TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). IN CONJUNCTION TO THE REMEDY REPAIR THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE A REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THEY WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS AND PARTIAL LABOR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BEING REFUNDED FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE CALIPERS, ON 1/31/13, RUST WAS FOUND ON THE NEW FRAME. UPDATED 06/24/2013 *JS
2003 Toyota Tundra complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE SWITCHED FROM FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO TWO WHEEL DRIVE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY AND VIOLENTLY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,00 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. ... UPDATED 02/27/13 *BF
TOOK 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN FOR FRAME RUST CORROSION PROGRAM 09V-444000. WAS TOLD FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND MULTIPLE 10MM HOLES BY LEAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRAME WAS EXTENSIVELY RUSTED AND UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AND THEY WANTED TO TAKE MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY AND PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. ASKED FOR A PLAN OF ACTION OF THE SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED (CORROSION COMPOUND VERSES FRAME REPLACEMENT) BEFORE GIVING POSSESSION OF VEHICLE. PHOTOS OF 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRAME, REAR CROSS MEMBERS, SPARE TIRE CARRIER, REAR BRAKE LINES & FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO LEAD SERVICE TECH THREE STATES AWAY IN TEXAS. WAS INFORMED EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST EXISTS ON ALL COMPONENTS (FRAME, REAR CROSS MEMBERS, SPARE TIRE CARRIER, REAR BRAKE LINES & FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM) BUT IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER REGISTERED IN WISCONSIN. PURCHASED THIS 2003 TOYOTA CERTIFIED VEHICLE IN WISCONSIN IN APRIL OF 2010 AND NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME AT REGARDING THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION OR ANY RUST INSPECTIONS THAT WERE PERFORMED. TOYOTA CORPORATION REFUSES TO REPAIR, REPLACE OR ADD CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUND TO ANY SEVERELY AFFECTED RUSTED COMPONENTS. SIGNIFICANT RUST ISSUES EXIST ON THIS VEHICLE AND STILL TOYOTA CORPORATION REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF THEIR INSPECTIONS. TOYOTA CORPORATION WILL NOT PUT IN WRITING THAT THE FRAME, REAR CROSS M
FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE WHERE THE SHIFT CONTROL GOES INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, WHERE IT CONNECTS HAS BROKEN. THIS IS A PIECE OF METAL THAT HAS AGAIN SNAPPED MAKING IT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF I WAS IN DRIVE AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK? I HAVE HAD THIS FIXED TWICE BEFORE, ONCE WHEN I WAS STUCK ON THE ROAD AND ONCE TOWED TO TOYOTA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS CONTINUED TO REMAIN ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY DEFFECT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE AT THIS TIME.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AIR BAGS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN SEPTEMBER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $ 177.12. HOWEVER, THAT SAME EVENING, THE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT, WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM $ 2,506.00- $ 3,177.76 PLUS $ 975 FOR LABOR. *JB
MY TOYOTA HAD A FRAME RECALL FOR RUSTING WHICH THEY FIXED. NOW I'M BEING TOLD MY GAS TANK IS RUSTING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOYOTA WILL FIX IT FOR 1500. 00 DOLLARS I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM. *TR
THE VEHICLE'S THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED HOLES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE INTERNAL PLASTIC STRUCTURE ABOVE THE BOTH CARGO LAMP BULBS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET IT IS APPARENTLY VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALSO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ADDRESSING THE SAME ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS OF FIRE AND/OR FAILURE OF THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:09V444000(STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ
RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER WHICH STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION, DEALER DID NOT SPRAY UNDER CARRIAGE. FAMILY MEMBER ALSO OWNS THIS TRUCK AND STATED THAT HIS WAS SPRAYED AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ERODED AND REPLACED. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR REEVALUATION AS THE FUEL FILLER MAY BE ERODED OR CRACKED. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE RELATED TO EVAPORATION/FUEL SYSTEM. CHECKED THE FUEL CAP, APPEARS OK, RESET LIGHT AND RETURNED ON. WILL REPLACE FUEL CAP. POTENTIALLY FUEL FILLER PIPE AS MENTIONED FREQUENTLY ON HERE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUSTED HOLE IN THE REAR FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE LOCATION OF THE HOLE WAS NOT PART OF THE FRAME AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH A CORROSION COMPOUND UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME EXHIBITED RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE PART WAS ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY SHOULD INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
