THE REAR BRAKE LINES THAT CONNECT OVER THE REAR AXLE RUSTED INTO AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN INTO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR TO THE BRAKES THE SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE BRAKE LINES BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO SEVER…
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THE REAR BRAKE LINES THAT CONNECT OVER THE REAR AXLE RUSTED INTO AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN INTO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR TO THE BRAKES THE SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE BRAKE LINES BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THAT IF PUT ON A LIFT THE FRAME WOULD FALL APART AND THE TRUCK WOULD BREAK IN HALF. THE SERVICE CENTER DETERMINED ALSO THE TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE RECORDS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE ON FILE WHERE THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION OF THE FRAME AND REPORTED THE TRUCK DID NOT HAVE A RUST ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE LETTERS I RECEIVED AND HEEDED THE WARNING TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED.
NHTSA ODI #11164154
156,500 miles · Dec 17, 2018
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED BY A MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED BY A MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON 12/17/18 REPRESENTATIVE STATED NOTIFCATION WAS MAILED W/O A RESPONSE. CONSUMER STATED NO NOTIFICATION WAS SENT, REPRESENTATIVE STATED SHE WOULD GET BACK TO THE CONSUMER ON 12/18/18 BUT NEVER DID.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11161942
69,700 miles · Dec 14, 2018
Structure
WE BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IN A PRIVATE SALE. UPON INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING DAY WE REALIZED THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST AND ACTUAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. MY FIANC AND I REACHED OUT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHO REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH US. I CONTACTED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SEE IF I COULD OBTAIN SERVICE RECORDS AND I WAS ABLE…
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WE BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IN A PRIVATE SALE. UPON INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING DAY WE REALIZED THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST AND ACTUAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. MY FIANC AND I REACHED OUT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHO REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH US. I CONTACTED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SEE IF I COULD OBTAIN SERVICE RECORDS AND I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN THE RECORD WHERE THE IMAGES OF THE FRAME WAS SENT TO HEADQUARTERS FOR THE FRAME REPLACEMENT. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HE HAPPENED, THEY CONFIRMED A FRAME REPLACEMENT WAS APPROVED BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ISSUES WITH THE TITLE AND IT PUSHED IT OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY THE TIME IT WAS FIXED. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HONOR IT, THE REPRESENTATIVE ACTUALLY SAID 'YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT A VEHICLE THAT WAS SO OLD'. I WAS APPALLED. THEY OFFERED NO AID, NO DISCOUNT. ALL SHE SAID WAS THAT WE SHOULDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN IT'S CONDITION. MY FIANC HAS NO CHOICE AND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH HIS NEPHEW WHEN HE LOST THE BREAKS (DUE TO THE RUSTED DUST SHIELD SLICING THE BRAKE LINE) AND HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. NOW HE IS MISSING WORK BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE. I AM COMPLETELY BAFFLED BY TOYOTA AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE SPEND ALL OF OUR SAVINGS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD US TOO BAD.
NHTSA ODI #11161483
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2018
Structure
FRAME RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11151835
200,000 miles · Oct 20, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure
WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2015 AND WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS.WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FRAME RECALL WHEN IT BROKE.IT ALSO HAS 5 OTHER RECALLS WHICH WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ON THOSE EITHER SO WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THE FRAME RECALL AND THE FRAME WARRANTY HAD BOTH EXPIRED BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DIDN'T MAKE GOOD ON TH…
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WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2015 AND WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS.WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FRAME RECALL WHEN IT BROKE.IT ALSO HAS 5 OTHER RECALLS WHICH WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ON THOSE EITHER SO WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THE FRAME RECALL AND THE FRAME WARRANTY HAD BOTH EXPIRED BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DIDN'T MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALL LETTER HE RECEIVED BUT MAYBE HE NEVER RECEIVED ONE BECAUSE I KNOW WE NEVER DID ON ANY OF THE 6 RECALLS AND WE STILL HAVEN'T EVEN AFTER CALLING THEM.WE ARE STILL PAYING ALMOST $400 A MONTH AND STILL HAVE 13 PAYMENTS LEFT AND WE CANT EVEN DRIVE IT.I WOULD SAY IF TOYOTA NEVER SENT OUT THE LETTERS THEN THAT'S NOT OUR FAULT AND THEY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALLS AND FIX THEM INCLUDING THE FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH IS THEIR FAULT DUE TO A MAUFACTUIRING MESS UP.
