Problems · by component
2003 Toyota Tacoma air bags problems
28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma cite air bags, 8% of all 372 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
28
8% of all complaints
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
Reported by owners
What owners say about the air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was traveling on highway 12 at 60 mph when the seat belts exploded and cinched up tight to child safety lock mode. There was an odor of burning wires/electrical.”
“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”
“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”
“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.”
“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”
Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.