2003 Toyota Tundra Problems

NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra to address severe corrosion on the rear frame cross-member section or rear brake lining proportion valve. Vehicle was apparently treated with CRC in 2010, but vehicle continued to rust severely in the specified recall zone, even after Toyota Safety Recall 90M had been completed on the vehicle. The CRC applied to the rear frame cross-member of the frame as specified did not inhibit further corrosion of the rear frame cross member, if anything it accelerated the corrosion. Thousands of 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras titled in the specified severe cold weather states still remain in use, and pose a threat to the overall safety of drivers. The Toyota 90M Safety recall did not adequately inhibit the corrosion of the rear frame section, rendering the vehicle unserviceable & unable to align, and leaving gas tanks, rear suspension, rear drive train, and spare tire parts susceptible to falling off of the vehicle and causing an accident- posing a risk of severe injury/death to road users. I am asking that the NHTSA please look into reissuing the NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 to have all 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras still registered for road use in severe cold weather states be inspected by a certified Toyota dealership for repairs, frame replacement, or vehicle buybacks to prevent unnecessary accidents due to a manufacturer defect that was never rectified properly.

NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra to address severe corrosion on the rear frame cross-member section or rear brake lining proportion valve. Vehicle was apparently treated with CRC in 2010, but vehicle continued to rust severely in the specified recall zone, even after Toyota Safety Recall 90M had been completed on the vehicle. The CRC applied to the rear frame cross-member of the frame as specified did not inhibit further corrosion of the rear frame cross member, if anything it accelerated the corrosion. Thousands of 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras titled in the specified severe cold weather states still remain in use, and pose a threat to the overall safety of drivers. The Toyota 90M Safety recall did not adequately inhibit the corrosion of the rear frame section, rendering the vehicle unserviceable & unable to align, and leaving gas tanks, rear suspension, rear drive train, and spare tire parts susceptible to falling off of the vehicle and causing an accident- posing a risk of severe injury/death to road users. I am asking that the NHTSA please look into reissuing the NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 to have all 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras still registered for road use in severe cold weather states be inspected by a certified Toyota dealership for repairs, frame replacement, or vehicle buybacks to prevent unnecessary accidents due to a manufacturer defect that was never rectified properly.

Getting Airbag light on . Went to Modesto Toyota and they installed new clock spring strap in steering wheel. After installing the airbag light came back on . I again went back to dealer with same issue. They installed another clock spring in steering wheel. Drove about 1 mile , again airbag came on. Took it back to dealer a 3rd time same issue. They told me that the connector for the strap was too short. So now I am in limbo waiting for a replacement or something. Contacted dealer Modesto Toyota today 4/16/2026. No response as of yet. So I have still have the airbag light on.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the part was discontinued. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the part was discontinued. The failure mileage was 235,680.

The frame was undercoated incorrectly and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive. Very clearly was not undercoated correctly as there is areas in the frame that have no signs of undercoating. This is putting the driver of the vehicle at risk as well as the other drivers on the road. This is a huge recall that was issued for this model of year truck. Very common. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as they refused to inspect it or even acknowledge the issue. There is no warning lamps on but it is visibly unsafe to drive

The frame was not professionally undercoated and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive.

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?

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.

2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT END MAKING A SEVERE GRINDING, SQUEAKING, AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE CV AXLE BOOTS ARE DESTROYED AND SEEMS LIKE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB IS GOING OUT QUICKLY AS WELL. ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE AND NOISE WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT.

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 contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed several times but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The contact's son intentionally hit a curb and downshifted in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely corroded and an unknown axle was leaking and causing the brake failure. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the gas tank was detaching from the vehicle due to the frame corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

The frame was not professionally undercoated and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive.

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 .

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.

