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?
2003 Toyota Tacoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
268 reports with mileage · 91 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
26 reportsI 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 …
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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. *TR
MY BEAUTIFUL 35,000$$$ TACOMA 4X4. IS RUSTED AND PERFORATED I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CAMPAIGN ?? I WENT TO GET TRUCK RUST PROOFED AND WAS INFORMED THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIES NEVER OFF ROAD , NO ACCIDENTS AND ALWAYS MAINTAINED I TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER WHO TOOK PICS TO SEND TO CORPORATE. I AL…
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MY BEAUTIFUL 35,000$$$ 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 !!
TL*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 VEHICL…
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TL*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.*JB
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 CON…
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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. *JB
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. *JB THE PROBLEM: IS THROTTLE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES ON 03 AND 04 TACOMAS. THE ACCELERATOR PETAL POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY HAS A SHAFT ONTO…
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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. *JB THE PROBLEM: IS THROTTLE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES ON 03 AND 04 TACOMAS. 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
Official recalls
312V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
Nov 23, 2012
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.
05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
May 17, 2005
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.
03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 19, 2003
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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