2001 Toyota Tundra transmission problems

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Brakes, Suspension · 75,000 miles · RI

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? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Body, Engine · 91,305 miles · NH

The toyota safety recall work done in 2012 to treated my vehicles frame to prevent rust perforation has failed. During nh state inspection areas where the frame had rusted through were identified. These areas had been treated under toyota's guidance and at their expense. Due to frame rust perforation, and rust issues identified below my vehicle would not pass inspection. Toyota of portsmouth, where the initial recall work was initiated, and toyota motor sales have both denied to remedy this situation. Many other 2001 toyota tundra owners were provided complete frame replacements. I was provided with a rust treatment that has failed to correct this safety issue. The state inspection was requested by me prior to spending $2,776 (and up to $5,000 or more if internal parts were damaged) to replace a rusted through and leaking rear differential case that could have seized up at highway speeds if I had not noticed the leak. This inspection also identified for the second time a rusted through and leaking exhaust manifolds (the left manifold was "starting" to leak on 09/16/2014 when the truck last passed inspection. I heard the ticking sound, characteristic of this leak, since the vehicle was under warranty and told it was normal. The body and bed of my truck was determined by a local body shop to be in good condition with minimal rust. This was determined by visual inspection and the condition of the lower portions of the doors which are frequently a trouble spot in states where road salt is used and the first locations where rust (body rot) appears. Toyota has failed to provide adequate corrosion protection on the frame and rear differential of my truck and created serious safety issues. The frame rust treatment toyota used on my truck did not work. I do not understand why they have declined to remedy this situation. They have replaced many frames for others.

Filed Dec 26, 2014 · Transmission · 198,560 miles · NH

The gear shift lever housing broke while shifting from drive to park. Fortunately I was in a parking lot and not someplace where I would cause a safety issue. I was unable to shift until I took apart the plastic covers and figured out how to work the shift linkage manually. The shifter housing piece appears to be a fairly thin piece of cast aluminum and broke in several spots. A search on the internet shows that this is a fairly common occurrence.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Body, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · IN

The vehicle was recalled for corrosion ,frame .cross member and gas tank straps were replaced in august 2012 03/16/2014 the gas tank leaked approx. 15 gallons of gas in my attached garage the gas tank was perforated in three spot underneath the new tank straps this vehicle has 85000 miles on it and I believe this issue could have been resolved without endangering people in this manner. Also now the rear differential housing is corroded so bad it is leaking gear oil in several places and I am afraid of catastrophic failure.

Filed Oct 21, 2011 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · NY

While driving my 2001 toyota tundra a leak developed from the rear differential spraying gear oil onto the road and vehicle behind me .I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic for repair .I believed that it would probably be a 2 yrs 3 hundred dollar repair for a seal or gasket but was informed that the rear housing cover had rusted thru and that because of the design the only way to repair it is to replace the entire rear axle housing at a cost of a little over $ 2,000 . The vehicle is in very good condition and there is not even rust on any of the fenders . I contacted the toyota customer experience hotline and explained the problem to both the first person I spoke with and then the follow up with a case manager . They informed me that there was nothing they can do and the only rust issues they would deal with are with the rear frame .my experience with older vehicles that had completely rusted bodies and frames never had differentials rust thru . I am being forced to get rid of a vehicle that I purchased new in 2001 due to a poorly designed part .not only is this a design flaw with an unservicable part but also a safety issue with fluid spewing from the rear end onto the roadway and vehicles traveling from behind. Also after researching this problem on the internet I discovered that it is a widespread problem with the first generation tundras that toyota refuses to address .

Filed Aug 30, 2010 · Transmission · 82,780 miles · NY

I was traveling down I-95 south in the dc area when suddenly the vehicle began to loose power causing the vehicle to decelerate in rush hour traffic. I managed to make it to the top of the hill and drift down to the bottom of the hill.

Filed Oct 2, 2008 · Transmission · 87,201 miles · MA

At first shifting transmission into gear was extremely difficult, and impossible a few times. I had thought that it was the linkage that was dried out and sticking. Transmission is skipping 3rd gear shift and slamming into overdrive with a nerve racking bang, especially at highway speeds when accelerating. Transmission has not been repaired at this time.

Filed Aug 30, 2008 · Transmission · 72,273 miles · MA

On the day of the malfunction, I had stopped at a red light. In my home town, after a 60 mile trip to ri. The engine died. Repeatedly 3 or 4 times with the lever in park, I would start my 2001 toyota tundra. Engaging the lever, the engine would die. Vehicle towed to dealer, who informed me the transmission was no good. 72,110 registered on odometer. 4 weeks previous to that date, I had difficulty shifting the lever. Dealer inspected said lever, could find nothing wrong and they adjusted linkage and lubricated. Now they tell me I need an entirely new factory rebuilt transmission and they charged me 2/3 of cost (I paid approximately $2,000) because they said I was a "good customer" and it was no longer under warranty according to them. Have since found out that there have been numerous malfunctions with transmissions for no reason in tundras and sequoias using the same trans. An outside transmission specialist (not toyota) when contacted, told me that when I had the problem previously with my shifting lever, that should have been the indication that something was seriously wrong with the transmission, b/c it was not a linkage problem but a transmission malfunction (problem for a fact). I do not have the old part, the toyota dealer kept it.

Filed Jun 26, 2008 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · CA

The automatic transmission gear selector lever arm on my 2001 toyota tundra fell off when I tried to shift into drive. I found that the metal connection of the lever arm had sheared off the assembly on the steering column. If this had occurred while the vehicle was being driven (I.e. When shifting into a lower gear on a hill) it could have had severe consequences.

Filed Jan 7, 2008 · Transmission · WA

The automatic transmission lever snapped something in the steering column when I shifted from park to drive. This failure seems to be somewhat common problem as I have found many cases of this on the web. One of the many instances I found says this: the casting design has a stress riser in it ( a tapped hole) in the worst place possible as far as stress is concerned!. This is an expensive fix! Estimates coming in at > $700.. I think toyota needs to do a recall !!