2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA Power Train Problems

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.

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 PUNDERDESIGNED 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.

I AM A RETIRED TOYOTA MASTER DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN. AS I WAS REPLACING MY REAR BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 TUNDRA-WITH 79,962 MILES, I SAW A FLUID LEAK UNDER REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE GEAR OIL IS LEAKING THROUGH THE HOUSING. UNFORTUNATELY THE ONLY REMEDY IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. THE FRAME HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED-UNDER RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED- AT MY EXPENSE. ALSO THE POWER STEERING LINES HAVE ALSO RUSTED THROUGH WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED- AT MY EXPENSE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED IS OF VERY LOW QUALITY CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.IE; LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO DIFFERENTIAL LOCK-UP, LOSS OF VEHICLE BRAKING DUE TO RAPID FLUID LOSS, LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DUE TO RAPID FLUID LOSS....

TOYOTA HAD A RECALL OF RUSTED OUT FRAMES FOR 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRUCKS. MINE WAS REPLACED, BUT NOW THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS RUSTED OUT AND IT REQUIRES AN ENTIRE NEW REAR AXLE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND REPLACE AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE THE REAR END TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AND POSSIBLE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES.

BAD FRAME RUST BAD SUSPENSION RUST BAD DIFFERENTIAL RUST BAD SPARE TIRE RUST.IF RUST CONDITION GETS WORSE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUSPENSION FAILURE IS VERY REAL.SOME OF THESE MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED OR BOUGHT BACK BEFORE THERE IS INJURY OR DEATH.

I TOOK MY 2003 TUNDRA TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, INDEPENDENT, TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL EVALUATED DUE TO CRUNCHING SOUND WHICH OCCURRED WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND LEAKING OF FLUID DUE TO CORROSION ON HOUSING. THE SHOP CALLED ME THAT DAY TWO HOURS LATER AND INFORMED ME THAT MY FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON BOTH SIDES MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NOT WORTH PROCEEDING IN ANY REPAIRS OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT THIS POINT. THEY CONTACTED THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH TOLD THEM THAT THE FRAME PERFORATION RECALL, NHTSA # 09V444 HAD EXPIRED 7/31/2015 SIX DAYS PRIOR. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL TOYOTA, WHICH I DID. THE LADY INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL WAS STILL ONGOING. I TOOK THE TUNDRA TO THAT SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO INSPECT THE FRAME. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALL ME AND INFORM ME THAT...

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...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

HELLO, I AM HAVING A REALLY STRANGE PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 TUNDRA, THE REAR AXLE IS ACTUALLY RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING GEAR LUBE! I LIVE IN A SNOW AREA AND DROVE THE TRUCK FOR A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE NOTICING THE OIL ON GROUND AFTER SNOW MELTED, NOW IT IS TOO LATE AS THE REAR AXLE IS NOW MAKING A NOISE AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL I REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE HOUSING! YOU CANNOT HEAR IT IN THE CAB UNLESS WINDOWS ARE DOWN! I HAVE TAKEN EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF THIS TRUCK AND ALL MY CARS, WASHING AND WAXING FREQUENTLY EVEN IN WINTER. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN BACK FOR RUST INSPECTIONS AND FRAME COATING BUT NOTHING FOR THE AXLE! I HAVE ACTUALLY SPOKEN WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS THAT ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME WITH THEIR TUNDRA! ACTUALLY THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE BEARINGS SEIZE FROM NO...

MY 2003 TUNDRA SR5 4X4 ACCESS CAB BROKE DOWN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING IN 2WD AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. UPON A LENGTHY AND EXPENSIVE TOW TO MY MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD FAILED DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST NOT ONLY ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER, BUT OVER THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE RUST WAS SO PERVASIVE IT ALLOWED DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE CARRIER ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HEAT AND FRICTION LEADING TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS. THE TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 48,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF RUSTED FUEL TANK STRAPS. I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM ANY TOYOTA DEALER EXCEPT TO BE REFERRED TO TOYOTA USA. AS SUCH, I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA DIRECT ON OCT. 28, 2013 AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER (INCIDENT: 131027-000079). AS EXPECTED, TOYOTA'S ORAL REPLY...