TOYOTA HAD A RE-CALL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE 03 TUNDRA. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTIONS FOR 3 YEARS & WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS OK. THIS YEAR TOYOTA SAID THEY HAD AN OK TO UNDERCOAT THE FRAMES. WHILE MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR THE WORK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERNTIAL HAD RUSTED THROUGH & WAS LEAKING OIL. EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPONENET IS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK JUST LIKE THE FRAME THAT WAS COVERED THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $2000 FOR THE REAR DIFFERNTIAL CASING TO BE REPLACED. WHY WAS THIS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IF THE COMPONENET IS PART OF THE UDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO TREES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,375 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,575. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ TOYOTA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REAR FRAME WAS NOT COVERED UNDER CURRENT FRAME CORROSION RECALL. UPDATED 03/07/12
I RECEIVED THE SSC 90M - TUNDRA VEHICLES SEVERE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER PHASE 2 - CRC APPLICATION. MY TRUCK HAS A TONNEAU COVER AND A BED RUG INSTALLED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. I TOLD THEM THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO REMOVE THE TONNEAU COVER AND THE BED RUG. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR WITHOUT THESE ITEMS REMOVED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REMOVE THEM FOR ME. I THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 800-331-4331, EXTENSION [XXX] AND DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH [XXX]. SHE CLAIMED THAT THE RECALL LETTER STATES THAT THE TRUCK MUST BE PRESENTED IN "FACTORY CONDITION" (I GUESS THAT MEANS NO BED RUG OR TONNEAU COVER). I REREAD THE LETTER AND THAT IS NOT STATED ANYWHERE IN THE LETTER. I CALLED HER BACK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST ME NOR WOULD SHE ELEVATE MY ISSUE TO THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL. THIS RECALL WORK MUST BE DONE, AND AGAIN, I HAVE NO MEANS TO REMOVE THESE ITEMS. I'M SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY TUNDRA OWNER EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. THIS TRUCK WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE RECALL WORK IS NOT DONE. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
I BOUGHT MY TUNDRA NEW IN 2003..I BOUGHT IT TO CARRY THE MAIL AS I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD LAST LONGER AND HOLD UP BETTER THAN OTHER MAKES..I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES BUT WAS NOT TO CONCERNED AS I USE THEM MORE HEAVILY THAN MOST DRIVERS..THE NEXT TIME WAS ABOUT 12,000 MILES AND THIS TIME IT WAS SHUTTERING VERY BAD AND I REPLACED THE ROTORS ALONG WITH NEW PADS..THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM OF REPLACEMENT OF PARTS TO ELEVATE THE SEVERE SHUTTERING EACH TIME THINKING I HAD IT FIXED..TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT BUT POSSIBLY HAVE TRIED TO COVER BECAUSE THE REAL FIX IS VERY COSTLY ($2000)..THEY ISSUED A TBS (BR004-02) ALONG WITH 6 OR 7 OTHER TSB'S ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES FROM YEAR MODEL 2000-2005..I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BEFORE MY 36,0000 WARRANTY EXPIRED IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED..HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER..SINCE THE BRAKE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS THE FIRST PAD REPLACEMENT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM..I WAS INFORMED THAT MAYBE IF ENOUGH PEOPLE FILED A COMPLAINT HERE THAT TOYOTA WOULD BE FORCED TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT THEY NEW ABOUT BUT DID NOT INFORM OWNERS ABOUT TO HAVE REPAIRED.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE REAR AXLE. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE AND SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES SEEN FROM THE PICTURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN WITH AN EPOXY ON THE AXLE TO HELP SEAL THE LEAK SO THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ACTUAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUST ATE THROUGH THE EPOXY AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. .. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF. THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/08/2012 *JS
