2003 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 371 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 31 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireNov 23, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 12V542000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointMay 17, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 05V225000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 19, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 03V189000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
22 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A BUMP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SUDDENLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
Power train, Aug 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER FORCE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2014
CAR STUMBLES/HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAVE SPENT TIME/MONEY TROUBLE SHOOTING THE PROBLEM/MAKING REPAIRS WITH NO AFFECT ON PROBLEM. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY TOYOTA PART # 22030-62020 (TOYOTA DATA PER VIN SHOWS THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE ON MY CAR). TOYOTA HAS A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY IF FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE (FOR A LIMITED TIME) EXCEPT PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE SHOP AND IT DOES NOT CAUSE ANY CODES. ON-LINE RESEARCH INDICATED PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TSP) OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (APPS) ON THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING. RESEARCH INDICATES TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THEY WILL REPLACE PART FREE IF PROVEN DEFECTIVE AND APPARENTLY HAS REDESIGNED THEIR THROTTLE BODY. ISSUE IS, MOST OF THE TIME THE DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP AND SINCE IT DOES NOT CAUSE A CODE THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED WITHOUT PROVING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN VEHICLES WITH AS LITTLE AS 30000 MILES TO OVER 250000 MILES PER ON-LINE RESEARCH. WHILE RIDING WITH ME THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN HAS SEEN AND FELT THE STUMBLE/HESITATION (RPM DROPS ABOUT 150 TO 250 RPM WHEN TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED FOR NO REASON) BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT IN THE SHOP OR IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THIS STUMBLING/HESITATION OCCURS EVERYTIME THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONGER THAN 20-30 MINUTES SINCE THE 1ST OCCURRENCE. TWICE IT HAS STUMBLE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET HIT BY AN ON COMING VEHICLE. THIS THROTTLE BODY IS A NON-SERVICEABLE PART AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED, PER THE DEALER IT IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AS A UNIT. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND TOYOTA REQUIRED TO REPLACE IT AT NO COST NOW INSTEAD OF ONLY WHEN IT FAILS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Dec 27, 2012
TOYOTA HAS RECALLED MY TRUCK DUE TO A RUSTED OUT FRAME. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS ELECTED TO REPLACE MY FRAME WITH A NEW FRAME. THIS LARGE PROCEDURE HAS LEFT ME INSECURE ABOUT THE OUTCOME. THIS TRUCK IS NOW 10 YEARS OLD AND AS SOON AS THE START WRENCHING ON ALL THE SYSTEM COMPONENTS TO DISASSEMBLE AND RE ASSEMBLE MY TRUCK I AM AFRAID THAT THEY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF EXISTING COMPONENTS DUE TO ADDED WEAR AND TEAR. THE DEALER WILL NEED TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES THAT HAVE BEEN SET IN PLACE AND HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION THIS WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND UNSAFE OPERATION. MOST MECHANIC KNOW THAT A RUSTED AND SET BOLT THAT HAS NOT BEEN MOVED FOR 10 YEARS HAS A 50% CHANCE OF REMOVAL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE SUCH A "STUCK" BOLT THEY WILL NEED TO APPLY HEAT AND IMPACT AND MAY WEAKEN THE EXISTING PARTS, STEEL, AND BOLTS TO LOWER LEVELS OUT OF TOLERANCE THAT THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED ORIGINALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THIS SERVICE IS COMPLETED IN A LOCATION WITH OUT THE CONTROLS, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING THAT IS IN PLACE IN A FACTORY WHERE NEW VEHICLES ARE BUILT. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL BE ASSEMBLED, TESTED, AND INSPECTED ACCORDING THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES FOR A FACTORY PRODUCED VEHICLE. THIS LEADS TO UNCERTAINTY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE WITHIN THE INTENDED MANUFACTURES GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY, ROLL OVER PROTECTION, AND CRASH PERFORMANCE. I PROPOSE THAT A TOTAL FRAME RECALL AND REPLACEMENT (OR ANY LARGE INTEGRAL PART THAT WILL IMPACTED THE VEHICLE OPERATION) ON ANY VEHICLE SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY DESCRIBED. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THERE APPEARED TO BE AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BOOT THAT WAS NOT APPARENT PRIOR TO THE FRAME REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE.
