TL* 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 WA…
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TL* 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.
NHTSA ODI #10786128
210,000 miles · Oct 12, 2015
StructureSuspension
BOTH SIDES OF MY FRAME ARE RUSTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS . THE LEFT SIDE HAS A LARGE RUSTED CRACK WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS CONNECT TO THE FRAME. THE RIGHT SIDE HAS A ROASTED WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH THAT I CAN PUT MY HAND INSIDE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY SORRY BUT ALL THEIR CAMPAIGNS WERE EX…
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BOTH SIDES OF MY FRAME ARE RUSTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS . THE LEFT SIDE HAS A LARGE RUSTED CRACK WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS CONNECT TO THE FRAME. THE RIGHT SIDE HAS A ROASTED WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH THAT I CAN PUT MY HAND INSIDE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY SORRY BUT ALL THEIR CAMPAIGNS WERE EXPIRED AND THEY HAD TO TELL THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THE SAME THING. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE HARM AT ANY TIME. IF TOYOTA HAS TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO ME THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT . UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10781445
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2015
Structure
TL* 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 AWA…
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TL* 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.
NHTSA ODI #10781066
115,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Structure
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 OPPORTUNIT…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10779422
70,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Structure
TL* 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 W…
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TL* 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.
NHTSA ODI #10759682
194,324 miles · May 6, 2015
Structure
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. …
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715011
146,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Structure
TL* 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 …
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TL* 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.
NHTSA ODI #10712023
150,000 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Structure
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA, STARTED TO GET MY TRUCK READY TO GO TO WORK WHEN I FOUND A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME RIGHT WHERE LEAF SPRING BOLTS TO FRAME. FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING DRIVERS SIDE. FRAME APPEARS TO ALSO BE CRACKED IN AREA OF RUST. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY FRAME AND THAT THE RECALL WAS NOW …
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2003 TOYOTA TACOMA, STARTED TO GET MY TRUCK READY TO GO TO WORK WHEN I FOUND A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME RIGHT WHERE LEAF SPRING BOLTS TO FRAME. FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING DRIVERS SIDE. FRAME APPEARS TO ALSO BE CRACKED IN AREA OF RUST. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY FRAME AND THAT THE RECALL WAS NOW OVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I EXPLAINED THAT I KNEW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MANY OF THE TACOMA FRAMES AND I HAD WATCHED MY MAIL FOR A RECALL NOTICE BUT NEVER RECEIVED ONE FOR MY TRUCK. THERE RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS SENT AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND COULD FIND NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR MY YEAR, I ALSO SEARCHED MY VIN ON THIS SITE AND NO FRAME RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY VIN INVOLVING THE FRAME. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK I CAN'T DRIVE AND HAVE NO WAY TO GET TO WORK WITHOUT GETTING A RIDE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH WEAR, STICKING PARKING BRAKE, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I ALSO FOUND OTHER STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE NOT BEING CONTACTED FOR THERE FRAMES WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA, SORRY YOU MISSED IT YOUR OUT OF LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694080
118,000 miles · Feb 21, 2015
Structure
I LIVE IN NC AND I NOTICED THE FRAME OF MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUSH YOUR FINGERS THROUGH IT IN SOME SPOTS! I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN THE VIN NUMBER ON IT AND TOLD ME IT NO RECALL IS OUT ON THE FRAME. BUT I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES WHERE SOME 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA OWNERS HAVE REC…
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I LIVE IN NC AND I NOTICED THE FRAME OF MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUSH YOUR FINGERS THROUGH IT IN SOME SPOTS! I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN THE VIN NUMBER ON IT AND TOLD ME IT NO RECALL IS OUT ON THE FRAME. BUT I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES WHERE SOME 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED EITHER A NEW FRAME OR BEEN OFFERED BY DEALERSHIPS TO PURCHASE THE TRUCK BACK. MY QUESTION IS, THIS IS DIFFERENTLY A SAFETY HAZARD, AND FOR TOYOTA TO GO BY THE VIN NUMBERS OR STATE IN WHICH YOU LIVE IN. AND NOT THAT IT IS IN "FACT" STILL A TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 TRUCK WITH FRAME ROT, I FEEL IS A "DISCRIMINATING" OR A "DISCRIMINATION" ACT ON THERE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689748
75,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
Structure
FRAME RUST CRACKED SUBURBAN TOYOTA HAS IMPOUNDED THE TRUCK STATED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year