general problems of the 2001 Toyota Tundra

On September 4, 2025, I brought my 2001 Toyota Tundra to midas at 5325 olde wadsworth blvd, arvada, CO 80002 for an oil change and inspection. Midas advertises a “closer look vehicle check,” which includes checking steering, suspension, and wheels. Their inspection report marked the steering system as “ok” and only noted mild shock wear. Less than a month later, while exiting the highway, the lower ball joint failed completely, causing the front suspension and wheel to detach. I immediately lost steering control. Fortunately, this occurred at low speed; had it happened moments earlier on the highway, it could have caused a major collision or fatalities. The failed component (lower ball joint and related suspension parts) is still available for inspection. An independent mechanic later confirmed that the joint was severely worn and the failure appeared to be due to long-term deterioration that should have been detected during midas’s inspection. No warning lights or indicators appeared before the failure. The incident endangered my life, my passengers’ safety, and other drivers on the road. The business has refused to take responsibility or cover repair costs, which currently total over $2,400, despite their advertised inspection and guarantee. This raises serious concerns that midas and potentially other service locations may be failing to properly inspect critical suspension components, which poses a major public safety hazard.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started making a metallic cracking sound, and the steering wheel was pulling to the right. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 285,643.

There is an unresolved body corrosion recall that has not been addressed in over a year, despite receiving an invoice from the dealership. I will attach the invoice that lists all the parts ordered for the remedy of this recall.

Toyota corporate is refusing to acknowledge my Tundra's eligibility for remedy under a safety recall and campaign. My Tundra is experiencing the failure mode outlined in the safety recall 90m and extended safety campaign Tundra bxd. The spare tire crossmember of the frame is almost entirely rotted through with rust and is barely connected at this point. My Tundra's VIN number falls within the VIN range table's indicated in the recall and campaign documentation, and meets the criteria of currently being registered in an eligible cold-climate state. By all accounts, it should be eligible to receive remedy under this campaign. However Toyota has on multiple occasions just told me that "safety recalls are service campaigns are VIN-specific" and that VIN does not report as eligible. I've provided photo evidence of the issue and the documentation, yet Toyota refuses to acknowledge my truck's eligibility for repair under this program. Safety recalls are to prevent safety incidents from occurring due to known design or manufacturing defects. My truck is experiencing a known and documented defect. Toyota has a process for fixing it. However they're refusing to fix mine because of a mis-match in the VIN database. Safety issues don't affect "VIN numbers", they affect vehicles, the people who drive them, and others out on the roads.

I feel vehicle's frame is not safe. . . Starting making a metal cracking noise due excessive corrosion . . Rear frame portion is been treated under recall but the front looks really bad we can't even change suspension parts due the possibility on getting a serious frame problems. I keeping my truck with low mileage and not planning on selling it, very clean inside. I understand frame replacement it is an option if the frame is really bad and mine is getting onto that stage. . .

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on a bumpy road surface, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and the rear suspension shuddered and shifted to one side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the front and rear shocks were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely corroded and had holes. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000 (structure), however, the dealer had only sprayed a corrosion protection compound. The failure mileage was approximately 187,149.

Lower ball joints(right and left hand sides) very serious safety concern. This is my family vehicle and has been with the family since 2005-06. Members from the Tundra forums are concerned about this issue with Toyota Tundras. Yes Toyota has a recall for their 02-06 Tundras and tacomas and sequioas of the same year. My car doesn't qualify for the recall. This recall is not covered for the 2000-2001 Tundras,tacomas, and sequioas. Dont understand why. They all have the same part numbers. I have seen and witnessed the aftermath of this failed ball joint. Some are fatal and some leave you stranded. We need to have this deadly issue resolved with Toyota. Help me and help all other Toyota Tundra owners who are in this same situation as I am. Thank you.

My frame is broke . Right at the passenger front tire.

2001 Tundra (4. 7 engine); frame badly rusted in rear. Told on Aug. 3, 2021 that it would fail the next inspection. I put my virin into the NHTSA site but couldn't find any recalls.

Brought my truck in with 4 wheel drive issues and broken leaf spring and they told me my frame was cracked.

Tl- the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he had taken his vehicle to Toyota of grand rapids(2555 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49512) for NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000(structure). The contact was then informed by the mechanic that there was severe corrosion on the vehicle and that he would have to seek approval from the manufacturer to have the recall performed. The contact was later contacted by a service advisor who informed him that the dealer would not replace the frame and that front cross member was too corroded near the front driver side to be placed on the lift to have the recall performed. The manufacturer had yet to informed of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact had yet to experience a failure. The VIN number was unavailable at the time of the complaint. Jo.

