2003 TOYOTA Tacoma Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
368
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
STRUCTURE
129 complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear subframe of the vehicle was corroded and the subframe had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 260,000.
Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the rear sub frame on the driver's and passenger's side were corroded. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 345,000.
Nov 01, 2024
The frame rusted through and there are holes in the frame The frame broke while my wife was driving home from work. Had to get it towed to the house No No No, no symptoms
Oct 23, 2024
Hello I Just wanted to check if my vehicle was ever in a crash. 2/29/24 VIN. [XXX] 03 Toyota Tacoma 2WD 4 cyl. EMail is [XXX] Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 27, 2024
This truck was sprayed for frame rust at Kern Toyota Winchester, Va 10/07/2010 a problem Toyota was very aware of and tried to put a band-aid on a known issue that would rust out and not pass inspection or worse yet cause a terrible accident or cause harm to driver/passengers or other drivers. We have had another vehicle in the family by Toyota that they replaced the entire frame and now they state that is not true. However, we had a rental for over a month while they did replace entire frame for same issue. Now our above truck that is in wonderful shape nothing else wrong but frame that is rusted did not pass inspection requiring parts that need welded. So we have a good truck that only thing wrong is the issue Toyota knew they used faulty equipment/parts for.
Nov 02, 2023
+ 124 more complaints for this component
SUSPENSION
25 complaints
Prior to July, 2010, I received a letter from Toyota stating my Tacoma Frame was recalled. I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I set up an appointment with the Orleans Toyota dealer and set up an appointment. They gave me a loaner and had my truck for two weeks. I thought my frame had been replaced. All this time went by and now my frame is dangerously rusted. Last year I spent $2500 getting it spot welded. This year the mechanic says he may not be able to pass it next time. This provoked me to research all my bills for the truck. What I found was unbelievable to me. I never looked at my billing receipt from Orleans Toyota, but believed the frame was done. Not the case. They replaced the 83341 Spare Tire Carrier 5092 Wpt. Part=04002-11204. My Tacoma has 122,000 on it now. I’m [XXX]. I cannot afford a new car payment . From what I understand there are 100s of people with the same problem of seriously rusted frames. I need your help. Thank youL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Sep 10, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving over railroad tracks, the lower ball joint separated from its socket, which caused the CV axle shaft to break apart and led to the separation of the upper ball joint. As a result, the front driver's side tire folded under the fender, causing the truck to abruptly veer off the road and into the right shoulder All parts are available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the failure occurred, I was driving over a series of railroad tracks when the truck suddenly veered off the road onto the shoulder. This abrupt veering and stopping put my safety—and the safety of others—at risk, as the drivers behind me had to react suddenly to avoid a collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The truck was serviced in 2006 in response to the recall, having the lower ball joints replaced, however the replacement parts may have failed Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
May 08, 2025
FRAME IS RUSTING.
Oct 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING INTO A FUEL STATION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE TIRE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO TOYOTA OF WHITTIER (LOCATED AT 14577 E, WHITTIER BLVD, WHITTIER, CA 90605, (562) 222-5386). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2005. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1902250627. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
Feb 26, 2019
WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE OFF AT THE BALL JOINTS. THE TIRE FOLDED UNDER THE CHASSIS AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE ROAD SHOULDER.
Nov 04, 2018
+ 20 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
19 complaints
I was getting on the freeway when my truck either got hit by someone or it sped up without me pressing the gas causing me to spin and catch the bushes on the side of the on-ramp where I rolled and slammed my front end continuing to roll 3 times. I broke my back due to the airbag failure to deploy
Jun 30, 2024
I was getting on the freeway and was hit by another driver (who fled the scene and didn’t get caught) and my truck spun around 180 before catching bushes and rolling three times smashing my front end and almost collapsing my roof and my airbags failed to deploy as well as my seatbelt tensioner not tightening resulting in me breaking my back in three spots. I was going approximately 35-45 mph and the first roll from the top of the embankment dropped about 15 which is where the front end got smashed due to being front heavy and this is where I broke my back before continuing to roll
Jun 26, 2024
The local dealership Cloninger Ford /Toyota told me that I need to replace the airbag ECU and Pretensioner on drivers side. The cost estimate was $1,500.00. I have seen that Toyota has given recalls on other models for this defect. I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. I am submitting this complaint with hopes for my case to be considered. The airbag light cam on on my truck 2 months ago and Cloninger Toyota replaced the front seat belt assy. and erased dics. This cured the problem (light on) for a few weeks. Please consider this issue for recall further than you have at this point.
Jun 13, 2022
Truck crashed into rocks on shoulder and rolled over. Driver side Windshield and roof crushed. Air bag did not deploy. Sheriff took a report of crash.HI213530034 Greenspot road. Highland , CA. Vehicle is in possession of coparts authorized by USAA insurance
Dec 28, 2021
AT APPROXIMATELY 128K MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT GO OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE DRIVING, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN OBVIOUS CAUSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY GARAGED SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2003.
Sep 06, 2019
+ 14 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
18 complaints
The contact owned a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving up the driveway at 5 MPH and turning into the garage, the accelerator pedal was depressed but went down to the floorboard and became stuck. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into the fence gate and the corner of the neighbor's residence. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
May 05, 2023
LOSS OF ACCELERATOR DUE TO BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/THROTTLE BODY. WHEN YOU EASE OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. THEN YOU HAVE TO "WORK" THE ACCELERATOR IN AND OUT UNTIL IT STARTS RESPONDING AGAIN. IT HAPPENS ON TAKE OFF OR ANYTIME YOU BACK OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS CUT OFF ON ME TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I ALMOST GOT HIT! IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AND I HAD TO TRY TO WORK MY WAY OVER WITH NO THROTTLE AND TRY NOT TO GET RUN OVER! IT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. TOYOTA DOESN'T SELL A NEW TPS FOR THIS VEHICLE NOW ( A $40 TO $50 PART)TOYOTA WILL BE HAPPY TO SELL ME A NEW THROTTLE BODY FOR $1400 AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. I THOUGHT MANUFACTURERS WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PARTS FOR THEIR VEHICLES.
Aug 28, 2016
INTERMIDIOT LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONCE, FROM STANDING AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND FROM ACCELERATION. HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL PEDEL IS PRESSED FULLY AND OSSULATION WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON HWY. **NO WARNING CODES PRESENT**
Aug 01, 2016
THERE IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WITH THE THROTTLE BODY WHERE HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHEN ACCELERATING WILL SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ACT AS THOUGH YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL - TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRUCK DID NOT ACCELERATE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD MY MECHANIC TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BEFORE LOOKING UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE, AND HE TRACED IT TO THE ACTUATOR IN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. RESEARCHING ONLINE AFTER DISCOVERING THIS, IT SEEMS THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2003/2004 TRUCKS WITH THIS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HYBRID. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BASED ON THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMS IN THE PAST. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Jul 16, 2015
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003 AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS, BUT NOTHING YOU DON'T EXPECT WITH VEHICLES TODAY OR ANYTHING TOYOTA DID NOT EVENTUALLY FIX, UNTIL NOW. ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 THE TRUCK JUST LOST POWER AND STALLED ON ME. I WAS ALMOST NOT ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND OF COURSE THE PERSON BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED ME AND WAS HIGHLY AGITATED I HAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND APPEARED TO BE DRIVING LIKE A TEENAGER LEARING TO DRIVE A MANUAL SHIFT TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD MAF SENSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS WHICH COST $400. THIS DID NOT FIX IT AND AFTER MUCH TRIAL AND ERROR AND RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND ONE OF IT'S SENSORS THAT CAN'T BE REPLACED. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO TOYOTA, THEY DISAGREED AND SAID THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE. IT IS FUNNY HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ARE HERE AND HOW MANY MORE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. MY LOCAL TOYOTA SPECIALIST (NOT THE DEALERSHIP), WHO I TRUST AND HAS SPENT A WEEK WITH MY TRUCK DRIVING IT AND TESTING IT AND STILL ONLY CHARGED ME $80, HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM, A BAD SENSOR AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF ABOUT $1,000 OR SO DEPENDING ON AVAILABLITY OF PARTS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 AND 2004 MODELS ONLY AND HAVE HEARD CLAIMS FROM TOYOTA MECHANICS "OFF THE RECORD" THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IT HAS COME TO THE POINT THAT I DON'T LET ANYONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVE THIS TRUCK BUT ME, IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. MY KIDS DON'T RIDE IN IT WITH ME EITHER BECAUSE IT COULD STALL AS I AM TRYING TO CROSS TRAFFIC AND THE RESULTS COULD BE DEADLY. PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY BECAUSE I CAN'T WAIT TO FIX THIS, BUT MAYBE, JUST MAYBE YOU CAN SAVE OTHERS THE MONEY AND POSSIBLY THEIR FAMILES LIVES! *TT
Aug 05, 2011
+ 13 more complaints for this component
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
16 complaints
While driving at both high speeds (highway) and local road speed limits, Toyota Tacoma's rear passenger side frame split completely in half. While performing maneuvers such as right turns, vehicle wobbled and I, driver, lost temporary control of vehicle. Upon further inspection, rear driver side frame also contains stress fractures which are symmetric to the rear passenger side of truck. Potential for accident has increased exponentially. Pictures provided. Brought evidence of clear safety hazard to local Metro Detroit dealership at 773 S Rochester Rd Unit B, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 on 04NOV25, and called Toyota Corporate on 05NOV25. Toyota Corporate neglected my concerns about safety hazard and potential harm to myself and family. Safety recall needs to be issued immediately. This issue stems from a well known recall from Toyota of Toyota Tacoma's, 1996-2004, which contained an OEM defect of excessive corrasion to the frames, causing premature failure of the frames due to excessive rust build up which impacts frame integrity and increases probability of failures such as observed in my case.
Nov 05, 2025
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle remained and was diagnosed that the rear frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was included in an unknown warranty extension; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 310,000.
Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the entire subframe of the vehicle was rusted due to severe corrosion. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available. The contact stated that there was an opportunity to have the frame of the vehicle coated but that make the corrosion worse. The contact feels as though the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Jul 15, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER?S AND PASSENGER?S SIDE REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR LEAF SPRING WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERLIN CITY TOYOTA OF PORTLAND LOCATED AT 191 RIVERSIDE ST, PORTLAND, ME 04103 (207) 618-6528, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.*DT 8/14/2020 EDIT BY [XXX]: I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THE TACOMA WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SEASHORE TACOMA DEALERSHIP IN NEW JERSEY BACK IN 2013 FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL AND THE FRAME RECALL WAS NEVER ADDRESSED OR BROUGHT UP TO ME WHILE MY TACOMA WAS THERE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT IN 2016 WHILE I WAS STATIONED IN ALASKA, I RECEIVED A POST CARD ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PROMPTLY CALLED THE NUMBER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY TACOMA. OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE PUT IT ON THE FERRY TO JUNEAU FOR THE INSPECTION. LASTLY, I HAVE OWNED THIS TACOMA SINCE 2009. IT AS BEEN STATIONED WITH ME FOR 4 YORK IN FL, 4 YORK IN NJ, 4 YORK IN SITES, AK AND 2 YEARS IN ME. IT ALSO PREVIOUSLY LIVED BETWEEN IN KY AND FL PRIOR TO ME. HAD I BEEN ASKED THE RIGHT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE TACOMA THEN I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE TOLD ME THE TRUCK WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Jul 24, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2003 TACOMA SECOND HAND BACK IN 2015 WHICH SERVES AS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE TO THIS DAY. AFTER RETURNING FROM A YEAR LONG DEPLOYMENT OVERSEAS, I HAD A FEW FRIENDS OVER ON 4JUN OF WHICH ONE WAS ADMIRING MY TRUCK UNTIL HE LOOKS UNDERNEATH AND NOTICES ALL THE FRAME RUST. HE ADVISES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON IT AND I SHOULD CONTACT MY TOYOTA DEALER TO GET IT SERVICED. FEELING DISTRAUGHT, I GO ONLINE AND LOOKUP RECALLS FOR MY CAR WHICH LED ME TO THE "FRAME RUST" SAFETY ISSUE ON A MANY TOYOTA MODELS TO INCLUDE MY OWN. THE ADVISEMENT SUGGESTS SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE FRAME RUSTING THROUGH DUE TO FACTORY NEGLIGENCE IN SUFFICIENTLY COATING WITH ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS. FURTHER RESEARCH IN OTHER FORUMS STATE OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS DESCRIBING IT AS FRAME RUST ALTOGETHER AND NOT JUST ON THE SPARE TIRE PLATE. ISSUES DESCRIBED INCLUDE THE ISSUE CAUSING THE LEAF SPRING TO SNAP AND THE FRAME ITSELF RUSTING THROUGH. INSPECTION OF MY TRUCK PROVES TRUE TO ALL ACCOUNTS DESCRIBED. I CONTACTED SERVCO TOYOTA IN HONOLULU, HI THE VERY NEXT DAY AND SPOKE TO A NICE LADY. I EXPLAINED HOW I BECAME THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SINCE 2015 AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL. SHE CHECKED MY VIN TO CONFIRM THAT I WAS AFFECTED BY IT, HOWEVER THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AS OF 2018 SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. SHE GAVE ME THE 1-800 NUMBER TO TOYOTA WHICH LED ME NOWHERE AND KEPT DIVERTING ME BACK TO SERVCO TOYOTA INSTEAD OF THEIR MAIN OFFICE..... WHAT FRUSTRATES ME THE MOST IS THAT TOYOTA PROVIDED ME NO NOTICE OR WARNING ABOUT THIS RECALL. SO HOW CAN I REACT TO SOMETHING I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF. SAFETY RECALLS SHOULD NEVER HAVE EXPIRATION DATES AS IT REMAINS A SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL ITS PROPERLY REMEDIED. *TR
Jun 06, 2020
+ 11 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
16 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A BUMP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SUDDENLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
Sep 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER FORCE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Aug 26, 2015
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE METAL ON THE REWARD SIDE OF THE RING GEAR HOUSING IS VERY THIN AND WILL RUST OUT AND BEGIN TO LEAK. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN GEAR OIL LEAKING THROUGH PINHOLES IN THE REAR AXLE ON TWO OTHER TOYOTA TRUCKS. THE THIN METAL AND LACK OF ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT ON THE AXLE HOUSING CREATES SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS. 1. EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS IF LEAK IS NOT DETECTED. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT IS A SEVERE FAILURE THAT LOCKS UP THE REAR WHEELS. 2. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE METAL IS WEAKENED DUE TO THE CORROSION AND CAN POSSIBLE CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BEND OR BREAK. AGAIN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. 3. POLLUTION. THE LEAKING GEAR OIL THROUGH THE RUSTED AXLE HOUSING CAUSES POLLUTION OF GROUND WATER AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. *TT
Sep 28, 2011
RUST OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. ALL OF THE OIL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OUT. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. THE COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $ 1,000.00. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AS PER MANY TOYOTA FORUMS ON THE NET. TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BY THIS REPAIR AND WILL NOT ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEM ABOUT RUST.
Sep 06, 2011
ON JUNE 11,2010 I WAS CHANGING THE ANTI FREEZE IN MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA.THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING TO WARM ENGINE TO OPEN THERMOSTAT TO GET MORE COOLANT FROM THE LOWER BLOCK . WELL I DECIDE TO BOOST THE ENGINE SPEED BY MANUALLY MOVING THE THROTTLE .TO MY SURPRISE MY TRUCK LURCHED BACK BEFORE COMING TO A STOP I CHECK THE SHIFTER IT WAS STILL IN PARK .BUT A FURTHER EXAM THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR. I M' GOING TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE LINKAGE NEEDS ADJUSTMENT EVERYBODY I TALK WITH SAID IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO MOVE UNLESS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED FIRST. *TR
Jun 12, 2010
+ 11 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
14 complaints
The DARCARS Toyota dealership in Rckville, MD has refused to repair an outstanding safety recall issue for my 2003 Toyota PreRunner truck. I had received a recall notice from Toyota for my 2003 Toyota PreRunner. On July 21, 2023, I arrived for my 7:30 a.m. appt at DARCARS to get the spare tire lift carrier repaired. Although it was still within the eligible recall period, a very annoyed service manager told me that DARCARS would not repair it. Although I had made the appt 1+ weeks earlier, he told me no repair parts had been ordered in preparation for repairing the hazard. After I insisted the safety recall issue created a dangerous hazard for me and other drivers since the spare tire located underneath the truck might fall down onto the roadway while driving, he became angry and said the spare tire lift carriage must first be inspected (a 5-10 min inspection) to determine if corrosion on the lift was present. Since I had expected the dangerous part was going to be replaced, I agreed to the inspection. A Toyota service rep drove the truck to the service bays for an inspection. Although my appt was scheduled as the first day of the day, I waited over an hour with no response from the manager or the service rep. During this hour wait, I asked on at two occasions if the inspection was completed and was told "No" with no details provided. I finally walked outside to the back of the DARCARS dealership and discovered my truck had been sitting in a parking lot. No no one had bothered to inspect it. Due to the attitude of the DARCARS service manager, service rep, lack of communication, and the failure to have ordered any parts to repair the safety hazard, it became obvious that DARCARS had no intention of correcting the safety hazard. They intended to stall and make receiving the recall repairs as difficult as possible -- and requiring a second service visit. (Afterward, a non-Toyota mechanic performed a inspection and confirmed the lift carrier are severely corroded.)
Aug 16, 2023
I TOOK MY TACOMA FOR STATE INSPECTION AND THEY COULD NOT LIFT IT BECAUSE THE FRAME HAS A HOLE THROUGH IT AT THE FRONT MOUNTING POINT OF THE REAR SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HITTING A SEVER BUMP OR A POTHOLE COULD SNAP THE FRAME IN HALF. I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE FRAME, ONLY ON THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER. I'M NOT A COMPUTER EXPERT AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADD A PICTURE OF THE FRAME TO THIS DOCUMENT. I DO KNOW THAT I NEED THE TRUCK BUT I AM UNABLE TO GET IT INSPECTED TO DO SO. PLEASE HELP.
Sep 03, 2020
WE BOUGHT A TOYOTA TACOMA OFF A USED CAR LOT UNAWARE OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE TRUCK. WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A UNDRIVEABLE VEHICAL THAT IS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE FRAME. IT IS IN ARE YARD. WE STILL OWE 10.000 FOR IT AND BEING FORCED TO PAY INSURANCE FOR A VEHICAL IM NOT EVEN ABLE TO USE.
Nov 21, 2019
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING EARLY MORNING 9/7/18. RETURNED HOME AND CALLED LOCAL MECHANIC, SUPREME AUTOMOTIVE. MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. CALLED LATER TO TELL ME FRAME RUST WAS TOO BAD TO REMOVE CERTAIN BOLTS TO TEST EXHAUST SENSORS. UNABLE TO CALCULATE A REPAIR ESTIMATE. SINCE I HAD SOME EXPERIENCE WITH A 1999 TACOMA THAT HAD EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST, WHICH TOYOTA RECALLED AND EVENTUALLY BOUGHT BACK, I DECIDED TO CALL TOYOTA BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY TACOMA HAD RESPONDED TO A 2009 CORROSION RECALL NOTICE. THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD BEEN TREATED. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM FOX TOYOTA IN SPRING 2011 AFTER MY 1999 WAS DEEMED UNSAFE. NONE OF THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE 2003 INDICATED EITHER THE RECALL OR THE TREATMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SO-CALLED SUBSEQUENT RECALL, OF WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED, EXPIRED 6/13/18. NOTIFICATION SUPPOSEDLY SHOULD HAVE REACHED ME THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DMV, EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK ORIGINATED IN MICHIGAN. HAD I RECEIVED NOTICE I WOULD HAVE RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY, AS I HAD WITH THE 1999 TACOMA.
