2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA Complaints

I need to have rear shock replaced. They found that the bracket holder rusted thru . Shock was fine . The Rear frame corrosion and separation, spare tire frame corrosion is really bad. I have had this truck since 2004 . I absolutely love my truck. I am deeply saddened that all the care I took still didn’t prevent all this damage .

Well I finally paid off my 2003 Toyota Tundra and I wanted to really just get a really good tune up when I say really go I mean oil change spark plugs plug wires brakes tires everything , So as they go to check my tires and brake They said that the brakes on the front didn't even go to my truck the rotors everything and that is a really big issue so now I can't get my front brakes repaired because they don't understand why those parts are on my vehicle when they shouldnt be and I need to know what to do?

Frame rusted out causing gas tank to fall off truck while driving. Was sparking while trying to pull of to a safe spot on highway, tank was hanging on by the fuel line. Leaf spring also broke on truck do to rust. Cars were avoiding my truck on highway as sparks were coming from the gas tank shield scrapping the highway. Frame should have been replaced along with gas lines, and leaf springs during the recall in 2012 range. Toyota of York decided to just undercoat spray frame, prior to me purchasing truck from them. They never notified me (the consumer) of the recall that was current on truck.

The 2003 Toyota Tundra is known for severe frame rot due to improper rust protection, which led to a major safety recall. The excessive corrosion can cause rust holes to form in the frame, compromising the vehicle’s structural integrity. This can lead to frame cracking or even complete failure, making the truck extremely dangerous to drive. A weakened frame affects the vehicle’s ability to absorb impact in a crash, reduces stability, and can lead to suspension or steering failure. In extreme cases, parts like the fuel tank or spare tire can detach, increasing the risk of a serious accident.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while in the process of selling the vehicle, the potential buyer inspected the subframe and informed the contact that the frame was severely rusted inside and outside. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected. The mechanic confirmed the failure and informed the contact that the six bolts holding the bed securely were severely rusted. The contact was provided an estimate for a partial external repair of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously sprayed a corrosion protective compound on the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure); however, the failure progressively worsened. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Frame cross member recall, I have called several toyota dealerships and all have denied me service to the recall

The frame has failed by rusting through and continues to the brake line. It is available for inspection. The truck is no longer safe to drive due to the rust and brake issues. The truck frame could have failed in traffic causing harm to myself and other drivers. The problem has been confirmed by Yingling’s in Topeka, KS, Lewis Toyota in Topeka and Crown Toyota in Lawrence, KS. They have all done inspections of the truck frame. The problem first appeared when it was taken to Yinglings in 2018 to replace the muffler.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while working underneath the vehicle, he became aware that the junction point on the frame rail of the front driver’s side was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the rust was confirmed and pictures and documentation that the frame needed to be replaced were submitted to Toyota Chicago regional however, the subframe replacement was denied by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted who informed the contact to find another 2003 Toyota Tundra owner where they had remedied the frame rust failure free of charge. The contact stated that the other vehicle owner informed him that Toyota offered to replace the frame or buy back the vehicle. The contact stated he provided the information to Toyota with the other owner's information and VIN, however, the contact stated that Toyota had not offered to replace the frame or buy back the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced in 2013 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure) at Toyota West (1500 Auto Mall Dr, Columbus, OH 43228) however, the rust failure occurred. The contact stated that the remedy was insufficient. The contact stated that a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

In October 2024, my truck's frame exhibited significant rust, a defect that aligns precisely with a previous recall on this model. The rust has spread to critical parts, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. This directly threatens the safety of my son, who relies on this truck for transportation. The rust compromises the frame's integrity, risking structural failure and potential loss of vehicle control. This defect was not previously flagged by warning lamps or messages and was only recently discovered through visual inspection. This issue has been documented in the past and is consistent with a recall initiated a year ago. This recall specifically cited frame rust as a critical defect, and my vehicle is one of those affected models. Given the safety concerns, the severity of frame rust, and the recall history, the frame needs immediate replacement. This action is crucial to ensure my son's safety and prevent potentially life-threatening incidents on the road.

On 4/19/2024 I arrived for an appointment at Corwin Toyota of Bellvue, Nebraska for inspection of my vehicles known recall of the frame due to excessive rust and potential failure due to a faulty manufacturing process. My vehicle is a 2003 Toyota Tundra SR5, Access Cab. Upon arrival, the service representative, and later corroborated by his manager, refused to inspect my vehicle stating "work had already been done on my frame". That is not true. I am the original owner of said vehicle and had it inspected in approximately 2010 after being informed of the recall, likely at a dealership in Denver Colorado where i was residing at the time. At that time was informed vehicle frame did not have excessive rust and NO work was done. The vehicle was purchased in Colorado Springs from Corwin Toyota (same dealership franchise company?), in 2003. Since then, the vehicle has lived in Nebraska and Iowa for most of its existence where salt is used on roads extensively in the winter. I was informed by the service representative at the dealership they will not look at it as they show it has already had repairs done to the frame as I stated. This is false. No work has been done on my vehicles frame at any point and is now experiencing significant frame rust. At some point, maybe at inspection in 2010, maybe later, that some work had been done making the frame ineligible for future inspection or repair or replacement. I am sure Toyota and its agents, Toyota dealerships, are highly motivated to exclude as many vehicles associated with this frame recall as possible. I am certain I am not the only one experiencing this fraud on the consumer. Please investigate whom allegedly did work on my frame, when, and what specifically. I expect the ability to have my frame legitimately inspected and actual repairs or replacement of effected part(s) as resolution. I will be contacting the manufacturer but expect the same run around without your direct involvement. Thank you in advance.