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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
114,761 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Toyota Tacoma body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 6 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Apr 012010

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2003 Toyota with currently 77,197 miles was recalled multiple times for frame inspections for excessive rust and corrosion with the first time resulting in Toyota applying a corrosion-resistant treatment back on 6/25/2010. Unfortunately after inspecting my frame and undercarriage recently I noticed the corrosion and rust getting worse. I had my frame inspected at my dealership back in June of 2013 with the dealer stating the frame was in good condition. I currently restrict my driving to around town because I fear for myself and my families safety.

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #11

Mar 112013

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the entire frame, front bumper, and undercarriage were completely rusted from the front bumper to the rear. Two years prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed that there was surface rust on the vehicle. As a repair, the dealer applied an anti-rust coating onto the frame to prevent further damage. The repair did not prevent the frame from becoming completely rusted. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the frame was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 100,000.

- Richlands, VA, USA

problem #10

May 052009

Tacoma

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Connellsville, VA, USA

problem #9

Mar 012013

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was made aware that the under carriage was extremely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall expired. The contact stated that the manufacturer informed her that the letter was sent to the wrong mailing address and had become expired. The manufacturer refused to cover the recall repair expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Huntington Station, NY, USA

problem #8

Feb 012013

Tacoma

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic stated the frame was severely rusted and was perforated. The mechanic advised that the frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 96,000.

- Rockland, ME, USA

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problem #7

Dec 272012

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
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. 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.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 102007

Tacoma

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the failure was a manufacturing defect and offered no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance either. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Connelsville, PA, USA

problem #5

Jun 292012

Tacoma

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for routine maintenance. While at the dealer, the contact inquired about an unknown frame recall. The contact was informed that the recall did not apply to his vehicle. The manufacturer was then notifed and informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under a prior voluntary campaign for the frame, but the campaign expired. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.

- Arlinton , MA, USA

problem #4

Mar 272012

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Was driving and entering a freeway onramp when the door swung wide open after the latch failure. Had to secure a replacement (used) and found several others with the same problem. It obviously appears to be a common problem due to the latch being constructed from plastic. To me this constitutes a saftey issue.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 022012

Tacoma

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for an inspection and the dealer stated that the frame would need to be replaced due to corrosion. The dealer would not assist the contact with any repairs outside of the failure. The manufacturer was notified, but agreed with the dealer's decision. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 116,000.

- Rockster, NY, USA

problem #2

Nov 132003

Tacoma

  • miles
2 months after I bought 03 Tacoma double cab w/ only 3000 miles on it I noticed that around the bottom corners of both rear drs and the front bottom corners of the bed all the paint had come off on a fairly small section (but very noticable, even from a distance).the service writer that I was speaking to said their was a problem with the double cabs doing this. At this point the service manager came to us and told me that it was cuased from me not installing running boards on the vehicle. Next he said that he would have to get in contact with the regional manager and discuss it with him and have him take a look at the vehicle. At this time I had a scheduled appointment and all they did was go look at it in the parking lot real quick and no ro was made months went by and I still got no responce when I would call they said they had to wait for the regional manager to make it up here. Again months went by and still nothing. Called and got the same responce. Again months and I called and was told that the rm was going to be their on a certain date and they set me up an appt. But told me I would have to go to their body shop first to get a quote to fix it. I went to the body shop on the day of my appt. And got to deal with the manager himself while they did up the quote to repair the manager was telling me that they had repaired at least a dozen of these same vehicles with the same problem under factory warranty. He had said that due to the body configuration and the placement of the factory mud flaps that debris coming off the front tires wears off the paint causing it to rust and also ruins the fender flares which he later showed me. He also stated that all of these vehicles were doing this. Next I went to the appt. And the rm and service manager went to look at the vehicle and I was told to wait in the sitting area. They came back in about ten minutes later and the rm told me that it was due to enviromental conditions and it would not be covered under warranty.

- Littleton, NH, USA

problem #1

Jun 262003

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles
Pick-up roll over at 30mph due to unknown reason. Please investigate.

- Monterey Park, CA, USA

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