Sep 10, 2018
MY TRUCK HAD A RECALL THAT EXPIRED OCT 2017 BUT I DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT IT TILL RECENT WHILE DOING SOME REPAIRS THE FRAME FROM THE CAB BACK IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS IN EXCEPTIONAL SHAPE BUT CANT FIX OR SELL I THINK THAT A DEADLINE ON SAFETY IS WRONG AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WHAT THE TRUCK IS WORTH
Aug 29, 2018
+ 9 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE,TIRES
10 complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V542000 (Tires) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair due to rust on the subframe, and the spare tire carrier needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000.
Nov 29, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE CHECK UP AT LITHIA TOYOTA OF REDDING (250 E. CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002, (530) 250-3207) THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THE SPARE TIRE HAD SEVERE CORROSION, AS WELL AS THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 450,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mar 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE WELDED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.
Apr 12, 2017
I HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 TOOK IT IN FOR A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE. TOLD THEM I HEARD OF RECALL OR SAFETY ISSUE ON THE FRAME, THEY SAID IT EXPIRED. LEFT THE TRUCK TO DO RECALL I TOOK IT IN FOR. THEY CALLED SAID COULDN'T DO THE RECALL I BROUGHT IT IN FOR BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SO BAD, AND THAT THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE I WAS STILL DRIVING THE TRUCK AND THAT IT REALLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I ASKED WHY THEY COULDN'T DO THE FRAME SINCE IT WAS RECALLED OR A SAFETY ISSUE, AGAIN THEY SAY IT WAS EXPIRED. I ASKED IF HE HAD KIDS, HE SAID YES. ASK HIM IF FORMULA WAS TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES BECAUSE OF RECALL, AND A MONTH LATER WAS PUT BACK ON BECAUSE THE RECALL EXPIRED WOULD YOU STILL BUY IT. HE SAID SORRY HE DOESN'T MAKE THE RULES. HOW DOES A RECALL EXPIRE AND IF IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT OR JUST A BAD PRODUCT THAT TOYOTA USED, WHY AREN'T THEY HELD ACCOUNTABLE? WENT ON LINE AND READ A FORUM AND THERE IS EVEN A CLASS ACTION SUITE ON THIS PROBLEM. AND ALSO EVEN AS OF TODAY TOYOTA IS STILL PRODUCING TOYOTA TACOMA WITH BAD FRAMES. I HAVE 7 GRANDCHILDREN WHO I HELP TO TAKE PLACES, NOW THEY ARE STRANDED AND MYSELF, BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIPS, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. PLEASE I'M ASKING TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. DESPERATE IN PHILADELPHIA. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT *TR
Nov 01, 2016
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME RUST RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE SPRING HANGER WAS RUSTED. IN SEPTEMBER 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO RUST WAS FOUND. IN JANUARY 2009, THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Jan 04, 2016
+ 5 more complaints for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10 complaints
WELL, I HAVE OWNED MY TOYOTA TACOMA 03' SINCE IT WAS NEW AND WAS AWARE OF SOME UNUSUAL PATTERNS OF INCREASED ENGINE REVVING FOR YEARS. I TOLD MY MECHANIC SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HE REALLY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS ACTING THAT WAY. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON WAS WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING WHILE I WENT INTO A GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE AND WAS ALERTED OF THE IDLING TO BE HIGHER THAN WHEN I WENT IN THE STORE. I WAS STARTLED BECAUSE IT WAS REVVING ON ITS OWN, HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL IT LEVELED OFF AT A BIT HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND FINALLY TO AVERAGE IDLING. IT WAS CREEPY. THIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MOSTLY WHEN I WOULD LEAVE THE CAR IDLING. ONLY 1 INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I WAS IDLING IN PARK AND IT BEGAN TO IDLE HIGHER BUT NOT AS I SHOULD NOTICE ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE REVVING INCREASED AND I SHUTTLED AHEAD TOWARDS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF MINE THE ENGINE SLOWED AGAIN. I WAS EXTREMELY TERRIFIED AT THAT MOMENT. NOTHING STRANGE OCCURRED THAT DAY AFTER THAT. I QUESTIONED IF I HAD PRESSED THE GAS OR IF MAYBE SOMETHING, SOMEHOW, I MIGHT HAVE OVER LOOKED, BUT I DECIDED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A STRANGE STICKING GOING ON IN THE ENGINE. I ALSO CONSIDERED IF IT WAS THE GAS PEDDLE PERHAPS, BUT I RULED THAT OUT AS, IT WOULD REV MOSTLY ON IDLES ON ITS OWN. *TR
Feb 25, 2010
LEAKY WATER PUMP DISCOVERED UPON ROUTINE CHANGE OF TIMING BELT ON 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD PRERUNNER. DISCOVERED COMPLETE LACK OF GASKET AND WOEFULLY INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF SEALANT APPARENTLY APPLIED AT FACTORY. (NO MORE THAN 1/8" WIDE AFTER COMPRESSION BETWEEN WATER PUMP HOUSING AND ENGINE BLOCK) ENGINE CONTINUALLY USED A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE AND OVER TIME HAD BUILT UP A SUBSTANTIAL VOLUME OF SLUDGE/CRUSTY COOLANT AROUND WATER PUMP HOUSING AND TIMING BELT (CRANKSHAFT) PULLEY. ALTHOUGH ABSENT IN THIS INSTANCE, THIS BUILD-UP HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK LOOSE AND FALL BETWEEN THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEY AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE TIMING BELT BREAKAGE. REPLACED BELT AND WATER PUMP. RE-MANUFACTURED WATER PUMP IS EQUIPPED WITH A GASKET. *TR
Jan 14, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TACOMA WHEN THE BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE TRUCK BECAME UNDRIVEABLE. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OFF I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN/SHEARED OFF. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR CONFIRMATION - THEY CONFIRMED. HAD INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOK AT IT TO DETERMINE IF RELATED TO ANY ACCIDENTS - NO RELATION. CALLED TOYOTA CORP AND THEY SAID THAT BOLT SHOULD NOT BREAK UNLESS UNDER EXTREME TORQUE OF DEFECT. MECHANIC, DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER ALL SAID THE SAME. THE BOLT IS MADE OUT OF CASE-HARDENED STEEL. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR WORK DONE TO THE TRUCK THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT!! DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING COST OF APPROX $4000 FOR SHORT BLOCK REPAIR. IF BOLT IS/WAS DEFECTIVE I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS THAT SHOULD FALL ON TOYOTA WHETHER OR NOT THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NEED THIS FIXED! *TR
Apr 01, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Sep 26, 2007
I BROUGHT THIS CAR AND IT WAS IN A ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP LIED TO ME BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT AL THE PARTS WERE GOING TO BE COVERED BY THE GUARANTEE. HOW EVER ALL THE PARTS WERE NOT COVERED AND I HAD TO PAY SOME OF THE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME. THE CAR ALSO LEAKS OIL BUT THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION. *JB
May 09, 2006
+ 5 more complaints for this component
TIRES
8 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES, SIZE 215/70/15. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED TEMPORARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Apr 07, 2014
I HAVE HAD 3 OUT OF 4 TIRES PURCHASED IN 9/08 DEVELOP LARGE "BUBBLES" AT THE RIM AND 1 ONE OF THEM WENT FLAT. THE OTHERS WERE NOTICED AND CHANGED AND ALL TIRES HAD TEARS IN THEM THAT WERE NOT VISIBLE WHEN THE TIRES WERE ON THE RIM. THE FIRST TIRE HAD AROUND 25000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT DEVELOPED A LARGE BUBBLE WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING. THE RECEIPT FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE TIRE SAID IT HAD A CUT IN IT. LAST WEEK ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER I HAD DRIVEN OVER 400 MILES AND THIS CAUSED ME TO INSPECT MY TIRES AND I NOTICED A "BUBBLE" THAT STARTED ON THE RIM OF ANOTHER TIRE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN I HAD TO BUY 2 NEW TIRES BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE TIRES HAD TEARS OR CUTS 1 1/2 - 3 INCHES LONG THAT WERE VISIBLE ONLY AFTER THE RIM WAS REMOVED. THESE TIRES HAD AROUND 40,000 MILES ON THEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE ORIGINAL TIRES FROM AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING OUT A RESOLUTION WITH THEM. THE 4TH TIRE HAS A "RIPPLE" IN IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE, NOT AROUND THE RIM, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT IS FROM SEPARATION AND IS NOT UNUSUAL. I AM ALSO ASKING THAT THEY REPLACE THAT TIRE FOR ME. I STILL HAVE THE LAST 2 TIRES BUT WILL HAVE TO GIVE THEM TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN WE WORK OUT A RESOLUTION. *TR
Jul 30, 2010
NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO EVENT. TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. CATASTROPHIC SIDEWALL FAILURE OF FRONT TIRE AT 65 MPH ON BUSY FREEWAY. TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED. ONE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY MISSING. TIRE RETAINED AS EVIDENCE BUT REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE. *NM
Aug 02, 2006
DT: CONTACT STATED THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND END UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR TIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WENT FLAT. THE TREAD FOR THE TWO FRONT TIRES IS SEPARATED AT THE SIDEWALL. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO URGED THE CONTACT TO SENT TO THEM THE TIRES. HE HAS NOT YET SENT THE TIRES TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Dec 08, 2005
WHILE ROTATING THE TIRES ON MY NEW 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA P/U FOR THE FIRST TIME (6,000 MILES), I NOTICED A BULDGE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR WANGLER HP P205/75R15) LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER(AUTO WORLD) CALLED GOODYEAR, THEY SAID NO WARRANTY, BUT THEY WILL SELL ME A REPLACEMENT TIRE AT THERE COST OF $97.00 (AS IF I'LL BUY ANOTHER GOODYEAR TIRE)! HOW MANY HAVE TO BE HURT OR INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE! OR ARE THEY FOLLOWING FIRESTONE / BRIDGESTONE'S LEAD..... *LA
Jun 15, 2004
+ 3 more complaints for this component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, RODENTS ATE THE FUEL LINE CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALEY TOYOTA OF ROANOKE (1530 COURTLAND RD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FUEL LINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE HOWEVER, THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Apr 09, 2021
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DECELERATED. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE CHOKE WAS STICKING AND I NEEDED TO HAVE AN UPPER ENGINE CLEANING. 10000 MILES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. NOW I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Dec 07, 2010
GASOLINE TANK BROKE LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AFTER CORROSION CAUSED FAILURE OF RETAINING STRAP/BRACKETS. FIRE DID NOT OCCUR, DRIVE SHAFT KEPT TANK FROM COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM VEHICLE. 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR CORROSION PROBLEMS IN APRIL 2010. *TR
Sep 24, 2010
TOYOTA TACOMA, 2003 ACCELERATION DROPS TO 25% INADVERTENTLY. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON SEVERAL OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA BULLETIN BOARDS YET TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR FAILS AND DROPS THE ACCELERATION TO 25% WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DOING 75 ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK! I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA WITH NO RESPONSE. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
Feb 09, 2010
SLOW FILL UP AT THE GAS PUMPS. THE TANK TAKES 10-12 MINUTES TO FILL. IT TAKES THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. PUMP WILL KEEP CLICKING OFF. THE PUMP HOSE HAS TO BE KEPT HALF TO THREE-QUARTERS OUT IN ORDER THAT THE GAS FLOW INTO THE TANK. *TR
Oct 19, 2009
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5 complaints
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION (APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM). THE ENGINE WILL NO LONGER OUTPUT POWER THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT I AM REQUESTING WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE THE ISSUE OCCURS, THE MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT IS ONLY 2000 RPM WITH THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED. THE ISSUE IS OCCASIONALLY RESOLVED BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE CODE PO120. THE CODE TRANSLATES TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE $60 SENSOR INDIVIDUALLY, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE $1,200 THROTTLE BODY THAT INCLUDES A NEW SENSOR.
