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 · Underbody Shields
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being taken to a dealer for an oil change, the mechanic noticed that there was a rust hole that had rusted through the frame near the right rear passenger's side. The diagnosis was that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10619375
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was advised that the under carriage was extremely rusted. The mechanic stated that the entire frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 180,000.
ODI 10573204
Body
I noticed the rear skid plate is hanging on by only one side about to fall off due to rust on hardware/plate when driving in the highway plate wobbles up and down. It seems like it will fall while driving and cause a possible accident, or injury. *tr
ODI 10564451
Body · Suspension
The frame on my tacoma has rotted beyond repair, over 6" gaping holes in the main frame near the suspension mounts. The rear leaf springs are bowed over as well! I was never notified of any recalls by toyota. I contacted toyota to have it looked at. They refused at 1st then aqccepted it at the whitby toyota dealer. The results were that toyota was willing to install an upgraded spare tire carrier & nothing more!
ODI 11076028
Body
There was a recall on my truck for potential frame corrosion. I never received notification of this issue from toyota and didn't know about the problem until my mechanic warned me about frame rot. I brought my truck to a local toyota dealer and they confirmed that there was damage but informed me that i had missed the opportunity deadline for the repair. I have contacted their us corporate office and been given the…
ODI 10779422
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service under a nhtsa campaign i.d. 12v542000 (tires) however, the dealer could not remedy the recall due to excessive rust on the frame. The dealer advised that there was a previous recall for an undercoating spray to prevent frame rust. The contact stated that the vehicle received the treatment but it still…
ODI 10555292
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the entire frame, front bumper, and undercarriage were completely rusted from the front bumper to the rear. Two years prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed that there was surface rust on the vehicle. As a repair, the dealer applied an anti-rust coating onto the frame to prevent further damage. The repair…
ODI 10522789
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was made aware that the under carriage was extremely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall expired. The contact stated that the manufacturer informed her that the letter was sent to the wrong mailing address and had become expired. The…
ODI 10503942
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic stated the frame was severely rusted and was perforated. The mechanic advised that the frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 96,000.
ODI 10496519
Body · Steering
Tl* 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…
ODI 10845595
Body · Differential Unit · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Toyota has recalled my truck due to a rusted out frame. The toyota dealership has elected to replace my frame with a new frame. This large procedure has left me insecure about the outcome. This truck is now 10 years old and as soon as the start wrenching on all the system components to disassemble and re assemble my truck i am afraid that they shorten the life of existing components due to added wear and tear. The…
ODI 10490229
Body
Tl* the contact owns 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for routine maintenance. While at the dealer, the contact inquired about an unknown frame recall. The contact was informed that the recall did not apply to his vehicle. The manufacturer was then notifed and informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under a prior voluntary campaign for the frame, but…
ODI 10464727
Body · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact indicated that while having the emissions inspection performed, the technician noticed that there was extensive rust on the underbody, shields, welding, lower frame, upper frame and the sub-frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who indicated that the plate by the brakes was rusted. The technician welded the frames as an…
ODI 10632501
Body · Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the spare tire carrier and subframe was rusted. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v542000 (tires:temporary/emergency spare tire). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10587434
Body
Was driving and entering a freeway onramp when the door swung wide open after the latch failure. Had to secure a replacement (used) and found several others with the same problem. It obviously appears to be a common problem due to the latch being constructed from plastic. To me this constitutes a saftey issue. *tr
ODI 10453385
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for an inspection and the dealer stated that the frame would need to be replaced due to corrosion. The dealer would not assist the contact with any repairs outside of the failure. The manufacturer was notified, but agreed with the dealer's decision. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current…
ODI 10446244
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Frame recall for rust toyota did undercoat the frame and it did not dry for several years now all the undercoat is falling off and the frame is rusting worse than when it originally was worked on i took it back and was told as long as there are no holes they will not fix the rustproofing.
ODI 10925577
Body
My 2003 toyota with currently 77,197 miles was recalled multiple times for frame inspections for excessive rust and corrosion with the first time resulting in toyota applying a corrosion-resistant treatment back on 6/25/2010. Unfortunately after inspecting my frame and undercarriage recently i noticed the corrosion and rust getting worse. I had my frame inspected at my dealership back in june of 2013 with the dealer…
ODI 10548309
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle had excessive rust. The vehicle was repaired, but the details were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000. The vin was not available.
ODI 10787310
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.
ODI 10510490
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the failure was a manufacturing defect and offered no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance either. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.
ODI 10470543
Body
2 months after i bought 03 tacoma double cab w/ only 3000 miles on it i noticed that around the bottom corners of both rear drs and the front bottom corners of the bed all the paint had come off on a fairly small section (but very noticable, even from a distance).the service writer that i was speaking to said their was a problem with the double cabs doing this. At this point the service manager came to us and told…
ODI 10171500
Body
Pick-up roll over at 30mph due to unknown reason. Please investigate.*ak
1 injury
ODI 10028990