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
371 reports, newest first.
Structure, Apr 14, 2016
THIS MORNING I TOOK MY LOW MILEAGE (58,926) 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA TO MY MECHANIC FOR A COUPLE OF SIMPLE REPAIRS. WHEN ROAD TESTING, HE DISCOVERED EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME. DURING THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL TWO YEARS AGO THE TOYOTA DEALER SLAPPED UNDERCOATING ON IT AND SAID NOTHING. THIS DANGEROUSLY EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
Structure, Apr 1, 2016
EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST THROUGH
Structure, Mar 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR SHOCKS MOUNTING BRACKET FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Mar 9, 2016
THE LEFT DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN FROM WHERE YOU GRIP IT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONERY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS ALSO ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS VEHICLE IS A FOUR DOOR PICK UP TRUCK.
Steering, Structure, Mar 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD FRACTURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT WAITED LONGER THAN TWO YEARS FOR THE PART. THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS ALSO PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Structure, Mar 8, 2016
2003 TACOMA FRAME IS EATING ITSELF AWAY DUE TO RUST CORROSION. TOYOTA'S "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" ENDED IN 2011, BUT DOES NOTHING TO DEAL WITH THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD. RECALL!
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2016
FRAME HAS RUSTED THRU BY THE LEAF SPRING AND OTHER PLACES. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL/CAMPAING THAT COVERS THE FRAME THRU 2018. BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACED FRAME BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDERCOATED DURING A SPECIFIC TIME....THEY WANT $10,000 FOR NEW FRAME.. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FULLY RECALL.
Structure, Mar 1, 2016
I AM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TOYOTA FRAME CORROSION RECALL. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT FALLS UNDER THIS WARRANTY AND MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NOW DEEMED UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEIR RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MY FRAME IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS. AT THE INITIAL TIME OF RECALL WE BROUGHT OUR TRUCK TO OUR LOCAL DEALER (GREENTREE)FOR A FRAME INSPECTION AND THEY ADVISED ME THE FRAME WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT THERE WAS NO PROCESS IN PLACE YET TO SPRAY THE FRAMES ...NOW MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND TOYOTA HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I WOULD LIKE SOME INFO ON HOW THIS MAJOR SAFETY RECALL CAN "EXPIRE" AND WANT TO EXPLORE MY OPTION FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THEIR ISSUE AND MY TRUCK THANK YOU *TR
Structure, Feb 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH A FRACTURED FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Structure, Feb 5, 2016, crash
FRAME RUST. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT MY 2003 TACOMA HAS A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THIS CASE WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS I HAD THIS SAME TRUCK IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER (RUST PROBLEM) AND THEY DID NOT MENTION OR CHECK THE FRAME TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE. MY SON WAS IN A SMALL FRONT END COLLISION AND THE ENTIRE FRAME BENT AND BUCKLED. HOW COULD THIS VEHCILE BE ALLOWED ON THE ROADS.
Structure, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Structure, Jan 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Structure, Tires, Jan 4, 2016
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME RUST RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE SPRING HANGER WAS RUSTED. IN SEPTEMBER 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO RUST WAS FOUND. IN JANUARY 2009, THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2015
FRAME OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD A PROGRAM THAT ENDED IN 2011 THAT ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE. HAS END DATE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT A SUGGESTION BY TOYOTA. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE FRAME ROTTING AWAY THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS. TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED TO FAULTY FRAMES BY HAVING THE PROGRAM BUT NOW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
Structure, Dec 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Structure, Nov 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2015
THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS PLUG BURNED UP I HAD TO REPLACE IT HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT WITH IN MONTHS AS DO TAIL LIGHTS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BULBS THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.AND REPLACED TAIL LIGHT BULBS TWICE IN SIX MONTHS
Structure, Nov 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
Structure, Nov 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,000.
Structure, Oct 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Oct 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED IN THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Structure, Oct 12, 2015
BOTH SIDES OF MY FRAME ARE RUSTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS . THE LEFT SIDE HAS A LARGE RUSTED CRACK WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS CONNECT TO THE FRAME. THE RIGHT SIDE HAS A ROASTED WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH THAT I CAN PUT MY HAND INSIDE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY SORRY BUT ALL THEIR CAMPAIGNS WERE EXPIRED AND THEY HAD TO TELL THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THE SAME THING. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE HARM AT ANY TIME. IF TOYOTA HAS TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO ME THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT . UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB
Structure, Oct 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Oct 2, 2015
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK FOR POTENTIAL FRAME CORROSION. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS ISSUE FROM TOYOTA AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY MECHANIC WARNED ME ABOUT FRAME ROT. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE BUT INFORMED ME THAT I HAD MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED THEIR US CORPORATE OFFICE AND BEEN GIVEN THE SAME REPLY. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE SENT ME THE RECALL NOTICE BUT I MAINTAIN THAT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION. I AM WONDERING IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2015
OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL LETTER REGARDING FRAME CORROSION RUST ISSUE IN 2009. BROUGHT TACOMA TO JAFFERIAN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA ON 6/20/09 WHERE THEY INSPECTED TACOMA AND SAID IT PASSED FRAME INSPECTION. BROUGHT TRUCK TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE CHECK WHO SAID THAT THE BACK END OF THE FRAME WAS TOTALLY CORRODED BY RUST AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED JAFFERIAN TOYOTA WHO WE PURCHASED TRUCK FROM AND ASKED IF THEY COULD REPAIR THE FRAME AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE TRUCK SPRAYED FOR RUST. APPARENTLY TOYOTA SENT OUT A SECOND RECALL LETTER TO DEALERS AND OWNERS THAT THEY SHOULD GET TRUCKS SPRAYED FOR RUST WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED. WE ALSO CONTACTED TOYOTA USA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE TO THE "RECALL TEAM" AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE SECOND LETTER REGARDING SPRAYING FOR RUST AND THEY SAID NO.