IllustrationFRAME 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.
2003 Toyota Tacoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
390–25K
2225–50K
2050–75K
3575–100K
76100–150K
76150K+
268 reports with mileage · 91 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
30 crash reports1 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
359 reportsI AM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TOYOTA FRAME CORROSION RECALL. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT FALLS UNDER THIS WARRANTY AND MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NOW DEEMED UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEIR RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MY FRAME IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT TH…
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I AM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TOYOTA FRAME CORROSION RECALL. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT FALLS UNDER THIS WARRANTY AND MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NOW DEEMED UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEIR RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MY FRAME IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS. AT THE INITIAL TIME OF RECALL WE BROUGHT OUR TRUCK TO OUR LOCAL DEALER (GREENTREE)FOR A FRAME INSPECTION AND THEY ADVISED ME THE FRAME WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT THERE WAS NO PROCESS IN PLACE YET TO SPRAY THE FRAMES ...NOW MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND TOYOTA HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I WOULD LIKE SOME INFO ON HOW THIS MAJOR SAFETY RECALL CAN "EXPIRE" AND WANT TO EXPLORE MY OPTION FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THEIR ISSUE AND MY TRUCK THANK YOU *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
FRAME OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD A PROGRAM THAT ENDED IN 2011 THAT ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE. HAS END DATE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT A SUGGESTION BY TOYOTA. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE FRAME ROTTING AWAY THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS. TOYOTA HA…
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FRAME OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD A PROGRAM THAT ENDED IN 2011 THAT ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE. HAS END DATE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT A SUGGESTION BY TOYOTA. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE FRAME ROTTING AWAY THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS. TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED TO FAULTY FRAMES BY HAVING THE PROGRAM BUT NOW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
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.
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.
Official recalls
312V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
Nov 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.
05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
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.
03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.