Problems · NHTSA complaints

2003 Toyota Tundra problems

Owners filed 411 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Tundra with NHTSA between Dec 2002 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is structure (151).

Complaints
411
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
27
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure151
  2. Air bags86
  3. Suspension63
  4. Power train39
  5. Steering22
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic22
  7. Service brakes19
  8. Fuel system, gasoline16
  9. Vehicle speed control15
  10. Engine and engine cooling10
  11. Tires9
  12. Wheels8
  13. Seat belts8
  14. Fuel/propulsion system6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20021
200316
200413
200513
200613
200715
200810
200920
201025
201115
201219
201316
201422
201545
201617
201736
201824
201927
202018
202112
20228
20235
20244
20258
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

151 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra to address severe corrosion on the rear frame cross-member section or rear brake lining proportion valve. Vehicle was apparently treated with CRC in 2010, but vehicle continued to rust severely in the specified recall zone, even after Toyota Safety Recall 90M had been completed on the vehicle. The CRC applied to the rear frame cross-member of the frame as specified did not inhibit further corrosion of the rear frame cross member, if anything it accelerated the corrosion. Thousands of 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras titled in the specified severe cold weather states still remain in use, and pose a threat to the overall safety of drivers. The Toyota 90M Safety recall did not adequately inhibit the corrosion of the rear frame section, rendering the vehicle unserviceable & unable to align, and leaving gas tanks, rear suspension, rear drive train, and spare tire parts susceptible to falling off of the vehicle and causing an accident- posing a risk of severe injury/death to road users. I am asking that the NHTSA please look into reissuing the NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 to have all 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras still registered…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026StructureODI 11734951

Air bags

86 reports9 crashes5 related recalls
“Getting Airbag light on . Went to Modesto Toyota and they installed new clock spring strap in steering wheel. After installing the airbag light came back on . I again went back to dealer with same issue. They installed another clock spring in steering wheel. Drove about 1 mile , again airbag came on. Took it back to dealer a 3rd time same issue. They told me that the connector for the strap was too short. So now I am in limbo waiting for a replacement or something. Contacted dealer Modesto Toyota today 4/16/2026. No response as of yet. So I have still have the airbag light on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Air bagsODI 11731670

Suspension

63 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2026Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11721706

Power train

39 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2024Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 11608880

Steering

22 reports3 crashes
“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 .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2025Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11687870

Service brakes, hydraulic

22 reports3 crashes
“I BOUGHT MY TUNDRA NEW IN 2003..I BOUGHT IT TO CARRY THE MAIL AS I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD LAST LONGER AND HOLD UP BETTER THAN OTHER MAKES..I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES BUT WAS NOT TO CONCERNED AS I USE THEM MORE HEAVILY THAN MOST DRIVERS..THE NEXT TIME WAS ABOUT 12,000 MILES AND THIS TIME IT WAS SHUTTERING VERY BAD AND I REPLACED THE ROTORS ALONG WITH NEW PADS..THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM OF REPLACEMENT OF PARTS TO ELEVATE THE SEVERE SHUTTERING EACH TIME THINKING I HAD IT FIXED..TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT BUT POSSIBLY HAVE TRIED TO COVER BECAUSE THE REAL FIX IS VERY COSTLY ($2000)..THEY ISSUED A TBS (BR004-02) ALONG WITH 6 OR 7 OTHER TSB'S ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES FROM YEAR MODEL 2000-2005..I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BEFORE MY 36,0000 WARRANTY EXPIRED IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED..HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER..SINCE THE BRAKE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS THE FIRST PAD REPLACEMENT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10444738
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.