Jan 09, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Apr 07, 2014
COVER FOR GAS TANK TOTALLY ROTTED OUT AND TANK IS EXPOSED. THIS VEHICLE HAS RECALL 9355 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T ALSO COVERED. LOOKS UNSAFE TO ME. *TR
May 02, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. *TR
Apr 26, 2013
THE FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE WHILE I WAS GROCERY SHOPPING. I HEARD THE TANK RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE ABLE, AND I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Jan 14, 2013
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaints
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 CAMPAIGN" TO ADD CORROSION PROTECTION, BUT INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD EXPIRED BACK ON 7/31/2014. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN. THE AGENT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS INSPECTED BACK IN 2012 (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE YEAR I PURCHASED IT IN, SO I ASSUME THIS WAS DONE JUST PRIOR TO MY BUYING IT), AND PASSED STATING THERE WAS "NO" RUST -- WHICH IS FALSE! MISLED BY MANY AND SOLD FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT COULD HAVE ENDANGERED OR KILLED ME AND OTHERS, I AM VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THIS! RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS, BY FAR. SO, BASICALLY, WE'VE ALL THROWN AWAY MANY $1000'S AND CAN RECOVER NONE OF IT, NOR CAN WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FEARING IT WILL, QUITE LITERALLY, FALL APART!
Oct 19, 2017
FRAME RAILS, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE, EXHIBITING RUST THRU. SAFETY ISSUE; FRAME FAILURE IN FUTURE.(VERY NEAR).
May 05, 2017
4 CYLINDER ENGINE NEVER DIT FRAME RECALL IT'S SO DANGEROUS USE TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 I DO HAVE 3 KIDS AND DEALERS NOT HELP
Oct 25, 2016
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THERE WERE 14 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS CHIPPING ON THE VEHICLE. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DECLINED ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 36,461. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD FRAME RUST. UPDATED 09/09/09.*JB
Jul 22, 2009
AFTER MY PURCHASE OF A NEW 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA PRE-RUNNER I QUICKLY DISCOVERED MY REAR CHROME BUMPER WAS RUSTING AT THE AREA WHERE THE LICENSE PLATE IS DISPLAYED. I TOOK MY NEW TRUCK TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA RECOGNIZED THIS WAS A PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM AND THAT I COULD CONTINUALLY USE A TYPE OF STEEL WOOL TO KEEP UP WITH THE RUST AS IT WAS HAPPENING. UNACCEPTABLE. *JB
Aug 24, 2006
SEATS
4 complaints
THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE SEAT HEADREST IS COMING THROUGH THE CLOTH. THERE IS NO PADDING BETWEEN THE METAL BAR AND YOUR HEAD. IN A CRASH YOU WOULD HIT THE METAL BAR INSIDE THE HEADREST WITH YOUR HEAD. OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM.
Aug 10, 2015
FOAM IN HEAD RESTRAINTS HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEEL BAR IS ONLY COVERED BY THE FABRIC OF THE HEAD RESTRAINT. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD. IF A PERSON IN A CAR ACCIDENT WAS TO HAVE THEIR HEAD HIT THE HEAD RESTRAINT, SERIOUS INJURY WOULD OCCUR BECAUSE OF THE EXPOSED STEEL BAR. *TR
Sep 11, 2013
THE FOAM INSIDE THE DRIVER'S HEAD REST HAS DETERIORATED SO A STEEL BAR IS COVERED BY ONLY FABRIC AND NO FOAM. IT CREATES A HAZARD BECAUSE IN CASE OF A REAR END CRASH, THE DRIVER'S HEAD WILL IMPACT A STEEL BAR INSTEAD OF A FOAM PAD. I CONTACTED TOYOTA. THEY CONSIDER IT OUT OF WARRANTY AND WANT ALMOST $500 FOR A NEW HEAD RESTRAINT. THIS IS LIKE SAYING THE SEATBELTS OR AIRBAGS DON'T HAVE TO WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *JS
May 02, 2012
THE FRONT SEATS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 XTRACAB ROCK ON THEIR TRACKS WHEN I DRIVE ON ROUGH SURFACES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY NEAREST DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD APPLY A SHIM IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE NOISE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE SHIMS WERE ALREADY INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURING, SO THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Feb 14, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CHIMING NOISE ACTIVATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,700.
Oct 03, 2014
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT FAILURE. *TR
Mar 03, 2010
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SEQUENTIAL FAILURE. THERE ARE TWO LIGHTS FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ONE FAILED AND THEN 1 MONTH LATER, THE OTHER LIGHT FAILED. *TR
Feb 24, 2009
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DRIVEN IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ULTIMATELY THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DEVELOPED INTO A FIRE THAT DAMAGED COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL AS CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGES. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN ITS POST FIRE CONDITION AWAITING REPAIR. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB, IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WAS AND IS UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTIES. AS OF YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY TOYOTA OR BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, BOTH TOYOTA AND THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAVE REPEATEDLY INSTRUCTED ME TO ABSORB THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY TURNING IT INTO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS THEN EXPOSES ME TO COSTS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, MAKES THE INSURANCE CARRIER RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERABLE BY WARRANTY AND DOES NOTHING TO ASSURE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS FOREVER CORRECTED TO PREVENT A RE-OCCURRENCE TO EITHER MYSELF OR TO OTHERS WHO MAY SUFFER THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB
Aug 01, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
4 complaints
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE PARKING BRAKE REMAINS ON AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HOPEFULLY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE FAULTY PARKING BRAKE. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TOYOTA TO FIX. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME FAULTY ITEM. ONE FAULTY PARKING BRAKE IS ONE TOO MANY. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPMENT WITH A FUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE. *TR
Dec 24, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WITH 26,560 MILES. THERE IS A CONTINUOUS FAILURE IN THE PARKING BRAKE (PREVIOUSLY CALLED EMERGENCY BRAKE). APPARENTLY, THE PARKING BRAKE DESIGN IS SUCH THAT IT "FREEZES UP" GIVING AN INDICATION ON THE DASH WITH THE "BRAKE LIGHT" ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED AND THEREBY GIVES A FALSE READING THAT THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED. HOWEVER, AS A REAL PROBLEM OCCURS THE DRIVERS ARE LULLED INTO A FALSE SECURITY THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT A WARNING BRAKE LIGHT IS LIT. WHEN A REAL PROBLEM OCCURS WITH THE BRAKES, INCLUDING THE ORDINARY BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE CAN BE A MORE SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SUCH AS CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE SHOES TO LOCK ONTO THE REAR DRUMS. MORE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON THIS PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.EHOW.COM/WAY_5649717_TACOMA-EMERGENCY-BRAKE-PROBLEMS.HTML TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THEIR 2005 AND 2006 TACOMA TRUCKS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT ANY EARLIER MODELS. THE DEALERS INDICATE THAT IT CAN BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $442.12. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN INVOLVE SAFETY AND BECAUSE TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME AND INDEED HAS RECALLED CERTAIN MODEL YEARS FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE A RECALL FOR ALL TACOMA TRUCKS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE COMPANY FIXING THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THUS FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INJURY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Feb 04, 2010
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA PARKING BRAKE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.*MR WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE BRAKE DID NOT COMPLETELY DISENGAGE AND COULD BE HEARD DRAGGING UNTIL IT KICKED OFF. OCCASIONALLY IT REFUSED TO RELEASE AND REQUIRED RE-APPLICATION BEFORE FINALLY RELEASING. WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT DID NOT ALWAYS HOLD THE VEHICLE EVEN ON A MODEST SLOPE SUCH AS THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY. *JB *NM
Dec 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE CABLE SNAPPED. ALSO, THE PIN FROZE CAUSING THE CABLE TO SNAP WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE PINS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE NEW PINS WOULD CONTINUE TO FREEZE AGAIN AND WOULD CONTINUOUSLY NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Oct 17, 2006
SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaints
THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND WAS NEVER ADDRESSED TO BE FIXED
Apr 03, 2021
BROUGHT TRUCK INTO BODY SHOP IN JUNE 2019 TO HAVE WORK DONE. THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME ON THE TRUCK WAS SEVERELY RUSTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THEY SAID IT MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN 2016 (ABOUT 2.5 YRS AGO) I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE FRAME INSPECTED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE. AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS OK. IN ADDITION THE TRUCK WAS AT THE DEALER IN 2018 FOR ANOTHER RECALL FOR LEAF SPRINGS. AT THIS TIME THEY REPLACED LEAF SPRINGS BUT DID NOT REPORT ANY PROBLEMS WITH FRAME RUST. THE ORIGINAL BODY SHOP AND MY LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST DAMAGE ON THE TRUCK INDICATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME AND WERE SURPRISED THAT IT HAD PASSED TOYOTA DEALER FRAME INSPECTION. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL LINE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT FOR FRAME REPLACEMENTS FOR MY TRUCK THE PROGRAM ENDED IN JANUARY 31 2019. SUBSEQUENTLY I TRIED TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THAT NATIONAL TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP. CLEARLY THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM (SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS) INDICATES THAT THE RUST DAMAGE WAS HAPPENING OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND TOYOTA WAS NEGLIGENT IN REPORTING THIS TO ME. TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING/REPLACING THE FRAME SINCE CLEARLY THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED LONG BEFORE THE JANUARY 31 2019 DATE AND I HAVE FOLLOWED UP ON ALL THE RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS TRUCK.