My vehicle was supposed to have been repaired under a previous recall for frame rust, with a coating, but it is apparent that Toyota did not repair all area's as today driving down the highway my shockmount completely rusted away, causing me to almost hit several cars, and pieces of the mount flew behind me into traffic. From the outside this truck looks to be in excellent shape, however the tow driver looked underneath and said he could not believe the rust damage. My vehicle has now been deemed unsafe and not roadworthy. My fear is how many unsuspecting owners are there that thought the recall repairs were done correctly, and could have an accident that could lead to serious injury or death if these go untreated, repaired or replaced. I was driving on the main outerbelt freeway in columbus, I-270 at 60-65 mph when the part came off.

I was driving and I heard loud noise when I hit a bump in the road, pulled over to look and saw that the right rear shock rusted through the crossmember and hit the bottom of the bed. I was driving at 35 mph when this occurred, I was able to make it home slowly,no injuries. The vehicle has 157,000 miles, now what do I do?.

Bought truck new in 8/2001. Brought truck to dealer when it was recalled for rust in 2012 and was told rust wasn't bad enough to do anything. Brought truck back to dealer multiple times after 2012 (last in 11/18) and was told everything was fine on each occasion. In 8/2019 I heard a squeak from undercarriage and when I looked, the spare tire crossmember was hanging down and the right side upper shock mount was completely rusted through and the top of the shock was rubbing against the bottom of the truck bed (top shock mount was completely rusted away). Local service center told me to remove the shock and spare tire for safety. This rust is limited to the upper shock mount and the crossmember holding the spare tire. Other crossmembers and frame rails are all stable with only the amount of surface rust expected on a 18 year old vehicle. I do not believe that the dealer did a thorough exam of the truck in 2012, 2018 or other visits I made when I prompted them to check the rust as it related to the recall. I was told that since the campaign for rust was over they couldn't do anything. Based on the fact of only 2-3 areas of catastrophic rust on the frame and components while the rest of the frame and chassis is wearing appropriately I believe that this is a safety issue that should be re-instated - obvious factory defect - no corrosion inhibited applied. The vehicle is still mechanically perfect but the falling spare tire and broken suspension can cause an accident or injury that could be prevented with a recall. I believe that the Toyota dealer did not do a thorough inspection. I also question why I have seen multiple instances of individuals with similar problems who were given anti-corrosion treatment or other efforts made to stop the rust from getting worse - but nothing was done by Toyota to mitigate this problem before it got to this catastrophic level.

Tl the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While driving 50 mph and making a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle and was stuck on the side. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 270,000.

2001 Toyota Tundra. Frame rusted out. 194,000 miles. Installed new exhaust system in fall 2017. Frame was ok had some surface rust. On memorial day I installed new caliper, rotor, & shoes. At that time I could see the frame was bad, I could put finger through the frame. Truck unsafe to drive.

December 2017 - shop informed me of serious frame corrosion/perforation, I called Toyota corp. Was told to take to dealer for inspection. Dealer inspected March 2018 informed me not to drive vehicle as the frame was unsafe. Dealer would not release vehicle to me without me signing their form about unsafe vehicle. I phoned Toyota corp. And was told no assistance was available. How is this possible / legit? the main frame has failed on the vehicle - and company not responsible for design and production/alloy errors?.

2001 Toyota Tundra. Consumer writes in regards to excessive corrosion of the frame and suspension components.

After having tires placed on 2001 Tundra, the mechanic & his supervisor advised me to go to nearby Toyota dealer due to concerns of rust compromising frame. [in April 2012, the frame received a corrosive resistant compound due to safety recall 90m as Toyota did not feel the frame qualified for a full frame replacement. I was informed that crc would prevent the rusting that initiated the recall]. Upon arriving at the toy dealer, the staff immediately requested an inspection as they had several incidences of owners complaining of crc's failure to prevent rusting. The inspector located a hole on the frame's front passenger side. I was advised to contact toy headquarters ASAP as the frame could fold up upon myself & passengers in a collision. I contacted toy headquarters on 8/12/15 and spoke with shae and then adrina, who ultimately assigned me to case manager, autumn. When autumn contacted me 2 days later, she informed me that I "had participated in the campaign in April 2012 and this campaign expired in December 2012. " she explained that "once the campaign has expired, the frame is not covered. " she explained Toyota would do nothing to assist further. I explained that toy's crc "remedy" had failed to stop the rust issue which initiated the odi investigation and subsequent recall. The crc had only managed to mask the problem until the "campaign" expired and Toyota was no longer legally obligated to address the still-existing problem. Research informed me that myself and hundreds of other 2000-2003 Tundra owners experienced continued frame deterioration despite the applied crc. Thus there are potentially thousands of Tundras on the road which are risking the safety of owners and other drivers simply because Toyota can say they "addressed" the problem even though the intervention failed to fix the issue. I hope NHTSA will consider re-opening an investigation.

Took my 2001 Tundra in for the frame recalls. I had 52616 miles on a garage kept truck. They said my frame would be fine and would have a crc compound applied Apr 2012. After a few weeks I took it back in since the compound was falling off, may 2012. They reapplied the crc. I told them I had concerns over spraying over rust, but said they were sure Toyota would stand behind it. Feb 2014 the technician made a comment about the rust and lack of compound visible. Feb 2015 the technician again said it was clear that the crc was almost gone. He made a note of it on the service report. I asked them to contact the corp office about it. A few weeks later the dealership said that corp wouldn't spray it again, but that the dealership would spray it. 27 June 2015 driving home from work on interstate 41, the front strap holding the gas tank broke, mileage 58325. I got the truck to the dealership and had new straps installed. The technician said they actually had to drill and tap and mount the front strap in a different location due to severe rotting of the frame. Afterwards I found out that the straps should have been replaced during phase 2 of ssc 90. I called Toyota corp case# 1507131315. The first case manager george said right away Toyota would do nothing for me. Then I took my truck to the gas station to fill it up for the first time. Gas started pouring out onto the ground. I basically called every day till I got jeffery moore as manager. He got my straps and tanks replaced but said corp wouldn't do anything about the frame. I sent pictures and everything. Now Toyota will not respond to any of my e-mails or calls . My frame has holes that I can put my hand threw and has only 6000 miles on it since it was sprayed. I'm afraid that the gas will brake away or the frame will snap at any time. The govt needs to make them fix this safety issue that was in the recall, not mask it.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the rear driver side subframe perforated due to excessive corrosion. In 2012, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000 (suspension); however, the failure recurred. The remedy consisted of spraying a corrosion protector onto the entire frame, which failed to prevent the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 370,000.

I purchased the vehicle in October 2014 and was informed about a frame corrosion issue causing failures and failure to pass vt state inspections by a family friend in January. I contacted Toyota and provided michael, the customer service representative with all VIN information. He looked up service records and informed me that the vehicle had a corrosion application applied in 2010 under the previous owner and there was nothing further required. Under the recall action that was all required based I my VIN number. I did ask if it had issues discovered what was I to do, michael told me to contact Toyota again if that occurred. I took the vehicle to be inspected on 27 March, 2015 at groton garage, in groton vt and the owner mr. Tim spooner contacted me to inform me that it could not be inspected due to multiple frame corrosion issues that are failures. He also knew of the recall issue for frame corrosion and failure and told me to contact Toyota again. On 30 March I spoke with zachary who took the information update the data under case # 1503303884 and told me a specialist dealing with this high profile issue would contact me within 1 business day. I was contacted the next day by thorn who pulled up my information and informed me that Toyota had completed the frame application in 2010 and that is all that is required by Toyota to be completed by recall action b0d. I informed him that the vehicle could not be inspected after just purchasing due to the frame being corroded and he stated Toyota recall action was not responsible for this issue with my vehicle. I disagree and currently own a 2013 rav and would never had purchased a Tundra if I would have known about this frame issue. As a recent retired active duty member, I feel that customer service and taking care of known issue is the responsibility of toyot not those who purchased the vehicles unknowingly.

I purchased this vehicle new in 2000 and had the entire unit undercoated for rust protection and sound proofing. The truck has been garaged since new and since I travel for business has low mileage. This is my personal vehicle not a work truck. As time went on I began noticing the rust under the chassis and then I received a recall notice for the spare tire bracket. I found out later that Toyota used the spare tire recall to understand the magnitude of the chassis rust problem. A short time later I received the recall for the chassis exchange. When I picked up the truck there was something wrong with the steering, the wheel did not return to straight after a turn. I complained that night and was told it was normal. After a few hindered miles the linkage was worn and had to be replaced. My mechanic told me the cab was not aligned to the rack when they changed the chassis. My complaint is with the rot issue. The rear axle is now rotted to a point where it is leaking though the casing, not through a seal or fitting but through the rotted metal. I do not view a rear axle as a wear/replacement part unless it is abused through the working of the truck. I am 62 years old and have been driving sine 16 and have never ever had to replace a rear axle for rot. The fact that Toyota acknowledged ownership for the chassis rust tells me that they should own the axle rot as well. I have called Toyota corporate with no success and am looking for some relief on this repair. Toyota quoted me approximately $5000 for a new axle (parts and labor). Last month I sent $1500 at the dealership to rebuild my emergency brakes in order to pass our state safety inspection. Emergency brake linkage is not a wear/replacement part. Your thoughts? michael lozy.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the cross member was sprayed with a corrosion protection compound according to NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000 (structure); however, the coating was deteriorating. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

