Problems · by component

2003 Toyota Tundra air bags problems

86 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Tundra cite air bags, 21% of all 411 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 5 recalls on this component.

Complaints
86
21% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Getting Airbag light on . Went to Modesto Toyota and they installed new clock spring strap in steering wheel. After installing the airbag light came back on . I again went back to dealer with same issue. They installed another clock spring in steering wheel. Drove about 1 mile , again airbag came on. Took it back to dealer a 3rd time same issue. They told me that the connector for the strap was too short. So now I am in limbo waiting for a replacement or something. Contacted dealer Modesto Toyota today 4/16/2026. No response as of yet. So I have still have the airbag light on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Air bagsODI 11731670
“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the part was discontinued. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the part was discontinued. The failure mileage was 235,680.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2023Air bagsODI 11509714
“The frame haas already been repaired, at the suggestion of my inspection mechanic. The whole frame is dangerously rusted. Now he says, “get rid of it—it’s dangerous to drive!” Another problem, the air bag fault light won’t stay off! Parts in the steering column have been replaced, to no avail! Toyota did that work. No one knows if my air bag will work or not!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2021Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11434226
“IN MID DECEMBER, 2019, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM UNDER MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. FORTUNATELY, NO VEHICLES WERE BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. I WAS SO SURPRISED TO SEE THAT TIRE BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD BEHIND ME! THAT SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN FROM THE CARRIER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION/RECALL IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THEY SAID THE CORROSION ON THE CROSS-MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CORROSION ISSUE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DROP WAS ONLY FOR RECALLS ON THE TACOMA MODELS, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A TOYOTA MANUFACTURING SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2020Air bags, StructureODI 11307603
“I WAS IN MOTION AND DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TAKATA AIRBAG WAS REPLACED BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) PRIOR TO MY ABOVE MENTIONED ACCIDENT. THE AUTO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, POSSIBLY BRAKE FAILURE OR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OF THE CAR ENGINE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2019Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11232083
“TAKARA INFLATORS AND DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY STREET AND HAD A DRIVER FLASHING HIS LIGHTS AT ME. I PULLED OVER TO FIND OUT THAT MY SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK HAD FALLEN OFF AND BOUNCED INTO A BUILDING. I GO BACK TO GET IT AND NOTICE THAT IT HAD RUSTED AND FELL OFF. I'VE BEEN HAVING BALL JOINT ISSUES AND NOW MY RACK AND PINION HAS STARTED TO LEAK BECAUSE OF RUST. I'VE LEARNED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FRAME HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID MY TRUCK HAD BEEN LOOKED AT AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I'VE GOT THE SPARE TIRE AND THE RUSTED BRACKET. I'M REALLY SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT,AND AIR BAG THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT BUT TO SCARED TO DRIVE IT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2019Suspension, Air bagsODI 11221799

Showing 6 of 86 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

5 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

Air bagsReported Dec 12, 2018NHTSA 18V883000

Air bags

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2015NHTSA 15V285000

Air bags

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2015NHTSA 15V286000

Air bags: on-off switch assembly

Free remedy

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE A CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGE SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SPECIFICATION DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Air bagsReported Jun 2, 2005NHTSA 05V254000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2003 Tundra problem areas