Jul 23, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 DR A FEW MONTHS AGO I'VE BEEN A TOYOTA OWNER FOR MORE THAN 6 YRS AS MY PREVIOUS TRK WAS ALSO A TACOMA THE BODY ON THIS TRK WAS SPOTLESS, NO RUST ANYWHERE, THE FRAME HAD SURFACE RUST BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK TOO BAD THE TRK NEEDED TIRES & A BULB FOR SAFETY. I FELT LIKE I HAD GOTTEN LUCKY TO GET A NICE DEPENDABLE TRK ON THE ROAD. WITHIN A MONTH I NOTICED THE TRK WAS RIDING ROUGHER. IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY. TACOMA DOESN'T HAVE GOOD SUSPENSION IN THE 1ST PLACE AS I HAD TO DO IT TWICE ON MY LAST TRK. THE TRK HAD SNOW BUILD UP FROM THE COLD WINTER WE WERE HAVING, SO I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH TO CLEAN IT UP BEFORE PUTTING `IT IN THE SHOP. WHILE WASHING IT I NOTICED SOME SCALE RUST CAME OFF UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR, I PULLED IT INTO THE SHOP OVER THE HOIST & WHILE SETTING THE LIFT ARMS I NOTICED A SUBSTANTIAL HOLE IN MY FRAME. I LIFTED THE TRK TO FIND A PIECE OF THE FRAME STARTING AT THE LT FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNT HAD ROTTED AROUND THE WELDED SEAM & DISINTEGRATED. THE HOLE WAS15" LONG & ANOTHER 8" HOLE ON THE RT REAR IN FRT OF THE SPRING SHACKLE. TOYOTA SAYS THEY WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE HANGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FRAME IS MY ISSUE AS I DID NOT HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED BACK IN 2010 TO EXTEND THE WARR. UNTIL 2017. I DID NOT OWN THE TRK UNTIL 2014. TOYOTA IS TRYING TO HIDE BEHIND A TECHNICALITY THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE NEW OWNER. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXCESSIVE RUST ISSUE AS THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD TO RE-CALL OVER 160.000 UNITS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THEY FAILED TO USE ADEQUATE RUST PROTECTION IN THE 1ST PLACE. THIS TRK & MANY OTHER TOYOTA TRKS ON THE ROAD ARE A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. THE WORLD NEEDS TO BE INFORMED OF TOYOTA NOT BACKING THEIR WARR. & TRYING TO KEEP THE HUSH HUSH ON THEIR RECALL FOR RUST PERFORATION. TOYOTA CREATED THE PROBLEM, TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mar 12, 2015
STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
3 complaints
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.
Oct 25, 2019
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 HALF ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AN CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO HANG ON THE GROUND AND IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK BEFORE I COULD GET THE TRUCK STOPPED, ALSO THE SUSPENSION ON THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME ON THE TOP UNDER THE BED JUST ATTACHED TO THE FRAME ON THE BOTTOM.
Aug 31, 2019
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 TELLING ME I DON'T QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE NO CORROSION TREATMENT HAS APPLIED. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED! IF I HAD BEEN, THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME FREE OF CHARGE. I'VE RECEIVED AT LEAST THREE LETTERS FROM TOYOTA FOR THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER RUST ISSUE, SO THEY DO KNOW I OWN THE TRUCK AND HOW TO CONTACT ME. I'VE LIVED AT THE SAME LOCATION FOR 14 YEARS! FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THE CORROSION TREATMENT THEY ALLEGEDLY OFFERED DIDN'T HELP ANYWAY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE WERE NOTIFIED AND OTHER WERE NOT. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME DRIVING THESE UNSAFE TRUCKS. I HAVE TO WONDER HOW MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE CLUELESS ABOUT THE DANGER THEY ARE PUTTING THEM SELVES INTO, NOT TO MENTION THEIR FAMILIES. AT ANY MOMENT YOU COULD LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL...AFTER THE TRUCK COLLAPSE IN HALF AFTER YOU HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IM SURE IF SOMEONE LOOKED HARD ENOUGH THEY COULD FIND EXAMPLES OF THESE UNSAFE TACOMAS CAUSING SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENTS. THEY ALREADY KNOW ITS A PROBLEM. HOW ELSE COULD THEY HAVE WON A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE VENDER THAT SUPPLIED THEM WITH THESE FRAMES. THEY SUED, AND WON BECAUSE THESE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE. THAT SETTLEMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTINGENT UPON THE ONGOING INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED. *TR
Dec 13, 2016
SEAT BELTS
3 complaints
SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. *TR
Feb 12, 2014
SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. *TR
Feb 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE FAILING AND WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THROUGH THE HOLDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Feb 28, 2013
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3 complaints
MY ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA KEEPS COMING ON. I SENT $1000 TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND THEN THE EVAP CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY'VE REPLACED MANY OF THESE ON TOYOTAS. *TR
Oct 01, 2008
MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 SR5 DOUBLE CAB 4X4 HAS A CONDITION WHERE THE THROTTLE CUTS OUT WHILE ACCELERATING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Jul 07, 2008
INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE - 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 2.7L AUTO, DOUBLE CAB, 55K MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL CHAIN SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED ERROR CODE PO511 - IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE (IACV). TOYOTA PARTS DEPARTMENT PRICES THIS PART AT $226 AND SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED $249 FOR LABOR (NOT INCLUDING TAX). VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND "ENGINE" SHOULD BE COVERED BY 6 YR/60K MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (TO HAVE OTHER RECALLS CORRECTED) WHO INDICATED A $90 FEE WAS REQUIRED JUST TO DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THE IACV WAS ONLY COVERED TO 3YR/36K AND THAT I SHOULD PAY DEALER FEE AND SEEK "FACTORY ASSISTANCE" FOR ANY COSTS TO REPAIR. I CONTEND THAT THIS TYPE OF A PART - NOT SERVICEABLE/MAINTAINABLE BY THE CUSTOMER, SHOULD BE GUARANTEED AGAINST FAILURE FOR MORE THAN ~50K MILES AND REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. *JB
Jul 14, 2006
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
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. THE SERVICE CENTER DETERMINED ALSO THE TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE RECORDS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE ON FILE WHERE THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION OF THE FRAME AND REPORTED THE TRUCK DID NOT HAVE A RUST ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE LETTERS I RECEIVED AND HEEDED THE WARNING TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED.
Dec 31, 2018
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, RIGHT?). TOYOTA HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL, BUT THE ONLY RENTAL THEY WOULD GIVE ME IS A COROLLA. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND BOUGHT THE TRUCK SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ROUGH WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK AS A RESULT OF BEING UNABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I AM LOOKING AT A DATE OF MID MARCH AT THE EARLIEST (MOST LIKELY LONGER) UNTIL I AM ABLE TO HAVE MY TRUCK BACK, DEPLETING THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF ME HAVING A TRUCK. I HAVE TRIED GETTING TOYOTA TO BUY THE TRUCK BACK. I LOVE MY TRUCK, AND I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DRIVE TOYOTA DUE TO THE WELL-KNOWN RELIABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SORT OF BAD LUCK INCIDENT, BUT CONSIDERING THAT RUST SPREADS, I ALREADY KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE TO COMBAT THE RUST CORROSION THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN DUE TO A FAULTY FRAME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ALREADY OCCURRING, CONSIDERING THAT IT IS NOT JUST THE FRAME THAT IS CORRODED, BUT ALSO THE BRAKE LINES. I AM NOT LOOKING IN ANY WAY TO CHEAT TOYOTA, I AM JUST ATTEMPTING TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE, AND I WORRY THAT SINCE THIS CORROSION HAS ALREADY STARTED, REPLACING THE FRAME IS ONLY PUTTING OFF THE ISSUE UNTIL IT BECOMES NOTICEABLE ON THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY HAVE TOYOTA BUY BACK A 2001-2004 MODEL TACOMA, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS.
Jan 06, 2015
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaints
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.
Nov 12, 2016
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.
Mar 06, 2016
STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT DISPENSED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND BRAKE POSITIONING VALVE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM RELATED TO THE FRAME, WHICH EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Jun 10, 2016
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 INTERIM FIX AND SUGGESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO REMOVE THE CORRODED FRAMES AND COMPONENTS AND REBUILD THE FRAME OR IT MAY POTENTIALLY FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND ADJUSTMENTS HAD TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,600.