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY FIRST CROSS COUNTRY RETIREMENT TRIP IN SEPTEMBER 2013. MY PLANNED TRIP WAS FROM TENNESSEE TO CALIFORNIA. WHEN I REACHED KINGMAN, ARIZONA (ABOUT 1200 MILES INTO THE TRIP), I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL ON INTERSTATE 40 WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUCK ACCELERATED ITSELF TO A HIGH RPM AND SPEED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND OR SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN. I TRIED TO MAINTAIN STEERING CONTROL, BUT IN A SPLIT-SECOND, I WAS THROWN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE HILLSIDE, TREES, AND BUSHES. THE TRUCK COMPLETELY ROLLED OVER, FLIPPED UPHILL, AND COME TO A STOP FACING TRAFFIC. THE LANDED DRIVER SIDE DOWN, AND WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 79,000 MILES ON IT. A MONTH LATER I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL DONE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2003 MODEL. I NOW WONDER HOW MANY OTHERS WERE INJURED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK MANY PICTURES OF THE DAMAGES. *TR

The frame on my tundra has rusted out so bad that the engine mounts are rusted through, my truck only has 86k miles please help this is our daily driver to get to work and take the kids to school

SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND FRAYED WEBBING ALSO FEAR OF TIMING BELT GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH FAMILY AND CAUSING ME AND MY FAMILY AND/ OR A ONCOMING VEHICLE TO WRECK AND HAVE SERIOUS INJURIES OR MULTIPLE DEATHS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRES, SIZE: P265/70R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD DEFLATE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12T013000 (TIRES). PEP BOYS INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SHOWED PEP BOYS THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY KEPT IT, STATING THAT THEY HAD NO WAY TO COPY THE LETTER IN ORDER TO RETURN THE ORIGINAL TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AFTER HAVING HAD MY TIRES ROTATED & BALANCED TWICE,I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE BELTS ARE POSSIBLY STARTING TO SEPARATE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TIRES VIBRATE THE ARMREST AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR... AT TIMES VERY VIOLENTLY. *TR

I just bought the Toyota I was told that he had brought this Toyota to a dealership and it was sent to har some sealant sprayed on frame to prevent anymore rust. The whole frame and the spare tire holder thing is total rusting out and the motor mounts are even rusting out is there a recall on his veichle if not there should be

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

Both rider and driver seat belt become unlatched randomly. I have no expectation these will remained secure if involved in an accident

SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND FRAYED WEBBING ALSO FEAR OF TIMING BELT GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH FAMILY AND CAUSING ME AND MY FAMILY AND/ OR A ONCOMING VEHICLE TO WRECK AND HAVE SERIOUS INJURIES OR MULTIPLE DEATHS! *TR

STEERING COLUMN SHIFT BRACKET BROKE IN 3 PLACES WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, MAKING SHIFTING IMPOSSIBLE. SEE PICTURES FROM 2 OF 3 FRACTURE LOCATIONS, 3RD FRACTURE IS AT AN ATTACHMENT SCREW (NOT SHOWN). THIS IS CAUSE BY AN UNDERDESIGNED PART MADE OF INFERIOR CAST ALUMINUM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON TUNDRAS AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS WITH SAME DEFECTIVE BRACKET. THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT MUST BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY TOYOTA WITH A REDESIGNED PART.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, LEVER SUB ASSEMBLY, TILT LEVER AND THE SHIFT LEVER. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,426. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,540. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE COLUMN AND REPLACED THE BROKEN SHIFT COMPONENTS. UPDATED 08/13/13

"TAKATA RECALL"

SPIRAL CABLE, ALSO CALLED CLOCKSPRING, FAILED, IDENTICAL TO OTHER TOYOTA SPIRAL CABLE FAILURES ON OTHER MODELS THAT WERE RECALLED. ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED THAT CORRECTS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM (IT DISABLES THE DRIVER AIRBAG AND HORN) FOR AFFECTED TUNDRA MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PREPARING TO UNDERGO A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE AND BACK UP LIGHTS ON TOP OF THE CABIN WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. WHILE REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT FIXTURES ON BOTH SIDES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *DT UPDATED 11/2/18*JB

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS LIGHTS IS ON, THE PASSAGER SIDE. I TOOK TO THE SHOP TO FIX, A MONTHS LATER CAME BACK AGAIN THE LIGHTS.

MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA'S PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE LOCKS GO OFF AND ON BY THEMSELF.*AK

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