2003 Toyota Tundra Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TRUCK HAS 98K MILES. BROUGHT IN 2003 NEW. TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT. HAD A RECALL ON FRAME CORROSION AND HAVE IT RECOATED IN 2011. TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO MECHANIC FOR NON FRAME RELATED ISSUE. THE TRUCK FRAME BROKE DEAD CENTER (BETWEEN THE TRUCK AND THE BED AREA) WHILE ON THE LIFT (THANKFULLY NO ONE GOT HURT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY TOOK CARE OF MY TRUCK WITH THE RE-COAT. IT IS AT OWNERS EXPENSE TO FIX IT. THEY ARE NOT ADMITTING THEIR RECALL WAS NOT EFFECTIVE IN FIXING THE UNDERLYING ISSUE. THIS IS WELL KNOW FLAW IN THEIR DESIGN. EVEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME HE HAD COUPLE BROKE THE SAME WAY WHILE ON THEIR LIFT. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK FOR TOYOTA'S RELIABILITY, BUT I WAS WRONG. HAVING A TRUCK FRAME BROKE LESS THAN 100K MILES IS LIKE HAVING SOMEONE DIED AT AGE 25. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CHUNKS OF THE FRAME WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1710030430. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED CALLED TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO INFORM THEM OF ISSUE OF FRAME BEING CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS WAS DETECTED NY MY MECHANIC WHO IS CERTIFIED AND HAS HIS OWN REPAIR FACILITY. HE INDICATED FRAME WILL NOT LAST ANOTHER YEAR. TOYOTA DENIED CONSUMER ANY CLAIM DUE TO A RE-CALL WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. VIN IS INVALID UPDATED 7/25/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT RECOGNIZED MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
IN MAY 2016, I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA FROM A USED CAR DEALER. IN OCTOBER, AS I WAS CHANGING THE OIL, I NOTICED A RUST HOLE IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE FRAME AND AS I FURTHER INSPECTED, THERE WERE RUST HOLES AND CRACKS IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE FRAME. I CHECKED THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED IN 2012. I THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY REVIEWED MY CASE AND SENT IT TO A CASE MANAGER. THE CASE MANAGER CONTACTED ME 2 DAYS LATER AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND IT HAD EXPIRED. THIS IS TROUBLING TO COMPREHEND BECAUSE A CO-WORKER OF MINE WHO OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TRUCK HAD HIS FRAME REPLACED, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, IN 2015. I FIND THIS EXTREMELY TROUBLING BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO POTENTIALLY INJURING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IF THE FRAME WERE TO FURTHER CRACK OR SPLIT. TOYOTA STATES THAT THEY "WANT OUR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A GREAT OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE, SO WE ARE PLEASED TO RESOLVE LITIGATION IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS THEM AND DEMONSTRATES THAT WE STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF OUR VEHICLES." I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO RESOLVE MY SAFETY ISSUES AND CONCERNS.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST MY SPARE TIRE THE CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OFF THE TRUCK I HAD TOYOTA UNDER COAT THE TRUCK IN 2012 I HOPE NO ONE GOT HURT OR KILLED FROM THE TIRE FALLING OFF
MY VEHICLE HAS SUSTANTIAL FRAME RUST WHICH AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION AND THE RESALE/TRADE-IN VALUE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO OFFER ANY REMEDY BECAUSE THE FRAME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ENDED IN 2012. MY VEHICLES FRAME PASSED A FRAME INSPECTION IN 2011 BY A LOCAL DEALER. I TOOK THEM AT THEIR WORD. I DONT FEEL THAT THE FRAME ON A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD HAVAE SUCH A SHORT SERVICE LIFE. THIS IS A HARDSHIP FOR HUNDEREDS OF TUNDRA OWNERS WHO HAVE OTHERWISE GOOD VEHICLES THAT ARE NOW POTENTIALLY UN-SAFE AND UTTERLY WORTHLESS. THE DEALER DID OFFER TO PATCH THE FRAME IN ONE AREA BUT IT IS CORRODED IN SEVERAL AREAS. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS TOYOTAS ACTIONS DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER DUE TO GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NO LONGER WORK. ISSUE WAS FOUND TO BE TRANSMISSION CABLE RUSTED THRU AND BROKE. DURING A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR OF ABOVE ISSUE; A FRAME INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER RUST HAD COMPROMISED THE FRAME PUTTING A FEW HOLES IN THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME RAIL. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOOK PICTURES AND SUBMITTED A PACKAGE TO THE REGIONAL CONTACTS WITH "A RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE'S FRAME." AGAIN, THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPAIR TECHNICIANS AND MGMT. ARE RECOMMENDING THE FRAME BE REPLACED UNDER A EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE. AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS TOYOTA HAS DENIED REMEDIATION AND OR CORRECTIVE WORK ON THEIR PART !! THIS IS A TUNDRA TRUCK WHICH HAS HAD ALL FACTORY RECALLS PERFORMED; AND IN OTHER ASPECTS IS IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL AND RUNNING SHAPE WITH JUST UNDER 70K MI. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 8/7, CASE # 1508070842 AND AM WAITING FOR FEEDBACK. I AM CREATING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT AS I DON'T BELIEVE TOYOTA WILL DO ANYTHING, YET I WANT TO BE POSITIVE ON THE MATTER. I EXPECT TOYOTA TO EITHER REPLACE THE FRAME, REMEDIATE AND REPAIR, OR OFFER TO PURCHASE IT BACK TOWARDSTHE PURCHASE OF A NEW ONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
WITHIN A YEAR OF TOYOTA INSPECTING FRAME AND SPRAYING .I LOST SPARE TIRE WITH OUT KNOWING .APPROXIMATELY 3/14 A MECHANIC SAW HOLES IN FRAME .TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND REPORTED IT TO COMPANY.I GOT A CALL SAYING THERE WAS NO FRAME RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA MY SELF. I DID AND FILED A COMPLAINT.A WOMAN NAMED JAY CALLED ME AND SAID THERE WAS NO CURRENT RECALL ON 2003 TUNDRAS AND MINE WAS RECALLED JUST FOR SPRAYING THE FRAME.I SHARED MY OPINION OF THE SITUATION AND THOUGHT THEY WOULD RECONSIDER THERE DECISION. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING AND MY TRUCK SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
MY DAD BOUGHT THIS TUNDRA NEW IN 2003. THE FRAME STARTED RUSTING IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AND IN 2011 HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT HE NEEDED TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN AND HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED. HE TOOK IT TO HICKORY TOYOTA TO HAVE THE DEALER EVALUATE IT. BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS HEAVILY RUSTED MY DAD ASSUMED THE FRAME WOULD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS STRUCTURALLY FINE AND INTACT AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. MY DAD GAVE ME THE TRUCK IN 2012 AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED. MY MECHANIC COMMENTED ON THE EXCESSIVE RUST AND TOLD ME I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. I TOLD HIM MY DAD HAD TAKEN IT AND SUPPOSEDLY EVERYTHING WAS OK. SKIP AHEAD TO JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND I HAD THE TUNDRA IN AGAIN FOR A REGULAR STATE INSPECTION. AS SOON AS MY MECHANIC PUT MY TRUCK UP ON THE LIFT, THE FRAME BENT IN THE MIDDLE ON BOTH SIDES AND HOLES WERE TORN IN THE FRAME. I CONTACTED BOTH TOYOTA AND THE DEALER THAT DID THE INSPECTION IN 2011 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE RECALL ON THESE FRAMES HAD EXPIRED AND THEY WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING. I FEEL THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT TOLD US WE DIDN'T NEED A NEW FRAME IN 2011 BEFORE THE RECALL EXPIRED WAS TRYING TO SAVE BOTH HIMSELF AND TOYOTA MONEY BY NOT REPLACING THE FRAME WHEN IT NEEDED IT. I BELIEVE THE DEALER AND TOYOTA STILL BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE FRAME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,566.
FRAME RUST THROUGH.TOYOTA CLAIMS RUST HOLE IS NOT IN THE CORRECT LOCATION ON THE TRUCK.SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING ROTTED OUT DUMPING OIL ALL OVER ROAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES CORRODED THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT HAD EXPIRED FOR THE FRAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). AFTER THE REPAIRS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNBALANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE RINGS AROUND THE STRUT HAD BECOME CORRODED, CAUSING THE SPRING TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET, REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS AND THE FRONT RACK WERE ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
FRAME HAS SEVERAL RUST PERFORATION HOLES. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPAIR. VEHICLE BOUGHT USED IN MARCH OF 2013. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). IN CONJUNCTION TO THE REMEDY REPAIR THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE A REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THEY WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS AND PARTIAL LABOR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BEING REFUNDED FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE CALIPERS, ON 1/31/13, RUST WAS FOUND ON THE NEW FRAME. UPDATED 06/24/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS CONTINUED TO REMAIN ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY DEFFECT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE AT THIS TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:09V444000(STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ
RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER WHICH STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION, DEALER DID NOT SPRAY UNDER CARRIAGE. FAMILY MEMBER ALSO OWNS THIS TRUCK AND STATED THAT HIS WAS SPRAYED AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ERODED AND REPLACED. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR REEVALUATION AS THE FUEL FILLER MAY BE ERODED OR CRACKED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUSTED HOLE IN THE REAR FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE LOCATION OF THE HOLE WAS NOT PART OF THE FRAME AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH A CORROSION COMPOUND UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
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The 2003 Toyota Tundra has 97 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.