Sep 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE STOPED SPINNING FORCING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Mar 06, 2015
THE BACK BRAKES ON MY TACOMA FROZE UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD OF BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. THE BRAKES FROZE UP CAUSING THE SKID AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SNAPPED. THERE WAS A NEW FRAME PUT ON UNDER A RECALL ALONG WITH THE CABLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF A POSSIBLE DEFECT CAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYONE HURT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED BACK. *TR
Sep 25, 2014
STEERING,SUSPENSION
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AXLE, POWER STEERING LINES AND OIL PAN WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CORROSION WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT CAUSED A FRACTURE ON THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRAME AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Mar 13, 2014
VERY LOOSE STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEM IS THE SLIP SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. OVER TIME THE LOVER SHAFT WEARS AND THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE AND SLOPPY. PROBLEM FIRST SHOWS UP AS LOOSENESS IN THE WHEEL AND EVENTUALLY TURNS INTO A CLUNK WHEN DRIVING OVER MINOR ROUGH ROADS. FROM TALKING TO MECHANICS AND OTHER TACOMA OWNERS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS. PROBLEMS INCLUDE DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. WANDERING AT ALL SPEEDS. MAJOR DIRECTION CHANGES WHEN BREAKING ON ALL ROADS. SMOOTH OR ROUGH. OVER ALL THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK ACTUALLY CHANGE LANES WHEN I HIT AN UNEXPECTED ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD AT APPOX 30 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DUE BECAUSE OF THE SLOP IN THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. I'M NOW FACED WITH SPENDING EVEN MORE MONEY TO REPLACE A STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Jun 12, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. IT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSE POWER AND HAVE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, ALMOST AS IF IT WAS HITTING AN ENGINE GOVERNOR. THE RPMS USUALLY DROP ANYWHERE FROM 200-500 AND THEN COMES BACK UP. THE POWER WOULD SLOWLY COME BACK AFTER KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE THROTTLE. IT CONSISTENTLY DOES IT AFTER ACCELERATING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION (USUALLY AROUND 25 MPH OR WHILE CRUISING (AROUND BOTH 45 MPH OR 75 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS DROP OF POWER OR LACK THEREOF IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION OR NEEDING QUICK ACCELERATION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR LATE MODEL TACOMAS. THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE ARE VERY COSTLY AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD. [XXX] REQUEST RESEARCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Nov 18, 2013
AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE SIGNIFICANT POWER. IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE. AFTER MY OWN INVESTIGATION, I LEARNED THAT TOYOTA HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY WITH THEIR 2003/2004 MODEL TACOMA'S. EVIDENTLY, THEIR ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THEIR THROTTLE BY WIRE DESIGN) FAILS. THIS CREATED A FEW SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATIONS FOR ME WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN NEEDED. AFTER REPORTING THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID DETERMINE THE APPS WAS AT FAULT. NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER OWNER'S IS READILY AVAILABLE VIA THE VARIOUS BULLETIN BOARDS ON THE WEB. COMPOUNDING THE ISSUE, IS THE FACT THAT THIS SENSOR CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1000 OR SO. TOYOTA INITIALLY RESPONDED THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE YET OTHERS HAVE REPORTED TO THEM PRIOR TO ME WHICH INDICATES EITHER THEY HAVE A VERY POOR PROCESS FOR LOGGING ISSUES OR ARE TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER RECALL. *JB
Sep 06, 2006
WHEELS
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED AS THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Sep 16, 2013
IN THE MONTH OF JUNE I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A REPUTABLE SERVICE CENTER FOR OUR STATES REQUIRED STATE SAFTY INSPECTION. DURING THIS INSPECTION THE TIRES MUST BE REMOVED FOR THE BRAKE INSPECTION. WHILE THE INSPECTER WAS PLACING THE TIRES BACK ONTO THE TRUCK, TWO OF THE WHEEL STUDS BROKE ON THE FRONT HUB. HE BROUGHT THEM IN TO SHOW ME THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST EVERY 2000 - 2003 TOYOTA PICKUP THEY WORK ON. HE EVEN SHOWED ME THAT THE STUD WASN'T CROSS THREADED AND REMOVED THE STUD FROM THE LUG NUT USING A PAIR OF PLIERS. THE STUD CAME RIGHT OUT WITH LITTLE PRESSURE. THE STUDS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW STUDS FROM A LOCALE AUTO PARTS STORE. THE OLD STUDS WERE THROWN IN THE TRASH.
Jul 08, 2005
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
VEHICLE LOSES POWER UNEXPECTEDLY AND IS INCONSISTENT. HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO ME AND MANY, MANY TIMES BY OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. A POORLY DESIGNED/ENGINEERED ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR APPEARS TO BE THE ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY ME MULTIPLE TIMES BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SERIOUS FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLE. MOST RECENTLY, I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS CONSCIOUS AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER TO THE OTHER LANE. SOMEONE WILL DIE FROM THESE PROBLEMS! THIS HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY MANY AT HTTP://WWW.TTORA.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=13283&HIGHLIGHT=APPS+FIX I ASK THAT THE NTHSA PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IT APPEARS MANY OF US, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. ONE MAY ARGUE THAT THIS IS AN 8 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SO NO REASON TO INVESTIGATE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR'S AND TOYOTA'S ATTENTION SINCE 2005. IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! PLEASE. *KB
Aug 01, 2011
CAR STALLS (GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND) WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN SLOWING TO A LOW SPEED AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SIDE AND IN THE REAR. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WITH TIRE MARKS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AND FLASHES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ACCELERATOR WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO GO YOU HEAR DINGING SOUNDS AND FEEL AND HEAR BUMPS AND GRINDING NOISES. 2 LIGHTS COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 1 READS VSC TRAC AND THE OTHER READS TRAC OFF. IF YOU STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP DOING IT. SOMETIMES THIS IS AFTER 1 RESTART AND SOMETIMES IT HAS TAKEN 5 AND 6. ON DAY IT WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RESTARTED AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Feb 15, 2003
STEERING
2 complaints
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH AT THAT TIME CAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A WALL AND TOTALING MY TRUCK. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *TR
Apr 25, 2010
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW AND WAS DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE LINE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND THE POWER STEERING SWITCH. THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND THE CONSUMER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK
Sep 08, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2 complaints
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM
Jan 08, 2007
DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS CLOSE WITH SAFETY LATCH UPON ENTERING OR EXITING. "NORMAL" SWING IS APPLIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. HAVE FOUND DOOR COMPLETELY ABLE TO BE OPENED, EVEN THOUGH I HAD LOCKED VEHICLE WITH REMOTE.*AK
Sep 09, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2 complaints
WHILE BRAKING 70 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE STALLED , AND THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mar 11, 2005
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS VIBRATION IF CONSUMER'S FOOT IS ON BRAKE PEDAL, AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DRIVER MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN A SECOND OR THIRD TIME TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
Mar 05, 2004
EQUIPMENT
2 complaints
PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA ON JUNE 4, 2003, AND PAID CASH IN FULL. THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) IN THE TRUCK WENT OUT. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COVINGTON PIKE THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND EACH TIME THEY FAILED TO REPAIR THE A/C. I INFORMED THE MANAGER ON DUTY THAT I WOULD BE GOING OUT OF TOWN FOR THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND WOULD NEED A LOANER TRUCK. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER THAT HE COULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY. I HAVE RECENTLY BEGAN NEW EMPLOYMENT AND, HAVING TO LEAVE WORK DUE TO THE INCOMPETENCE OF COVINGTON PIKE TOYOTA HAS LEFT A BAD IMPRESSION WITH MY NEW EMPLOYER. *AK
Aug 29, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WATER IS ON FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
Jun 02, 2003
STEERING,SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
I was driving home on March 10 2023 well out of no where my Toyota Tacoma something on the front end suspension broke it looks to me the recal that Toyota fixed before I even got the truck well sent me into 3 trees head on 55mph no airbag deployed I didn't have a chance to try and stop the vehicle I thought I was going to die I know the road I was on isn't the best shape I need help
May 09, 2023
STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
While driving, on the highway, the rear shock absorber support mount came loose, allowing the truck bed to come loose from the frame/chassis. Fortunately only the passenger side came loose, keeping the truck's bed attached to the rear of the truck I later found that this particular model has a problem with Frame rot which generated a Toyota bulletin. I bought the truck from Toyota, as a used truck in 2011, but received no notifications of this potentially hazardous vehicle. If the bed had come loose at highway speed, any vehicle following the 2003 Toyota Tacoma truck would have been severely damaged or potentially resulted in the death of the people in the cars following behind me and the truck. There was a Toyota bulletin issued previously which was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. The vehicle has been in Toyota shops regularly for inspections, maintenance and other repairs but the shop never mentioned anything about a "rusty" frame. Upon further research, I have found multiple Toyota Tacoma owners with similar issues with the frame. I believe Toyota knowingly manufactured and sold a defective product with serious potential safety issues. This vehicle either should be banned from the road for the safety of all drivers.
Jun 10, 2021
SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
ONCE YOU FASTEN THE SEAT BELT, IT TIGHTENS WITH ANY MOVENT AND RESTRAINS THE BODY TO THE POINT THAT DISABLES MOVEMENT OR EVEN BREATHING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE.
Mar 11, 2021
SUSPENSION,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
I NOTICED A SMALL HOLE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME JUST IN FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING AND NOW THE HOLE HAS GROWN TO THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. THERE IS ALSO QUITE ALOT OF RUST UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN PENNSYLVANIA. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION. SINCERELY,[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Feb 28, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
1 complaint
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 634 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 (860) 347-7294. 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 MARCH 2019 IGNITION FAILED TOWED IT HOME. WHEN TOW TRUCK PICKED IT UP WE SAW BROKEN FRAME. WESTBROOK TOYOTA REPAIRED SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL (2016). *JB
May 14, 2019
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION EXPLODED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FLEW UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LINE SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE MOVED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,661.
May 06, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
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 ON ANY OF THE 6 RECALLS AND WE STILL HAVEN'T EVEN AFTER CALLING THEM.WE ARE STILL PAYING ALMOST $400 A MONTH AND STILL HAVE 13 PAYMENTS LEFT AND WE CANT EVEN DRIVE IT.I WOULD SAY IF TOYOTA NEVER SENT OUT THE LETTERS THEN THAT'S NOT OUR FAULT AND THEY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALLS AND FIX THEM INCLUDING THE FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH IS THEIR FAULT DUE TO A MAUFACTUIRING MESS UP.
