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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2015
WHILE REPLACING SOME PARTS OF THE TRUCK (2003 TOYOTA TACOMA), THE EXHAUST AND SHOCKS, I NOTICED RUST HOLES ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR TIRES. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY AGREED TO INSPECT THE FRAME. WHEN THEY LOOKED UP THE VEHICLES VIN, THEY NOTICED THAT THE WARRANTEE HAD EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011. I HAD PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 AND HAD BY NO MEANS RECEIVED A LETTER OR ANY MEANS TO COMMUNICATE TO ME THAT THIS WARRANTEE WAS GOING TO EXPIRE. THE NOTICE THAT I HAD NOT RECEIVED WOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNERS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED/ SERVICED. DESPITE THIS, THE DEALERSHIP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE FRAME HOLES AND SEND A CLAIM TO TOYOTA. A WEEK LATER, THE DEALER CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTEE FOR UP TO 15 YEARS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM TOYOTA IN THE 7 MONTHS THAT I OWNED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS "WARRANTEE" HAD EXPIRED, TOYOTA SAID, "SORRY, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO". REALLY? SO BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN FLAWS, AND THE FACT THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICES, AND NOW MY TRUCKS FRAME IS ROTTING, IT IS MY FAULT? WHAT ADDRESS DID THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ON FILE IN 2011? WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE?
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2015
SPARE TIRE CARRIER PART #04002-11104 HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF RUST ON THE LIFT PLATE (CAMPAIGN #12V54200). THE LIFT CABLE (WHICH ATTACHES TO THE LIFT PLATE) IS CORRODED AND APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE STRANDS OF THE CABLE ARE BROKEN, MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO ATTACH THE SPARE TIRE TO IT. SHOULD THIS BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL?
Structure, Aug 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I MOVED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE NOSE PITCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR NEARLY ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO CONTINUE GETTING POWER TO THE ENGINE, BUT THE FIRST 2/3 OF THE PEDAL STROKE WERE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON A NUMBER OF TACOMA FORUMS. THE COST TO REPLACE WILL BE $1400 DOLLARS NEW OR $400 DOLLARS USED. I AM SKEPTICAL TO PURCHASE A REFURBISHED PART DUE TO THE KNOWN ISSUE WITH IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES IN 3.5 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO OCCUR IN COLDER WEATHER. TYPICALLY AFTER PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF FOR 30 SECONDS, THE ISSUE IS GONE. IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN.
Seats, Aug 10, 2015
THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE SEAT HEADREST IS COMING THROUGH THE CLOTH. THERE IS NO PADDING BETWEEN THE METAL BAR AND YOUR HEAD. IN A CRASH YOU WOULD HIT THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE HEADREST WITH YOUR HEAD. OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2015
THERE IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WITH THE THROTTLE BODY WHERE HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHEN ACCELERATING WILL SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ACT AS THOUGH YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL - TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRUCK DID NOT ACCELERATE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD MY MECHANIC TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BEFORE LOOKING UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE, AND HE TRACED IT TO THE ACTUATOR IN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. RESEARCHING ONLINE AFTER DISCOVERING THIS, IT SEEMS THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2003/2004 TRUCKS WITH THIS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HYBRID. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BASED ON THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMS IN THE PAST. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Suspension, Jul 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STEERING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 6, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ
Structure, May 6, 2015
