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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Arecibo, PR, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact indicated that while having the emissions inspection performed, the technician noticed that there was extensive rust on the underbody, shields, welding, lower frame, upper frame and the sub-frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who indicated that the plate by the brakes was rusted. The technician welded the frames as an interim fix and suggested that the manufacturer needed to remove the corroded frames and components and rebuild the frame or it may potentially fracture. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and refused to provide any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. In addition, the contact indicated that the brake pedal was stuck and adjustments had to be made in order to release the pedal. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,600.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being taken to a dealer for an oil change, the mechanic noticed that there was a rust hole that had rusted through the frame near the right rear passenger's side. The diagnosis was that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 118,500. Updated 10/22/14
This truck is only 11 years old and the frame is rusted out. There is a hole about 12 inches long in the frame rail, on the right side, which caused my shock mount to break in the rear of the truck. I called Toyota and they won't do anything about it. I told them I would never buy another Toyota. This frame should last longer than 11 years.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the spare tire carrier and subframe was rusted. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V542000 (tires:temporary/emergency spare tire). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected by a private mechanic, it was found that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 94,650. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was advised that the under carriage was extremely rusted. The mechanic stated that the entire frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 180,000.
I noticed the rear skid plate is hanging on by only one side about to fall off due to rust on hardware/plate when driving in the highway plate wobbles up and down. It seems like it will fall while driving and cause a possible accident, or injury.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service under a NHTSA campaign I.D. 12V542000 (tires) however, the dealer could not remedy the recall due to excessive rust on the frame. The dealer advised that there was a previous recall for an undercoating spray to prevent frame rust. The contact stated that the vehicle received the treatment but it still did not prevent the frame rust, which the dealer stated would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manistique, MI, USA