2003 Toyota Tacoma: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 20, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 200,000 miles · FL

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

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 246 miles · CA

I was driving my vehicle 2003 toyota tacoma on highway 156 downhill to hollister, ca I was going approx 65 MPH and it just jerked back and lost power I was only able to go 40mph no higher , the engine light has not turned on and it seems I am getting no kind of diagnostic error of what could be wrong.

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 126,000 miles · NC

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).

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Acceleration · 45 miles · VA

I bought this truck brand new in march 2003 and have had many problems, but nothing you don't expect with vehicles today or anything toyota did not eventually fix, until now. About a year ago while driving down the road at about 45 the truck just lost power and stalled on me. I was almost not able to get it off the road and of course the person behind me almost rear ended me and was highly agitated I had stopped in the middle of traffic and appeared to be driving like a teenager learing to drive a manual shift transmission. When I took it to the dealer I was told it was a bad maf sensor which was replaced along with other items which cost $400. This did not fix it and after much trial and error and research I have found it was the throttle body and one of it's sensors that can't be replaced. When I mentioned this to toyota, they disagreed and said this was impossible. It is funny how many complaints are here and how many more are having this issue who don't even know to file a complaint here. My local toyota specialist (not the dealership), who I trust and has spent a week with my truck driving it and testing it and still only charged me $80, has also confirmed the problem, a bad sensor and the only fix is to completely replace the throttle body assembly at a cost of about $1,000 or so depending on availablity of parts. This is an obvious problem with the 2003 and 2004 models only and have heard claims from toyota mechanics "off the record" that toyota knows about the problem and refuses to acknowledge it. It has come to the point that I don't let anyone in my family drive this truck but me, it is too dangerous. My kids don't ride in it with me either because it could stall as I am trying to cross traffic and the results could be deadly. Please, please do something about this, I am going to have to spend the money because I can't wait to fix this, but maybe, just maybe you can save others the money and possibly their familes lives!

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · 125,000 miles · NM

Vehicle loses power unexpectedly and is inconsistent. Has happened before to me and many, many times by others with the same vehicle. A poorly designed/engineered accelerator pedal position sensor appears to be the issue. Toyota has been notified by me multiple times but refuses to acknowledge this serious flaw in their vehicle. Most recently, I was nearly rear ended when on the freeway, the vehicle suddenly lost power. Fortunately the driver behind me was conscious and was able to make an emergency maneuver to the other lane. Someone will die from these problems! This has been well documented by many at http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13283&highlight=apps+fix I ask that the nthsa please investigate and do something about this. It appears many of us, including myself, have submitted complaints on this issue and nothing has been done. One may argue that this is an 8 year old vehicle so no reason to investigate. This issue has been brought to your's and toyota's attention since 2005. It needs to be investigated! Please.

Filed Apr 28, 2005 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · TX

At any time, my 2003 toyota double cab 4x4 tacoma pickup truck will lose all power as if I have removed my foot from the accelerator pedal when in fact I have not. This will cause my truck to drastically decrease speed until I pump the gas pedal until it decides to work again and pick up speed again. I have done much research on this issue and have found that the cause is a faulty "drive by wire" throttle body which is causing this. The throttle body on these trucks are computer controlled. You can only open the throttle body butterfly the first 25% with the pedal then the computer opens it the rest of the way. These throttle by wire throttle bodies are crapping out left and right and toyota is trying not to replace them under the power train warranty. They are claiming it is covered under the 3/30 bumper to bumper warranty and not the 5/60 powertrain warranty. I feel that this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed as it causes me to loose control over the vehicle and it is putting myself, passengers and others on the road in danger. What if this happens if I pull out in front of a dump truck? What if it happens when I am crossing a train track?? I think it is a serious loss of control issue and it should be a recall item pure and simple.