This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
During routine maintenance, my mechanic discovered the frame was completely shot, stating he was not even comfortable working under it! the rest of the truck is in reasonable condition, and it only has 111,000 miles on it. I called Toyota customer svc ctr, but they were unwilling to do anything to address the problem. I feel they were obviously aware of the issue, because the agent explained they had a "limited svc campaign" to add corrosion protection, but informed me that it had expired back on 7/31/2014. I was never notified of this campaign. The agent also stated that the vehicle frame was inspected back in 2012 (which happens to be the year I purchased it in, so I assume this was done just prior to my buying it), and passed stating there was "no" rust -- which is false! misled by many and sold faulty equipment that could have endangered or killed me and others, I am very upset and disappointed about this! researching the issue, I see that I am not alone in this, by far. So, basically, we've all thrown away many $1000's and can recover none of it, nor can we drive the vehicle without fearing it will, quite literally, fall apart!
Driving truck, only 86617 miles, heard drive train noise, pulled over, noticed frame rust through and truck bending down in middle beside the gas tank. Felt unsafe to drive, had vehicle towed to Toyota dealership. Arapahoe Toyota.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was rusted on the driver side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but did not assist. The failure mileage was 108,094.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of severe corrosion to the rear suspension of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe exhibited excessive rust and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received case numbers: 1075172502 and 1705192164. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 06/29/17 updated 08/03/2017
- Cookeville, TN, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the body and the frame of the vehicle were prematurely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was unable to pass inspection. The mechanic diagnosed that there were extensive holes, rust, and corrosion. The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in a recall and provided no solution. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 08/03/17
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was corrosion on the driver and passenger side of the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact spoke with an independent welding company who informed that they could weld the frame. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
2003 Tacoma. Took the vehicle in to be serviced and the technician pointed out that I have extensive frame corrosion and holes in the frame and that the car is dangerous and will not pass inspection. Car was stationary. Wtf?
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while working underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being repaired for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the subframe of the vehicle had several cracks located on both sides and the rear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was too damaged to repair and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
The frame on my 2003 Tacoma is rusting badly! the truck only has about 98K and im the second owner. I purchased the truck on 9/3/2011. The truck in getting to the point of being unsafe to drive. The mounting points for the leaf springs are almost completely rusted away. I have never received any type of notification from Toyota regarding the frame recall. I've had it looked at by my local Toyota dealer and they are telling me I don't qualify for assistance because no corrosion treatment has applied. The problem with that is, I was never notified! if I had been, then they would replace the frame free of charge. I've received at least three letters from Toyota for the spare tire holder rust issue, so they do know I own the truck and how to contact me. I've lived at the same location for 14 years! from what I've read, the corrosion treatment they allegedly offered didn't help anyway. I don't understand why some people were notified and other were not. There are plenty of people just like me driving these unsafe trucks. I have to wonder how many of those people are clueless about the danger they are putting them selves into, not to mention their families. At any moment you could loose total control...after the truck collapse in half after you hit a bump while driving on the highway. Im sure if someone looked hard enough they could find examples of these unsafe Tacoma causing serious and possibly fatal accidents. They already know its a problem. How else could they have won a lawsuit against the vender that supplied them with these frames. They sued, and won because these frames are defective. That settlement should have been contingent upon the ongoing inspections and repairs for everyone affected.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Emergency brakes needed replacement was told how underside of truck is corroding rusting badly removed my spare tire it was also badly rusting. I am the only owner of vehicle, also own highlander and Camry. Both not even close to looking like under what I have with truck ?
Frame recall for rust Toyota did undercoat the frame and it did not dry for several years now all the undercoat is falling off and the frame is rusting worse than when it originally was worked on I took it back and was told as long as there are no holes they will not fix the rustproofing.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact noticed corrosion around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 20 to 25 mph and exiting a ramp, the rear of the vehicle swayed to the left, then back to the right, and turned 360 degrees. The back end of the vehicle bobbled, flipped over, crashed into trees, and landed on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were sustained that required medical attention. The rear driver side tire was flat. The tire was replaced and the vehicle was driven home and parked. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
Toyota issued an extended warranty on the frames of this vehicle due to them admitting that they used substandard metal to build the frame, therefore, resulting in accelerated rust and corrosion. I was never notified that this was an issue, and happened to find out from a friend that Toyota extended the warranty because of this. I took this frame in for an evaluation on 8/3/16 and it failed the inspection. This vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it and is in great condition other than the frame, which was Toyota's fault and they need to be held accountable. The service department at Toyota of melbourne in melbourne, Florida, told me that they would install a new frame, but I would be responsible for paying for any parts that may be needed to do the installation which will be around $2,500. I think that this issue needs to be a recall because Toyota has known about this since 2008, bought back over 800,000 of these trucks, and never notified me that I need to get this frame inspected. I cannot afford to pay that much money for a repair, so I will be driving around with an unsafe vehicle, because Toyota refuses to make this a recall. This is their responsibility, and Toyota is putting the safety of drivers at risk by forcing them to pay more than the vehicle is worth for the repair. In today's economy, no one who is driving a 2003 vehicle can afford a $2,500 repair on an extended warranty issue! pleas work to force Toyota to make this a recall so that no deaths occur when these rotted frames fall off of these trucks while they are being driven!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lafayette, NY, USA