On April 11 2013 I purchased a 2001 Toyota Tundra. Months later while checking the tire pressures at a gas station, I was shocked to notice that there was a hole in the frame about two inches across. I called my nearest Toyota dealer, woburn foreign motors, and spoke with nicole who ran the VIN number and told me that jaffarian Toyota in haverhill had inspected the truck on 20 April 2012. Therefore, they would not look at my truck. Next, I called jaffarian and explained that the frame looked to me as if it could snap in half, and that I could not see how that much rust could occur from when they inspected it. The service technician then said that if they had inspected and passed the truck then they would have applied a preservative undercoating to the frame. I pointed out there was no such paint or undercoating anywhere to be seen on the frame. He tried to get me back on the recall list, but found out that he could not. Being my only vehicle for use to make a living, I continued to drive the truck until 11 April 2015, when the frame snapped in half as I was entering my driveway. I had been on interstate 95 at 65 mph only minutes earlier, when I expect the vehicle would have lost control and probably rolled over had the frame snapped then. If the vehicle was indeed inspected, then it seems evident that the inspector was negligent in his duties and passed the vehicle knowing that it had severe and dangerous corrosion to its chassis. Under these circumstances, I have contacted Toyota motor corporation and have asked them to cover the cost of towing my truck to a dealer, and repairing it to a safe, roadworthy condition under the terms of their original recall and they have refused. Any help you can give to resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was corrosion and rust on the frame, rear axle and brake system. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 09v444000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields). The vehicle was taken to dealer where the contact was advised that the recall repairs could not be perfomred due to the state in which the vheicle was housed. The dealer then advised that there were no holes in the frame that would require immediate attention. The bumper, grill, hood and fender were replaced. The current and failure mileage was 90,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he heard a banging from the vehicle and noticed that pieces of metal had detached from the vehicle while driving 65 mph. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the leaf springs were fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Excessive rust and metal corrosion on frame, wheels, brakes, and steering components.

Due to premature corrosion (vehicle 4 years old) parking brake failed to function, failed nys inspection, was repaired (03/14/2005). Due to premature corrosion, spring broke, was repaired (01/02/2008). Power steering rack rotted, had to be replaced. Approx mileage 150,000. Front suspension links rotted out. Called Toyota (04/15/2009) voiced our concern for rotting frame, no recall at that time. They issued a complaint #. Took vehicle to dealer for inspection for three recalls, a0f, b0d, 90m on 05/02/2012. Inspection not properly done, chunks of rust still can be flaked off, possible holes behind, but they sprayed crc over top of the loose scaling, covering over the problems. We had no choice in what they were doing with our property. We took it in for an inspection. After said inspection, if it would not get a new frame, we would have opted to take it home, removed all loose scaling prior to the crc being applied. We were not given any options, our vehicle was already on the way to their collision shop for the work. This would have accomplished two things; the dealership would know without a doubt that there were no holes and the crc would stick directly to the frame minimizing future corrosion (that is the objective of the recall afterall) I called Toyota corporate and voiced my concern with a spray covering over the problem, and the truck not being safe. My case is still pending, but based on the initial call back from the case manager, it is not looking like there will be a resolution in our favor, we will see. My concern is, how many of these Toyota dealers are not thoroughly inspecting these trucks, spraying over the problems and putting these vehicles back on the roads. How safe is that?.

Due to premature corrosion (vehicle 4 years old) parking brake failed to function, failed nys inspection, was repaired (03/14/2005). Due to premature corrosion, spring broke, was repaired (01/02/2008). Power steering rack rotted, had to be replaced. Approx mileage 150,000. Front suspension links rotted out. Called Toyota (04/15/2009) voiced our concern for rotting frame, no recall at that time. They issued a complaint #. Took vehicle to dealer for inspection for three recalls, a0f, b0d, 90m on 05/02/2012. Inspection not properly done, chunks of rust still can be flaked off, possible holes behind, but they sprayed crc over top of the loose scaling, covering over the problems. We had no choice in what they were doing with our property. We took it in for an inspection. After said inspection, if it would not get a new frame, we would have opted to take it home, removed all loose scaling prior to the crc being applied. We were not given any options, our vehicle was already on the way to their collision shop for the work. This would have accomplished two things; the dealership would know without a doubt that there were no holes and the crc would stick directly to the frame minimizing future corrosion (that is the objective of the recall afterall) I called Toyota corporate and voiced my concern with a spray covering over the problem, and the truck not being safe. My case is still pending, but based on the initial call back from the case manager, it is not looking like there will be a resolution in our favor, we will see. My concern is, how many of these Toyota dealers are not thoroughly inspecting these trucks, spraying over the problems and putting these vehicles back on the roads. How safe is that?.

On my 2001 Tundra, when appling the brakes there is sever vibration causing the whole truck to vibrate. The dealership replaced the front and rear brakes but the vibration still occurs. It has caused the tires to wear excessivly and there is only 20,000 miles on the truck.