general problems of the 2003 Toyota Tundra - part 1

The frame was undercoated incorrectly and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive. Very clearly was not undercoated correctly as there is areas in the frame that have no signs of undercoating. This is putting the driver of the vehicle at risk as well as the other drivers on the road. This is a huge recall that was issued for this model of year truck. Very common. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as they refused to inspect it or even acknowledge the issue. There is no warning lamps on but it is visibly unsafe to drive.

The frame was not professionally undercoated and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive.

I need to have rear shock replaced. They found that the bracket holder rusted thru . Shock was fine . The rear frame corrosion and separation, spare tire frame corrosion is really bad. I have had this truck since 2004 . I absolutely love my truck. I am deeply saddened that all the care I took still didn’t prevent all this damage .

Frame rusted out causing gas tank to fall off truck while driving. Was sparking while trying to pull of to a safe spot on highway, tank was hanging on by the fuel line. Leaf spring also broke on truck do to rust. Cars were avoiding my truck on highway as sparks were coming from the gas tank shield scrapping the highway. Frame should have been replaced along with gas lines, and leaf springs during the recall in 2012 range. Toyota of york decided to just undercoat spray frame, prior to me purchasing truck from them. They never notified me (the consumer) of the recall that was current on truck.

Rear leaf spring mount separated from the frame due to complete rust -through of the frame. Felt a "thump" during normal acceleration.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed several times but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The contact's son intentionally hit a curb and downshifted in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely corroded and unknown axle was leaking and causing the brake failure. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the gas tank was detaching from the vehicle due to the frame corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

The frame on this truck is completely rusted. There are several holes and cracks in the frame. You can pull chunks of the rusted frame off with your fingers. It is unsafe to drive and is a hazard to other drivers there are many photos online of this model of truck that have broken in half when the frame has failed. There are stories of people who are driving this vehicle and it breaks in half while on the highway causing injury. I took it to our local mechanic in June who said this truck is unsafe. I contacted the iowa attorney general's office and made a complaint. They put me in contact with Toyota's corporate office who referred me to their brand experience center. They said it had to be evaluated by a Toyota dealer. I took it to the original dealer who sold this vehicle - wilson Toyota in ames iowa- on September 27, 2022. Their service center says the frame needs replaced. They said they would not pay for any repairs. They said this truck had two safety recalls to replace the frame but they said they expired in 2012. I spoke to Toyota's brand experience center again on the 27th and was told that my truck did not have any rust on it when it was taken in for the recall. Nothing was done to this vehicle when it was taken in for the recall repairs. There are many posts on Toyota forums that describe the same thing happening to other owners of this truck. - they are unaware of this condition of their truck frames until they bring it in to a reputable mechanic. The attached photos of this truck show the upper body is in good shape. But the frame is falling apart.

My mechanic says the frame on our 2003 Toyota Tundra is rusted to the point that the pickup is unsafe to drive and is about to break in half. I have contacted two local Toyota dealers with no response. This vehicle had a recall to fix the issue but it appears the was a time frame placed on when Toyota would repair the frame. This truck is unsafe to drive and it makes me wonder how many of these vehicles are still on the road endangering the public.

I purchased my 2003 Toyota Tundra limited v8 about 7 months ago. Unbeknownst to me there had once been a recall because of the frame rusting out prematurely. So after further investigation I found my frame is dangerously rusted to the point of extreme safety concerns. I have been in contact with Toyotas head corders and was told there's nothing they can do because apparently I missed the recall time. But I bought the truck after the recall was time was over. In either case Toyota should absolutely be responsible for this no matter the time frame because of there admittance that these truck frames were rotting out prematurely. Please help before there is a crash, fire and fatality.

The frame on my Tundra has rusted out so bad that the engine mounts are rusted through, my truck only has 86k miles please help this is our daily driver to get to work and take the kids to school.

I was turning down a residential street and when I was getting up to speed. About 30 miles per hour. My truck jumped up a couple times like I hit a pit hole. I got out to inspect and see what I hit but the street was freshly paved 2 years before it was smooth as butter. I look at the truck and find out my passenger tire had fallen off. Upon further inspection I see my ball joints failed and try tire came off. It snapped the cv axle in half ripped and the brake line and abs module off and broke the frame bracket for the rack and pinon. As a result my insurance totaled my vehicle out.