Power train, Sep 28, 2011
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE METAL ON THE REWARD SIDE OF THE RING GEAR HOUSING IS VERY THIN AND WILL RUST OUT AND BEGIN TO LEAK. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN GEAR OIL LEAKING THROUGH PINHOLES IN THE REAR AXLE ON TWO OTHER TOYOTA TRUCKS. THE THIN METAL AND LACK OF ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT ON THE AXLE HOUSING CREATES SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS. 1. EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS IF LEAK IS NOT DETECTED. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT IS A SEVERE FAILURE THAT LOCKS UP THE REAR WHEELS. 2. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE METAL IS WEAKENED DUE TO THE CORROSION AND CAN POSSIBLE CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BEND OR BREAK. AGAIN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. 3. POLLUTION. THE LEAKING GEAR OIL THROUGH THE RUSTED AXLE HOUSING CAUSES POLLUTION OF GROUND WATER AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. *TT
Power train, Sep 6, 2011
RUST OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. ALL OF THE OIL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OUT. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. THE COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $ 1,000.00. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AS PER MANY TOYOTA FORUMS ON THE NET. TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BY THIS REPAIR AND WILL NOT ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEM ABOUT RUST.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2011
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. *KB
Power train, Structure, Jan 12, 2011
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER IS HAVING A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE DUE TO RUST, FRAME RUSTING, AND TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING. *KB
Power train, Jun 12, 2010
ON JUNE 11,2010 I WAS CHANGING THE ANTI FREEZE IN MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA.THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING TO WARM ENGINE TO OPEN THERMOSTAT TO GET MORE COOLANT FROM THE LOWER BLOCK . WELL I DECIDE TO BOOST THE ENGINE SPEED BY MANUALLY MOVING THE THROTTLE .TO MY SURPRISE MY TRUCK LURCHED BACK BEFORE COMING TO A STOP I CHECK THE SHIFTER IT WAS STILL IN PARK .BUT A FURTHER EXAM THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR. I M' GOING TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE LINKAGE NEEDS ADJUSTMENT EVERYBODY I TALK WITH SAID IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO MOVE UNLESS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED FIRST. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA BECAME JAMMED WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE BUSHING WHERE THE CLUTCH PIVOTS DISLODGED AND JAMMED THE CLUTCH SO IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DEPRESSED. A CAR WAS COMING STRAIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN I STOMPED ON THE CLUTCH AS HARD AS I COULD, BREAKING THE BUSHING AND LETTING THE CLUTCH DEPRESS. IF I HAD NOT ACTED QUICKLY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME THE BUSHING HAD BROKE AND WAS MISSING THEY JUST PUT GREASE ON IT SO IT WOULD STOP SQUEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THIS YEAR AT TOYOTA THAT THE BUSHING HAD EXPLODED AND FALLEN OUT AND NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE BEING STUCK IN A SITUATION AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR VEHICLE IN GEAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 28, 2008
REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK, LARGE AMOUNT. *TR
Power train, Oct 31, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 4RUNNER THAT HAS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND THAT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 3 TIMES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR STARTING FROM A STOP. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND NOT VERY COMFORTING. IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS SLAMMING AND MAKING THIS NOISE, I CAN'T IMAGING ANYONE THINKING THAT IS VERY SAFE. THE THING COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THE SLAMMING DOES TO IT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOME GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR
Power train, Oct 11, 2006
CLUTCH PEDAL BUSHING IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC & SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF RUBBER, IT WEARS OUT & STARTS TO SQUEAK REAL BAD AND EVENTUALLY THERE IS METAL TO METAL CONTACT WHICH CAUSES THE WHOLE CLUTCH ASSY. TO FAIL. *NM
Power train, Nov 22, 2005
AT 21,000 MILES HEARD LOUD NOISE FOR DIFFERENTIAL, AND BAD GLUNK WHEN LEAVING STOP LIGHT, TOYOTA NEVER PUT IN GEAR LUBE TO COVER UP THE BAD WELDS ON RIGHT END OF DIFFERENTIAL (THAT WOULD HAVE LEAKED IF THEY DID PUT IN GEAR LUBE), NO REPLY FROM E-MAILS, PHONE CALLS, TALKING TO CUST. REP, (REQUESTED ARBITRATION FORMS BY PHONE AND E-MAIL 6 TIMES, NEVER RECEIVED THEM EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA LIED AND SAID THEY WILL SEND THEM.) . *NM
Power train, Aug 15, 2005
DIFFERENTIAL MADE A BAD NOISE AT 21,221 MILES CHECKED GEAR LUBE ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA CITY WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. TOOK IT TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, SAID OBVIOUS LEAK ON PASS. SIDE END OF DIFF, AXLE. I HAD 15,000 MILE SERVICE DONE AT TOYOTA CITY ($165.00), THEY NEVER CHECKED THE DIFF, GEAR LUBE EVEN THOUGH THE OWNERS MAINTENANCE BOOK SAYS TO INSPECT DIFF, GEAR LUBE. (NO REPAIRS WERE EVEN ATTEMPTED AT TOYOTA CITY). BROUGHT THE MISSED DIFF. FLUID CHECK TO CUST. SERVICE REPS ATTENTION, SAID SHE WILL TALK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, A MONTH LATER, AND STILL NO REPLY . *NM
Power train, Jul 26, 2005
TRUCK ALWAYS PULLED TO THE LEFT SINCE NEW, TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. AT 21,000 MILES I HEARD A BAD NOISE COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL, I PULLED OVER AND REMOVED THE FILL PLUG ONLY TO FIND NO OIL IN IT.SO I PUT IN 4 OZ. SHORT OF A QUART OF 80W90 GEAR OIL. (PULLED TO LEFT BECAUSE A WHEEL BEARING WASN'T GETTING AND LUBRICATION). RETURNED TO DEALER, THEY SAID WE CAN'T FIND A LEAK, 50 MILES LATER I PULLED THE FILL PLUG AND FOUND THE OIL TO BE BLACK AS CAN BE WITH METAL IN IT. DEALERS ANSWER IS TO COME BACK WHEN IT BREAKS. SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A 2003 TACOMA WITH A 200,000 MILE DIFFERENTIAL. (WHAT A SHAME).
