NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
LOSS OF ACCELERATOR DUE TO BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/THROTTLE BODY. WHEN YOU EASE OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. THEN YOU HAVE TO "WORK" THE ACCELERATOR IN AND OUT UNTIL IT STARTS RESPONDING AGAIN. IT HAPPENS ON TAKE OFF OR ANYTIME YOU BACK OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS CUT OFF ON ME TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I ALMOST GOT HIT! IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AND I HAD TO TRY TO WORK MY WAY OVER WITH NO THROTTLE AND TRY NOT TO GET RUN OVER! IT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. TOYOTA DOESN'T SELL A NEW TPS FOR THIS VEHICLE NOW ( A $40 TO $50 PART)TOYOTA WILL BE HAPPY TO SELL ME A NEW THROTTLE BODY FOR $1400 AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. I THOUGHT MANUFACTURERS WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PARTS FOR THEIR VEHICLES.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER SUCH AS FUEL PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES IT PICK BACK UP HAPPENED TO MORE TIMES WITHIN 10 MI1NUTES IT DID NOT THROW A CODE BEEN CHECKING IT MAY RELATE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM
TOYOTA ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAMES OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THEM ADMITTING THAT THEY USED SUBSTANDARD METAL TO BUILD THE FRAME, THEREFORE, RESULTING IN ACCELERATED RUST AND CORROSION. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE, AND HAPPENED TO FIND OUT FROM A FRIEND THAT TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS. I TOOK THIS FRAME IN FOR AN EVALUATION ON 8/3/16 AND IT FAILED THE INSPECTION. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN GREAT CONDITION OTHER THAN THE FRAME, WHICH WAS TOYOTA'S FAULT AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TOYOTA OF MELBOURNE IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA, TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW FRAME, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR ANY PARTS THAT MAY BE NEEDED TO DO THE INSTALLATION WHICH WILL BE AROUND $2,500. I THINK THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BECAUSE TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE 2008, BOUGHT BACK OVER 800,000 OF THESE TRUCKS, AND NEVER NOTIFIED ME THAT I NEED TO GET THIS FRAME INSPECTED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY FOR A REPAIR, SO I WILL BE DRIVING AROUND WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BECAUSE TOYOTA REFUSES TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. THIS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, AND TOYOTA IS PUTTING THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AT RISK BY FORCING THEM TO PAY MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH FOR THE REPAIR. IN TODAY'S ECONOMY, NO ONE WHO IS DRIVING A 2003 VEHICLE CAN AFFORD A $2,500 REPAIR ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE! PLEAS WORK TO FORCE TOYOTA TO MAKE THIS A RECALL SO THAT NO DEATHS OCCUR WHEN THESE ROTTED FRAMES FALL OFF OF THESE TRUCKS WHILE THEY ARE BEING DRIVEN!
INTERMIDIOT LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONCE, FROM STANDING AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND FROM ACCELERATION. HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL PEDEL IS PRESSED FULLY AND OSSULATION WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON HWY. **NO WARNING CODES PRESENT**
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A BUMP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SUDDENLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
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.
4 CYLINDER ENGINE NEVER DIT FRAME RECALL IT'S SO DANGEROUS USE TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 I DO HAVE 3 KIDS AND DEALERS NOT HELP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
RUSTING OF THE FRAME TO THE POINT OF MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE 150,000 MILE SERVICE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT DISPENSED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND BRAKE POSITIONING VALVE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM RELATED TO THE FRAME, WHICH EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME PREMATURELY RUSTED WITH EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO THE POINT THAT THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA ON HIGHWAY 156 DOWNHILL TO HOLLISTER, CA I WAS GOING APPROX 65 MPH AND IT JUST JERKED BACK AND LOST POWER I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 40MPH NO HIGHER , THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED ON AND IT SEEMS I AM GETTING NO KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC ERROR OF WHAT COULD BE WRONG.
