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.
2003 Toyota Tundra body complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 150 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
My fathers 2003 toyota tundra getting checked out recently by a local mechanic when he was made aware that the frame is excessively rusty. With this information the truck was brought to a toyota dealer for inspection. The dealer stated there is so much rust the vehicle the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Dealer also stated there is nothing toyota will do about it until the rust actually creates a hole in the frame. My parents are in there seventies on fixed incomes, they don't have a choice but to operate this unsafe vehicle. If a dealer is able to state a vehicle is unsafe to drive toyota should back the determination of the dealer and do everything possible to remedy the problem. My parents were told to bring the vehicle back after a hole rust through the frame and then toyota will do something about it. A 2003 truck should not have rusted to the point of being unsafe in a 7 year period. Please help my parents.
Tl*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.
I own a 2003 toyota tundra that has severe frame rust. Big pieces of metal are flaking off, sooner or later some component attachment point will fail. The rest of the underneath, and truck as a whole, is rust free. I religiously wash the underside of the truck. There is a defect with these frames.
Rusting frame and spare tire falling off.
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.
Entire rear end housing rusted away requiring a whole new rear end housing. Frame is rusting out on whole truck.
I have a 2003 toyota tundra that I bought new and have had serviced at the same toyota dealership since the purchase. In june 2008, I had the 60,000 service done and had front brakes replaced. In august 2008, while pulling out of my driveway, the driver's side lower control arm rusted through and the wheel was no longer connected to steering. After having the truck towed, I had to have both lower control arms replaced. Toyota USA paid for half. Since then, I have tried repeatedly to have toyota and the dealership step up and accept the responsibility for the rust issue. The dealership says it's not their problem and toyota USA states they have no program in place to address this issue. Neither of these excuses are acceptable. My truck is spotless except for frame rust. Toyota needs to do something before a serious accident happens and someone is hurt or killed.
2003 toyota tundra under bed spare tire mount failure. While driving, the spare tire mount failed causing the spare tire to become dislodged. I was unaware until flagged down by another driver who had swerved erratically to avoid the tire. *tr updated 03/25/10 *bf received pictures of frame. Updated 09/14/10
Tl* 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.
Rusted vehicle frame. Driver side leaf spring broke due to rust corrosion. Replace leaf spring. Applied rust inhibiter to exposed frame. Vehicle underbody rust free.
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.
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.
Tl*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.
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.
2003 toyota tundra has serious frame rot. The paint on the frame has bubbled up as the rust has proliferated leaving the entire frame in a compromised state. The rear axle and leaf springs are completely coated in rust. Driver's side rear drum brake locked up due to corrosion, which required replacing a tire and brake shoes. Vehicle has been dealer serviced since day one, with the exception of oil changes.
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.
When applying the brakes, brakes pulsate, and vehicle is going side to side. It is hard to control the vehicle. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and could no duplicate or correct the problem. Tundra v6. *ak there is also a problem with the slidding doors not shutting properly.
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