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1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
117,721 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 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Jun 292013

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 189,560 miles

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

During a recent safety inspection severe frame corrosion was found. The garage said that Toyota had a frame recall. When I spoke with Toyota America they said it had expired because I had not answered the recall notices. Wich inever recieved. I explained that I was the original owner at the same adress as the time of the purchase. They reviewed it again and the next day said they sent the required notification 5 times. But could not tell to what address they were sent.the final answer was I was no longer covered.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #8

Jun 262013

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
When I took the vehicle to the dealer to address a recall related to the spare tire support, they told me the vehicle frame was not safe and they would not work on the vehicle. There are numerous perforations in the frame due to excessive rust. I addressed with Toyota corporate and the factory representative validated the problem and acknowledged that it has been a problem on these vehicles but that Toyota and "the government" did not deem it necessary to put a recall on the problem. Meanwhile, they will not address the issue and indicated it is the customer.S responsibility for repair. The truck (normal blue book value approx $7-8K) is now unsafe to drive due to a faulty frame.

- Clifton, VA, USA

problem #7

Jun 082011

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the entire frame rusted. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall related to the structure; however, the recall expired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 6/17/13

- Manchester By The Sea, MA, USA

problem #6

Jan 162013

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 124,000 miles

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

My truck was part of the frame recall and I had the frame replaced in 2010, since then I have had to pay to replace other rusted parts that were not "part of the recall". first the spare tire mount rusted off and the tire fell out from under the truck while driving. Next the entire exhaust needed to be replaced as it too had rusted out. Last year to pass inspection I needed to pay $1600 for a catalytic converter. This year I cannot pass inspection as the check engine light is on and despite 2 attempts to find the problem (and $200 later) the light remains on. The suspicion is the gas tank is rusted "at the top" and will cost me $1800 to replace. I just received a "preliminary" recall for the spare tire mount, I imagine I will receive a recall notice in a few years for the gas tank as well. Ridiculous that only some parts were recalled...and ridiculous that I have to pay to replace the others... not to mention the inconvenience.

- Brester, MA, USA

problem #5

Nov 272012

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
My 2003 Toyota Tacoma with 105K miles was found during an inspection to have a rusted frame Toyota has admitted to the defect and refuses to correct I own and bought new a 2003 Toyota Tacoma from rockingham Toyota in salem, nh. I was just informed by my mechanic on 12/5/2012 that my truck would not pass mass state inspection due to a trouble code (check engine light) and most importantly that my frame was completely rusted through and that my Toyota truck was unsafe to drive. I personally verified this by crawling under my Toyota truck and poking my fingers through the frame. My Toyota Tacoma is ready to fold in half due to the extent of frame rust. After contacting Toyota in California (phone 800 331 4331) and discussing the safety issue with the assigned case manager [xxx], I was told that there was nothing that could be done to rectify this unsafe condition. I also contacted rockingham Toyota in salem, nh. And they would take no responsibility for this unsafe condition. They mentioned that the safety recall "program" had expired. Toyota corporate claims that I received seven recall notices regarding rusted frame issues. I never received any recall or notice from Toyota regarding the frame issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Haverhill, MA, USA

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problem #4

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 #3

Dec 042012

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 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 completely rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was serviced in 2010 for the same failure where the dealer applied a solution to the frame to prevent it from rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 140,000. Updated 07/02/13 updated 12/24/13

- Lake Como, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jan 122011

Tacoma

  • 88,841 miles
I bought a 2003 Toyota Tacoma from a Toyota dealer in December 2011 with 81,841 miles on it. Upon driving the vehicle from Tennessee to Oregon a leak in the oil pan appeared. I looked under the vehicle and to my surprise the whole undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely rusting. The leak was from the oil pan that was corrected badly. I was able to make it from there to my home in Oregon having to add about one quart of oil. The distance was about 700 miles. I took it to my local Toyota dealer and he informed me that I had major rust problems under the vehicle. The gas tank shield is gone due to rust. The front end suspension was so rusty they couldn, T get some of the bolts out. They had to remove some of the front end suspension to replace the oil pan. Both front backing plates for the rotors where rusted away. No alignment could be done because of the rust. I had the front end replace with good used parts and when they attempted to align the vehicle the front tie rod broke due to rust. The whole frame assembly is very rusty. I find out now that there was a voluntary recall of frame which I did not know about. This vehicle was bought from a Toyota dealer in Tennessee in December of 2011. They never said a word to me about the rust problem. They did a oil change and they also replaced the emergency brake cable so they had to be aware of the rust problem. The vehicle a find out came from New York originally. They say they will help out with repair costs so far but what about the frame rust. This dealership withheld vital information from me. Toyota of America says the frame recall was voluntary and has expired. I feel this is a safety problem that needs taken care of.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

problem #1

Sep 122010

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer is having a number of issues with the vehicle. Front drive shaft broke due to rust, frame rusting, and transmission cooler was leaking.

- Garrison, NY, USA

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