NHTSA ODI #11141546
110,000 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #11141260
200,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Structure
WE BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IN 2015 AND IT APPARENTLY HAD A RECALL FOR THE FRAME IN 2014 BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT GET IT FIXED SO WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK WE CAN'T DRIVE AND WE STILL OWE 14 PAYMENTS ON IT.I CALLED TOYOTA AND APPARENTLY THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED IN APRIL AND WE'VE NEVER GOT A LETTER ABOUT ANY RECALL…
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WE BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA IN 2015 AND IT APPARENTLY HAD A RECALL FOR THE FRAME IN 2014 BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT GET IT FIXED SO WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK WE CAN'T DRIVE AND WE STILL OWE 14 PAYMENTS ON IT.I CALLED TOYOTA AND APPARENTLY THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED IN APRIL AND WE'VE NEVER GOT A LETTER ABOUT ANY RECALLS OR WARRANTYS SO WERE STUCK WITH A PIECE OF JUNK WE CAN'T DRIVE.SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA ODI #11119802
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2018
Structure
ROTTED FRAME AND NEVER RECEIVED VOLUNTARY NOTICE ABOUT THIS AND COMPANY IS NOT SUPPORTING THEIR VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION EXPLAINED THAT I NEVER RECEIVED IT THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED BY 23 DAYS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE CANNOT DRIVE IT I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FRAME WHEN IT WENT TO BE INSPECTED AND FAILED . HOW DID TOYOTA GET AWAY …
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ROTTED FRAME AND NEVER RECEIVED VOLUNTARY NOTICE ABOUT THIS AND COMPANY IS NOT SUPPORTING THEIR VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION EXPLAINED THAT I NEVER RECEIVED IT THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED BY 23 DAYS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE CANNOT DRIVE IT I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FRAME WHEN IT WENT TO BE INSPECTED AND FAILED . HOW DID TOYOTA GET AWAY WITH SELLING SUCH AN INFERIOR AND BEING ALLOWED TO BE DRIVEN ON OUR ROADS .I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD HELP I UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA TRUCK OWNERS ARE IN THE SITUATION . SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR
NHTSA ODI #11111635
100,000 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Structure
THIS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS RUST IN THE FRAME, THE STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. IN THE PHOTO THAT I ATTACHED YOU CAN SEE THAT THE REAR LEFT LEAF SPRING HAS PROTRUDED INTO THE FRAME. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS CURRENT RECALL PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE FRAME AND I BELIEVE THIS …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS RUST IN THE FRAME, THE STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. IN THE PHOTO THAT I ATTACHED YOU CAN SEE THAT THE REAR LEFT LEAF SPRING HAS PROTRUDED INTO THE FRAME. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS CURRENT RECALL PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE FRAME AND I BELIEVE THIS IS COMMON ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. A 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE STRUCTURAL ISSUES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED.
NHTSA ODI #11110020
130,000 miles · Mar 3, 2018
StructureSuspension
THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA HAS ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR, OVER 6" GAPING HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE SUSPENSION MOUNTS. THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE BOWED OVER AS WELL! I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS BY TOYOTA. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED AT 1ST THEN AQCCEPTED IT AT THE WHITBY TOYOTA DEALER. THE RESULTS …
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THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA HAS ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR, OVER 6" GAPING HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE SUSPENSION MOUNTS. THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE BOWED OVER AS WELL! I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS BY TOYOTA. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED AT 1ST THEN AQCCEPTED IT AT THE WHITBY TOYOTA DEALER. THE RESULTS WERE THAT TOYOTA WAS WILLING TO INSTALL AN UPGRADED SPARE TIRE CARRIER & NOTHING MORE!
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