2002 Toyota Tundra transmission problems

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · VA · crash · 1 injury

My original owner 2002 Toyota Tundra Truck was being backed up in reverse with a utility trailer attached up a very, very moderate incline on a driveway pushing the trailer onto a gravel pad ALONGSIDE (parallel) the driveway. As it started to spin gravel the truck was put into a 4 wheel Drive LOW RANGE. This is in keeping with the TOYOTA owners manual publication 0M34417U Part Number 01999-34417 Print date 02-0109-01. We followed the manual instruction on 4 WD operation. Within a few feet the truck stopped as if the wheels had hit a curb and there was no further movement no matter the accelerator pedal position and the engine speed was unchanged as if it was in a stall. All of a sudden there was a loud bang underneath the truck and the truck raced rearward 8-10 feet jackknifing the trailer into a tree and upending the truck and trailer. We contacted Toyota on the incident and they had a third party look at the truck for brake condition, floor mat placement and throttle freedom at the body shop & Toyota closed the complaint file. Toyota IGNORED the circumstances and description of the incident in closing the complaint. We have been a very long time TOYOTA truck family and have owned SIX Toyota 4 wheel drives plus a Lexus all-wheel drive. In doing our own evaluation and investigation we have found that the truck went into a 4-wheel drive "wind-up" or "bind" and found information related on it from ASE Certification sites. NO MENTION of this potential issue is provided in the owners manual! We found that the torque from this can be over 4,000 ft/lb. and possible magnified even more by low range. When this bind suddenly is released the movement can be violent as happened here. Why is this not talked about in the owner manual? Why does Toyota ignore this reality? Indeed, the Toyota Rep. Mr. Ronald Inton said "he never heard of anyone backing up in 4 Wheel Drive"! WHAT?? We have the vehicle, photos, Toyota denial all available for review,.

Filed Mar 27, 2020 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · IN

Rear differential is leaking oil due to faulty metal used in manufacturing. Diff. Is leaking thru rust holes in housing metal and not thru seals.

Filed Feb 15, 2020 · Transmission · 186,700 miles · NH

The rear axel and differential housing/casting is corroded thru such that oil is leaking through the differential hub onto the roadway and resulting in a loss of gear oil within the differential and axels. After driving on the highway this oil was observed on the spare tire (mounted under the bed) and up the back of the bumper. The service representative at one dealership I approached to discuss the cost of repair indicated that they have seen the problem multiple times. This obviously should not be happening and I believe it to be the result of a defectively designed/manufactured component. I have not yet had the vehicle repaired due to the high cost, but it is not driveable as the differential will not hold gear oil.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Body, Transmission · 81,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear differential was leaking. The contact also mentioned that the chain that held the spare tire in place fractured from the frame. The vehicle was taken to brown's toyota of glen burnie (7167 ritchie hwy, glen burnie, md 21061 (410) 761-9000) where the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2019 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · MO

When pulling the vehicle into park on a roadside, the gear shift lever snapped and stopped working, making it unable to shift gears including putting the vehicle into park. Upon removing the cover over the steering wheel, it was obvious that the gear shift lever had indeed broken completely loose from the steering column.

Filed May 15, 2018 · Transmission · 153,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. While attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed that the gear shifter was very loose. The contact removed the tip of the lever to find that it was fractured from the mounting bracket. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer (toyota of visalia, 922 s ben maddox way, visalia, california 93292) was contacted by telephone. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · MD

The differential housing is rusted so bad that oil is seeping through rust pits. The frame is also rusted and had to have it welded. Also lost the spare tire due to rust.

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Body, Transmission · 87,000 miles · OH

Purchased the vehicle in february 2017 and was informed by the mechanic that the rear end differential was beginning to leak due to excessive rust. Further inspection of undercarriage do to a noise under vehicle found that the frame and body mount had deteriorated due to rust causing a hole in the body mount causing the cab to flex and bounce on the frame. Vehicle treated by toyota for earlier recall due to rust of the frame and given a 5yr extended warranty. Body of vehicle is free of rust, frame and differential have excessive rust making the vehicle unsafe to operate.

Filed Apr 27, 2017 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · ME

I was driving down the road on a road ~35 MPH when my rear axle assembly locked up causing the truck to abruptly come to a stop.

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Brakes, Transmission · 194,000 miles · OH

Rear axle seals have failed four times in the past five years. When they fail, the rear brakes become coated with oil, significantly increasing stopping distance.