2003 Toyota Tacoma vs 2005 Toyota Tacoma
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Toyota Tacoma | 2005 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 359 | 707 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 10 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 139 | 337 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 30 | 47 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–22 | 16–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 110,000 mi | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Toyota Tacoma | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 181 | 260 |
| Suspension | 66 | 137 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 26 | 93 |
| Power Train | 18 | 57 |
| Air Bags | 27 | 46 |
| Steering | 12 | 61 |
| Tires | 21 | 25 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 20 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 169 | 228 |
| Check engine light | 14 | 0 |
| Stalling | 12 | 28 |
| Hesitation / surging | 7 | 26 |
| Clunking / rattling | 5 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 5 | 22 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 22 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 10 |
2003 Toyota Tacoma
2005 Toyota Tacoma
Compare all Toyota Tacoma vs Toyota Tacoma years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.