IN MAY 2014 WHILE HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED BY A MECHANIC HE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION A SERIOUS AND ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE FRAME OF MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. I AM EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS NOT NORMAL. I AM REFERRING TO A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF THE FRAME. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN MAY 2014 TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT. TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR A DEFECTIVE FRAME BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I INFORMED TOYOTA THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL FROM THEM AND REQUESTED THEM TO MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALL AND REPLACE MY FRAME. THEY AGAIN REFUSED MY REQUEST. ON MAY 22, 2014 I TOOK MY TACOMA TO MOTOR WORLD TOYOTA FOR A FRAME INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION FOUND PERFORATION ON THE LEFT REAR FRAME BY THE LEAF SPRING. THE INSPECTION ALSO STATED DUE TO FRAME PERFORATION THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC THAT EXAMINED OUR TRUCK STATED THAT THEY WERE REPLACING FRAMES ON A LARGE AMOUNT OF TOYOTA VEHICLES DUE TO THE FRAME DEFECT. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD REPORT HIS FINDINGS TO TOYOTA AND CONTACT US. A FEW DAYS LATER THE MANAGER CONTACTED US ONLY TO INFORM US AGAIN CORPORATE TOYOTA AGAIN REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FRAME. IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR I AGAIN CONTACT CORPORATE TOYOTA(CASE#1503280111) BY PHONE AND EMAIL TO REQUEST THEM TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE FRAME ONLY TO BE REFUSED AGAIN. I AM ASKING FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER US. IT IS CRITICAL TO OUR FAMILY FOR TOYOTA TO HONOR THE RECALL ON THE FRAME OUR TRUCK. MY HUSBAND USES THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL TO FREQUENT MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. HE HAS BEEN TREATED SINCE APRIL 2012 FOR METASTATIC MALIGNANT MELANOMA. WE HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED WITH RADIATION, CHEMO, 3 SURGERIES AND FREQUENT APPOINTMENTS FOR CAT SCANS, PET SCANS ETC. WE DESPERATELY NEED THIS VEHICLE FOR CONTINUED TRANSPORTATION TO HIS MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. *TR
Structure, Apr 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A CLICKING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR CORROSIVE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Structure, Mar 13, 2015
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA, STARTED TO GET MY TRUCK READY TO GO TO WORK WHEN I FOUND A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME RIGHT WHERE LEAF SPRING BOLTS TO FRAME. FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING DRIVERS SIDE. FRAME APPEARS TO ALSO BE CRACKED IN AREA OF RUST. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY FRAME AND THAT THE RECALL WAS NOW OVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I EXPLAINED THAT I KNEW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MANY OF THE TACOMA FRAMES AND I HAD WATCHED MY MAIL FOR A RECALL NOTICE BUT NEVER RECEIVED ONE FOR MY TRUCK. THERE RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS SENT AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND COULD FIND NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR MY YEAR, I ALSO SEARCHED MY VIN ON THIS SITE AND NO FRAME RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY VIN INVOLVING THE FRAME. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK I CAN'T DRIVE AND HAVE NO WAY TO GET TO WORK WITHOUT GETTING A RIDE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH WEAR, STICKING PARKING BRAKE, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I ALSO FOUND OTHER STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE NOT BEING CONTACTED FOR THERE FRAMES WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA, SORRY YOU MISSED IT YOUR OUT OF LUCK. *TR
