NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
181 reportsClear category filter168,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH A FRACTURED FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH A FRACTURED FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825415
150,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016
StructureCrash
FRAME RUST. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT MY 2003 TACOMA HAS A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THIS CASE WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS I HAD THIS SAME TRUCK IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON THE SPARE T…
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FRAME RUST. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT MY 2003 TACOMA HAS A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THIS CASE WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS I HAD THIS SAME TRUCK IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER (RUST PROBLEM) AND THEY DID NOT MENTION OR CHECK THE FRAME TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE. MY SON WAS IN A SMALL FRONT END COLLISION AND THE ENTIRE FRAME BENT AND BUCKLED. HOW COULD THIS VEHCILE BE ALLOWED ON THE ROADS.
NHTSA ODI #10824533
110,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10824149
131,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
NHTSA ODI #10821999
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2016
StructureTires
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 RE…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10714820
130,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10807779
204,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
NHTSA ODI #10794870
218,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790103
203,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790027
126,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10787310
Official recalls
3Nov 23, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
May 17, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
May 19, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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