I TOOK MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN TO TOYOTA MOTORS, GUAM BECAUSE I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOYOTA THEN SENT A MESSAGE TO MY VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT, WARRANTECH AUTOMOTIVE INC AND THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK HOSE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT COVERED. READING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA DUE TO A "OUT OF ROUND" GAS FILLER TUBE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. PLEASE ASSIST CONSUMERS LIKE MYSELF FOR TOYOTA MOTORS TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT WITH THE 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE WORD NEEDS TO GET OUT. *NM
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 →
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA EXTENDED CAB I CHECKED MY FRONT BRAKE PADS. WHEN I REPLACED THE TIRE, TWO LUG BOLTS FAILED AT 70FT/LBS OF TORQUE. THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE TIGHTEN TO 80FT/LBS. WHEN I PURCHASED NEW BOLTS AT A DEALER, THE PARTS COUNTERMAN SAID HE WAS SELLING A LOT OF THESE LATELY. *JB
THE BOLTS ON MY TUDNRA'S LEFT BALL JOINT SHEARED OFF AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED ON JUNE 12, 2006. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN PAGE, ARIZONA WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER OUR DEALER FIXED THE JOINTS ON APRIL 17, 2006 PURSUANT TO TOYOTA'S RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE. I AM GIVING SIMILAR NOTICES TODAY TO DEALER AND TOYOTA. OUR TUNDRA IS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP IN PAGE, AZ. THERE WAS SOME BODY DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BY THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 7. WE INTEND TO PICK UP THE CAR THEN. I HAVE THREE OF THE BOLTS THAT CAME OFF (TWO OF THEM THAT I PICKED UP ON THE STREET WERE SHEARED) AND HAVE ASKED THE REPAIR SHOP TO SAVE ALL PARTS THAT THEY REMOVED AND REPLACE. I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TUNDRA AT ITS POINT OF REST IN THE STREET. BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL PROBLEMS, THE PAGE POLICE RESPONDED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE OFFICER IN CHARGE WAS C. MILLER, BADGE 523. HE ALSO PROVIDED ME WITH A ANOTHER NUMBER (I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS AN INCIDENT NUMBER): 06/06/1420. *JB
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN LESS THAN 36 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE. COST TO REPAIR EXCEEDED $1,200. SHOULDN'T THESE GOVERNMENT MANDATED SAFETY FEATURES BE COVERED BY A LONGER WARRANTY? *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL #05V225000 CONCERNING THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SIX MONTHS TO GET A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER SO THAT THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE RECALLED PART.
I'M THE OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA (LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL) SR5 4X4. IN APR I BROUGHT MY TRUCK INTO THE UNIVERSAL TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TX TO REPLACE A MISSING CLAMP AND FOR A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. THE FIRST MECHANIC SAID HE COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE, AND AGAIN I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK IN JUN AS THE NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE. THE LEAD MECHANIC THEN HEARD IT AND SAID THAT THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THAT HE HAS ANOTHER TUNDRA DOING THE SAME THING. I ASKED THAT HE CALL THE TOYOTA TECH LINE TO INQUIRE/REPORT THIS. HE NOTIFIED ME THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TOYOTA TECH PERSON SAID THAT THIS IS A NORMAL SOUND AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. HOWEVER I DO HAVE SOME SAFETY CONCERNS AS I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE A "NORMAL" INDICATION OF WHAT A DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD SOUND LIKE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED A MONTH AGO ON THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. A NHTSA RECALL, #05V225000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DID OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM
FUEL TANK FILLER WAS GIVING AS THE REASON OF MY TRUCKS PROBLEM BEFORE IT WAS LOOKED AT BY A TECHNICIAN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE FAULT WOULD CAUSE THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO FAIL AND THEREFORE WOULD ALSO BE A HAZARD BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE AT THE TIME THE TRUCK WAS BEING FILLED OR FROM ESCAPING VAPORS. THE PART WAS (IS) BEING REPLACED AND IS COSTLY TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
THE ROTORS ON MY 2003 TUNDRA ARE WARPING EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO. THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMEDYING THE ISSUE. *NM
