2003 Toyota Tacoma: check engine light

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 160,000 miles · ME

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).'

Filed Sep 30, 2018 · Suspension · 37,479 miles · VA

We bought our 2003 tacoma brand new from the dealer in 2003, expecting this to be a 30-year investment. We have kept up all maintenance on this truck with our mechanic. He checked it last year and found no issues with the frame other than some normal rust. Last week we took it to him because the check engine indicator was on, and he discovered that our frame was completely rusted through with holes in the driver's side. He deemed it completely unsafe to drive and recommended that it be towed to the dealer because the frame was near the point of breaking in half. We never received any notices from toyota. We performed all recalls they issued. After an online search, we discovered the extent of this frame rot problem over many toyota trucks. When we called toyota corporate, they dismissed us and told us that we were out of luck receiving any help or compensation for this defect because we had missed deadlines on a class action suit and also that there was an extended warranty issued only for some tacomas in certain cold weather states. We were never notified of any of this information and have lived at this same address with the same contact information since the time of purchase. We went to the dealership where we purchased it and they also completely dismissed us, telling us that it was out of their hands and we could try to contact corporate to join all the other truck owners with this frame rot problem and try to see if they might help us. This truck has only 37,479 miles. As much as I'm devastated that we are now out many thousands of dollars because of toyota's unscrupulous policies, I'm more angry that they knowingly have put millions of lives in jeopardy by covering up this dangerous problem. How many more vehicles are currently on the roads every day with the risk of ripping in half and killing innocent people? This problem must be fixed please!

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · 175,000 miles · CA

Engine warning light came on while driving early morning 9/7/18. Returned home and called local mechanic, supreme automotive. Made an appointment and took the truck in to have the problem diagnosed. Called later to tell me frame rust was too bad to remove certain bolts to test exhaust sensors. Unable to calculate a repair estimate. Since I had some experience with a 1999 tacoma that had extensive frame rust, which toyota recalled and eventually bought back, I decided to call toyota before anything else. I was told by toyota that the original owner of my tacoma had responded to a 2009 corrosion recall notice. The undercarriage had been treated. I bought the truck from fox toyota in spring 2011 after my 1999 was deemed unsafe. None of the service records for the 2003 indicated either the recall or the treatment. I was also told that the so-called subsequent recall, of which I was never informed, expired 6/13/18. Notification supposedly should have reached me through the california dmv, even though the truck originated in michigan. Had I received notice I would have responded immediately, as I had with the 1999 tacoma.

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 175,000 miles · OH

Takata recall: airbag "warning" light on dashboard is on and has been since before I purchased the truck , according to the seller. Not sure if airbag would even operate (doubtful). Also, the "check engine" light is on, scans keep saying it is an emissions problem. Vacuum canister, wiring, oxygen sensor were replaced and light went off temporarily, then stays on even though truck runs fine. Date given below is date I purchased the truck, ongoing problems

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Fuel system · 96,000 miles · TX

While driving on the highway, I experienced an issue with the vehicle's performance under moderate acceleration (approximately 3000 RPM). The engine will no longer output power that is proportional to the amount I am requesting with the gas pedal. Once the issue occurs, the maximum power output is only 2000 RPM with the gas pedal fully pressed. The issue is occasionally resolved by shutting the engine off and waiting a few moments. The check engine light comes on with the code po120. The code translates to a faulty throttle position sensor but toyota will not replace the $60 sensor individually, they will only replace the $1,200 throttle body that includes a new sensor.

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 246 miles · CA

I was driving my vehicle 2003 toyota tacoma on highway 156 downhill to hollister, ca I was going approx 65 MPH and it just jerked back and lost power I was only able to go 40mph no higher , the engine light has not turned on and it seems I am getting no kind of diagnostic error of what could be wrong.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 120,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jul 16, 2015 · Acceleration · 101,000 miles · SC

There is a serious hazard with the throttle body where hitting the gas pedal when accelerating will sometimes cause the truck to act as though you took your foot off the pedal - turning left with oncoming traffic almost caused an accident when the truck did not accelerate as you would expect when pressing the gas pedal. I had my mechanic try to diagnose the problem before looking up the symptoms online, and he traced it to the actuator in the electronic throttle body system. Researching online after discovering this, it seems there is a major issue with the 2003/2004 trucks with this electronic throttle control system hybrid. This is extremely dangerous and I would have thought this would have been recalled based on the known issues with toyota's throttle control systems in the past. The system does not throw a check engine light code when this happens.

Filed Dec 12, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 108,000 miles · TX

While driving in traffic the throttle stuck at above normal idle and the check engine light came on. I was able to exit the traffic but the idle would not come back to normal curb idle. What my mechanic has told me is that the throttle body assembly has failed and they can only get the part from the dealer. If this had happened on the freeway the outcome could have not been so good. I hope toyota is aware of this problem and going to address the situation.

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Body, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · MA

My truck was part of the frame recall and I had the frame replaced in 2010, since then I have had to pay to replace other rusted parts that were not "part of the recall". First the spare tire mount rusted off and the tire fell out from under the truck while driving. Next the entire exhaust needed to be replaced as it too had rusted out. Last year to pass inspection I needed to pay $1600.00 for a catalytic converter. This year I cannot pass inspection as the check engine light is on and despite 2 attempts to find the problem (and $200.00 later) the light remains on. The suspicion is the gas tank is rusted "at the top" and will cost me $1800.00 to replace. I just received a "preliminary" recall for the spare tire mount, I imagine I will receive a recall notice in a few years for the gas tank as well. Ridiculous that only some parts were recalled...and ridiculous that I have to pay to replace the others... Not to mention the inconvenience.

Filed Dec 27, 2012 · Body · 105,000 miles · MA

My 2003 toyota tacoma with 105k miles was found during an inspection to have a rusted frame toyota has admitted to the defect and refuses to correct I own and bought new a 2003 toyota tacoma from rockingham toyota in salem, nh. I was just informed by my mechanic on 12/5/2012 that my truck would not pass mass state inspection due to a trouble code (check engine light) and most importantly that my frame was completely rusted through and that my toyota truck was unsafe to drive. I personally verified this by crawling under my toyota truck and poking my fingers through the frame. My toyota tacoma is ready to fold in half due to the extent of frame rust. After contacting toyota in california (phone 800 331 4331) and discussing the safety issue with the assigned case manager [xxx], I was told that there was nothing that could be done to rectify this unsafe condition. I also contacted rockingham toyota in salem, nh. And they would take no responsibility for this unsafe condition. They mentioned that the safety recall "program" had expired. Toyota corporate claims that I received seven recall notices regarding rusted frame issues. I never received any recall or notice from toyota regarding the frame issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 23, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 90,400 miles · NJ

Purchased used vehicle from private seller. On the first day of use, after obtaining new title, tags, insurance coverage, the check engine light came on. The following day scheduled service w/ the local toyota dealer. Upon inspection was told that the truck needed a catalytic converter and there was a recall for the lower front ball joints that the dealer will replace for free. The dealer had to order the parts. After receiving the parts and upon start of the repairs, I received a phone informing me that the frame was rusted and the vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. I was given an 800 phone number to call and deal directly with toyota corporate office. I am patiently awaiting for a response.