Took it to the dealer to inspect the frame and they told me it was unsafe to drive. Recommended me not to drive it. As the frame was rust and had multiple rust perforations in the front half of the frame.

From 2001-2003 is a frame recall on these Tundra's due to massive rust issue. I went into my local Toyota dealership here in norfolk, va, and they gave me the run around saying I "missed the window" for this issue. Then I called corportate and they gave me a different reason, saying they "applied" anti-rust spray" in 2016. Which is not a thing. Clearly it did not work because there are massive holes in my frame. I would like them to own up and do my recall when so many other people I know have the exact same truck and got theirs done. I am active duty as well, and it frustrates me that they would treat a veteran like this. I brought up my spare tire latch being very rusted underneath, which there is also a re-call for. They said they could not do anything for me. 3 weeks later my spare tire flew off from my truck, thank goodness no one was injured.

My 2003 Tundra frame is rusted and cracking. I believe this should be covered by the limited service campaign (lsc) a0f.

The whole chassis frame for my truck is significantly and dangerously rusted and it is breaking apart which is a safety issue for me, my family, and other drivers. This also has lead to my breaks lines failing due to rust which almost caused an accident due to me not been able to stop on a red light. There is significant rust damage to the chassis frame and in some parts of the chassis frame that were welded from factory have broken off. In other sections of the chassis frame pieces have started to fall off and there are holes through the chassis frame where there should not be holes. Parts that should be solid steel have holes through it. The rust is so bad on the chassis frame that it has rusted out the fuel lines as well just like it did the brake lines. Sections where the engine mounts go in the chassis are also heavily damage due to rust. The rust is so bad I have step through parts of the bed of the truck when standing on it. There are also holes on the bed of the truck where you can see through the ground due to the rust damage.

Two items here: first I went to change my tire with my spare and it was missing. The tire service company said the tire must have fallen off somewhere as the cable holding the spare tire was rusted off. 2nd, I had my Tundra put up on a lift to see what the banging sound was. One of the shock's connections was rusted off and just hanging. He also stated that the whole frame and crankcase on the rear drive area looked like "bark on a tree" and could be very dangerous to drive in this condition.

The frame is prematurely severely rotten and crumbling. This is a massive safety issue and needs to be brought to every Tundra owners attention. I have had it sprayed, but was only done for the back crossmember by Toyota. The other half is ready for a catastrophe in due time. There may be others in my situation and no way is a frame supposed to crumble without sitting in constant salt. Please, please, please help the other owners and make them aware if they haven't yet. The frame will buckle while driving and cause harm to others on the road. Mine has pieces as big as 12 by 8 come off. The Toyota dealership I have went to told me to keep an eye on it since the recall has lapsed.

There were 2 issues with the frame on the 2003 Toyota Tundra that were addressed on my son's truck when they were issued. Now, the frame is extremely rusted and possibly a hazard to drive. The truck was taken to a local dealer who did not even look at the frame but, pulled up information from Toyota and told us that there was nothing they could do. I do not understand as I see others online to this day getting frames replaced. I called Toyota corporate who claims that is not possible as the frame is no longer available. This is really a poor way to treat customers that pay very heavily for these trucks and expect them to last. The vehicle was purchased originally in NY and eventually PA which are the cold weather states that were involved. The coating placed on the truck did nothing as far as we can tell as there is nothing that shows it was ever there. I have additional documents, videos, etc that I was unable to upload.

Rear cross member that holds on spare tire is completely rusted. Toyota refuses to replace because the recall has expired.

Frame corrosion was not properly addressed during 2012 recall. As a result the frame has corroded in multiple areas and the brakes just failed due to brake line corrosion. Toyota is refusing any additional claims for damages. However they should have done more to address the frame corrosion during the 2012 recall.

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.

