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2003 Toyota Tacoma transmission complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 18 of 18, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Toyota Tacoma transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · PA

Clutch pedal bushing is made out of plastic & should be made out of rubber, it wears out & starts to squeak real bad and eventually there is metal to metal contact which causes the whole clutch assy. To fail.

Filed Nov 22, 2005 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · MN

At 21,000 miles heard loud noise for differential, and bad glunk when leaving stop light, toyota never put in gear lube to cover up the bad welds on right end of differential (that would have leaked if they did put in gear lube), no reply from e-mails, phone calls, talking to cust. Rep, (requested arbitration forms by phone and e-mail 6 times, never received them even though toyota lied and said they will send them.) .

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Transmission · 21,242 miles · MN

Differential made a bad noise at 21,221 miles checked gear lube only to find it empty. Took it to toyota city where they said it was fine. Took it to independent repair shop, said obvious leak on pass. Side end of diff, axle. I had 15,000 mile service done at toyota city ($165.00), they never checked the diff, gear lube even though the owners maintenance book says to inspect diff, gear lube. (no repairs were even attempted at toyota city). Brought the missed diff. Fluid check to cust. Service reps attention, said she will talk to service department, a month later, and still no reply .

Filed Jul 26, 2005 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · MN

Truck always pulled to the left since new, took it in to toyota dealer 4 times, they said nothing is wrong with it. At 21,000 miles I heard a bad noise coming from the differential, I pulled over and removed the fill plug only to find no oil in it.so I put in 4 oz. Short of a quart of 80w90 gear oil. (pulled to left because a wheel bearing wasn't getting and lubrication). Returned to dealer, they said we can't find a leak, 50 miles later I pulled the fill plug and found the oil to be black as can be with metal in it. Dealers answer is to come back when it breaks. So now I am stuck with a 2003 tacoma with a 200,000 mile differential. (what a shame).

Filed May 21, 2005 · Transmission · 20,310 miles · AZ

Once in a while when I am driving my 2003 toyota tacoma VIN [xxx] it starts going off the lane and requires extra power to get back on track. This has happened 3 time so far on the local surface streets here in tempe. I have not experienced this behavior on highway. Also after that the hand-break light will come on and it will not go off. I did not even put hand break. The hand-break light will go off after a while. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 500 miles · WA

Vehicle has a history of problems that the dealer cannot determine the causes. Vehicle does not properly shift into gear, has a rough idle, and a knocking noise in the engine. Dealer could not duplicate the problems because they were intermittent.

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · TX

After approx. Putting 5,000 miles on my tacoma 2003 double cab, I started noticing when normally bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, there is a cluncking sound from the rear end. The harder you stop the vehicle the worse it gets. It's like getting slightly rearended by another vehicle. If it doesn't make this cluncking feeling and sound as you come to a stop, it will do it once you let off of the brake pedal to idle/roll forward to advance at a traffic light, stop sign, etc. This appears to be getting worse as I continue to drive the vehicle which now has 24,000 miles on it. I took it to ron carter auto world and the service department tells me that toyota is aware of this and considered it normal. If this is normal why don't other vehicles do this? It gets annoying looking into the rear view mirror every time this happens thinking that you've be rearended by another vehicle.

Filed Jul 1, 2003 · Transmission · CA

About two weeks ago driver accidentally bumped the shifter and it went into neutral without pressing the lock. Consumer considers this to be a serious safety issue. The dealer was contacted, who stated this is normal for that vehicle.

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