FaultScore

2003 Toyota Tundra airbag problems

86 of the 524 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Tundra are about the airbag system — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,000 miles.

F

86

Complaints

9

Crashes

0

Fires

7

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 83 96.5%
Frontal 2 2.3%
On-Off Switch Assembly 1 1.2%

Airbags across every Toyota Tundra year

2000 20 4.9%
2002 21 5.2%
2003 86 21.1%
2004 49 12.0%
2005 83 20.4%
2006 134 32.9%
2007 14 3.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Riverbank, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11731670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 235,680 miles Albuquerque, NM

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11509714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA

AIR BAGS

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!

NHTSA complaint #11434226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Lexington, VA

AIR BAGS

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?

NHTSA complaint #11307603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,168 miles East Longmeadow, MA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11232083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles Lafayette, IN

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11221799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 275,000 miles Abita Springs, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH MY TOYOTA TUNDRA WHEN A NISSAN ALTIMA FAILED TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN. AT WITCH POINT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED AND SO WAS THE NISSAN! I WAS DRIVING EAST ON QUINCY AVE. AND THE NISSAN WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON B ST. WHEN SHE FAILED TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN.

NHTSA complaint #11203011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Artesia, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS LIGHTS IS ON, THE PASSAGER SIDE. I TOOK TO THE SHOP TO FIX, A MONTHS LATER CAME BACK AGAIN THE LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #11101291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 295,000 miles Ocean, NJ

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING RECALL REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS) AT GALAXY TOYOTA (750 NJ 30, EATONTOWN, NJ 07724), THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO SIGN A WAVER, NOTING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 295,000.

NHTSA complaint #11082660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Statesboro, GA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11063629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vista, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A PAPER IN THE MAIL STATING TO FILE A PPIC PROOF OF CLAIM BECAUSE I HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A CURRENT REGISTERED OWNER OF A VEHICLE WITH A TAKATA -MANUFACTURED AIRBAG INFLATORS CONTAINING PSAN. DESPITE NOT HAVING SUFFERED ANY INJURY, LOSS, OR DEATH IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE THIS CLAIM.

NHTSA complaint #11056716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roseville, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL ON PROPOSED AIRBAG INFLATOR. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA complaint #11043866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Kailua Kona, HI

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL"

NHTSA complaint #11042273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,880 miles Deatsville, AL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PER TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPT,DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11041054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dennis Port, MA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL-DATE FOR "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?" IS APPROX. DATE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED (ACCORDING TO STICKER ON DRIVER'S DOOR)

NHTSA complaint #11040845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cumming, GA

AIR BAGS

MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID IS BEEN REPLACE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY I WENT TO MY MECHANIC THEY BEEN REPLACE SOME NEW PART RELATED TO THE AIRBAG IS BEEN OK FOR ONE MONTH NOW THE LIGHTS ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11040551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60 miles Dallas, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKANA RECALL // AND TOYOTA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11039285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Frederick, MD

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD'S AIR BAG COVER MELTED AND WAS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, IN THE PAST, THERE WAS AN UNIDENTIFIABLE ODOR COMING FROM THAT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DARCARS TOYOTA FREDERICK (5293 BUCKEYSTOWN PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704 (301) 696-6300). BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO A LOCAL TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE FOR DARCARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO SUN GLARE AND WAS UNSURE IF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS SAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11035101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

THE Villages, FL

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11034649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Webster, FL

AIR BAGS

THE RED LIGHT ON OUR PASSENGER SIDE IS ON AND HAS BEEN ON

NHTSA complaint #11034653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles East Hampton, CT

AIR BAGS

SPIRAL CABLE, ALSO CALLED CLOCKSPRING, FAILED, IDENTICAL TO OTHER TOYOTA SPIRAL CABLE FAILURES ON OTHER MODELS THAT WERE RECALLED. ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED THAT CORRECTS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM (IT DISABLES THE DRIVER AIRBAG AND HORN) FOR AFFECTED TUNDRA MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #11033062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Yucca Valley, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MADE A CLUNKING/RATTLING NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HER HAND ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, SHE FELT A HEAVY OBJECT SHIFTING AROUND INSIDE. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA OF THE DESERT (LOCATED AT 68105 KYLE ROAD, CATHEDRIAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234; 760-328-0871) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO DRIVER SIDE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAG NOR WAS THERE WARRANTY COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1708252544. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11020093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Chula Vista, CA