Entire frame has severe rust despite anti-rust/corrosion inhibitor applied in 2010-2012. Small holes are now present in frame and the vehicle only has 108k miles. Recently, the power steering rack and pinion had to be replaced, as it rusted out. The technician noticed rust on other suspension components, indicating that rust had made the system weak and brittle. Copious amounts of corrosion inhibitor has now made it almost impossible to obtain a correct alignment. The rusted frame will soon, if not already, diminish the vehicle's safety. Toyota instituted a frame recall circa 2010 for just this issue. Somehow this VIN was omitted. The corrosion inhibitor has proved ineffective. I am requesting that NHTSA demand Toyota institute another recall for the excluded vins. These omitted Tundras, in their current poor frame condition, present a hazard to drivers and other motorists and must be repaired.

Vehicle failed state inspection due to excessive rust of the frame.

Driving and made a left turn when the right front wheel went flying and the truck started swirving in circles. And caused a major damage in which the dealer doesnt want to respond.

In June of 2012 I took my Tundra to have the frame campaign performed, in January of 2013 I contacted Toyota stating the frame / corrosion recall was not performed properly and I felt the frame needed to be replaced as there was a lot of rust. They contacted the dealer I took it back and they reinspected the frame and I was told it was no rust found. A few months after this I would be driving and I would hit a bump and end up in the next lane. I took it to work and put the vehicle on a lift and found the steering rack mount cracked at the frame. I welded it back together. About a month ago the same thing the frame where the rack mounts cracked in another spot so this time I need to take l angle steel and weld in place. On 3/4/ 2016 I decided I was going to go back and undercoat my frame correctly. At this time I have found holes in my frame exactly where the points of the frame that the recall falls under. Toyota has stated they are not going to offer any assistance.

My Tundra 2003 sr5 accesscab 4x4 trd. It has rusted so bad the last 5 yrs. It will no longer pass hawaii safety inspection. I have had the truck since about 2007. It has been a great running truck. Engine and transmission are in good shape. New brakes. But the rust has ruined the frame, tailgate and back of bed! have not driven for a year!.

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 I need to contact Toyota again myself. This is a Toyota garage telling me this. Tonight I get on Toyota's website and find two recalls in regards to the frame perforation. According to the toy website both status' of recalls offer remedies available and this site is updated 8/7/2015. I can see that my nearest dealer isn't going to be very helpful. My truck has 112,000. I'm the 2nd owner and have been diligent with maintenance. I do no off roading and use if to transport my motorcycle to races hundreds of miles from home.

Frame recalled, Toyota replaced tire carrier, sprayed frame. But the cross member and everything attached to it has rusted completely through. Making truck unsafe to drive. I have a 1991 Ford f-150 with more frame integrity.

Fram excessive rust . "recall" , yet Toyota acknowledged , treated , then denied the recall replacement . Kindly advise .

The frame by the driver side front wheel is almost broken in half. . . It has a 2 foot long section missing. . . Other steering component affected stablizer bar almost rusted in half. . Bracket and bushing almost nonexistent. . . This is my daily driver for me,my wife and my 10 year old daughter. . . I fear for their safety should it completely let loose. . . I drive very slow. . . I am 59 years old. . . Plz help me get a new framefrom Toyota. . . Thanx.

Frame is severely rotten.

Rear differential housing rotted out dumping oil all over road.

Upon inspection there is total rust of the frame and bolts on the suspension. Unusual tire wear. I have read about some recalls but this is an exceptional low miles vehicle (less then 50,000) and it is found to be in unsound condition and current value should be at least $18,000.

I had the frame inspection recall performed in 2012 and was told the frame is ok so they coated the frame with under coating. A few months later I was driving to work and hit a joint on the highway and ended up in the next lane. As I am in the business I put the vehicle in the air that evening and found the steering rack mount was detached from the frame due to rust. I then spoke to Toyota customer service and explained the situation and I was told to bringthe vehicle back in and they would look at it. I was told again the frame is ok. . I did explain to the dealer that I had to wld a steel plate to the frame so the vehicle would be safe to drive. They still said the frame is ok and they would re spray the frame as a gesture for the inconvenience. I have made numerous calls and emails to Toyota since then because June of 2016 I found rust holes in the frame in 2 different spots. . There is a recall to replace the frame if there are perforations in the frame during the inspection. However I have been told several times they will not assist me any further on this situation. Thank you skip justis 410 241 5796.