10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
114,761 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #52

Jun 012016

Tacoma

  • miles
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.

- Colrain, MA, USA

problem #51

Jun 142016

Tacoma

  • 157,000 miles
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.

- Palmyra, PA, USA

problem #50

May 172016

Tacoma

  • miles
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

- Alton, NH, USA

problem #49

Apr 212016

Tacoma

  • 176,000 miles
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.

- Augusta, ME, USA

problem #48

Apr 212016

Tacoma

  • 185,000 miles
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.

- Lansing, NY, USA

problem #47

Mar 312016

Tacoma

  • 134,000 miles
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.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #46

Apr 142016

Tacoma

  • miles
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"

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #45

Mar 212016

Tacoma

  • 100,000 miles
Extensive frame rust through

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #44

Mar 292016

Tacoma

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #43

Jan 232016

Tacoma

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #42

Jan 142013

Tacoma

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The repair shop indicated that the rack and pinion was prematurely rusted to the point that it could fracture and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic indicated that the frame and undercarriage had extensive rust and corrosion, which also needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided no remedy. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires). The contact waited longer than two years for the part. The spare tire carrier was also prematurely rusted and could fracture. The part was unavailable to replace the spare tire carrier. The dealer and the manufacturer were unable to confirm when the recall repair would be completed. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Kerhonkson, NY, USA

problem #41

Mar 112015

Tacoma

  • 151,000 miles
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!

- Boone, NC, USA

problem #40

Dec 152015

Tacoma

  • 166,000 miles
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.

- Huntington Station, NY, USA

problem #39

Sep 182015

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
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

- New Milford, CT, USA

problem #38

Jan 272016

Tacoma

  • 168,000 miles
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.

- Deerpark, WI, USA

problem #37

Jan 202016

Tacoma

  • 150,000 miles
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.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #36

Jan 292016

Tacoma

  • 110,000 miles
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.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #35

Jan 082016

Tacoma

  • 131,000 miles
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.

- Highland Falls, NY, USA

problem #34

Nov 042014

Tacoma

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires) however, the mechanic stated that the vehicle could not be repaired due to the frame being corroded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- North Smithfield, RI, USA

problem #33

Nov 172015

Tacoma

  • 204,000 miles
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.

- Charleston, WV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »