NHTSA Complaint #10735655 — 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA

POWER TRAIN issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10735655
Vehicle	2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
Component	POWER TRAIN
Date of Incident	July 18, 2015
Date Filed	July 22, 2015
Mileage	138,329 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	OH

Consumer Description

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING GEAR LUBE, IF IT GOES UNNOTICED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COULD LOCK UP CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2000-2003 TUNDRAS AND IS VERY UNSAFE, THERE IS NO REASON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING SHOULD RUST THROUGH THIS QUICK, 30 YEAR OLD TRUCKS DO HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT A WHOLE LOT OF TOYOTA TRUCKS DO, IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON GOOGLE FOR RUSTED THROUGH DIFFERENTIALS ITS ALL TOYOTA TRUCKS, AND ITS NOT JUST A DIFFERENTIAL COVER ITS THE ENTIRE HOUSING, I WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS IF IT HAD A COVER I WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT IN AN HOUR AND CALLED IT A DAY. THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY REPLACED BECAUSE IT RUSTED THROUGH AND NOW THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE JUST LIKE THE FRAME THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Related Complaints for the 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA

Other POWER TRAIN Complaints

#11608880 — August 16, 2024 — The frame has failed by rusting through and continues to the brake line. It is available for inspection. The truck is...

#11189746 — March 18, 2019 — 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT END MAKING A SEVERE GRINDING, SQUEAKING, AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE CV AXLE BOOTS ARE DESTROYED...

#11121088 — August 20, 2018 — STEERING COLUMN SHIFT BRACKET BROKE IN 3 PLACES WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, MAKING SHIFTING IMPOSSIBLE. ...

#10914878 — October 8, 2016 — I AM A RETIRED TOYOTA MASTER DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN. AS I WAS REPLACING MY REAR BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 TUNDRA-WITH 79,...

#10820566 — January 15, 2016 — TOYOTA HAD A RECALL OF RUSTED OUT FRAMES FOR 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRUCKS. MINE WAS REPLACED, BUT NOW THE DIFFERENTIAL ...

Recent Complaints for the 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA

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#11715509 — STRUCTURE:BODY — February 4, 2026 — There was a recall for the frame rusting out prematurely. Toyota had the recall until 2012. I did not own the truck...

#11694137 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — October 17, 2025 — I have a 2003 Toyota Tundra with a Rusted out frame, I have called Toyota with no help from them as it was Sorry its ...

#11690034 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — September 26, 2025 — Frame Corrosion: There was originally a customer service campaign for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra’s for frame corrosion t...

#11687870 — SERVICE BRAKES — September 17, 2025 — I need to have rear shock replaced. They found that the bracket holder rusted thru . Shock was fine . The Rear frame ...