I BELIEVE TOYOTA SOLD HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE TO CUSTOMERS WHO ASKED FOR A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL AND PAID A PREMIUM TO GET ONE. MANY TIMES WHEN ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ONE REAR TIRE JUST SPINS WITH NO TRACTION TO THE OTHER. MY WINDOW STICKER SAYS I HAVE LSD AND I DON'T. THE MECHANIC AT DESERT TOYOTA TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE A LS WHEN HE CHANGED MY REAR DIF OIL. I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE TOLD ME, "NO, YOU HAVE A REGULAR DRIVE REAR END." SEVERAL MONTHS PASSED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE DOWN TO PRECISION TOYOTA WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY JUST LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND SAID I HAD IT. I SAID I DIDN'T. THEY POINTED TO A DECAL AND THAT WAS THEIR PROOF. I ASKED FOR A TEST TO BE APPLIED TO IT TO PROVE IT BUT SAID THEY WERE TO BUSY AND DECLINED TO DO IT THAT DAY. A DAY OR TWO LATER I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DESERT TOYOTA WHERE THE MECHANIC WORKED THAT SAID I DID NOT HAVE LSD . WHEN I DESCRIBED MY CONCERNS AND ASKED FOR THE MECHANIC THEY SAID HE WASN'T AVAILABLE AND GAVE ME SOME OTHER GUY. THEY JACKED THE REAR END UP AND TOLD ME WHEN THEY SPIN ONE REAR TIRE IN ONE DIRECTION AND THE OTHER TIRE SPINS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT PROVES I HAVE LS. BUT THE INFORMATION I GET OFF THE INTERNET AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SAYS THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. . THEY SAY IF I SPIN ONE REAR TIRE IN ONE DIRECTION THE OTHER SHOULD ALSO SPIN IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I BELIEVE TOYOTA COMMITTED FRAUD AND DID NOT GIVE ME WHAT I PAID FOR AND WILL NOT EXCEPT THE TRUE FACTS.THIS REAR
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH LOW MILEAGE AND WELL-MAINTAINED BUT EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME UNSTABLE. *TR
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON DUE TO SMALL LEAK IN EVAPORATION CONTROL. TOYOTA DEALER INSPECTION DETERMINED LEAKING FILLER TUBE. COST TO REPLACE $350+. HOW MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NECESSARY BEFORE THIS IS RECOGNIZED AS A DEFECT? *TR
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY (MOUNTED BENEATH THE VEHICLE) FELL WITHOUT WARNING TO THE ROADWAY BELOW. THE TIRE/WHEEL ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVING LANE, CAUSING NUMEROUS VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND ME TO SWERVE TO AVOID IT. I PULLED OVER TO CONFIRM THE WHEEL WAS FROM MY VEHICLE, AND THIS WAS VERIFIED. I THEN TURNED AROUND TO PICK UP THE WHEEL AND REMOVE IT FROM THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND THE BRACKET STILL IN PLACE IN THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL, HOWEVER IT WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD NO STRUCTURAL STRENGTH LEFT. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE CHAIN OR CABLE THAT HELD THE WHEEL AND BRACKET TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. THIS VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER EARLIER IN THE YEAR FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE FRAME (CORROSION RECALL), AS WELL AS FOR REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK STRAPS (WHICH WERE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION ISSUES). IT HAD BEEN DETERMINED THAT NO ACTION WAS NEEDED WITH REGARDS TO FRAME CORROSION. THE GAS TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO COMMENT FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER ON ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING SYSTEM. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL STRAPS, WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE, WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE STRAP FRACTURED AND THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWNWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE STRAP WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,190.
FRAME AND REAR END BANJO HOUSING ROTTED TO THE POINT WHERE GEAR OIL FROM REAR END LEAKED OUT ONTO THE ROAD. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE TO MAKE TEMPORARY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, FRAME IS DISINTEGRATED WITH PIECES FALLING TO THE GROUND. TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE TRUCK TO TOYOTA AND BOTH THE REAR END ASSEMBLY AND FRAME SHOULD BE REPLACED. GARAGE, STEWART'S OF GEORGETOWN, MA., STATES METAL OF FRAME HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU COULD POKE HOLES IN IT WITH A SCREW DRIVER. FRAME EXAMINED ON AUGUST 6, 2011 AFTER PIECES OF FRAME FOUND UNDER THE TRUCK AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. TRUCK HAS 40,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND USED TO DELIVER AND PICK UP SUPPLIES FOR PROPERTY OWNED. THE CONSUMER TO DATE, HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE A USABLE REAR END ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVE THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE USE OF REPROCESSED METAL IN THE MANUFACTURING, TOGETHER WITH THE FAILURE TO PROPERLY TREAT EXPOSED METAL PARTS WITH CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUNDS. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HIM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN AUGUST 2007. UPDATED IVOQ 12/01/11 *TR
GAS TANK STRAPS RUSTED SO BAD THAT GAS TANK FELL DOWN.