Oct 20, 2018
AIR BAGS,ENGINE
1 complaint
TAKATA RECALL: AIRBAG "WARNING" LIGHT ON DASHBOARD IS ON AND HAS BEEN SINCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK , ACCORDING TO THE SELLER. NOT SURE IF AIRBAG WOULD EVEN OPERATE (DOUBTFUL). ALSO, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON, SCANS KEEP SAYING IT IS AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM. VACUUM CANISTER, WIRING, OXYGEN SENSOR WERE REPLACED AND LIGHT WENT OFF TEMPORARILY, THEN STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH TRUCK RUNS FINE. DATE GIVEN BELOW IS DATE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, ONGOING PROBLEMS
Feb 23, 2018
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
1 complaint
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 REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Sep 27, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER SUCH AS FUEL PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES IT PICK BACK UP HAPPENED TO MORE TIMES WITHIN 10 MI1NUTES IT DID NOT THROW A CODE BEEN CHECKING IT MAY RELATE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM
Aug 20, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA ON HIGHWAY 156 DOWNHILL TO HOLLISTER, CA I WAS GOING APPROX 65 MPH AND IT JUST JERKED BACK AND LOST POWER I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 40MPH NO HIGHER , THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED ON AND IT SEEMS I AM GETTING NO KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC ERROR OF WHAT COULD BE WRONG.
Jun 03, 2016
STRUCTURE,WHEELS
1 complaint
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 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.
Apr 25, 2016
STEERING,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
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 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.
Mar 08, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS PLUG BURNED UP I HAD TO REPLACE IT HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT WITH IN MONTHS AS DO TAIL LIGHTS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BULBS THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.AND REPLACED TAIL LIGHT BULBS TWICE IN SIX MONTHS
Nov 17, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I MOVED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE NOSE PITCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR NEARLY ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO CONTINUE GETTING POWER TO THE ENGINE, BUT THE FIRST 2/3 OF THE PEDAL STROKE WERE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON A NUMBER OF TACOMA FORUMS. THE COST TO REPLACE WILL BE $1400 DOLLARS NEW OR $400 DOLLARS USED. I AM SKEPTICAL TO PURCHASE A REFURBISHED PART DUE TO THE KNOWN ISSUE WITH IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES IN 3.5 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO OCCUR IN COLDER WEATHER. TYPICALLY AFTER PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF FOR 30 SECONDS, THE ISSUE IS GONE. IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN.
Aug 17, 2015
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ
Jul 06, 2015
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
1 complaint
CAR STUMBLES/HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAVE SPENT TIME/MONEY TROUBLE SHOOTING THE PROBLEM/MAKING REPAIRS WITH NO AFFECT ON PROBLEM. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY TOYOTA PART # 22030-62020 (TOYOTA DATA PER VIN SHOWS THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE ON MY CAR). TOYOTA HAS A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY IF FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE (FOR A LIMITED TIME) EXCEPT PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE SHOP AND IT DOES NOT CAUSE ANY CODES. ON-LINE RESEARCH INDICATED PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TSP) OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (APPS) ON THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING. RESEARCH INDICATES TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THEY WILL REPLACE PART FREE IF PROVEN DEFECTIVE AND APPARENTLY HAS REDESIGNED THEIR THROTTLE BODY. ISSUE IS, MOST OF THE TIME THE DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP AND SINCE IT DOES NOT CAUSE A CODE THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED WITHOUT PROVING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN VEHICLES WITH AS LITTLE AS 30000 MILES TO OVER 250000 MILES PER ON-LINE RESEARCH. WHILE RIDING WITH ME THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN HAS SEEN AND FELT THE STUMBLE/HESITATION (RPM DROPS ABOUT 150 TO 250 RPM WHEN TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED FOR NO REASON) BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT IN THE SHOP OR IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THIS STUMBLING/HESITATION OCCURS EVERYTIME THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONGER THAN 20-30 MINUTES SINCE THE 1ST OCCURRENCE. TWICE IT HAS STUMBLE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET HIT BY AN ON COMING VEHICLE. THIS THROTTLE BODY IS A NON-SERVICEABLE PART AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED, PER THE DEALER IT IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AS A UNIT. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND TOYOTA REQUIRED TO REPLACE IT AT NO COST NOW INSTEAD OF ONLY WHEN IT FAILS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Jun 18, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE STUCK AT ABOVE NORMAL IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE TRAFFIC BUT THE IDLE WOULD NOT COME BACK TO NORMAL CURB IDLE. WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED AND THEY CAN ONLY GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE NOT BEEN SO GOOD. I HOPE TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND GOING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. *TR
Dec 12, 2013
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
COMING TO A STOP APPROX 2 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED VERY LOUDLY AND THE TRUCK SHOW FORWARD. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE TRUCK. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAMPSITE WE WERE AT AND HIT A TREE VERY HARD. THE ENGINE HOWEVER CONTINUED TO REV LOUDLY AND I SHIFTED TO PARK. WITH THE ENGINE STILL VERY LOUD AND THE WHEELS SPINNING I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE BY REMOVING THE KEY. *TR
Jul 30, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
I'M FILING THE COMPLIANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THESE OLDER FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES HAVE A FAULTY TPS THAT IS ONLY REPLACEABLE AS A WHOLE NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE COST ON THEM IS BETWEEN 700 TO 1000 DOLLARS. MY TACOMA DO HAVE A FAULTY TPS ON IT. I'M WAITING TO SAVE UP ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES THAT UPON PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC IT HAS ACTED UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU GET A VERY BAD HESITATION OR LACK OF ACCELERATION TO THE POINT OF ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE HESITATION HAS LASTED AS LONG AS 3 TO 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE THROTTLE WILL FINALLY RESPOND. THE CONDITION WILL ONLY HAPPEN DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WOULD LIKE THE SEE THIS LOOKED INTO AND OR RESOLVED. I WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE I WORK AT A DEALERSHIP AND GET THE PARTS AT COST. HOWEVER SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE UP THE COST FOR THE NEW PART. THANKS AGAIN SINCERELY!! *TR
Jun 18, 2013
STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
MY TRUCK WAS PART OF THE FRAME RECALL AND I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED IN 2010, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE OTHER RUSTED PARTS THAT WERE NOT "PART OF THE RECALL". FIRST THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT RUSTED OFF AND THE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. NEXT THE ENTIRE EXHAUST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT TOO HAD RUSTED OUT. LAST YEAR TO PASS INSPECTION I NEEDED TO PAY $1600.00 FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS YEAR I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND DESPITE 2 ATTEMPTS TO FIND THE PROBLEM (AND $200.00 LATER) THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THE SUSPICION IS THE GAS TANK IS RUSTED "AT THE TOP" AND WILL COST ME $1800.00 TO REPLACE. I JUST RECEIVED A "PRELIMINARY" RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT, I IMAGINE I WILL RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN A FEW YEARS FOR THE GAS TANK AS WELL. RIDICULOUS THAT ONLY SOME PARTS WERE RECALLED...AND RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE OTHERS... NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Mar 23, 2013
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
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 DEALER WILL NEED TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES THAT HAVE BEEN SET IN PLACE AND HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION THIS WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND UNSAFE OPERATION. MOST MECHANIC KNOW THAT A RUSTED AND SET BOLT THAT HAS NOT BEEN MOVED FOR 10 YEARS HAS A 50% CHANCE OF REMOVAL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE SUCH A "STUCK" BOLT THEY WILL NEED TO APPLY HEAT AND IMPACT AND MAY WEAKEN THE EXISTING PARTS, STEEL, AND BOLTS TO LOWER LEVELS OUT OF TOLERANCE THAT THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED ORIGINALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THIS SERVICE IS COMPLETED IN A LOCATION WITH OUT THE CONTROLS, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING THAT IS IN PLACE IN A FACTORY WHERE NEW VEHICLES ARE BUILT. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL BE ASSEMBLED, TESTED, AND INSPECTED ACCORDING THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES FOR A FACTORY PRODUCED VEHICLE. THIS LEADS TO UNCERTAINTY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE WITHIN THE INTENDED MANUFACTURES GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY, ROLL OVER PROTECTION, AND CRASH PERFORMANCE. I PROPOSE THAT A TOTAL FRAME RECALL AND REPLACEMENT (OR ANY LARGE INTEGRAL PART THAT WILL IMPACTED THE VEHICLE OPERATION) ON ANY VEHICLE SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY DESCRIBED. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THERE APPEARED TO BE AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BOOT THAT WAS NOT APPARENT PRIOR TO THE FRAME REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE.
