general problems of the 2000 Toyota Tundra - part 1

On February 19, 2026, I contacted hendrick Toyota apex (1210 laura village rd, apex, nc 27523) to schedule repair for two open safety recalls on my 2000 Toyota Tundra (VIN: [xxx] ) under NHTSA campaign #09v444, Toyota campaigns bxd and bzd. The dealership incorrectly refused to perform either recall, stating that neither could be done in north carolina because they only apply to cold climate states. This is incorrect — campaign bzd was specifically created as a supplemental campaign to allow Toyota dealers outside the 20 cold climate states to inspect and repair covered vehicles. I was turned away on my first call. Only after calling back a second time to lodge a complaint did a different representative look up the recalls and confirm that campaign bzd can in fact be performed at their location. Had I accepted the initial refusal, I would have been denied a free safety recall repair on a vehicle with 255,656 miles and visible frame corrosion. The dealership's staff appear to be untrained on recall campaign bzd and are likely turning away other affected Tundra owners. I have call recordings documenting the incorrect refusal. I am requesting NHTSA review this dealership's handling of recall #09v444 to ensure other consumers are not wrongly denied safety recall service. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with upper and lower ball joints failure. The contact was informed that the upper and lower ball joints and the axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Frame of the vehicle is starting to rust, clear coat paint is wearing off and is starting to chip with small spots of rust on the roof and hood, lower ball joint failure due to corrosion and degraded components. Unknown why the lower ball joint failed. Vehicle is not in the rust belt but definitely experiences corrosion and suspension issues.

When I drive my vehicle it is difficult to apply the brakes on it and I feel like if I press too hard (which might be necessary if I need to suddenly stop) that the brakes might break or fail somehow. I have also noticed that underneath my truck, the frame is rotting out in certain areas and the leafs (steel long plates near the rear of the vehicle) is bending out of shape. There is a clanking noise near the front of the vehicle that concerns me as well when I pass through a small bump.

Lower ball joints must be replaced under a recall. Toyota has told me to contact you to look into it for me and to ask them to recall the part in question for my vehicle. My VIN is a 2000 Tundra. Models from 2001-06 had a recall for lower ball joints. My truck has the exact same faulty part numbers as the later models. Part numbers are: 43340, 43330 for left and right. This part failing leads to catastrophic failures that causes the entire front end to fall to the ground and the wheels to smash into the fender wells. My truck has very low mileage and is starting to show signs of this failure. My biggest concern is safety especially with an older vehicle. A quick search on the internet will show you this happening to countless other 2000 Tundras. This vehicle has been well cared for but this doesn’t fall under routine maintenance when the part has these known issues. My case number with Toyota is under my name colby mackay and the file number is 230927002545. Thank you and feel free to reach out to me with more questions if you need to via email: colbymackay08@gmail. Com.

I pulled out of my bank's parking lot driveway making a right turn and the lower left ball joint failed and broke off causing the left front wheel assembly to collapse. The truck slid to a stop and blocked both the driveway and roadway. Police arrived shortly afterwards and made a report. Truck was not able to move on it's own and had to be towed to a repair shop. Broken ball joint inspected and then replaced by my mechanic. Further damage occurred to the left front fender and drivers door from the wheel assembly slamming into the fender. Front fender damage caused the drivers door to jamb shut. The damaged fender had to be pried back to release the door so it could open. (fender and door not repaired) fortunately I was alone and not injured if I had been driving at highway speeds I would have received serious injuries/death and possibly loosing control of vehicle causing possible injuries/death to others. No warning lights/messages were visible before or during the incident and the only symptom I observed was a slight creaking noise right before it happened.

My 2000 Toyota Tundra has extreme rust and corrosion on the rear frame of the truck, bumper and tailgate connections are corroded excessive rust. Trouble with the trailer wiring harness. Something has burned up a box on the wiring harness. Parking break cable can not be fixed. Therefore there isn't a working parking break.

My frame is rusted on most in to an I no yall had a recall but I don't know if its stall good for this truck ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly #vpic#.