1990 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA, 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER STATES RUST AND CORROSION ISSUES WITH ALL THREE VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TAILGATE HOLDERS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAILGATE FELL ONTO THE TOP BUMPER AND CAUSED DENTS IN THE METAL. *JB
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST INCLUDING ALL RUSTABLE COMPONENTS WITH ANY CONNECTION TO THE FRAME. 2011 MAINE STATE INSPECTION FAILED DUE TO RUSTED EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWO YEARS PRIOR FOR SAME REASON (JUNE 2009). *TR
SHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER MOVED A HAMMER ALONG THE FRAME AND RULED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEST WAS NOT ADEQUATE SINCE THE DEALER ONLY SCRAPED A HAMMER ALONG THE EDGE OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT WAS THE PROPER PROCEDURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TEST WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BEING A SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER ADVISED THE FUEL FILLER TUBE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN MOST 2003 TUNDRA ACCORDING TO RESEARCH. BECAUSE TRUCK HAS 136,000 MILES, DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY HELP WITH COST OF LABOR OR PARTS. DEALER DID ACKNOWLEDGE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 2003 MODELS. SO MUCH FOR TOYOTA DEPENDABILITY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHEN THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AND CORRODED. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING THE COMPONENT REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON GIVING GAS CODES. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRAS. MINE HAS BEEN ON MY TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND I CONSTANTLY NEED TO GET IT RESET, UNTIL I DECIDE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A LEAK WAS FOUND ALONG THE WELDING WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,754 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,754. SM.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RUSTED AND SNAPPED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE BRAKE WAS WELDED TO MIDDLE OF THE CROSS FRAME RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MAKE THE PART TO REPLACE IT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN ENGINEER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AS WELL AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIECE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE ALSO RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO CARRY THE SPARE TIRE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS THE SAME IS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V444000 FOR THE STRUCTURE, WHICH DEALS WITH THE UNDER BODY SHIELDS RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED AND CANT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
BATTERY DRAINS WITH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF. IF VEHICLE LEFT SITTING MUCH OVER ONE WEEK IT WILL COMPLETELY DRAIN THE BATTERY TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD A CHARGE. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND FINALLY PUT A QUICK DISCONNECT ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY POST. I'VE HAD TOYOTA LOOK AT IT TWICE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *TR
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. DURING EMISSION INSPECTIONS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. CRACKED FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $320. *TR
2003 TUNDRA HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME. DEAL OFFERS NO REMEDY. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 TUNDRA ACCESS CAB 4WD TRUCK. TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THE RUST RECALL INSPECTION AND TO INVESTIGATE OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS FINE BUT THE CROSS MEMBERS AND TANK SUPPORTS NEED COATING. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT OIL IS LEAKING AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K MILES. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THE KNOWN RUST ISSUES THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. DIAGNOSTIC CODES POINTED TO THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND AIR PRESSURE TESTS BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC (NOT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) PROVED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL FILLER LINE. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT THEY SEE THIS HAPPENING IN MANY TOYOTA'S THEY WORK ON. THEY SUGGESTED MENTIONING THIS TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY, SO WHEN I GO IN FOR MY OTHER RECALL (SEVERE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER) I AM GOING TO BRING THE ORIGINAL FUEL FILLER TUBE THAT I HAD TO REPLACE FOR $300. I ALSO SEE COMPLAINTS BEING FILED FROM OTHER TUNDRA OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO THEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WHICH DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK. THE AFT OXYGEN SENSOR BECAME DETACHED FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THE ATTACHING HARDWARE WAS MISSING, IT CORRODED. I INSPECTED OTHER HARDWARE AND NOTICED THE STEERING SHAFT ATTACH POINT HAS SEVERE CORROSION. THE HARDWARE THAT ATTACHES THE SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND PINION IS HALFWAY CORRODED AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. IF THE HARDWARE FAILS LOSS OF STEERING WILL OCCUR. I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND THE TRUCK HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE BUT FRAME AND ASSOCIATED PARTS HAVE CORROSION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ON MAY 17, 2010 THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE STREET. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A BACK ROAD AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FALLING OFF. PART OF THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL AFTER IT FELL OFF AND YOU COULD SEE THAT THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT HAD EXTENSIVE RUST/ROT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL RELATING TO EXCESSIVE RUST WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE SPARE TIRE FALLING FROM THE MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 3, 2010 I TOOK THE TUNDRA TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THEIR RUST INSPECTION SO REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. WHEN I REMINDED THEM THAT MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE ROTTED SPARE TIRE MOUNT PARTS FOR $350.00. ON JUNE 11, 2010 I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT BASED ON MY VEHICLE'S VIN I WAS NOT LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM AS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED THAT IF I WAS NOT LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM I WOULD HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICE. AFTER UPDATING THE INFORMATION I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT BASED ON THE VIN, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE PERSON THEN SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WITHIN 3 DAYS TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER SERVI
WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH 47,000 MILES ON IT AND ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. ON FRIDAY WHILE PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE IN A PARKING LOT, THE SHIFT MECHANISM SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. OUR CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC CAME AND MANAGED TO GET IT INTO DRIVE AND DRIVE IT TO HIS SHOP,AND IN OPENING THE STEERING COLUMN, FOUND THE ENTIRE THING WAS BROKEN WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. OUR MECHANIC, WHO IS A CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. AS WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINT LODGED ON THIS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT AS IF THE MECHANISM HAS EXPERIENCED ROUGH HANDLING IN ANY WAY. *TR
EXTREME WARPING ON FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS LEADS TO LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A RECALL AND IT IS BECAUSE THE ROTORS ARE TO SMALL FOR THE SIZE VEHICLE. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD THEM REPLACED,BUT ABOUT 2000 MILES ON NEW EQUIPMENT AND THEY WARP AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I OWN A TOYOTA TUNDRA AND A TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME PARTS AND SAME PROBLEM. *TR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED: BRAKES LOCKED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. VEHICLE SLID OFF ROAD. VEHICLE HAS HISTORY OF PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL, SHUTTERING AND CLANGING NOISES UNDER BRAKING. *TR
MY FATHERS 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA GETTING CHECKED OUT RECENTLY BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHEN HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE FRAME IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTY. WITH THIS INFORMATION THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THERE IS SO MUCH RUST THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER ALSO STATED THERE IS NOTHING TOYOTA WILL DO ABOUT IT UNTIL THE RUST ACTUALLY CREATES A HOLE IN THE FRAME. MY PARENTS ARE IN THERE SEVENTIES ON FIXED INCOMES, THEY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO OPERATE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. IF A DEALER IS ABLE TO STATE A VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE TOYOTA SHOULD BACK THE DETERMINATION OF THE DEALER AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MY PARENTS WERE TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER A HOLE RUST THROUGH THE FRAME AND THEN TOYOTA WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. A 2003 TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE IN A 7 YEAR PERIOD. PLEASE HELP MY PARENTS. *TR
MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT FEBRUARY OF 2008 DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN WHICH MY VEHICLE SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER, MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY REAR END AND SIDE DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE COST ME $5,663.14, I HAVE THE ACCIDENT REPORT. HOW COULD I GET TOYOTA TO REIMBURSE FOR THE COST OF THE DAMAGE. PLEASE ADVISED.
I HAVE READ THE RECALLS FOR TOYOTA TUNDRAS 2003 MODELS WHICH DOESN'T REFLECT IN MY AREA WHERE I RESIDE, GUAM. DOES THESE RECALLS ALSO PERTAIN TO GUAM, SINCE THE ISLAND IS SURROUNDED BY SALT AIR AND SALT WATER? IF IT DOES, HOW DO I GO ABOUT IN FIXING OR REMEDING THE SITUATION? THANK YOU.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY OFF OF THE ROAD, AND ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,000. UPDATED 6/3/10 *CN UPDATED 06/25/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK WITHOUT FULLY RELEASING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING SAFELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN UNLESS AGGRESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES OR THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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