WENT TO HAVE MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME HAS RUST PRETTY MUCH ALONG THE WHOLE DRIVERS SIDE AND IT CAN'T BE INSPECTED
I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ARE BROKEN JUST AHEAD OF THE REAR AXLE. THE CAR REPAIR SHOP WHERE I TOOK IT SAID THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BREAK DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE AND THE BODY LOOKS NEW. THE VEHICLE IS USED FOR COMMUTING TO WORK AND OTHER "LIGHT DUTY". THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY POOR QUALITY FRAME AND I HAVE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON IT. REGRETTABLY THEY SHOW LITTLE CONCERN FOR THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD VULNERABLE TO FRAME BREAKAGE. MOREOVER, MOST PEOPLE DRIVING THOSE VEHICLES HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEIR VEHICLES COULD BREAK APART AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. JUST BECAUSE A RECALL ENDS (OFTEN PRIOR TO WHEN MANY WHO CAN ONLY AFFORD TO BUY USED VEHICLES ACQUIRE THEM) DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN FULLY RESOLVED. THIS REMAINS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS SIMPLY IGNORING (THEY TELL ME IT IS NO LONGER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY!!!). I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOTICED THE BREAKAGE WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE. OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INDEPENDENTLY PERFORMING REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE, CORROSION WAS NOTICED ON THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD BEEN SPRAYED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSION AGENT UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL BUT THEN STATED THAT THE VOLUNTARY RECALL WAS NEVER PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE CORROSION, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
THIS MORNING I TOOK MY LOW MILEAGE (58,926) 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA TO MY MECHANIC FOR A COUPLE OF SIMPLE REPAIRS. WHEN ROAD TESTING, HE DISCOVERED EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME. DURING THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL TWO YEARS AGO THE TOYOTA DEALER SLAPPED UNDERCOATING ON IT AND SAID NOTHING. THIS DANGEROUSLY EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
I'M TRYING TO SELL MY TACOMA. THE FRAME IS RUSTED. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHEN THE FRAME RECALL WAS SENT TO ME. THEY SPRAYED THE FRAME WITH A CORROSION RESISTANT TREATMENT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS HASN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND I WANT A NEW FRAME. I HAVE 134,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK. IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE THE SPARE TIRE BRACE IS RUSTED; THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME NOW. ACCORDING TO A LETTER FROM TOYOTA USA PRESIDENT, THEY ARE ALLOWING REPLACEMENT FRAMES UP TO 15 YEARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR SHOCKS MOUNTING BRACKET FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST THROUGH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH A FRACTURED FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
THE LEFT DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN FROM WHERE YOU GRIP IT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONERY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS ALSO ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS VEHICLE IS A FOUR DOOR PICK UP TRUCK.
FRAME RUST. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT MY 2003 TACOMA HAS A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THIS CASE WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS I HAD THIS SAME TRUCK IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER (RUST PROBLEM) AND THEY DID NOT MENTION OR CHECK THE FRAME TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE. MY SON WAS IN A SMALL FRONT END COLLISION AND THE ENTIRE FRAME BENT AND BUCKLED. HOW COULD THIS VEHCILE BE ALLOWED ON THE ROADS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
FRAME OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD A PROGRAM THAT ENDED IN 2011 THAT ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE. HAS END DATE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT A SUGGESTION BY TOYOTA. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE FRAME ROTTING AWAY THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS. TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED TO FAULTY FRAMES BY HAVING THE PROGRAM BUT NOW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
FRAME HAS RUSTED THRU BY THE LEAF SPRING AND OTHER PLACES. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL/CAMPAING THAT COVERS THE FRAME THRU 2018. BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACED FRAME BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDERCOATED DURING A SPECIFIC TIME....THEY WANT $10,000 FOR NEW FRAME.. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FULLY RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,000.
THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS PLUG BURNED UP I HAD TO REPLACE IT HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT WITH IN MONTHS AS DO TAIL LIGHTS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BULBS THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.AND REPLACED TAIL LIGHT BULBS TWICE IN SIX MONTHS
COMPLETE RUST WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE WAS A VOLUNITARY RECALL BY TOYOTA BUT I NEVER RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CAN BREAK IF HALF. THIS IS ALSO WHY THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIE HOLDER. BUT CAN NOT GET THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER FIXED WHAT TO THEY FIX IT TO A RUSTED UNDERCARRIAGE. I HAVE CALLED AND COMPLAINTED IN THE PAST.
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
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.
OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL LETTER REGARDING FRAME CORROSION RUST ISSUE IN 2009. BROUGHT TACOMA TO JAFFERIAN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA ON 6/20/09 WHERE THEY INSPECTED TACOMA AND SAID IT PASSED FRAME INSPECTION. BROUGHT TRUCK TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE CHECK WHO SAID THAT THE BACK END OF THE FRAME WAS TOTALLY CORRODED BY RUST AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED JAFFERIAN TOYOTA WHO WE PURCHASED TRUCK FROM AND ASKED IF THEY COULD REPAIR THE FRAME AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE TRUCK SPRAYED FOR RUST. APPARENTLY TOYOTA SENT OUT A SECOND RECALL LETTER TO DEALERS AND OWNERS THAT THEY SHOULD GET TRUCKS SPRAYED FOR RUST WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED. WE ALSO CONTACTED TOYOTA USA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE TO THE "RECALL TEAM" AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE SECOND LETTER REGARDING SPRAYING FOR RUST AND THEY SAID NO.
I AM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TOYOTA FRAME CORROSION RECALL. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT FALLS UNDER THIS WARRANTY AND MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NOW DEEMED UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEIR RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MY FRAME IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS. AT THE INITIAL TIME OF RECALL WE BROUGHT OUR TRUCK TO OUR LOCAL DEALER (GREENTREE)FOR A FRAME INSPECTION AND THEY ADVISED ME THE FRAME WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT THERE WAS NO PROCESS IN PLACE YET TO SPRAY THE FRAMES ...NOW MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND TOYOTA HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I WOULD LIKE SOME INFO ON HOW THIS MAJOR SAFETY RECALL CAN "EXPIRE" AND WANT TO EXPLORE MY OPTION FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THEIR ISSUE AND MY TRUCK THANK YOU *TR
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.