My mechanic informed me on last visit to shop, w/ my 2000 Tundra, that the frame was seriously rusted. But, I didn't realize how serious it was until. . . Due to black ice. . . . My truck ended up in the ditch (12/4) and had to have a the local towing company tow it home. Jeff hill, the owner-who also runs a body shop-informed me, after looking at underside of my truck. . . . Not to drive it and that due to damage of frame----rusted out----he advised that I not put any more $$$ into it. After getting it home we looked up under truck and could visibly see how seriously rusted it was. And, due to the rust, the impact of my accident actually broke the frame. . . . So now it is completely undrivable and basically totaled. I had a man, don yates, who owns/operates a local welding shop, stop by and inspect it. He gave me a quote of at least $1400 to have frame repaired. My intention was to replace the broken window and mirror-damage from hitting the ditch-and keep on driving it till she wouldn't go anymore. The motor and traney are still good. . . Although they do have a lot of miles on them. The police accident report states over $1,500 worth of damage and I have taken pics of the rust. I had just purchased new tires for it. . . They are still sitting at tire shop waiting on me. I am wondering if I can still get in on the class action suit or if there is any way of getting any help w my problem??? please. Any recourse?? due to my truck frame being broken. . . I was forced to trade in my car to enable me to buy another truck-Toyota of course. So, now my payments are almost double what I had on car. Which. . I could not afford, but, I work out in the boonies and must have a truck to get there. I have pics on my phone but am unable to get them uploaded to my comp. I hope to be able to get this figured out soon. May I send them later??? tu kindly, (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Previously recalled rusted cross member dropped spare tire on massachusetts 495 hitting the vehicle behind me. 8/18 Toyota inspected cross members and frame and told me they all needed to be replaced and since they already did it once during recall they have fulfilled obligation. Truck recieved vehicle undercoating per campaign has had one crossember replaced and fuel straps. Truck is one owner with 74k miles and garaged. Truck inspected in 2014 and in 2017 noted no corrosion at multi point inspections from Toyota. 8/14/18 dealership noted crossmembers had rot that must be welded at an outside shop. Toyota dealership would not quote repair and not work on truck. Have 2 children 3 and 5, wife and I need a safe resolution from Toyota. The recommendation is repair at an outside shop for safety reason and I unable to find a shop to preform Toyota's recommendation and they will not work on vehicle.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. Upon inspecting the vehicle, rust was noticed on the frame, cross member, and the fuel straps, which were extending to the fuel tank. The contact was concerned that the components could fracture. The dealer (cumberland Toyota, 1540 interstate dr, cookeville, TN 38501, (931) 520-4149) indicated that the statute expired to receive the recall remedy and refused to repair the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the front wheels would frequently turn to the opposite direction of what was intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the upper ball joints had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic replaced the upper ball joints with the same model; however, the failure reoccurred after the vehicle had been driven for less than 20,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the upper ball joints with the same model part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replace the ball joints with the original oem ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an auto builder who assisted the contact in replacing the control arms, and upper and lower ball joints, and retro shocks with a different model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 22e002000 (suspension) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

I have tried to get Toyota to replace my frame for about maybe six years. I have taken and had the treatment around the spare tire on the frame treated, and over a couple of year all of the black colored treatment just feel off on my driveway in charleston wv where I lived at the time. I went back to love Lexus and Toyota to have my frame checked to see if they could replace it according to the settlement of the 2000-2003 Tundra trucks. Loves said my frame looked ok to them and they could not do anything at that time. This was about a year and a half ago. Now my left front side of my frame has a hole in the under neath side of the frame and the strut bar is ripping away from the frame. . . I called and talked to alexus, and al , and a higher up man in the company named rob, they would not give me better I. D. Than that, I told him this story as I'm sure his underling al did, that is why rob called me on Aug 22nd and told me there were no avenues that he (rob) could see to help me. Then I said would he help me trade for a newer truck and he (rob) said that would be up to me to do. My Tundra is undriveable and I think Toyota should fix it in the deal that was made for the 2000 to 2003 toyoya Tundra trucks. What do I do to get some help. Walk to whre I want to go? I am on disability and I have very bad conditions, and I don't make enough money to go buy a vehicle. I think if my vehicle meets their specs for repair my truck should be fixed!!!! I tried to find out the lawyers who won or settled this case and could not find any help in doing this? help from tony of huntington wv. Thank you.

Frame recall - the frame originally received the crc coating from kerry Toyota during the frame recall (unknown recall number and time of application). The coating has failed and as a result the steering rack mounts have separated from the frame due to rust. The bolt and mounting point are still together, but broken from the crossmember. I was driving down the road when there was a sudden change in how the steering was operating. It was causing me to wonder around in my line. I felt I had very little control on the steering. Once I pulled over and looked under the truck, it was apparent as to what happened. There is also significant rust damage to the left and right front frame assembly where the main cross member is attached to the frame. This is also where main suspension components mount to the frame. I believe the crc coating has done nothing to prevent the rust from destroying the frame as it was destroyed from the inside out. There are other sub cross members suffering the same rust damage along the frame of the truck. There are two mounts where there is complete separation between the frame and crossmember.

I purchased this vehicle less then 2 years ago unaware of the recall from a small dealer. When I went to replace the shocks was told about the recall. There is no way to replace them and now I don't know what to do with the truck. It's in great shape other then this. Can you help?.

I was recently doing some routine repairs on my 2000 Tundra and noticed the left rear frame rail & spare tire crossover has very severe rust damage. On 9/21/2011 this 2000 Tundra was inspected for frame rust by a local Toyota dealership. I asked the tech what was the method for inspection, he replied they would hit the frame with a hammer in three to four areas, if they were unable to punch a hole in the frame it passed inspection. The spare tire was not removed to inspect the spare tire crossover. The left rear frame area (where the worst damage is on my frame) is not accessible to hit with a hammer with the spare tire in place. Toyota & the dealership is denying any responsibility in this matter. I believe that if this frame was in good shape in 2011 it should still be road worthy today (it is not) I know that I am not the only Tundra owner that is having this problem. Toyota needs to stand behind their products, they knew that these frames were going to continue to fail, I now have a truck with an above average body perfect interior and a well maintained drive train that is basically worthless. Toyota should have been required to replace these frames when they discovered this problem. What will it take to resolve this problem injury or worse death? I have been driving Toyota's since 1984, this is first time the frame failed before the rest of the vehicle. And now I hear the are having frame rust problems with later model Tundra's & tacoma's.

I had just turned around in a parking lot and was pulling away when my right wheel assembly without warning came apart from the suspension and wedged sideways in the wheel well. Shortly before this I had been driving at 65 mph or faster and this would have been a devastating event.

This vehicle had a recall because of the excessive rusting of the frame. I brought my truck in March of 2013 and was told the frame didn't need to be replaced but only needed to be "under coated" which they did. Shortly thereafter this "undercoating" started peeling off in large sheets. I brought the truck back to have it inspected and the local dealership confirmed that there was perforation of the frame. There is a hole in the frame approx. 2 inches in diameter. Toyota called me back and I was told they had done what was required for the recall and they wouldn't be doing anything else. Obviously this was a big enough concern that a recall was declared and it appears that Toyota has taken the position that as long as they make a token effort it doesn't matter if they correct the problem. I pull a boat with this truck and am now concerned that if the frame fails it could cause a serious accident.

I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra sr5 4wd. It was a vehicle that was sold and spent several years in PA. In 2010 my truck was taken into a Toyota dealership in PA to have a frame rust inspection performed due to a Toyota recall related to rust. At the time they replace fuel tank straps and found no other rust perforation on the frame. In 2014 there was still a growing amount of rust spreading in other areas of the frame. It was taken to Toyota in raleigh, nc. Service manager there at the time recommended a frame replacement due to excessive rust. No frame was ever ordered. Now over two years later my truck still have the rust and then some on the frame. I cannot hang a spare tire in the rear due to the rust. The frame have 2 holes in it and is unsafe. Toyota refuses to replace the frame even though it was recommended in 2014 and was still under the warranty period. I have called and called and have opened up a case with Toyota for this issue. They still refuse to replace it no matter what I say and the proof of the damage as a result of poor quality on their part. The truck is unsafe and it should have a new frame under it. I was told by my case manager that since it had been inspected previously in 2010 that there is nothing they can do about the excessive rust that appeared in 2014. Ridiculous!!!! the rust appeared. Under warranty. Needed a frame in 2014. Unsafe. Period!!!.

This vehichle as a lot of frame rust where the frame connects to the leaf springs. I have addressed this with Toyota and they do not see it as an issue since it was not in one of the 20 states they considered "salt" states. This has been a known problem with tacomas and Tundras within this vintage. If there is not perforation, then they see it as not a problem even though lots of scaling leads to perforations and posibble weakness where the suspension connects to the frame.

The frame of my truck is totally rusted through. It has a crack and is unsafe to drive. I recently tried to rotate my tires and the mechanic found a great deal of rust and debris in the wheel hubs. He broke lugnuts and studs trying to remove the rear tires. He refused to touch the front tires. Toyota will not accept any responsibility for this problem. The truck was under coated in 2012 as per recall. Toyota will not take the truck in as a trade because of the rust. Currently the truck is unsafe drive and even if I could drive it I am afraid to think what would happen if I got a flat and had to change the tire. I am the original owner. The truck has only 56,000 thousand miles on it. The engine has been well cared for.

On February 13, 2013 I took my truck into springfield Toyota in springfield virginia for some repair work,brakes and to have the coil pack replaced. I also asked them to complete the state of virginia safety inspection, during the safety inspection the dealer mechanics found a hole in the frame underneath the passenger door and told me that my truck could not pass the safety inspection because of that,after paying the dealer over $2000 dollars for the repairs that they completed, I took my truck to the bodyshop that they recommended. . . This bodyshop told me that it would cost me at least $1500 dollars to have them cut the hole out and weld a piece of metal into the frame. . . After leaving the bodyshop I called Toyota corporate headquarters and was informed that there had been a recall for rusty frames and the crossmember for the spare tire carrier and the fuel tank straps but that recall had expired on December 31 2012. . . Later Toyota corporate called me back and said that they would fix the spare tire carrier,crossmember and fuel tank straps on 29 March 2013 at bill page Toyota in falls church virginia and to get back with them on the frame repairs. My truck has been serviced at springfield Toyota on a regular basis and I was never informed of any recalls or TSB's on my truck. I bought this truck in illinios and it was mentioned in the recall for rusty frames, I feel that this condition creates a safety hazard not only for me but for all motorist on the road with me. . . Toyota needs to issues a recall and deal with this problem in good faith. I never received a recall notice for a rusty frame. . . I wonder how many owner of these vehicles are out here driving an unsafe vehicle and do not know it.

I had a recall letter from Toyota regarding frame rust. It was to be done at no charge. When the dealer inspected the frame, they said the truck qualified for frame replacement at no charge. When the work was beginning, however, I received a phone call stating numerous parts had to be replaced because they were destroyed during the frame replacement process. I was told it was not negotiable and I would have to pay for them. These included all shocks, tie rods and ends for $350. Also, they suggested replacing the steering rack and radiator cap for an additional $650. I have contacted Toyota corporation to try to get the real story of what is covered and what may not be covered.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he received a manufacturer's recall in regards to the chassis. The vehicle was serviced per the recall however, two weeks later he started to notice other failures with the vehicle. The contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated and the suspension on the vehicle would not support the weight from his trailer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised him that the oxygen sensor and evaporation system failed, and the entire suspension system would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The current mileage was approximately 98,000.

Tl-the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 09v444000 (structure: frame and members: under body shields). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who disassembled the entire vehicle and installed a new chassis, per the recall. The contact stated that after the repairs he could no longer tow his trailer. In addition, the evap system and the rack in pinion warning codes were displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised the contact that they did not cause any of the new issues with the codes on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified who stated that whatever the dealer advised that they would stand by their decision. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The failure mileage was 98,000. Kmj.

Rear driver side leaf spring broke. The leaf spring was extremely rusty. It was a single spring out of the four. I have a recall notice for rust on the frame and have had the gas tank straps replaced. Is this a total failure of the steel Toyota uses for the frames of their vehicles? I think it's time that the NHTSA start forcing recalls beyond spraying on rust proofing. So far the people reporting to you haven't been injured, but then I guess the ones who have been injured or killed wouldn't be able to report the problem.

Received a recall notice from Toyota 9sm and a0f and took the truck to conklin cars salina, local Toyota dealership for the inspection. According to Toyota these recalls involve rust and corrosion of the frame, cross members, and fuel tank straps. Conklin cars tech stated no damage, conklin invoice #008916 dated Apr 09 2012. Jan 2015 I noticed a hole in the lh frame rail and that the rear fuel tank strap had rusted through and broke. I contacted conklin cars and the service manager looked at it again on Jan 30th 2015 and said that he had contacted their Toyota factory rep. About the issues. The service manager suggested that I should not drive this vehicle. The service manager called me the following week and told me that the factory rep. Said that the case was closed and Toyota would not do anything about the repair. I was also told that this recall was only for trucks that resided in northern states and this truck was sold in missouri and kansas. Looking at the frame it is evident to me that the frame has heavy corrosion, flaking rust and thinning of the frame rails. I have since replaced both fuel tank straps. I contacted Toyota customer service "debbie" told me that the case number was #1502062938 and that the repair was taken care of on Apr 23rd 2012 and was closed. I had explained that allegedly there was no damage according to the dealership in Apr 2012 and less than 3 years later the straps had rusted through and there were holes in the frame. At this rate of decay the frame will rust in half in less than 3 more years. E. I contacted Toyota and complained on Feb 20th 2015 and they opened a new case #1502210074 and she said a case manager would call. Nicole m. , case manager, Toyota customer care called Feb 26 and told me the vehicle was out of warrantee and Toyota would not do anything. Toyota needs to stand behind these issue because they are ongoing.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the leak springs were rusted and fractured. The dealer was in the process of repairing the failure. The manufacturer opened an incident report, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the brakes failed. In addition, the contact discovered rust on the frame. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall campaign id number: 09v444000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields). The contact believed there was an association between the brake failure and the frame rust and stated that the recall repair was inadequate. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the rear end shook and bounced while driving at various speeds over 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the frame was fine. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer and the contact was informed that various portions of the rear frame and suspension were rusted and corroded. The shock on the rear driver's side was also disconnected from the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the failure was not the same failure being addressed in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 09v444000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields). The failure mileage was 97,000.

This is a follow up to previous e-mail sent 12/6/2010 odi #10375754 Toyota has addressed the frame and crossmember but not the brackets holding everything to frame. The pictures I sent show significant rust and now two years later Toyota has not responded to the problem. The rust on the leaf spring bracket is dangerously close to failing. Is there any course of action to get Toyota to address the problem. Thanks for any help.

Severe brake vibration. Replaced front brake pads, rotors & calipers (w/ oem parts) around 72k. At 92k truck developed a severe braking vibration both in the front & rear the steering wheel would shake so bad that it was hard to control the truck when braking/stopping. Again I replaced both the front rotors & calipers & had the rear brake pivots cleaned & lubed(at the dealership). Now 10k later I am again starting to experience the same braking problems & vibrations. I should have never had to replace my brake parts after 20k & I definitely should not be experiencing that same problems 10k later.

My 2000 Toyota Tundra sr5 4wd pickup frame is rusting to the point that it soon will rust through near the drivers side rear leaf spring mount point. It only has 112,000 miles and has not been driven in winter for the last three years. I have called Toyota and filed a complaint with them as well, but they are not doing anything about Tundra frame rusting at this time.

Toyota Tundra with major rust on the frame, many parts have fallen off including spare tire mount. I have the spare tire mount and many pictures. I have gone to a dealership about a month ago and they said they knew nothing and couldn't help me.

I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra and it is rusted to the point where I cannot get a new inspection sticker. This past weekend I was driving and the spare tire was so badly rusted it broke loose from the mount and nearly caused me to crash as it jammed beneath my vehicle. It then bounced back and almost hit the car behind me. This was a very near miss! I have been fighting with Toyota to have them help me with this problem but they are doing nothing. I am hoping that they will do for us what they did for tacoma owners. Updated 03/25/10 received pictures. Updated 09/15/10.