Frame And Members problems of the 2003 Toyota Tundra

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while working underneath the vehicle, he became aware that the junction point on the frame rail of the front driver’s side was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the rust was confirmed and pictures and documentation that the frame needed to be replaced was submitted to Toyota chicago regional however, the sub frame replacement was denied by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted who informed the contact to find another 2003 Toyota Tundra owner where they had remedied the frame rust failure free of charge. The contact stated that the other vehicle owner informed him that Toyota offered to replace the frame or buy back the vehicle. The contact stated he provided the information to Toyota with the other owner's information and VIN, however the contact stated that Toyota had not offered to replace the frame or buy back the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced in 2013 under NHTSA campaign number: 09v444000 (structure) at Toyota west (1500 auto mall dr, columbus, OH 43228) however, the rust failure occurred. The contact stated that the remedy was insufficient. The contact stated that a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

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.

The contact owns 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated they took the vehicle to the dealer for NHTSA recall campaign id number: 09v444000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields) repair to be performed. The dealer moved a hammer along the frame and ruled there was no damage to the frame. The contact stated the test was not adequate since the dealer only scraped a hammer along the edge of the frame. The contact spoke with the manufacturer was advised that was the proper procedure. The contact was concerned that the test was not sufficient as well as the vehicle being a safety risk. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 160,000.

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.

On may 17, 2010 the spare tire fell off my 2003 Toyota Tundra while it was being driven down the street. Fortunately, the vehicle was being driven on a back road and no accident occurred as a result of the tire falling off. Part of the spare tire mount was still attached to the wheel after it fell off and you could see that the spare tire mount had extensive rust/rot. I was told that Toyota had a recall relating to excessive rust which could lead to the spare tire falling from the mount under the vehicle. On June 3, 2010 I took the Tundra to a local Toyota dealership service department and they inspected the vehicle. They told me that the vehicle passed their rust inspection so repairs would not be covered under the recall. When I reminded them that my spare tire fell off the vehicle they advised me that they could replace the rotted spare tire mount parts for $350. 00. On June 11, 2010 I contacted the national Toyota customer service center and was told that based on my vehicle's VIN I was not listed in their system as the owner of the vehicle. They advised that if I was not listed in their system I would have not gotten any recall notice. After updating the information I explained what happened with my vehicle and was first told that based on the VIN, my vehicle was not part of the recall. The person then said that the vehicle was included in the recall. I was then told that I would receive a telephone call from the local Toyota dealer within 3 days to schedule another service appointment. My concerns are that I am now being sent back to the same service center that first inspected it and passed it even though their invoice states "found carrier has rotted away from cross-member bracket that holds the tire" and it is obvious that the spare tire had fallen from the vehicle due to extensive rot.

Anti-lock braking system failed: brakes locked under wet conditions. Vehicle slid off road. Vehicle has history of pulsating brake pedal, shuttering and clanging noises under braking.

The contact owns 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the emergency brake rusted and snapped off of the frame. The brake was welded to middle of the cross frame right under the drivers seat. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, they were told that it could not be repaired, because they do not make the part to replace it. The manufacturer had an engineer look at the vehicle as well and they also said that there was nothing they could do. The contact stated that the piece that was connected to the cable holding the spare tire also rusted and broke off. The contact had to carry the spare tire in the back of the truck. The contact feels that this is the same is the recall campaign 09v444000 for the structure, which deals with the under body shields rusting. The manufacturer stated that his year, make and model was not included and cant be repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileages were 120,000.

My 2003 Toyota Tundra is rusting away on the frame. The frame of my truck looks like it could bend, crack or brake at any time. This truck has been washed top and bottom at least once a month since it was new and all of a sudden I notice the entire under carriage is brittle and looks unsafe. I have loved everything about this truck but am now worried that it may become unsafe to drive.

I have a 2003 Toyota Tundra which is experiencing a great amount of rust underneath the vehicle. I see that there was a recall issued yesterday regarding that problem. I lived in florida for 6 months and in vermont the other 6 months. We left the latter part of October and return to vt the last part of April or early may. I do drive the truck up to vt around the holidays so it has experienced a vt winter for 2 to 3 weeks a year. Several years ago the truck started to show signs of rust on the back bumper and the underside. 2 years ago I had to replaced all the bolts on the exhaust system replaced due to rust. Due to a flat tire this past summer I had to use the spare. The tire rim was extremely rusty as well as the holder. I sprayed both with oil in hopes of stopping the rust. The front skid plate bolts were so rusty that. Yesterday, the dealer had to replace 4 bolts saying the 5th hole was so rusty that it could not accept the bolt. The recall is for northern trucks are for states that use road salt during the winter but, given the rust on my truck, I can't believe that 2 to 3 weeks per year in vt caused that much rust. I believe it is a problem with the metal used for the underside of the truck, therefore I believe my FL truck should be included in the recent recall. Even the dealer commented on the amount of rust on the underside. This truck has been used only for pleasure and not commercial use. To summarize I would request that my truck that was purchased in FL be included in the recall and be subject to the inspection the same as the northern trucks. Although we live a few miles from the gulf in florida my wife's 2004 highlander shows no underside rust so the florida weather can't be the problem and it in vt the same time as the truck except for the 2 to 3 weeks around the holidays. Thank you.

We own a 2003 Toyota Tundra with 56,000 miles on it. Upon recent state inspection our mechanic said that the frame of this truck is so badly rusted that it probably wouldn't pass inspection next year. We called Toyota headquarters and were told that they are recording this information but there is a 36,000 mile, 3 year warranty on Toyotas and that they could do nothing more for us.

My 2003 Toyota Tundra with only 73000+ miles on it has significant rusting in the truck bed. The truck is not used for commercial purposes and is only used for periodically carrying normal household items. There is also signs of significant rusting underneath the truck. Since Toyota had a recall with certain tacoma's for a similar condition, I am very concerned of the safety of this truck.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. While having the brakes replaced he was informed that the entire frame was corroded. No repairs were made. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 21000.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact noticed that the main frame of the vehicle was perforated due to severe rust corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they replaced the rusted fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on a separate occasion. The technician detected a rusted brake backing plate, and the front and rear brakes were replaced. In addition, four new tires were mounted on the vehicle. The technician was unable to perform a tire alignment due to the significant frame damage. The VIN was unable to be entered into the system. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 62,000.

I purchased a brand new 2003 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, , from a local dealer on December 2, 2002. On 9/9/05, I discovered various sections of the frame and brackets that attach to the frame had excessive corrosion. The vehicle at this time had 37,488 miles on the odometer. Today the mileage is 47,569 miles and the rust condition is getting worse. I brought this condition to the service advisor at this dealership and he concurred that the vehicle had excessive corrosion. I contacted Toyota customer service and spoke with a rep who gave me case number 200509090921. Both the local dealership and Toyota motor corp. Refused to repair the excessive corrosion. Due to this condition, this will continue to develop and subsequently the truck will have frame rot ,causing an unsafe condition to operate. In 2005, two independent autobody shops inspected my truck and gave me estimates to repair the rust.

My 2003 Toyota Tundras under carriage is completely rusting away and it scares the hell out of me to drive my 4 year old daughter in the truck because I'm afraid something going to fall off.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra li. The driver noticed a couple years ago that the frame was beginning to rust. The driver also stated that he spray painted the frame. He contacted the dealer and they said it was not a recall yet. The failure mileage was 30,000. The current mileage was 95,000. The driver also stated that backing plate that holds the rear brake assembly in place was rusted as well.