2003 Toyota Tacoma Body Problems
- 98
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 98 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 36 records
- notified failure · 19 records
- frame rusted · 18 records
- failure failure · 15 records
- independent mechanic · 14 records
- approximate failure · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 31 |
| 150–400k mi | 28 |
| 60–100k mi | 17 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer being serviced at a dealer (cumberland toyota [redacted], cookeville, tn 3850[redacted]) where it was discovered that the frame was discovered to be rusted out. The dealer stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and advised that the manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer had extended the…
ODI 11299761
Body
On september 14 2019, i took my truck (2003 toyota tacoma) to jerry toyota dealer for a service. They found a crack on the frame of the truck and they told me it is unsafe to drive the truck, but they didn't offer any repair. I called toyota and they told me that the recalled for the frame was expired on 2018.
ODI 11256135
Body · Steering · Suspension
Power steering pump having issues i can fill it up to the full line and it will go down to half empty everytime i've done it therefore steering is very tight and difficult, the truck bed has huge holes rusted/corrosion completely through it on both sides, the spare tire mechanism is rusted so badly it doesn't work and half of it is missing due to rust/corrosion an has fallen off, and the frame broke completely in…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11252614
Body · Steering · Suspension
Was driving down the road and the frame broke completely in half on the drivers side an caused the drive shaft to fall out and when it did it bounced up and knocked a hole in the gas tank causing me to wreck.and the bed of the truck has huge holes rusted through them.
Crash reported
ODI 11270931
Body · Suspension
Bought the truck used, frame rusted, from cold weather state, heard lots of trucks did this, rust so bad afraid to drive it,everything else on truck good, from what i understand it's had 5 recalls, not one done by former owner, internet web site said frames were not coated right, factory defect, want toyota to fix issue as it's their fault this has happened, it's dangerous to drive.
ODI 11229210
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 35 mph, a noise emerged from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the rear frame was severely rusted on both sides. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,733.
ODI 11228898
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, it was discovered that the sub frame experienced extreme rusting. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.
ODI 11228645
Body
Frame rusted resulting in structure failure (auto basically broke in half), call toyota headquarters and they provided no assistance. Said the truck should have been sprayed. Bought the truck from a dealership and feel as though the dealership should have provided inspection and spray if necessary prior to selling auto.
ODI 11205722
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that he inspected underneath the vehicle and noticed that the frame was completely rusted. The contact called the darcars located at [redacted], rockville, md 20855 where it was informed that there was no recall for the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that an unknown recall for frame corrosion expired, and referred the…
ODI 11207598
Body · Wheel Bearing
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the rear frame was rusted and the passenger side wheel bearing detached. The hub for the wheel bearing was loose and deteriorated. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to rust and was taken to an independent mechanic who refused to service the vehicle because they did not have the correct certified parts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
ODI 11196517
Body · Suspension
Frame is rotten and broken, shocks ripped off of frame. Unsafe to drive and still need to use daily.
ODI 11208831
Body · Springs · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While driving various speeds, a popping noise was present from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the rear driver's side spring hanger was rusted and detached from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure…
ODI 11193289
Body
Frame rusting from the inside out caused frame of truck to snap in half when lifted with a hydraulic lift at the mechanic's shop
ODI 11171266
Body · Service Brakes · Structure · Suspension
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.…
ODI 11164154
Body · Frame And Members · Suspension
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…
ODI 11161942
Body
FRAME RECALL
ODI 11151835
Body
Frame is rusty and i am afraid that the part may break and cause injury or death to me or any other person in my vehicle.
ODI 11208388
Body
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…
ODI 11119802
Body
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…
ODI 11161483
Body · Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
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…
ODI 11141546
Body
The frame is totally rusted out, and the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I knew it had some rust issues before i purchased the truck, but i contacted toyota corporate to see if this vin was part of the recall in which toyota replaces the frame or buys back the truck. The rep i spoke to said that it was indeed in the recall and that, after i purchase i should take to local toyota dealership and if the frame has…
ODI 11073198
Body
I purchased a 2003 tacoma in april of 2016 from matthews motor company of covington, pa. Fast forward to 12/2017 and the frame now has a couple holes in it near the rear drivers side wheel where the gas tank attaches to the frame. There is a known issue with these trucks for the frames. Contacted toyota to have it addressed only to be told the campaign expired. The truck was inspected in 2011 (before i owned it)…
ODI 11055664
Body · Unknown Or Other
During routine maintenance, my mechanic discovered the frame was completely shot, stating he was not even comfortable working under it! The rest of the truck is in reasonable condition, and it only has 111,000 miles on it. I called toyota customer svc ctr, but they were unwilling to do anything to address the problem. I feel they were obviously aware of the issue, because the agent explained they had a "limited svc…
ODI 11034658
Body
I called the toyota customer experience hotline to inquire if my truck qualified for a frame rust protection coating or replacement under their 15 year extended warranty that was offered for 2001-2004 tacomas. I was told that my truck was "potentially eligible for frame repair" valid under the warranty until the end of 2017 and a case was opened. I was told i needed to take the truck into an authorized dealership…
ODI 11046891
Body
Driving truck, only 86617 miles, heard drive train noise, pulled over, noticed frame rust through and truck bending down in middle beside the gas tank. Felt unsafe to drive, had vehicle towed to toyota dealership. Arapahoe toyota.
ODI 11021585