ONLY GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE NOT BEEN SO GOOD. I HOPE TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND GOING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555835
Incident
Dec 10, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2013

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. IT CONSISTENTLY DOES IT AFTER ACCELERATING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION (USUALLY AROUND 25 MPH OR WHILE CRUISING (AROUND BOTH 45 MPH OR 75 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS DROP OF POWER OR LACK THEREOF IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION OR NEEDING QUICK ACCELERATION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR LATE MODEL TACOMAS. THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE ARE VERY COSTLY AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD. [XXX] REQUEST RESEARCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10552734
Incident
Nov 3, 2013
Mileage
126,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2013

I'M FILING THE COMPLIANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THESE OLDER FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES HAVE A FAULTY TPS THAT IS ONLY REPLACEABLE AS A WHOLE NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE COST ON THEM IS BETWEEN 700 TO 1000 DOLLARS. MY TACOMA DO HAVE A FAULTY TPS ON IT. I'M WAITING TO SAVE UP ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES THAT UPON PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC IT HAS ACTED UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU GET A VERY BAD HESITATION OR LACK OF ACCELERATION TO THE POINT OF ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE HESITATION HAS LASTED AS LONG AS 3 TO 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE THROTTLE WILL FINALLY RESPOND. THE CONDITION WILL ONLY HAPPEN DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WOULD LIKE THE SEE THIS LOOKED INTO AND OR RESOLVED. I WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE I WORK AT A DEALERSHIP AND GET THE PARTS AT COST. HOWEVER SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE UP THE COST FOR THE NEW PART. THANKS AGAIN SINCERELY!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10520372
Incident
Jun 18, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2013

COVER FOR GAS TANK TOTALLY ROTTED OUT AND TANK IS EXPOSED. THIS VEHICLE HAS RECALL 9355 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T ALSO COVERED. LOOKS UNSAFE TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510373
Incident
May 2, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Apr 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509687
Incident
Apr 25, 2013
Mileage
73,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Mar 23, 2013

MY TRUCK WAS PART OF THE FRAME RECALL AND I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED IN 2010, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE OTHER RUSTED PARTS THAT WERE NOT "PART OF THE RECALL". FIRST THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT RUSTED OFF AND THE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. NEXT THE ENTIRE EXHAUST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT TOO HAD RUSTED OUT. LAST YEAR TO PASS INSPECTION I NEEDED TO PAY $1600.00 FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS YEAR I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND DESPITE 2 ATTEMPTS TO FIND THE PROBLEM (AND $200.00 LATER) THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THE SUSPICION IS THE GAS TANK IS RUSTED "AT THE TOP" AND WILL COST ME $1800.00 TO REPLACE. I JUST RECEIVED A "PRELIMINARY" RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT, I IMAGINE I WILL RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN A FEW YEARS FOR THE GAS TANK AS WELL. RIDICULOUS THAT ONLY SOME PARTS WERE RECALLED...AND RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE OTHERS... NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504256
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
124,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2013

THE FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE WHILE I WAS GROCERY SHOPPING. I HEARD THE TANK RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE ABLE, AND I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10492421
Incident
Jan 13, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2010

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DECELERATED. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE CHOKE WAS STICKING AND I NEEDED TO HAVE AN UPPER ENGINE CLEANING. 10000 MILES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. NOW I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369556
Incident
Dec 6, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 24, 2010

GASOLINE TANK BROKE LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AFTER CORROSION CAUSED FAILURE OF RETAINING STRAP/BRACKETS. FIRE DID NOT OCCUR, DRIVE SHAFT KEPT TANK FROM COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM VEHICLE. 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR CORROSION PROBLEMS IN APRIL 2010. *TR

NHTSA ID
10357389
Incident
Aug 30, 2010
Mileage
114,600 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2010

GAS TANK FELL OFF, TILL IT WAS 2 TO 3 INCHES OFF GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10351797
Incident
Aug 18, 2010
Fuel system
Filed Feb 9, 2010

TOYOTA TACOMA, 2003 ACCELERATION DROPS TO 25% INADVERTENTLY. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON SEVERAL OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA BULLETIN BOARDS YET TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR FAILS AND DROPS THE ACCELERATION TO 25% WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DOING 75 ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK! I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA WITH NO RESPONSE. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10308117
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2009

SLOW FILL UP AT THE GAS PUMPS. THE TANK TAKES 10-12 MINUTES TO FILL. IT TAKES THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. PUMP WILL KEEP CLICKING OFF. THE PUMP HOSE HAS TO BE KEPT HALF TO THREE-QUARTERS OUT IN ORDER THAT THE GAS FLOW INTO THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10288993
Incident
Mar 12, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 1, 2008

MY ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA KEEPS COMING ON. I SENT $1000 TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND THEN THE EVAP CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY'VE REPLACED MANY OF THESE ON TOYOTAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244130
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2008

MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 SR5 DOUBLE CAB 4X4 HAS A CONDITION WHERE THE THROTTLE CUTS OUT WHILE ACCELERATING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233382
Incident
Jul 3, 2008
Mileage
101,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2006

AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE SIGNIFICANT POWER. IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE. AFTER MY OWN INVESTIGATION, I LEARNED THAT TOYOTA HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY WITH THEIR 2003/2004 MODEL TACOMA'S. EVIDENTLY, THEIR ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THEIR THROTTLE BY WIRE DESIGN) FAILS. THIS CREATED A FEW SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATIONS FOR ME WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN NEEDED. AFTER REPORTING THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID DETERMINE THE APPS WAS AT FAULT. NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER OWNER'S IS READILY AVAILABLE VIA THE VARIOUS BULLETIN BOARDS ON THE WEB. COMPOUNDING THE ISSUE, IS THE FACT THAT THIS SENSOR CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1000 OR SO. TOYOTA INITIALLY RESPONDED THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE YET OTHERS HAVE REPORTED TO THEM PRIOR TO ME WHICH INDICATES EITHER THEY HAVE A VERY POOR PROCESS FOR LOGGING ISSUES OR ARE TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167520
Incident
Sep 4, 2006
Mileage
65 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2006

INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE - 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 2.7L AUTO, DOUBLE CAB, 55K MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL CHAIN SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED ERROR CODE PO511 - IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE (IACV). TOYOTA PARTS DEPARTMENT PRICES THIS PART AT $226 AND SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED $249 FOR LABOR (NOT INCLUDING TAX). VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND "ENGINE" SHOULD BE COVERED BY 6 YR/60K MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (TO HAVE OTHER RECALLS CORRECTED) WHO INDICATED A $90 FEE WAS REQUIRED JUST TO DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THE IACV WAS ONLY COVERED TO 3YR/36K AND THAT I SHOULD PAY DEALER FEE AND SEEK "FACTORY ASSISTANCE" FOR ANY COSTS TO REPAIR. I CONTEND THAT THIS TYPE OF A PART - NOT SERVICEABLE/MAINTAINABLE BY THE CUSTOMER, SHOULD BE GUARANTEED AGAINST FAILURE FOR MORE THAN ~50K MILES AND REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162431
Incident
Jul 14, 2005
Mileage
54,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 15, 2006

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED APPARENTLY THIS OCCURS OFTEN TO OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN JUST OVER 3 YEARS FILING COMPLAINT TO SEE IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN THAT COULD LEAD TO LATER PROBLEMS COST $560 TO REPLACE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159938
Incident
Jun 12, 2006

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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