THERE IS A FLAWED DESIGN OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA HAS WITH ITS 2003-2004 TUNDRAS. THE PROBLEM AFFECTS FUEL VAPOR EMISSIONS FROM THE GAS TANK. THEY OFFER NO SUPPORT ONCE ONE IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY DESIGN/BUILD OF THIS PART. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS SPEWING SULFUR DIOXIDE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE AN UPDATED CONVERTER. THE DEALER COULD ONLY USE THE SAME TYPE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH THEY DETERMINED WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V225000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THEIR MANUFACTURER, WHO HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE ENGINE SURGED WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP POSITION. AS SOON AS IR ACCELERATED IT SURGED FORWARD. THE ACCELERATION WAS MORE THAN EXPECTED BASED ON THE PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES, INCLUDING LUBRICATING THE ENTIRE ACCELERATION SYSTEM, AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH DUE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSING A REDUCED STEERING EFFORT. HE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INSTRUCTED HIM TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. AT FIRST THE FRONT BRAKES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUTTER WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THEN THE BRAKES FADED OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP IN TIME. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE BRAKES WEARING OUT TOO QUICKLY. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO,THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN JUNE 2004 AND AT 15,000-20,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED FIVE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB) FOR THE FRONT BRAKES. THEY HAD A BRAKE UPGRADE AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. *AK (11/15/05) *SC
VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DESPITE REPEATED TIRE BALANCING, REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT. VIBRATES BETWEEN 50 AND 80 MPH. DEALER STATES IT IS BECAUSE OF STANDARD 17 INCH WHEELS ON THESE VEHICLES. *NM
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE OUTER TIRE WEAR.*MR THE TIRE WERE ROTATED AND NOW ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR. *NM
BRAKES GRAB WHEN VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED THERE SEEMS TO BE MOVEMENT FROM EITHER THE STEERING ASSEMBLY OR AXLE. *JB
THE BUSHINGS USED TO ATTACH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TO THE FRAME IS TOO SOFT, CAUSING THE STEERING LINKAGE TO MOVE. THE STEERING LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FRAME AND I HAVE TO OVERSTEER AND IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE FEELING OF FLOATING. *JB
PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO SHOW PREMATURE WEAR. THIS IS ON A 2003 TUNDRA T-3 WITH DUNLAP TIRES. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRE WEAR, IT STARTS ON THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF DRIVING, AND IT WAS BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD LOOK IN TO IT. *AK.....*AK
THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES.*AK *TT
I AM A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN. I ASSISTED A CLIENT TODAY WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A GRACO "CARGO" CHILD RESTRAINT MODEL # 8487BEL EDOM 08/31/04. IN TRYING TO INSTALL THE SEAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OUTBOARD LOCATION OF A TOYOTA TUNDRA ACCESS CAB TRUCK, I FOUND IT ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE TETHER (TOP STRAP). THE VEHICLE MANUAL IS POORLY ILLUSTRATED AND THE PATH FOR THREADING THE STRAP BEHIND THE SEAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE TYPICAL 2 INCH HOOK TYPE TETHER. PLEASE REVIEW THE MANUAL & CHECK THE VEHICLE. I EVENTUALLY INSTALLED THE SEAT IN THE CENTER WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY USING THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CENTER TETHER INSTALLATION. THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE REALLY UNACCEPTABLE.*AK
RECEMT RAINY WEATHER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAVE SHOWN THE OEM TIRES B.F.GOODRICH TIRES 265/70R16 RUGGED TRAIL ON MY 2003, TOYOTA TUNDRA TO BE DANGEROUS. THESE TIRES NOT ONLY SHOW SIGNIFICANT WEAR, AT ONLY 17000 MILES, BUT DANGEROUSLY SLIP AND SLIDE ON WET ROADS. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, IN WET CONDITIONS, MY TRUCK SLIPPED OFF THE ROADWAY. ONE OCCASION, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY I REPLACED THESE TIRES WITH BRIDGESTONE, DUELER AT REVOS, AN EXCEPTIONAL TIRE IN WET CONDITIONS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE ALERTED TO (1) THE RAPID WEAR CONDITION OF THESE OEM TIRES AND (2) THE POTENTIAL DANGER IN WET CONDITIONS. *AK