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 DR A FEW MONTHS AGO I'VE BEEN A TOYOTA OWNER FOR MORE THAN 6 YRS AS MY PREVIOUS TRK WAS ALSO A TACOMA THE BODY ON THIS TRK WAS SPOTLESS, NO RUST ANYWHERE, THE FRAME HAD SURFACE RUST BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK TOO BAD THE TRK NEEDED TIRES & A BULB FOR SAFETY. I FELT LIKE I HAD GOTTEN LUCKY TO GET A NICE DEPENDABLE TRK ON THE ROAD. WITHIN A MONTH I NOTICED THE TRK WAS RIDING ROUGHER. IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY. TACOMA DOESN'T HAVE GOOD SUSPENSION IN THE 1ST PLACE AS I HAD TO DO IT TWICE ON MY LAST TRK. THE TRK HAD SNOW BUILD UP FROM THE COLD WINTER WE WERE HAVING, SO I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH TO CLEAN IT UP BEFORE PUTTING `IT IN THE SHOP. WHILE WASHING IT I NOTICED SOME SCALE RUST CAME OFF UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR, I PULLED IT INTO THE SHOP OVER THE HOIST & WHILE SETTING THE LIFT ARMS I NOTICED A SUBSTANTIAL HOLE IN MY FRAME. I LIFTED THE TRK TO FIND A PIECE OF THE FRAME STARTING AT THE LT FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNT HAD ROTTED AROUND THE WELDED SEAM & DISINTEGRATED. THE HOLE WAS15" LONG & ANOTHER 8" HOLE ON THE RT REAR IN FRT OF THE SPRING SHACKLE. TOYOTA SAYS THEY WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE HANGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FRAME IS MY ISSUE AS I DID NOT HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED BACK IN 2010 TO EXTEND THE WARR. UNTIL 2017. I DID NOT OWN THE TRK UNTIL 2014. TOYOTA IS TRYING TO HIDE BEHIND A TECHNICALITY THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE NEW OWNER. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXCESSIVE RUST ISSUE AS THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD TO RE-CALL OVER 160.000 UNITS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THEY FAILED TO USE ADEQUATE RUST PROTECTION IN THE 1ST PLACE. THIS TRK & MANY OTHER TOYOTA TRKS ON THE ROAD ARE A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. THE WORLD NEEDS TO BE INFORMED OF TOYOTA NOT BACKING THEIR WARR. & TRYING TO KEEP THE HUSH HUSH ON THEIR RECALL FOR RUST PERFORATION. TOYOTA CREATED THE PROBLEM, TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 6, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE STOPED SPINNING FORCING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Structure, Feb 21, 2015
I LIVE IN NC AND I NOTICED THE FRAME OF MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUSH YOUR FINGERS THROUGH IT IN SOME SPOTS! I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN THE VIN NUMBER ON IT AND TOLD ME IT NO RECALL IS OUT ON THE FRAME. BUT I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES WHERE SOME 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED EITHER A NEW FRAME OR BEEN OFFERED BY DEALERSHIPS TO PURCHASE THE TRUCK BACK. MY QUESTION IS, THIS IS DIFFERENTLY A SAFETY HAZARD, AND FOR TOYOTA TO GO BY THE VIN NUMBERS OR STATE IN WHICH YOU LIVE IN. AND NOT THAT IT IS IN "FACT" STILL A TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 TRUCK WITH FRAME ROT, I FEEL IS A "DISCRIMINATING" OR A "DISCRIMINATION" ACT ON THERE PART. *TR
Suspension, Feb 10, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Jan 10, 2015
FRAME RUST CRACKED SUBURBAN TOYOTA HAS IMPOUNDED THE TRUCK STATED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Service brakes, Jan 6, 2015
SO IN DECEMBER I TOOK MY TACOMA TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REGULAR FRAME INSPECTION AFTER LEARNING UPON THE ISSUE. THE TRUCK IS IN ALMOST PERFECT CONDITION, SPOTLESS INSIDE AND OUT. THE FRAME FAILED INSPECTION, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. FIRST OFF, A SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO SEND ME OFF TO A FRIEND OF HIS WHO COULD "PATCH" UP THE FRAME SO THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION (GREAT IDEA, RIGHT?). TOYOTA HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL, BUT THE ONLY RENTAL THEY WOULD GIVE ME IS A COROLLA. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND BOUGHT THE TRUCK SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ROUGH WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK AS A RESULT OF BEING UNABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I AM LOOKING AT A DATE OF MID MARCH AT THE EARLIEST (MOST LIKELY LONGER) UNTIL I AM ABLE TO HAVE MY TRUCK BACK, DEPLETING THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF ME HAVING A TRUCK. I HAVE TRIED GETTING TOYOTA TO BUY THE TRUCK BACK. I LOVE MY TRUCK, AND I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DRIVE TOYOTA DUE TO THE WELL-KNOWN RELIABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SORT OF BAD LUCK INCIDENT, BUT CONSIDERING THAT RUST SPREADS, I ALREADY KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE TO COMBAT THE RUST CORROSION THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN DUE TO A FAULTY FRAME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ALREADY OCCURRING, CONSIDERING THAT IT IS NOT JUST THE FRAME THAT IS CORRODED, BUT ALSO THE BRAKE LINES. I AM NOT LOOKING IN ANY WAY TO CHEAT TOYOTA, I AM JUST ATTEMPTING TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE, AND I WORRY THAT SINCE THIS CORROSION HAS ALREADY STARTED, REPLACING THE FRAME IS ONLY PUTTING OFF THE ISSUE UNTIL IT BECOMES NOTICEABLE ON THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY HAVE TOYOTA BUY BACK A 2001-2004 MODEL TACOMA, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2015