WHILE REPLACING SOME PARTS OF THE TRUCK (2003 TOYOTA TACOMA), THE EXHAUST AND SHOCKS, I NOTICED RUST HOLES ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR TIRES. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY AGREED TO INSPECT THE FRAME. WHEN THEY LOOKED UP THE VEHICLES VIN, THEY NOTICED THAT THE WARRANTEE HAD EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011. I HAD PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 AND HAD BY NO MEANS RECEIVED A LETTER OR ANY MEANS TO COMMUNICATE TO ME THAT THIS WARRANTEE WAS GOING TO EXPIRE. THE NOTICE THAT I HAD NOT RECEIVED WOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNERS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED/ SERVICED. DESPITE THIS, THE DEALERSHIP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE FRAME HOLES AND SEND A CLAIM TO TOYOTA. A WEEK LATER, THE DEALER CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTEE FOR UP TO 15 YEARS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM TOYOTA IN THE 7 MONTHS THAT I OWNED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS "WARRANTEE" HAD EXPIRED, TOYOTA SAID, "SORRY, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO". REALLY? SO BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN FLAWS, AND THE FACT THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICES, AND NOW MY TRUCKS FRAME IS ROTTING, IT IS MY FAULT? WHAT ADDRESS DID THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ON FILE IN 2011? WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE?
THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE SEAT HEADREST IS COMING THROUGH THE CLOTH. THERE IS NO PADDING BETWEEN THE METAL BAR AND YOUR HEAD. IN A CRASH YOU WOULD HIT THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE HEADREST WITH YOUR HEAD. OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM.
THERE IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WITH THE THROTTLE BODY WHERE HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHEN ACCELERATING WILL SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ACT AS THOUGH YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL - TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRUCK DID NOT ACCELERATE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD MY MECHANIC TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BEFORE LOOKING UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE, AND HE TRACED IT TO THE ACTUATOR IN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. RESEARCHING ONLINE AFTER DISCOVERING THIS, IT SEEMS THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2003/2004 TRUCKS WITH THIS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HYBRID. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BASED ON THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMS IN THE PAST. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STEERING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDDLETOWN TOYOTA LOCATED AT 634 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 (860) 347-7294. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FRAME HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. *BF IN MARCH 2019 IGNITION FAILED TOWED IT HOME. WHEN TOW TRUCK PICKED IT UP WE SAW BROKEN FRAME. WESTBROOK TOYOTA REPAIRED SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL (2016). *JB
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.
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.
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
2003 TACOMA FRAME IS EATING ITSELF AWAY DUE TO RUST CORROSION. TOYOTA'S "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" ENDED IN 2011, BUT DOES NOTHING TO DEAL WITH THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD. RECALL!
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
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
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 !!
SO IN DECEMBER I TOOK MY TACOMA TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REGULAR FRAME INSPECTION AFTER LEARNING UPON THE ISSUE. THE TRUCK IS IN ALMOST PERFECT CONDITION, SPOTLESS INSIDE AND OUT. THE FRAME FAILED INSPECTION, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. FIRST OFF, A SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO SEND ME OFF TO A FRIEND OF HIS WHO COULD "PATCH" UP THE FRAME SO THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION (GREAT IDEA, RIGHT?). TOYOTA HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL, BUT THE ONLY RENTAL THEY WOULD GIVE ME IS A COROLLA. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND BOUGHT THE TRUCK SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ROUGH WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK AS A RESULT OF BEING UNABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I AM LOOKING AT A DATE OF MID MARCH AT THE EARLIEST (MOST LIKELY LONGER) UNTIL I AM ABLE TO HAVE MY TRUCK BACK, DEPLETING THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF ME HAVING A TRUCK. I HAVE TRIED GETTING TOYOTA TO BUY THE TRUCK BACK. I LOVE MY TRUCK, AND I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DRIVE TOYOTA DUE TO THE WELL-KNOWN RELIABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SORT OF BAD LUCK INCIDENT, BUT CONSIDERING THAT RUST SPREADS, I ALREADY KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE TO COMBAT THE RUST CORROSION THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN DUE TO A FAULTY FRAME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ALREADY OCCURRING, CONSIDERING THAT IT IS NOT JUST THE FRAME THAT IS CORRODED, BUT ALSO THE BRAKE LINES. I AM NOT LOOKING IN ANY WAY TO CHEAT TOYOTA, I AM JUST ATTEMPTING TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE, AND I WORRY THAT SINCE THIS CORROSION HAS ALREADY STARTED, REPLACING THE FRAME IS ONLY PUTTING OFF THE ISSUE UNTIL IT BECOMES NOTICEABLE ON THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY HAVE TOYOTA BUY BACK A 2001-2004 MODEL TACOMA, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER FORCE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.