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. 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…
ODI 10852284
Body
EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST THROUGH
ODI 10852887
Body
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.
ODI 10824149
Body
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.
ODI 10825415
Body
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.
ODI 10845849
Body
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.…
Crash reported
ODI 10824533
Body
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.
ODI 10821999
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
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.
ODI 10840117
Body
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.
ODI 10794870
Body
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.
ODI 10790027
Body
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.
ODI 10781066
Body
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…
ODI 10839122
Body
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…
ODI 10786128
Body
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.
ODI 10790103
Body · Engine · Ignition
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 [redacted], middletown, ct 06457 [redacted]. 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…
ODI 11207478
Body
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…
ODI 10712023
Body
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.
ODI 10759682
Body
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!
ODI 10845522
Body · Service Brakes · Suspension
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,…
ODI 10670536
Body
Tl* 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.
ODI 10807779
Body
I received a frame recall for our 2005 tacoma but not our 2003 tacoma. I checked with the local toyota dealership and they told me that the recalls for the 2003 have passed but they will replace the frame if i pay $2,900 out of pocket and they will cover the rest. I bought the truck used 18 months ago and did not receive a recall notice. I checked with the previous owner who advised that he did not receive one. I am…
ODI 10648647
Body
This truck is only 11 years old and the frame is rusted out. There is a hole about 12 inches long in the frame rail, on the right side, which caused my shock mount to break in the rear of the truck. I called toyota and they won't do anything about it. I told them i would never buy another toyota. This frame should last longer than 11 years. *tr
ODI 10614645
Body
In may 2014 while having my vehicle serviced by a mechanic he brought to my attention a serious and ongoing issue with the frame of my 2003 toyota tacoma. I am experiencing a serious material defect in the frame of this vehicle. The problem i am experiencing is not normal. I am referring to a complete breakdown of the frame. I contacted toyota in may 2014 to file a formal complaint. Toyota informed me that my…
ODI 10715011
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 94,650. The vin was not available.
ODI 10584944
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected by a private mechanic, it was found that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
ODI 10586528