Toyota Tundra Complaints (2003)

399 consumer complaints on file.

#11300148January 17, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING, THE FRAME CRACKED INTO TWO PLACES BEHIND THE CAB WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UN-DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED GRAHAM TOYOTA (1515 W 4TH ST, MANSFIELD, OH 44906 (419) 529-1800) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED CASE 2001 021145 HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11297272January 5, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH AND FLUID LEAKED OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11292484January 1, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 12/05/11 NEWARK TOYOTA COMPLETED RECALL SSC90M PHASE 2-CRC APPLICATION TO MY RUSTED FRAME. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICE A BONDING FAILURE AND DELAMINATION OF THE CRC APPLICATION. BY NOVEMBER OF 2013 I ASKED THE SAME SERVICE LANE MANAGER, BILL C. AND THE TECHNICIAN THAT PERFORMED THE WORK TO INSPECT THE FAILED APPLICATION. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN WHY IT FAILED AND HE STATED "I DID NOT PREPARE THE SURFACE CORRECTLY BEFORE I PLACED THE APPLICATION". I APPRECIATED HIS HONESTY BUT WAS TOLD THEN THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. MY FRAME IS NOW VERY RUSTED SO I ASKED BILL C. TO REINSPECT MY FRAME ON 12/5/19 WHILE MY TUNDRA WAS IN FOR A TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. WILLIAM TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A MANAGER INSPECT MY FRAME AND THAT NO PERFORATIONS WERE FOUND (PLEASE SEE ALL ATTACHED PHOTOS). THEY DID NOT MENTION THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME C CHANNEL LOWER FLANGES. THIS EXPONENTIALLY EXPANSIVE CORROSION HAS REACHED THE LEAF SPRING BRACKET FLANGE RIVETS (SEE PHOTO 8810); CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WILL RESULT. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN CORROSION RELATED FAILURE. THIS FRAME AND VEHICLE ARE UNSAFE! ON 12/21/19 I EMAILED THIS INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND COPIES OF ALL SERVICE RECORDS, TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. THEY EMAILED ME BACK ON 12/28/19 AND ASKED ME TO CALL THEM. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE, JEFFERY M., CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT PERFORATED SO I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FRAME REPLACEMENT RECALL. I ASKED JEFFERY MULTIPLE TIMES IF THE DEALER SAID THE FRAME IS SAFE OR NOT. HE REFUSED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND WOULD ONLY STATE THAT MY FRAME IS NOT PERFORATED. THE NHTSA/TOYOTA 10MM PERFORATION CRITERIA IS INADEQUATE AND THE PHASE 2 APPLICATION BONDING FAILURE EXACERBATED MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT RETENTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11291030December 24, 2019
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MOLLE TOYOTA (601 W 103 RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114, (812) 942-5200) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 273,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11287922December 9, 2019
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
TWO ITEMS HERE: FIRST I WENT TO CHANGE MY TIRE WITH MY SPARE AND IT WAS MISSING. THE TIRE SERVICE COMPANY SAID THE TIRE MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF SOMEWHERE AS THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED OFF. 2ND, I HAD MY TUNDRA PUT UP ON A LIFT TO SEE WHAT THE BANGING SOUND WAS. ONE OF THE SHOCK'S CONNECTIONS WAS RUSTED OFF AND JUST HANGING. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE WHOLE FRAME AND CRANKCASE ON THE REAR DRIVE AREA LOOKED LIKE "BARK ON A TREE" AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11287802December 8, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA SHOWING SEVERE SIGNS OF FRAME RUST AND CORROSION DAMAGE RENDERING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON A PUBLIC ROADWAY. THIS VEHICLE IN EVERY OTHER WAY GAS BEEN MANUFACTURED TO PERFORM FOR MANY MORE YEARS EXCEPTING THE FOUNDATION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAMEWORK. MANY, MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE IN USE ON AMERICAN STREETS BY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE IN DIRE RISK AND POSING A LIFE THREATENING RISK TO ALL OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281187November 19, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 TUNDRA SUBJECT TO FRAME RUST DETERIORATION RECALL WHICH ENDED THIS YEAR 2019. THIS VEHICLE UNDERWENT THIS RECALL INSPECTION AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD "PAINT WITH RUST INHIBITOR WILL SOLVE PROBLEM". RECENT INSPECTIONS X2 BY FRAME MECHANICS (NOW A FEW YEARS LATER) RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDATION TO NOT DRIVE DUE TO DANGER OF IMMINENT FRAME COLLAPSE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 118,000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I AM SURE MANY OTHERS ARE IN SAME CONDITION - NOT HAVING FRAME REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER, OR MISLED BY MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CENTER. MANY ACCIDENTS LIKELY WILL OCCUR IN FUTURE. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE WARNED OF THIS DANGER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11279572November 12, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THE TRUCK CANNOT EVEN BE JACKED UP. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT,IT IS NOT DUE TO A LACK OF CARE FOR THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11278285November 5, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID FROM THE HOUSING WALL OF THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR END HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CONTINENTAL TOYOTA (6701 SOUTH LA GRANGE ROAD, HODGKINS, IL 60525, (708) 716-4497) WHERE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11270967October 25, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED - TO MY SHOCK AND I JUST FAILED INSPECTION BUT THE TRUCK IS GORGEOUS AND RUNS GREAT WITH ALL NEW TIRES. I'M CURRENTLY LOW INCOME AND WONDER HOW THE FRAME RECALL WAS MISSED BUT THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED. PLEASE ADVISE AND THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11265668October 2, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. CAR HAS ONLY 130K MILES. TOYOTA DENIES CULPABILITY, FRAME IS MADE OF INFERIOR MATERIAL NOT ABLE TO WITHSTAND USE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258184September 25, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
A RECALL LETTER WAS SENT FOR 2003 TUNDRA FOR UNDERCOATING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS THERE FOR THREE DAYS. I WAS TOLD NOTHING ELSE WAS NEEDED. I BROUGHT ATTENTION TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT FRAME RECALL. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THAT RECALL ALTHOUGH THE YEAR AND MODEL WAS ON THE SITE. SECOND ISSUE OF CONCERN, ENTIRE STEERING LINE REPLACED. THERE WAS A LACK OF POWER STEERING. VEHICLE HOUSED FOR THREE DAYS AT DEALERSHIP. FAST FORWARD TODAY, 25 SEPTEMBER WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY SERVICE MANAGER OF LARGE AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ROAD WORTHY. LAYERS OF RUSTED METAL CRUMBLED IN MANAGER'S HAND. AS A CONSUMER PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR HELP TO RESOLVE ONGOING CONCERNS. I AM A FEMALE RETIRED VETERAN PLEADING FOR HELP. I LOVE MY VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IS THE REASON THE MILEAGE IS 260,000 (+). YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS CONCERN WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11254319September 9, 2019
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT REPEATEDLY UNHOOKS AFTER YOU INSERT BUCKLE IN TO LOCKING MECHANISM. SEAT BELT WAS SECURED IN LOCKING MECHANISM AND VERIFIED BY PULLING ON STRAP AFTER LOCKING IN PLACE. LATER AS YOU DRIVE AROUND THE BELT UNLOCKS BY ITSELF. I HAVE INVESTED AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SPRING LOCK IS WEAK, DEFECTIVE AND WILL NO LONGER STAY ON THE PROPER LOCK POSITION. IT SEEMS THE INTERNAL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN OR AT BEST WEAKENED AN CAN DISLODGE FROM THE LOCKED POSITION AT ANYTIME IN A FEW SECONDS OR HOURS AFTER IT WAS SECURED. THIS PROBLEM GIVES YOU A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. THE UNLOCKING CAN HAPPEN IN THE PARK POSITION, DRIVING ON A STREET OR DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM CAN BE DETECTED BY THE RED 'PRESS' BUTTON SHOULD BE ALL THE WAY EXTENDED WHEN THE LATCH IS NOT IN PLACE. IF THE LATCH DOES NOT EXTEND FULLY AND IT'S NOT FLUSH WITH THE EDGE OF THE BUCKLE THEN IT IS DEFECTIVE. LOCK BUTTON CAN BE MANEUVERED INTO THE LOCK POSITION BY WIGGLING IT, BUT IT WILL NOT HOLD IN PLACE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243545August 13, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
FRAM EXCESSIVE RUST . "RECALL" , YET TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED , TREATED , THEN DENIED THE RECALL REPLACEMENT .KINDLY ADVISE .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242247August 7, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EVERY TIME I GO ON A TRIP THAT REQUIRES THE TRUCK TO BE RUNNING FOR LONGER THEN 20 MIN OR SO IT BEGINS TO MAKE A REALLY LOUD GRINDING CLUNKING SOUND AND YOU CAN FEEL IT. IT'S SEEMINGLY COMING FROM THE BACK AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVING OF THE TIRES. MY BUDDY THINKS IT IS THE TRANSMISSION BOX AND THAT IT IS STUCK BETWEEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND REG. IT ALSO WON'T GO OUT OF FOUR LOT AND FOUR HI WHEN I WANT IT TO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11232083July 15, 2019
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS IN MOTION AND DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TAKATA AIRBAG WAS REPLACED BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) PRIOR TO MY ABOVE MENTIONED ACCIDENT. THE AUTO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, POSSIBLY BRAKE FAILURE OR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OF THE CAR ENGINE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11221799June 21, 2019
AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION
TAKARA INFLATORS AND DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY STREET AND HAD A DRIVER FLASHING HIS LIGHTS AT ME. I PULLED OVER TO FIND OUT THAT MY SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK HAD FALLEN OFF AND BOUNCED INTO A BUILDING. I GO BACK TO GET IT AND NOTICE THAT IT HAD RUSTED AND FELL OFF. I'VE BEEN HAVING BALL JOINT ISSUES AND NOW MY RACK AND PINION HAS STARTED TO LEAK BECAUSE OF RUST. I'VE LEARNED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FRAME HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID MY TRUCK HAD BEEN LOOKED AT AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I'VE GOT THE SPARE TIRE AND THE RUSTED BRACKET. I'M REALLY SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT,AND AIR BAG THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT BUT TO SCARED TO DRIVE IT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219453June 12, 2019
TRAILER HITCHES, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRAILER HITCH BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE HITCH DROPPED LOW TO THE GROUND AND WAS BENT. THE CONTACT USED THE TRAILER JACK TO LIFT UP THE TRAILER AND STRAIGHTEN THE HITCH TO THE RECEIVER IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER HITCH WAS BOLTED TO THE REINFORCEMENT BUMPER, WHICH WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE TRAILER FROM HIS VEHICLE AND PLACED IT IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW COUNTRY TOYOTA OF SARATOGA SPRINGS (LOCATED AT 3002 NY-50 BUILDING # 1, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866, (518) 584-7272) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BUMPER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED THE FRAME AND ALL THE CROSSMEMBERS; THEREFORE, THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1906120378. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11218689June 8, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RECALL INFERIOR STEEL USED ON THE FRAME HAS LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND ROT. TOYOTA APPLIED A SEALANT TO THE FRAME TO ADDRESS THE RUST ISSUE. THE SEALANT WAS ALSO AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND DID NOT ADHERE TO THE FRAME. BECAUSE TOYOTA CONSIDERED THE RECALL CLOSED THERE WAS NO WARNING TO INDICATE A HAZARD COULD EXIST. A RECALL WILL NOT SHOW UP ON CAR FAX IF THE MANUFACTURER DEEMS THE RECALL IS COMPLETE. TOYOTA'S POSITION THAT ROAD SALT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FRAME ROT IGNORES THESE FACTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11218372June 6, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
A FEW YEARS AGO I BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH 70K MILES ON IT THINKING I WAS GETTING A RELIABLE VEHICLE WITH LOTS OF LIFE LEFT ON IT. WHAT I GOT WAS THE MOST UNRELIABLE EXPENSIVE PIECE OF CRAP I HAVE EVER OWNED. IT EVEN NEARLY RUINED OUR HONEYMOON. WE TOOK THE TRUCK ON A ROAD TRIP TO SEE THE SOUTHWEST AND KICK OFF OUR MARRIAGE. IT WAS VERY EXCITING THANKS TO TOYOTA. AT THE GRAND CANYON WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF HUNTING DOWN THE LAST OVERPRICED BOTTLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID. RATHER THAN RELAXING AT THE SOUTH RIM I HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO LIMP THE TRUCK TO THE NEAREST SHOP. THAT WAS OVER $1200 OUT OF OUR BUDGET. THE NEXT OBSTACLE WAS EVEN MORE EXCITING. WE DISCOVERED THE BACK TIRES WHERE READY TO FALL OFF AND THE FRONT WHEELS HAD DEVELOPED SOME ISSUE ALSO. SO WE LIMPED THE TRUCK TO ELK CITY OKLAHOMA IN THE MIDST OF TORNADO WARNINGS. WE EVEN GOT TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN A RUN DOWN MOTEL 6. I THINK THEY RENTED ROOMS BY THE HOUR. THAT WAS ANOTHER $1400 OVER OUR BUDGET FOR A TWO DAY STAY IN SCENIC ELK CITY. AT LEAST WE GOT A FREE LOANER FROM THE FOLKS AT SMITH FAMILY NISSAN. IT'S MORE THAN TOYOTA HAS DONE FOR US. I HAD TO DRIVE UP TO KEENE TO JUST GET PUSHED RIGHT OUT THE DOOR POLITELY. THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST SAVED ME THE TRIP BY SIMPLY RETURNING MY EMAIL. WE GOT THE SAME TREATMENT FROM TOYOTA CORP. AND FOR A SOUVENIR WE ARE LEFT WITH A VERY EXPENSIVE PIECE OF SCRAP METAL IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH TOYOTA CHEEPED OUT ON THE STEEL FOR THE FRAME. CHEAP CHINESE STEEL. THE SOLUTION WAS TO SPRAY SOME CHEAP CRAP ON THE FRAME AND COVER UP THE PROBLEM. IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE IT BREAKS IN HALF JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THANKS TOYOTA FOR ALL THE HELP AND THE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CUSTOMERS. THANKS TO TOYOTA'S PATCH JOB THE FRAME ISSUES DID NOT APPEAR IN A CAR FAX REPORT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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