general problems of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma

We bought this truck in 2015 and was never informed of any recalls. We found out about the frame recall when it broke. It also has 5 other recalls which we were never informed on those either so when I called Toyota they said the frame recall and the frame warranty had both expired because the previous owner didn't make good on the recall letter he received but maybe he never received one because I know we never did on any of the 6 recalls and we still haven't even after calling them. We are still paying almost $400 a month and still have 13 payments left and we cant even drive it. I would say if Toyota never sent out the letters then that's not our fault and they should make good on the recalls and fix them including the frame replacement which is their fault due to a maufactuiring mess up.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. While driving various speeds, a chiming noise activated in the vehicle. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,700.

While driving down the highway, I moved into the left lane to pass another car. When I stepped on the accelerator the nose pitched forward and the engine felt like it was not getting any gas. I was able to press the accelerator nearly all the way to the floor to continue getting power to the engine, but the first 2/3 of the pedal stroke were completely unresponsive. A check engine light came on and it was diagnosed as a throttle body issue. After doing some research, this seems to be a well documented issue on a number of Tacoma forums. The cost to replace will be $1400 dollars new or $400 dollars used. I am skeptical to purchase a refurbished part due to the known issue with it. This has happened a total of 6 times in 3. 5 years of owning the vehicle and seems to occur in colder weather. Typically after pulling over and shutting the car off for 30 seconds, the issue is gone. It will undoubtedly happen again, but you never know when.

I'm filing the compliant to acknowledge the fact that these older fly by wire throttle bodies have a faulty tps that is only replaceable as a whole new throttle body. The cost on them is between 700 to 1000 dollars. My Tacoma do have a faulty tps on it. I'm waiting to save up enough money to replace the throttle body however, there have been numerous times that upon pulling out into traffic it has acted up. When this happens you get a very bad hesitation or lack of acceleration to the point of endangering myself and other drivers. The hesitation has lasted as long as 3 to 5 seconds before the throttle will finally respond. The condition will only happen during hot summer months. Thank you for your time and would like the see this looked into and or resolved. I will be able to replace the throttle body because I work at a dealership and get the parts at cost. However some people may not be able to save up the cost for the new part. Thanks again sincerely!!.

While the vehicle was in the process of being driven it began to develop electrical problems. Ultimately the electrical problem developed into a fire that damaged components under the hood as well as causing structural damages. At the present time the vehicle remains in its post fire condition awaiting repair. The vehicle involved is a 2003 Toyota Tacoma double cab, it was purchased new and was and is under full factory warranties. As of yet nothing has been done by Toyota or by the local dealership to address the problem and to repair the vehicle. Instead, both Toyota and their local dealership have repeatedly instructed me to absorb the problem myself by turning it into my insurance company. This then exposes me to costs outside of the warranty, makes the insurance carrier responsible for a defect that should be coverable by warranty and does nothing to assure the cause of the fire was forever corrected to prevent a re-occurrence to either myself or to others who may suffer the same problems.