2003 Toyota Tundra steering problems

Filed Mar 2, 2026 · Body, Steering · TX

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

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · IL

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 .

Filed Nov 14, 2021 · Engine, Steering · AK

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

Filed Oct 17, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · NM · crash

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.

Filed May 6, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 108,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 25, 2019 · Body, Steering · 264,400 miles · SC

A recall letter was sent for 2003 tundra for undercoating. Vehicle was taken to dealership and was there for three days. I was told nothing else was needed. I brought attention to dealership about frame recall. I was told my vehicle was not under that recall although the year and model was on the site. Second issue of concern, entire steering line replaced. There was a lack of power steering. Vehicle housed for three days at dealership. Fast forward today, 25 september was brought to my attention by service manager of large amount of frame rust and vehicle was not road worthy. Layers of rusted metal crumbled in manager's hand. As a consumer preventive maintenance repairs have been made. I have asked the dealership for help to resolve ongoing concerns. I am a female retired veteran pleading for help. I love my vehicle performance is the reason the mileage is 260,000 (+). Your attention to this concern would greatly be appreciated.

Filed Aug 20, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 111,035 miles · MN

Steering column shift bracket broke in 3 places when trying to shift from park to drive, making shifting impossible. See pictures from 2 of 3 fracture locations, 3rd fracture is at an attachment screw (not shown). This is cause by an punderdesigned part made of inferior cast aluminum. There are thousands of reports of this problem on tundras and other toyota models with same defective bracket. This dangerous defect must be recalled and fixed by toyota with a redesigned part.

Filed Dec 20, 2017 · Body, Steering · 108,000 miles · VA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 11, 2017 · Steering · VA

This is the 2nd time we have had this problem with the truck shutting down. The company should be made to guarantee there work and/it should have been a massive recall on the ignition and steering system.

Filed Jul 5, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 120,000 miles · MD

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