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

NOTICED OILY SUBSTANCE ON DRIVEWAY, TOOK TRUCK TO MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAD RUSTED THROUGH! I WAS SHOCKED AT THE NEWS AND DUMBFOUNDED TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TUNDRA'S AND TACOMA'S AND THERE IS NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO PAY UPWARDS OF $2000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY NEWER VEHICLE HAVING THE AXLE RUST THROUGH AT ONLY 104,000 MILES. THIS IS LOW MILES FOR A 2003 AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF TOO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE SWITCHED FROM FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO TWO WHEEL DRIVE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY AND VIOLENTLY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,00 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. ... UPDATED 02/27/13 *BF

TOOK 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN FOR FRAME RUST CORROSION PROGRAM 09V-444000. WAS TOLD FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND MULTIPLE 10MM HOLES BY LEAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT MY 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRAME WAS EXTENSIVELY RUSTED AND UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AND THEY WANTED TO TAKE MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY AND PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. ASKED FOR A PLAN OF ACTION OF THE SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED (CORROSION COMPOUND VERSES FRAME REPLACEMENT) BEFORE GIVING POSSESSION OF VEHICLE. PHOTOS OF 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRAME, REAR CROSS MEMBERS, SPARE TIRE CARRIER, REAR BRAKE LINES & FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO LEAD SERVICE TECH THREE STATES AWAY IN TEXAS. WAS INFORMED EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST EXISTS ON ALL COMPONENTS (FRAME, REAR CROSS MEMBERS, SPARE TIRE CARRIER, REAR BRAKE LINES & FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM) BUT...

FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE WHERE THE SHIFT CONTROL GOES INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, WHERE IT CONNECTS HAS BROKEN. THIS IS A PIECE OF METAL THAT HAS AGAIN SNAPPED MAKING IT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF I WAS IN DRIVE AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK? I HAVE HAD THIS FIXED TWICE BEFORE, ONCE WHEN I WAS STUCK ON THE ROAD AND ONCE TOWED TO TOYOTA. *TR

TOYOTA HAD A RE-CALL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE 03 TUNDRA. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTIONS FOR 3 YEARS & WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS OK. THIS YEAR TOYOTA SAID THEY HAD AN OK TO UNDERCOAT THE FRAMES. WHILE MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR THE WORK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERNTIAL HAD RUSTED THROUGH & WAS LEAKING OIL. EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPONENET IS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK JUST LIKE THE FRAME THAT WAS COVERED THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $2000 FOR THE REAR DIFFERNTIAL CASING TO BE REPLACED. WHY WAS THIS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IF THE COMPONENET IS PART OF THE UDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE? *TR

I BELIEVE TOYOTA SOLD HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE TO CUSTOMERS WHO ASKED FOR A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL AND PAID A PREMIUM TO GET ONE. MANY TIMES WHEN ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ONE REAR TIRE JUST SPINS WITH NO TRACTION TO THE OTHER. MY WINDOW STICKER SAYS I HAVE LSD AND I DON'T. THE MECHANIC AT DESERT TOYOTA TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE A LS WHEN HE CHANGED MY REAR DIF OIL. I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE TOLD ME, "NO, YOU HAVE A REGULAR DRIVE REAR END." SEVERAL MONTHS PASSED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE DOWN TO PRECISION TOYOTA WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY JUST LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND SAID I HAD IT. I SAID I DIDN'T. THEY POINTED TO A DECAL AND THAT WAS THEIR PROOF. I ASKED FOR A TEST TO BE APPLIED TO IT TO PROVE IT BUT SAID THEY WERE TO BUSY AND...

SHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TUNDRA ACCESS CAB 4WD TRUCK. TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THE RUST RECALL INSPECTION AND TO INVESTIGATE OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS FINE BUT THE CROSS MEMBERS AND TANK SUPPORTS NEED COATING. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT OIL IS LEAKING AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K MILES. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THE KNOWN RUST ISSUES THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN RETURNING TO MY2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA, FROM A DOCTORS APPT, I NOTICED A POOL OF LIQUID, UNDER THE REAR AXLE OF THE TRUCK. HAVING WIFE BACK TRUCK UP, I CHECKED THIS VISCOUS, CLEARISH FLUID, FINDING IT TO BE A REAR END OIL/GREASE, AND HAD BEEN LEAKING FROM MID HOUSING OF THE REAREND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THIS HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR ENOUGH TIME THAT OIL SPOTS WERE ALL OVER THE REAR WINDOW OF AND TAILGATE OF TRUCK. I CALLED TOYOTA TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY WANTED ?$120 JUST TO LOOK AT IT, SO I BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC DOWN THE ROAD FORM TOYOTA AND HE FOUND THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAD RUSTED THRU. HE IN 40 YEARS HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WHILE SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT REAR END, COULD ONLY FIND ONE "GOOD USED" ONE IN NEW ENGLAND. HE OBTAINED AND REPLACED MY DAMAGED ONE,...