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
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
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.
What owners actually said
359 reportsTL* 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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED IN THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED IN THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
BOTH SIDES OF MY FRAME ARE RUSTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS . THE LEFT SIDE HAS A LARGE RUSTED CRACK WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS CONNECT TO THE FRAME. THE RIGHT SIDE HAS A ROASTED WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH THAT I CAN PUT MY HAND INSIDE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY SORRY BUT ALL THEIR CAMPAIGNS WERE EX…
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BOTH SIDES OF MY FRAME ARE RUSTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS . THE LEFT SIDE HAS A LARGE RUSTED CRACK WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS CONNECT TO THE FRAME. THE RIGHT SIDE HAS A ROASTED WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH THAT I CAN PUT MY HAND INSIDE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY SORRY BUT ALL THEIR CAMPAIGNS WERE EXPIRED AND THEY HAD TO TELL THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THE SAME THING. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE HARM AT ANY TIME. IF TOYOTA HAS TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO ME THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT . UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK FOR POTENTIAL FRAME CORROSION. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS ISSUE FROM TOYOTA AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY MECHANIC WARNED ME ABOUT FRAME ROT. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE BUT INFORMED ME THAT I HAD MISSED THE OPPORTUNIT…
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THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK FOR POTENTIAL FRAME CORROSION. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS ISSUE FROM TOYOTA AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY MECHANIC WARNED ME ABOUT FRAME ROT. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE BUT INFORMED ME THAT I HAD MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED THEIR US CORPORATE OFFICE AND BEEN GIVEN THE SAME REPLY. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE SENT ME THE RECALL NOTICE BUT I MAINTAIN THAT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION. I AM WONDERING IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER.
OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL LETTER REGARDING FRAME CORROSION RUST ISSUE IN 2009. BROUGHT TACOMA TO JAFFERIAN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA ON 6/20/09 WHERE THEY INSPECTED TACOMA AND SAID IT PASSED FRAME INSPECTION. BROUGHT TRUCK TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE CHECK WHO SAID THAT THE BACK END OF THE F…
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OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL LETTER REGARDING FRAME CORROSION RUST ISSUE IN 2009. BROUGHT TACOMA TO JAFFERIAN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA ON 6/20/09 WHERE THEY INSPECTED TACOMA AND SAID IT PASSED FRAME INSPECTION. BROUGHT TRUCK TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE CHECK WHO SAID THAT THE BACK END OF THE FRAME WAS TOTALLY CORRODED BY RUST AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED JAFFERIAN TOYOTA WHO WE PURCHASED TRUCK FROM AND ASKED IF THEY COULD REPAIR THE FRAME AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE TRUCK SPRAYED FOR RUST. APPARENTLY TOYOTA SENT OUT A SECOND RECALL LETTER TO DEALERS AND OWNERS THAT THEY SHOULD GET TRUCKS SPRAYED FOR RUST WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED. WE ALSO CONTACTED TOYOTA USA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE TO THE "RECALL TEAM" AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE SECOND LETTER REGARDING SPRAYING FOR RUST AND THEY SAID NO.
WHILE REPLACING SOME PARTS OF THE TRUCK (2003 TOYOTA TACOMA), THE EXHAUST AND SHOCKS, I NOTICED RUST HOLES ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR TIRES. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. …
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WHILE REPLACING SOME PARTS OF THE TRUCK (2003 TOYOTA TACOMA), THE EXHAUST AND SHOCKS, I NOTICED RUST HOLES ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR TIRES. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY AGREED TO INSPECT THE FRAME. WHEN THEY LOOKED UP THE VEHICLES VIN, THEY NOTICED THAT THE WARRANTEE HAD EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011. I HAD PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 AND HAD BY NO MEANS RECEIVED A LETTER OR ANY MEANS TO COMMUNICATE TO ME THAT THIS WARRANTEE WAS GOING TO EXPIRE. THE NOTICE THAT I HAD NOT RECEIVED WOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNERS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED/ SERVICED. DESPITE THIS, THE DEALERSHIP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE FRAME HOLES AND SEND A CLAIM TO TOYOTA. A WEEK LATER, THE DEALER CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTEE FOR UP TO 15 YEARS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM TOYOTA IN THE 7 MONTHS THAT I OWNED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS "WARRANTEE" HAD EXPIRED, TOYOTA SAID, "SORRY, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO". REALLY? SO BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN FLAWS, AND THE FACT THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICES, AND NOW MY TRUCKS FRAME IS ROTTING, IT IS MY FAULT? WHAT ADDRESS DID THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ON FILE IN 2011? WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE?
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.
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