I WAS IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED BOTH OF MY BUMPERS, THE FRONT BUMPER WAS COMPLETELY REMOVED. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT A FASTER SPEED THAN I WAS GOING AND I WAS PUSHED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME (ANOTHER TUNDRA ONLY A 2004). I HAD OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE AND I SUFFER FROM CERVICAL/NECK/SPINE INJURY AND SPRAINED RIGHT FOOT. I AM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND NEED AN MRI, AS I AM NOT HEALING AS I SHOULD BE. MY PROBLEM HERE IS THAT MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM NOW WORRIED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM, THE IMPACT I HAD AND INJURY TO MY BODY, SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THEM.*AK
RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE. *AK
3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER THEY POINTED OUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE RECALL PARTS WHICH CONSISTED OF NEW CALIPERS, RESURFACING THE EXISTING ROTORS, AND VARIOUS OTHER AXLE RELATED PARTS. THE RECALL SERVICE DID NOT INCLUDE NEW PADS. 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE THE BRAKES WERE AGAIN WARPED!!! THEY STOPPED FINE FOR JUST DRIVING AROUND TOWN, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO PANIC STOP AT FREEWAY SPEED, THEY FADE BADLY AND THEN WARP ROTORS. THIS COMPLAINT ISN'T ABOUT WARPED ROTORS AS MUCH AS IT IS THE BRAKE FADE AT HIGH SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS DOESN'T STOP WELL AT ALL. PLEASE CONSIDER A LARGER PAD AND BETTER PROPORTIONING BETWEEN THE FRONT AND THE BACK BRAKES.*AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY PULSATE.*AK
TRUCK CAB SHAKES DURING HIGHER SPEEDS, TOYOTA DEALERS REVIEWING THE PROBLEM SAY THAT'S JUST HOW IT RIDES.*AK
CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS ON. CONSUMER PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE , AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE TRUCK HAS A SEVERE PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE AN INCORRECT TIRE SIZE WAS INSTALLED ON THE TRUCK AT THE FACTORY. CONSUMER HAS GONE THROUGH ARBITRATION, IN WHICH THE MANUFACTURE IS BLAMING ON TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM . *LA
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES AND DISC BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA REVED UP WHILE I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN; WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE STORY THAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE USA TODAY ON 3/10/04 ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION OF A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION ON CAMRY, SOLARA AND LEXUS 300 MODELS.*AK
WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES COMING FROM THE VENTS, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S EYES TO BURN, AND MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO BREATH. *AK
OVERDRIVE MALFUNCIONED AT 10,000 MILES. RANDOMLY THE VEHICLE'S OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION ACTS OPPOSITELY TO WHAT SHOWN ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN. WHEN "OVERDRIVE OFF" LIGHT IS ON, OVERDRIVE GEAR IS STILL ON - TURN THE OVERDRIVE SWITH ON AND "OVERDRIVE OFF" LIGHTS TURNS OFF BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL ON 3RD GEAR (OVERDRIVE OFF). MALFUNCTION STOPS WHEN THE ENGINE IS STOPPED. TOYOTA STATES THIS CAUSED BY THE CUSTOMER CLICKING THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH QUICKLY SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS INCORRECT STATEMENT, THE OVERDRIVE MALFUNCTION HAPPENS EVEN WITH ONE CLICK. TOYOTA ALSO STATES THIS IS NORMAL CONDITION AS IT IS DESIGNED AND THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I SUFFER POOR GAS MILAGE AND UNSAFE CONDITION BY TRANSMISSION ACTING UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN MALFUNCTION OCCURS. ENGINE SPEED GOES UP VERY HIGH AND NOISY ON HIGHWAYS WHEN MALFUNCTION HAPPENS. CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT ENGINE WEAR FROM LONG DRIVING.*AK
MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA'S PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE LOCKS GO OFF AND ON BY THEMSELF.*AK
2003 TUNDRA RPM HANG-UP - SAFETY ISSUE HELLO ALL:I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA 3.4, V6, 4X4, 5 SPEED. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IF I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD THE RPM'S ARE MAINTAINED FOR UP TO 1.5 SECONDS BEFORE THE RPM STARTS TO DROP. THIS OCCURS WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ON. I'D LIKE TO ALSO NOTE THAT MY LAST TRUCK WAS A T-100 WITH THE 3.4 V6 ENGINE - SO I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH HOW THIS ENGINE SHOULD, IN THEORY, RESPOND. DEALER CLAIMS THIS A COMPUTER ISSUE AND TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A TSB. DEALER ALSO CLAIMS THAT THIS FEATURE WAS ADDED TO REDUCE JERKY FEELING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE ISSUE PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOOSE 1.5 SECONDS OF BRAKING TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS THE ADDED WEAR ON YOUR FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS DUE TO THE ENGINE TRYING TO MAINTAIN RPM WHILE BRAKES ARE TRYING TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPRODUCED AT THE DEALER. TO CHECK A TRUCK, CRUISE AT 55 OR 65 MPH, NOTE THE RPM - THEN IF YOU HAVE TO BRAKE HARD TRY TO NOTE IF THE RPM DROPS IMMEDIATELY OR, HANGS UP FOR A SECOND OR TWO. ANOTHER WAY TO CHECK THIS IS, WHILE PARKED, RACE ENGINE TO 2500-3000 RPM THEN SWITCH FOOT FROM GAS TO BRAKE PEDAL QUICKLY-SIMULATING AN EMERGENCY STOP. NOTE THE RPM AND ENGINE SOUND. YOU WILL FIND THE ENGINE STILL MAINTAINING THAT 2500-3000 RPM FOR 1-1.5 SECONDS. ALSO, DEALER POINTED OUT THAT UNLESS THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS, TOYOTA 'WILL NOT' DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PERSONALLY
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA, (4WD) VIN 5TBBT44143S36074 THERE IS A VERY OBVIOUS VIBRATION AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE / DIFFERENTIAL. THIS CAUSES A SLIGHT REDUCTION INS SPEED AND / OR RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE BETWEEN 30 ~ 40 MPH IN COLDER WEATHER, BUT IS PRESENT AT ALL SPEEDS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AS NEW, AND IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TOYOTA RECOGNIZES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH SOME OF THE 2003 THUNDERS AND SQUISH (DOCUMENTED IN SERVICE REPORT FOR THIS VEHICLE). IT WAS DESCRIBE TO ME BY TWO TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGERS AND A TOYOTA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE AS RESULTING FROM THE FIT / MESH TOLERANCE OF SOME GEARS IN THE FRONT GEAR CASE BEING TOO TIGHT. TOYOTA HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM (RE-DESIGN) IN CURRENT PRODUCTION VEHICLES (STARTING SOME TIME DURING THE 2003 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION SCHEDULE), BUT HAS TO DATE REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT FOR ALL OWNERS PRESENTING THIS PROBLEM TO AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERS / SERVICE CENTERS. SOME DEALERS / SERVICE CENTERS HAVE REPAIRED THE DEFECTS AT RANDOM.*AK I SUSPECT AND FEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FAILURE OF SOME KIND THAT MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD, I.E. GEARS WEARING, SLIPPING, OR BINDING) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND THIS IN TURN MAY CAUSE A LOSS OR REDUCTION OF, OR INTERFERENCE WITH, DRIVER CONTROL.*AK
MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA (2 WHEEL DRIVE/V8) HAS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. NEEDS TIRE REPLACEMENT AT 16,000 MILES. MECHANICS TELL ME IT'S A SHOCK OR FRAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA DENIES THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, SAYS IT'S THE TIRES AND/OR I DRIVE TOO HARD. *LA
WHEN HAVING AN OIL CHANGE DEALER NOTICED A SEVERE OIL LEAK. THE HEAD GASKET/ OIL PAN BOLTS, AND UPPER OIL PAN WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE OIL LEAK WAS FIXED. *AK
ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE TAKEN IN 3 TIMES. UNKNOWN CAUSE/EMISSION SYSTEM OR FUEL SYSTEM. ENGINE HAS 2206 MILES ON IT. *LA
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES PULSATE, AND VEHICLE IS GOING SIDE TO SIDE. IT IS HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TUNDRA V6. *AK THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE SLIDDING DOORS NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY.*TS
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *AK
TOYOTA TUNDRA TRUCK FRONT ROTORS I HAD A PROBLEM AS I BOUGHT THE NEW TRUCK . BRAKES WOULD PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. I WAS TOLD FROM TOYOTA THERE WAS A PROBLEM AT THE FACTORY WITH WARPED ROTORS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND ALL THEY DID WAS MACHINE THE ROTORS DOWN. THE INVOICE SAID"OUT OF ROUND ROTORS. IM' CONCERNED THIS COULD REOCCUR AND CAUSE A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND A "PLUG" IN MY TIRE. BRAND NEW TRUCK AND THERE WAS A PLUG IN IT. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE TIE ROD BROKE, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT ON FLIPPED UNTO ITS SIDE.*AK
THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED EITHER A NEW VEHICLE OR A FULL REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE. MR SCC *JB
THE WHEELS RUSTED INSIDE ALL THE WHEEL WELLS. *JB MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAD DONE NOTHING, STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SEVERE WINTER AND REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. SCC
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA 4WD WITH NOISE AND VIBRATION RESULTING FROM OIL VISCOSITY. PH
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS THE DEFECT WAS WITH THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH CAUSED VIBRATION AND REDUCTION IN SPEED. *JG
Reading these
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.
Full record for the 2003 Toyota Tundra → · Every Tundra year → · How the figures are calculated →