MY BEAUTIFUL 35,000$$$ TACOMA 4X4. IS RUSTED AND PERFORATED I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CAMPAIGN ?? I WENT TO GET TRUCK RUST PROOFED AND WAS INFORMED THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIES NEVER OFF ROAD , NO ACCIDENTS AND ALWAYS MAINTAINED I TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER WHO TOOK PICS TO SEND TO CORPORATE. I ALSO HAD TO SIGN THE WORK ORDER THAT THE TRUCK IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE , I DID NOT WANT TO SIGN, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL AND HAVE IT REMOVED FROM THE ROAD LABEL UNFIT FOR ROAD, AND SENT ME ON MY WAY IN AN UNSAFE TRUCK WHICH CAN BUCKLE IN HALF AT ANYTIME I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF INSURANCE WILL COVER OF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. TOYOTA CORP KNOWS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL US TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. MANUFACTURER DEFECT FROM DANA CORP FRAMES PLEASE RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR WORSE. WAS ALWAYS A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER FOR 20 YEARS, MANY IN THE FAMILY AND THEY WON'T HELP PLEASE HELP US ALL !!
Air bags, Oct 29, 2014
DRIVING VERY SLOW ON A ROUGH TERRAIN LOGGING ROAD AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. *TR
Structure, Oct 19, 2014
I RECEIVED A FRAME RECALL FOR OUR 2005 TACOMA BUT NOT OUR 2003 TACOMA. I CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALLS FOR THE 2003 HAVE PASSED BUT THEY WILL REPLACE THE FRAME IF I PAY $2,900 OUT OF POCKET AND THEY WILL COVER THE REST. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED 18 MONTHS AGO AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. I CHECKED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHO ADVISED THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE ONE. I AM SUSPECT THAT THIS INFORMATION IS WRONG AND WILL BE CHECKING INTO IT WITH TOYOTA. THE FRAME IS BROKEN AT THE POINT WHERE THE REAR LEAF SPRING ROTTED TO THE POINT OF A DISCONNECT FROM THE FRAME. CARBONE TOYOTA INSPECTED IT AND ADVISED ME TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
Structure, Oct 9, 2014
HELLO I BOUGHT A USED 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IN MA A LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR AGO. TOYOTA HAS VOLUNTARILY RECALLED THE VEHICLE DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. MY TRUCK WAS TESTED AND THE FRAME FAILED. TOYOTA SAYS THEY WILL HONOR THE RECALL AND REPLACE MY FRAME FOR FREE. BUT, THEY HAVE NO FRAMES. I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A DELAY FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME, AND HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT MAY BE MANY MONTHS OR LONGER. HOW LONG DOES TOYOTA HAVE TO HONOR THIS RECALL LEGALLY BEFORE I HAVE SOME OTHER CONSUMER OPTION, SUCH AS VEHICLE REPLACEMENT? I FEEL DECEIVED, SINCE THIS TRUCK HAS BARELY BEEN DRIVEN, COST $16,000, AND IS NOW USELESS AND SITTING IN THE REPAIR SHOP INDEFINITELY, WITH NO ESTIMATED REPAIR DATE. TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THE DEALER SAY THEY "HAVE NO FURTHER INFORMATION". HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT INDEFINITELY? DO I HAVE ANY CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THIS CASE? THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CHIMING NOISE ACTIVATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,700.
Structure, Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT MOVEMENT AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAME AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ UPDATED 05/27/2015 *JS
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2014
THE BACK BRAKES ON MY TACOMA FROZE UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD OF BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. THE BRAKES FROZE UP CAUSING THE SKID AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SNAPPED. THERE WAS A NEW FRAME PUT ON UNDER A RECALL ALONG WITH THE CABLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF A POSSIBLE DEFECT CAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYONE HURT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED BACK. *TR