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1.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
156,858 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2003 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Aug 012009

Tacoma

  • 120,000 miles

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

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?

- West Monroe , LA, USA

problem #5

Mar 122015

Tacoma

  • 275,000 miles
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.

- Mitchell Ontario Canada N0k1n0, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 112014

Tacoma

  • 115,000 miles
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 !!

- Port Huron , MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 012009

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 36,461 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. There were 14 miles on the vehicle at the time of purchase. The contact stated that the paint was chipping on the vehicle. He filed a complaint with the manufacturer and they declined any liability for the failure. The current and failure mileages were less than 36,461. The vehicle also had frame rust. Updated 09/09/09.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 012003

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After my purchase of a new 2003 Toyota Tacoma pre-runner I quickly discovered my rear chrome bumper was rusting at the area where the license plate is displayed. I took my new truck to my local Toyota dealer and was told that Toyota recognized this was a problem but there was no recall issued on the problem and that I could continually use a type of steel wool to keep up with the rust as it was happening. Unacceptable.

- South Burlington, VT, USA

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problem #1

Mar 012005

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I have a 2003, Toyota Tacoma, V6, 4X4, trd package. I was driving down the freeway and every now and then it is like I took my foot off the gas but I didn't! if I step on it, it is fine. The problem: Is throttle by wire throttle bodies on 03 and 04 Tacoma. The accelerator petal position sensor assembly has a shaft onto which the lever for the accelerator cable is mounted with some return springs. This shaft also turns the potentiometer. This lever (a plastic piece) limits the travel of the assembly, so the highest and lowest resistances of the potentiometer are not encountered in the potentiometer. The problem is that the potentiometer can also turn in the assembly, loosing its reference to the arm and lever. Then the range of resistance that is possible can be changed. If it turns too far one way, the higher resistance will be such that there is not sufficient voltage sent to the ECU to indicate that the pedal has been depressed. Conversely, there is a point at the other end of the petitioner where the full voltage is applied and the ECU sees this as a failure and closes the throttle by releasing the throttle control motor's clutch. Nothing has been to done to solve this issue with Toyota or dealership. Mechanic can not replicated problem. Suggested I replace brand new throttle body which is about $600

- Fremont, CA, USA

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