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO TOYOTA IN NATIONAL CITY CA PAID ALOT OF MONEY INCLUDING A NEW BATTERY ,WITCH I GOT FROM AAA AND STILL NO FIX

NHTSA complaint #11019548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,947 miles Blackshear, GA

AIR BAGS

THE SRS SYMBOL FOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS CAME ON IN MY TOYOTA TUNDRA ON 7/8/17, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA complaint #11003854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Garland, TX

AIR BAGS

MY AIR BAG HAS NEVER WORKED EVEN AFTER I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 5 YEARS AGO

NHTSA complaint #11003028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

AIR BAGS

I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE A FEW YEARS AGO AND EVERYTIME I WOULD CALLED TO GET REPLACED AS PROMISED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAGS TO REPAIR AND CLAIM IT WASN'T THAT BIG OF A DEAL YOU JUST COULDN'T HAVE A PASSENGER IN YOUR CAR AND EVENTUALLY THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAG. I JUST LOOKED UP INFORMATION AGAIN ON MY TRUCK AND NOW IT'S NOT EVEN SHOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I DO HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY WAS SO I DON'T KNOW IF SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE IT IT'S NOT A VALID RECALL OR WHY THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE I THINK IT'S FUNNY TO NOT ENFORCE RECALLS IF THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. NOTHING HAPPENED BECAUSE I TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FAULTY OR WHAT BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE IT IS MY POINT AND REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN THE RECALL WAS BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY A FEW YEARS AGO I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES TO TOYOTA AND ALWAYS BEEN TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS YET I THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REINVESTIGATED

NHTSA complaint #10995450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucker, GA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS - I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM YOU...... COMPLAINT # 10948526 SERVICEMAN WAS WORKING ON THE AIR BAG ON MY TRUCK AND SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS ISN'T A WARRANTY PROBLEM, THE SERVICEMAN MADE A MISTAKE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAD BAG LIGHT COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10955594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucker, GA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - I GOT THE RECALL AND WENT TO MY DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT, 4-01-14, (59,317MILES) GOT ANOTHER RECALL TO REPLACE THE INFLATOR AIR BAG PART (3-13-15). THE AIR BAG CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER (3-31-2015). I CAME BACK AND SHOWED THEM THE CHECK LIGHT ON FOR THE AIR BAG. THE SERVICEMAN COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF FOR THEM TO FIX THE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM. THIS RECALL STARTED WHILE MY TRUCK WAS STILL WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID I'M OUT OF WARRANTY BACK IN 3-31-15 WHEN I SHOWED THEM THE CHECK LIGHT AND I TOLD THEM IT HAPPENED WHEN THE SERVICEMAN REPLACED THE TAKATA INFLATOR. I'M NOT GOING TO PAY FOR ANY OF THIS, THEY PROBABLY JUST LEFT A WIRE OFF. I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK SINCE THEN AND I'M AFRAID THE AIR BAG WILL EXPLODE ANYTIME OR WHEN I HIT A BUMP. I NEED A GOOD DEALER TO FIX IT AND PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR IF I NEED IT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND THEY SAID, " ....OH, YOUR WERE OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THEY INSTALLED IT..". ARE THESE PEOPLE STUPID OR WHAT?????

NHTSA complaint #10948526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Pikesville, MD

AIR BAGS

EXTREME RUST AREA ALL AROUND REAR DIFFERENTIAL, PITTING IN METAL, AND ALSO THE SPARE WHEEL TIRE EXTREME RUST.

NHTSA complaint #10924511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa FE, NM

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10870789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Toyota Tundra problems

← Full 2003 Toyota Tundra report