2003 Toyota Tacoma Body & structure Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11697609

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11644198

Incident

Feb 21, 2025

Mileage

260,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11623181

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

345,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11621638

Incident

Oct 12, 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)

NHTSA ID

11574200

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

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.

NHTSA ID

11553236

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11544553

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

Mileage

310,000 mi

We bought the truck used from a dealer about 10 -12 years ago. We've always taken good care of it, and kept it in a garage. It always passed inspection with no problems, and there is nothing wrong with the truck, except at the last inspection about 2 weeks ago the mechanic said the frame has completed rusted through and the truck is not safe to drive. We can't get it fixed. I called Toyota and they said since it was no longer under warranty, too bad. They did "open a case" for us and I'm supposed to hear back from them next week, but I don't have much hope that they will do anything. The truck only has about 90,000 miles on it, despite being 20 years old. It is in good shape in every other way.

NHTSA ID

11533658

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11495276

Incident

Nov 29, 2022

Mileage

236,000 mi

frame. We did have the frame checked a few times since we were made aware of the issue with rusted frames. Terrible noise. Technician says frame is being held to cap by two inches of rusted frame on both side just above rear wheel. Our repair person says of there was a recall, he can fix it. It thought there was a recall. He said otherwise the truck looks perfect. We are original owers. have kept truck in perfect condition. This is our second toyota truck and fourth toyota car. I can't imagine you would not authorize/pay for frame replacement, new/used. we are crushed. please advise if you can authorize/pay for repair/replacement. Our repair person advised we should not drive for fear of truck splitting in half.

NHTSA ID

11480018

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11474053

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while changing the oil, he noticed that the undercarriage of the vehicle was rusted which resulted in the sub-frame being compromised. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11420436

Incident

May 10, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11402626

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

450,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11398310

Incident

Jan 10, 2017

WHEN I WENT TO THE GARAGE FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA WAS RUSTED SEVERELY WITH MAJOR HOLES AND COULD NOT BE INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRAME FOR SUCH ISSUES AND THAT I SHOULD CALL THE DEALER WHO SOLD THE TRUCK. BEING AS THE DEALER WAS NO LONGER OPEN (RETIRED), I WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK TO HIM. II CALLED THE TOYOTA COMPANY, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I ASKED WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL AS I WAS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT "EVERYONE THAT OWNED ONE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A NOTICE." I WROTE A LETTER TO THE TOYOTA COMPANY IN JANUARY 2020 AND DID NOT RECEIVE A REPLY.

NHTSA ID

11397954

Incident

Nov 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,208.

NHTSA ID

11387151

Incident

Jan 7, 2021

Mileage

123,208 mi

RUST, CORROSION, OR OTHER FAILURE OR DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, THE VEHICLE IS ROTTED UNDERNEATH

NHTSA ID

11362151

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH WITH FIVE HOLES TO THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENNETT TOYOTA (1951 LEHIGH ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103), WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE FIVE HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME AND THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11349866

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11341339

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

A LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND RUST UNDERNEATH. CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE BUT THE RUST STILL EXIST. I EVEN HAVE TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST BECAUSE IT FALL OFF DUE TO THE RUST. THE RUST UNDERNEATH ARE ALMOST EVERYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329736

Incident

Feb 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11327993

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11327499

Incident

Jun 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER BEING SERVICED AT A DEALER (CUMBERLAND TOYOTA 1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501 (931) 272-3719) WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS DISCOVERED TO BE RUSTED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT IT HAD EXPIRED BY 2018. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11299761

Incident

Dec 28, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11270931

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

ON SEPTEMBER 14 2019, I TOOK MY TRUCK (2003 TOYOTA TACOMA) TO JERRY TOYOTA DEALER FOR A SERVICE. THEY FOUND A CRACK ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK, BUT THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY REPAIR. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALLED FOR THE FRAME WAS EXPIRED ON 2018.

NHTSA ID

11256135

Incident

Sep 14, 2019