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 the frame was rusted on the driver side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but did not assist. The failure mileage was 108,094.
ODI 11020056
Body
Frame of vehicle has corroded away causing fuel tank to fall off. This happened as i pulled into place of employment.
ODI 11010964
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the body and the frame of the vehicle were prematurely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was unable to pass inspection. The mechanic diagnosed that there were extensive holes, rust, and corrosion. The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in a recall and provided no solution. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be…
ODI 10985787
Body · Rear
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of severe corrosion to the rear suspension of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe exhibited excessive rust and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received…
ODI 10991240
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that there was corrosion on the driver and passenger side of the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact spoke with an independent welding company who informed that they could weld the frame. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
ODI 10984425
Body · Unknown Or Other
Frame rails, left and right side, exhibiting rust thru. Safety issue; frame failure in future.(very near).
ODI 10983722
Body
2003 tacoma. Took the vehicle in to be serviced and the technician pointed out that i have extensive frame corrosion and holes in the frame and that the car is dangerous and will not pass inspection. Car was stationary. Wtf?
ODI 10980268
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while working underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
ODI 10978747
Body
Extensive frame rust and rot has rendered the vehicle unsafe to operate. Vehicle has only 90k miles on it.
ODI 10954537
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was being repaired for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the subframe of the vehicle had several cracks located on both sides and the rear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was too damaged to repair and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10970770
Body · Steering · Suspension
The frame on my 2003 tacoma is rusting badly! The truck only has about 98k and im the second owner. I purchased the truck on 9/3/2011. The truck in getting to the point of being unsafe to drive. The mounting points for the leaf springs are almost completely rusted away. I have never received any type of notification from toyota regarding the frame recall. I've had it looked at by my local toyota dealer and they are…
ODI 10935167
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
ODI 10933820
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact noticed corrosion around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
ODI 10924814
Body
Emergency brakes needed replacement was told how underside of truck is corroding rusting badly removed my spare tire it was also badly rusting . I am the only owner of vehicle , also own highlander and camry . Both not even close to looking like under what i have with truck ?
ODI 10927545
Air Bags · Body · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 20 to 25 mph and exiting a ramp, the rear of the vehicle swayed to the left, then back to the right, and turned 360 degrees. The back end of the vehicle bobbled, flipped over, crashed into trees, and landed on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were sustained that required medical attention. The…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10909958
Body
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…
ODI 10894125
Body
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…
ODI 11110020
Body · Unknown Or Other
4 cylinder engine never dit frame recall it's so dangerous use toyota tacoma 2003 i do have 3 kids and dealers not help
ODI 10918903
Body
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.
ODI 10881315
Body
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.
ODI 10892500
Body
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
ODI 10865461
Body · Wheels
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…
ODI 10861185
Body
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…
ODI 10860931
Body
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…
ODI 10855427
Body
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…
ODI 10860075