Dec 27, 2012
SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 complaint
PURCHASED USED VEHICLE FROM PRIVATE SELLER. ON THE FIRST DAY OF USE, AFTER OBTAINING NEW TITLE, TAGS, INSURANCE COVERAGE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY SCHEDULED SERVICE W/ THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. UPON INSPECTION WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS THAT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE FOR FREE. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS. AFTER RECEIVING THE PARTS AND UPON START OF THE REPAIRS, I RECEIVED A PHONE INFORMING ME THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE IS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS GIVEN AN 800 PHONE NUMBER TO CALL AND DEAL DIRECTLY WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE. I AM PATIENTLY AWAITING FOR A RESPONSE. *TR
Nov 23, 2012
STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
I BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN DECEMBER 2011 WITH 81,841 MILES ON IT. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM TENNESSEE TO OREGON A LEAK IN THE OIL PAN APPEARED. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TO MY SURPRISE THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTING. THE LEAK WAS FROM THE OIL PAN THAT WAS CORRECTED BADLY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT FROM THERE TO MY HOME IN OREGON HAVING TO ADD ABOUT ONE QUART OF OIL. THE DISTANCE WAS ABOUT 700 MILES. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HE INFORMED ME THAT I HAD MAJOR RUST PROBLEMS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE GAS TANK SHIELD IS GONE DUE TO RUST. THE FRONT END SUSPENSION WAS SO RUSTY THEY COULDN,T GET SOME OF THE BOLTS OUT. THEY HAD TO REMOVE SOME OF THE FRONT END SUSPENSION TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN. BOTH FRONT BACKING PLATES FOR THE ROTORS WHERE RUSTED AWAY. NO ALIGNMENT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I HAD THE FRONT END REPLACE WITH GOOD USED PARTS AND WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO ALIGN THE VEHICLE THE FRONT TIE ROD BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE WHOLE FRAME ASSEMBLY IS VERY RUSTY. I FIND OUT NOW THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF FRAME WHICH I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN TENNESSEE IN DECEMBER OF 2011. THEY NEVER SAID A WORD TO ME ABOUT THE RUST PROBLEM. THEY DID A OIL CHANGE AND THEY ALSO REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SO THEY HAD TO BE AWARE OF THE RUST PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE A FIND OUT CAME FROM NEW YORK ORIGINALLY. THEY SAY THEY WILL HELP OUT WITH REPAIR COSTS SO FAR BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FRAME RUST. THIS DEALERSHIP WITHHELD VITAL INFORMATION FROM ME. TOYOTA OF AMERICA SAYS THE FRAME RECALL WAS VOLUNTARY AND HAS EXPIRED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Feb 05, 2012
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,TIRES
1 complaint
LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE COMPLAINT REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLID INTO HIS VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TIRES AND FRONT FENDER RATIO HAD A DESIGN DEFECT. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB..UPDATED 01/31/12..UPDATED 11/19/13 *BF
Aug 31, 2011
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER IS HAVING A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE DUE TO RUST, FRAME RUSTING, AND TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING. *KB
Jan 12, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
GAS TANK FELL OFF, TILL IT WAS 2 TO 3 INCHES OFF GROUND. *TR
Aug 25, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
SINCE ALL NEW VEHICLES AND PRIOR WERE STANDARDIZING PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS WHY IS IT THAT THE CLOUDING/HAZY HEADLIGHT IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE OR A REPLACEMENT ISSUE? YOU CAN USE THE RESTORATION KITS BUT AFTER SO MANY APPLICATIONS IT WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE. MY VEHICLE HAS STARTED WITH THE CLOUDING/HAZING AND I HAVE BEEN USING KITS BUT THE SYMPTOM STILL COMES BACK. WILL THIS BE ADDRESSED? *TR
Jul 05, 2010
SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD CREW CAB PICKUP I WOULD LIKE TO RELATE A RECENT EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH MY 2003 TOYOTA PICKUP. I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK THROUGH A PARKING LOT IN LARGO, MARYLAND ON JANUARY 29, 2009. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN IN THE FRONT END AND I CAME TO A STOP. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HAD DROPPED DOWN INTO THE WHEEL WELL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BY BOSWELL AUTO SERVICE OF WALDORF, MARYLAND NEAR WHERE I LIVE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE CASTLE NUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD COME OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT. THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SEPARATED AND AS A CONSEQUENCE FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN AS WELL. IN REVIEWING MY RECORDS I SAW THE RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT FOR MY TOYOTA. I HAD THIS RECALL WORK COMPLETED AT WALDORF TOYOTA ON DECEMBER 29, 2005. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED MY TRUCK. HE TOLD ME I SHOULD MAKE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AWARE OF THIS INCIDENT. IN HIS OPINION, THIS EVENT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IF THE BALL JOINT CASTLE NUT IS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. I TOOK THE INFORMATION TO WALDORF TOYOTA ON FEBRUARY 3, 2009. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER (MICHAEL PAVAN, 301-843-3700, [email protected]) AND A MAN I BELIEVE WAS A MECHANIC OR SERVICE SUPERVISOR. I SHOWED THEM PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE BROKEN BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REMNANTS OF THE COTTER PIN WERE STILL IN SO THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY HAD INSTALLED THE CASTLE NUT CORRECTLY. I LEFT THE BROKEN BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WITH THEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WOULD REPORT IT TO HIS REGIONAL MANAGER. *TR
Feb 05, 2009
SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP NOTICE FOR THE SUSPENSION, LOWER BALL JOINTS. HOWEVER, HE NEVER RECEIVED A PREVIOUS NOTICE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WAS UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE CONTACT'S HEAD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD, AND ALSO SUSTAINEDE BRUISING TO THE FACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CALL TOYOTA, AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT HR EVER REACH AND WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR. TOYOTA SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH ,AND HE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REASON THAT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WAS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE IMPACT. WHILE UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE RELATED RECALL WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WHILE HIS FAMILY MEMBER DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED THAT THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE FAILED TO MENTION THE RECALL THAT WAS EFFECTIVE A YEAR PRIOR WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500. *AK
Feb 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
I PURCHASED MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 IN MAY OF 2003 IN WHICH AS OF THIS DATE OF 12.29.06 MY TRUCK HAS 43K MILES ON IT AND IS IN EXCELLANT CONDITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS TRUCK AND STILL CAN NOT DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD TO PUT A BRANDNEW CRANKSHAFT KIT IN MY TRUCK DUE TO THE KEYWAY ON THE CRANKSHAFT SHEARING OFF RESULTING IN MY TRUCK SHUTTING DOWN. AFTER INSPECTING MY TRUCK BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THE KEY WAS NOT THERE AFTER IT HAD SHEARED OFF IN WHICH PARTS HAD MOVED FORWARD AND GROUND INTO THE METAL. AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT REPLACEMENT I CONTINUED TO HAVE MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, HARMONIC BALANCER, NEW FAN, OIL PUMP BECAUSE THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD OIL PRESSURE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR'S, RE-SETTING OF THE COMPUTER AND LABOR COST. I PICKED MY TRUCK UP ON A FRIDAY AFTER IT CAME BACK FROM HUNTERSVILLE, NC AT LAKE NORMAN TOYOTA IN WHICH THE TRUCK WAS HOOKED UP AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH BUT, THE TRUCK LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 PM IN WHICH I HAD TO HAVE A ROLL BACK PICK IT UP FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE LESS THAN 1K RPMS IN WHICH IT THEN FINALLY HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AS SOON AS I HEARD THIS DUE TO THE SOUNDS OF METAL RUBBING METAL. THE TRUCK IS NOW LOCATED AT LEATHERMAN AUTO LOCATED IN NEWTON, NC (828.465.5269) IN WHICH THE OWNER, SCOTT HAS NOT MADE ANY REPAIRS TO THIS TRUCK YET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON IN ALL FOUR INSTANCES AS WELL AS THE OIL LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS AND I THEN LOOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK DUE TO IT SHUTTING DOWN. I WAS ON I-40 TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH WHEN MY TRUCK STARTED JERKING AGAIN AND THEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING AGAIN AND HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE TRUCK TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK IS STALLING OUT IN WHICH I AM IN FEAR OF EITHER MYSELF OR ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS BECOMING INJURED OR POSSIBLY KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS INSTANCE.
Dec 29, 2006
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG VIBRATION WHEN MOTOR IS RUNNING. RETURNED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP DUE TO LOUD RATTLE IN DASH BOARD. DEALER INSPECTED AND REPORTED THAT A MAJORITY OF THE CLIPS HOLDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN PLACE WERE NOT THERE. DEALER ORDERED REPLACEMENT CLIPS AND DASHBOARD BOLTS AND REPAIR WAS MADE. IN OCTOBER 2003 RATTLE RETURNED AND A BOLT APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE INSPECTION TOOK PLACE. MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT SOMEONE HAD HIT THE DASHBOARD TO LOOSEN BOLTS, NOT THE CASE, YET NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR OR TIGHTEN EQUIPMENT WAS MADE. *NM
Dec 19, 2006
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA WOULD NOT STEER SAFELY. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW TIRES DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKES. *KB THE TOYOTA DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RIGHT AND LEFT BALL JOINT USELESS THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM
Sep 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON IN THE WINTER. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL THE TRUCK WARMS UP; THEN GOES OUT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO TOYOTA AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERIODICALLY COMING UP AND STAYING ON A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN THE WARM WEATHER. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY AGAIN COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. *JB
Sep 05, 2006
SUSPENSION,TIRES
1 complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON 12/27/05 WHERE THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTH LATER AND IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FRONT TIRES WERE BALANCE WHICH RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY OF STEERING DUE TO THE TIRES BECOMING WORN. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE WORN TIRES WERE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE IMPROPER ALIGNMENT PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ON 12/27/05. AFTER 3 DAYS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR TIRE ROTATION BECAUSE THE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING HAD WORSENED. THE ROTATION FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE HOWEVER AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE STEERING WORSENED. ON 6/26/06, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER FOR REALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE REALIGNMENT OF THE TIRES BEFORE THE ALIGNMENT, AFTER THE ALIGNMENT AND THE SPECIFIED RANGED. *NM
Jun 26, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1 complaint
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED APPARENTLY THIS OCCURS OFTEN TO OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN JUST OVER 3 YEARS FILING COMPLAINT TO SEE IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN THAT COULD LEAD TO LATER PROBLEMS COST $560 TO REPLACE. *JB
Jun 15, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES WEAR PREMATURELY. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED; ROTORS RESURFACED; AND STEERING KNUCKLE WERE ALL REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. CUSTOMER ALSO STATED THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS NOISY. A/C COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSOR CLUTCH WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. BUT NOT PROBLEM WAS FOUND BY THE DEALER. *TT
Mar 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSES. VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, HAS A ROUGH IDLE, AND A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE INTERMITTENT. *AK
Mar 10, 2004
TIRES,WHEELS
1 complaint
DRIVER REPLACED FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE . THREE STUDS BROKE WHILE CHECKING THE WHEEL DUE TO CORROSION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Oct 10, 2003
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER - COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL, WITHOUT WARNING OR UNUSUAL CAUSE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 25 MPH. TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND MEETS DESIGN INTENT. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDS SNOW TIRES. SNOW TIRES THAT MEET TOYOTA SPECS ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE.*JB
Feb 27, 2003
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma have?
The 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma currently has 368 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma?
The most common problems reported for the 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2003 TOYOTA Tacoma comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
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