Power train, May 21, 2005
ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA VIN [XXX] IT STARTS GOING OFF THE LANE AND REQUIRES EXTRA POWER TO GET BACK ON TRACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIME SO FAR ON THE LOCAL SURFACE STREETS HERE IN TEMPE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR ON HIGHWAY. ALSO AFTER THAT THE HAND-BREAK LIGHT WILL COME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I DID NOT EVEN PUT HAND BREAK. THE HAND-BREAK LIGHT WILL GO OFF AFTER A WHILE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2004
VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSES. VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, HAS A ROUGH IDLE, AND A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE INTERMITTENT. *AK
Power train, Feb 6, 2004
2003 TOYOTA LIMITED 4-RUNNER V8- AWDFRONT-END VIBRATION PROBLEM. I FIRST PRESENTED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM TO MY DEALER THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST! THEY TRIED BALANCING THE WHEELS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY AGREED THE PROBLEM WAS THERE AND NOTIFIED CORPORATE. THEIR TECHNICAL STAFF HAD THEM REMOVE THE FRONT AXELS AND RETEST THE VIBRATION WHICH STARTED AT 22 MPH, WENT TO 32MPH 42, 55, AND 62MPH NOW DISAPPEARED! A WEEK LATER A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE MET WITH ME AND MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES IN PHOENIX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED IT PROBABLY WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO GET A FIX. TWO MONTHS LATER I TALKED TO THE TECH. REP. AGAIN AND HE MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINEERING GROUP HAD DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERFERENCES IN THE SPIDER GEAR ASSEMBLY IN THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, THEY WERE TRYING TO CORRECT THE CONDITION WITH THRUST WASHER SHIMS AND OTHER THINGS. I HAVE PRESENTED MY CLAIM TO THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT GROUP. I HAVE CALLED THEM REGULARLY ONCE A MONTH AND HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS AT FINDING WHAT THEIR SCHEDULE IS FOR THE FIX,--ONLY TO SAY WE ARE WORKING ON IT AND YOUR DEALER WILL NOTIFY YOU. IVE SINCE HEARD FROM MY DEALER STAFF THAT THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF LEXUS GX470'S AS WELL AS 4-RUNNERS INVOLVED. IM BEGINNING TO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY VEHICLES WITH DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLIES INVOLVED, THAT IT MAY REQUIRE SOME KIND OF MAJOR REDESIGN AND BUILD. IT MIGHT BE A LONG TIME BEFORE WE SEE A FIX! I HAUL A POP-UP TRAILER AND DOES IT MAGNIFY THE PROBLEM!*AK
Power train, Dec 5, 2003
AFTER APPROX. PUTTING 5,000 MILES ON MY TACOMA 2003 DOUBLE CAB, I STARTED NOTICING WHEN NORMALLY BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A CLUNCKING SOUND FROM THE REAR END. THE HARDER YOU STOP THE VEHICLE THE WORSE IT GETS. IT'S LIKE GETTING SLIGHTLY REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IF IT DOESN'T MAKE THIS CLUNCKING FEELING AND SOUND AS YOU COME TO A STOP, IT WILL DO IT ONCE YOU LET OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO IDLE/ROLL FORWARD TO ADVANCE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. THIS APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH NOW HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO RON CARTER AUTO WORLD AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TELLS ME THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND CONSIDERED IT NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL WHY DON'T OTHER VEHICLES DO THIS? IT GETS ANNOYING LOOKING INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THINKING THAT YOU'VE BE REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB
Power train, Jul 1, 2003
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO DRIVER ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE SHIFTER AND IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING THE LOCK. CONSUMER CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THIS IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2003
CAR STALLS (GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND) WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN SLOWING TO A LOW SPEED AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SIDE AND IN THE REAR. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WITH TIRE MARKS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AND FLASHES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ACCELERATOR WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO GO YOU HEAR DINGING SOUNDS AND FEEL AND HEAR BUMPS AND GRINDING NOISES. 2 LIGHTS COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 1 READS VSC TRAC AND THE OTHER READS TRAC OFF. IF YOU STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP DOING IT. SOMETIMES THIS IS AFTER 1 RESTART AND SOMETIMES IT HAS TAKEN 5 AND 6. ON DAY IT WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RESTARTED AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT TIMES.