Toyota Tacoma Complaints (2003)

360 consumer complaints on file.

#10326121April 17, 2010
TIRES, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 14,2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 AM WHILE I WAS GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY (101 E/B IN BEDFORD NH) MY SPARE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE UNDERBED CARRIER. THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLIST RIGHT BEHIND ME THAT HAD TO MAKE A EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID BEING HIT BY MY SPARE TIRE. THE PLATE HAD RUSTED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322008March 29, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ONLY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS. UPDATED 06/08/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319141March 12, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE RUST AND FLAKING ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 158,000. UPDATED 05/06/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS CHECKED BY THE DEALER. THEY USED A BALL PIN HAMMER AND TAPPED ALL OVER THE FRAME AND SAID IT PASSED INSPECTION. UPDATED 06/25/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316207March 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314049February 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312278February 19, 2010
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA BECAME JAMMED WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE BUSHING WHERE THE CLUTCH PIVOTS DISLODGED AND JAMMED THE CLUTCH SO IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DEPRESSED. A CAR WAS COMING STRAIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN I STOMPED ON THE CLUTCH AS HARD AS I COULD, BREAKING THE BUSHING AND LETTING THE CLUTCH DEPRESS. IF I HAD NOT ACTED QUICKLY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME THE BUSHING HAD BROKE AND WAS MISSING THEY JUST PUT GREASE ON IT SO IT WOULD STOP SQUEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THIS YEAR AT TOYOTA THAT THE BUSHING HAD EXPLODED AND FALLEN OUT AND NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE BEING STUCK IN A SITUATION AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR VEHICLE IN GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308117February 9, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306170February 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY TOYOTA TACOMA PRE RUNNER 2003, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. ALMOST CRASHED BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS REALLY GOING FAST AND I HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE . I PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND I PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND ROLLED TO THE NEAREST OF RAMP. IF IT WASN'T FOR MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO EASY. THIS IS VERY COMMON BUT THE REPAIRS ARE NOT. 1500 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THIS OCCURRING IF YOU GO TO TOYOTA FORUM YOU WILL SEE THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE SITUATION. THIS STARTED WHEN I FIRST GOT THE TRUCK IN AUGUST 2009 BUT WHO KNOWS IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I THINK SHE DID. I CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ONLY SALE THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY WHICH COST 1200 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR 160 DOLLARS. ALMOST 1500 DOLLARS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305570February 4, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302596January 27, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP TRUCK. I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL FROM A FRIEND WHO WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MY TRUCK. THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKY AND CONSISTENTLY HOLLOW. THE RECALL JUST GAVE ME A CONFIRMATION WHY IT'S LIKE THAT. PLEASE HELP IN ADDING 2003 ON THE RECALL LIST AS WELL *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299797January 14, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297232December 28, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES, LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. THE FRAME AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST FROM FRONT TO REAR. I BELIEVE THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AT THIS POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SHIELD AND THE FUEL TANK SHIELD ARE IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE SO CORRODED THAT THEY NO LONGER FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MUFFLER ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288993October 19, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280427August 14, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HIS VEHICLE SERVICED, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277930July 22, 2009
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273603June 12, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272581June 1, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PREDICTED THAT THE FRAME WOULD FAIL WITHIN THE YEAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONDUCTED A TEST BY TAKING A HAMMER AND STRIKING THE RUST SPOTS TO SEE IF THE HAMMER WOULD GO COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR INSPECTION BY A REGIONAL INSPECTOR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE A CRASH OCCURS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A REGIONAL INSPECTOR WOULD CALL HIM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263868April 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263468March 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PARTS FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *NJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259734February 24, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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