10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 144,572 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
My frame is broke. Right at the passenger front tire
- Nevada, MO, USA
2001 Tundra (4.7 Engine); frame badly rusted in rear. Told on Aug. 3, 2021 that it would fail the next inspection. I put my VIRIN into the NHTSA site but couldn't find any recalls.
- Bristow, VA, USA
Brought my truck in with 4 wheel drive issues and broken leaf spring and they told me my frame was cracked.
- West Olive, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he had taken his vehicle to Toyota of grand rapids (2555 28th St SE, grand rapids, mi 49512) for NHTSA campaign number: 09V444000(structure). The contact was then informed by the mechanic that there was severe corrosion on the vehicle and that he had to seek approval from the manufacturer to have the recall repair performed. The contact was later contacted by a service advisor who informed him that the dealer would not replace the frame and that front cross member was too corroded near the front driver's side to be placed on the lift to have the recall performed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
- Ionia, MI, USA
My vehicle was supposed to have been repaired under a previous recall for frame rust, with a coating, but it is apparent that Toyota did not repair all area's as today driving down the highway my shockmount completely rusted away, causing me to almost hit several cars, and pieces of the mount flew behind me into traffic. From the outside this truck looks to be in excellent shape, however the tow driver looked underneath and said he could not believe the rust damage. My vehicle has now been deemed unsafe and not roadworthy. My fear is how many unsuspecting owners are there that thought the recall repairs were done correctly, and could have an accident that could lead to serious injury or death if these go untreated, repaired or replaced. I was driving on the main outerbelt freeway in columbus, I-270 at 60-65 mph when the part came off.
- Commercial Point, OH, USA
I was driving and I heard loud noise when I hit a bump in the road, pulled over to look and saw that the right rear shock rusted through the crossmember and hit the bottom of the bed.I was driving at 35 mph when this occurred, I was able to make it home slowly, no injuries. The vehicle has 157,000 miles, now what do I do?
- Lincoln Park, MI, USA
On 11-5-2019 I was driving my 2001 Toyota Tundra, down a city street at approximately 30 mph when I heard a loud snapping, breaking noise and the right front of my truck collapsed and truck veered to the right. My first instinct was that I had a blowout. There was entrance to circle K approximately 40-50 feet away. Skidding along I was able to steer the truck into the driveway and off the street. When I got out to check I saw that the right front tire had collapsed under the vehicle had skidded on the tire and rim. The tire was still holding air but was scraped down to the cord. There were no potholes or any debris in the road. I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic, primarily Japanese, and had it diagnosed. Ball joints were completely broken and also ruining ABS speed sensor and brake hose. See attached invoice. Mechanic also did a diagnosis on the entire front end. On 11-14-2019 per the advice of my mechanic I had them rebuild L ball joints and lower and upper control arm. See attached invoice. I still have not replaced the R control arms which they have advised I do asap. It was extremely fortunate that myself or no one else was seriously injured. Vehicle was towed.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
My ball joints on the driver's side wheel catastrophically failed this morning without warning (no knocking/rattling/vibration/etc.). luckily I was only going 15 mph. I am concerned that Toyota is aware of an issue with the ball joints that could cause this failure without warning. I am worried for future incidents that would not be so lucky and happen on a highway going 70mph or more (which I was doing 10 minutes prior to this happening). I understand normal wear and tear but this is a sudden, catastrophic failure that is highly dangerous and likely to kill people. Normal ball joint wear loosens the ball joint and makes a rattling noise, this issue binds the ball joint with no warning and breaks it off. I called Toyota and was declined any information relating to trending and was told there is nothing they can do about wear and tear. This was in spite of knowledge I have of over 533,000 recalls of ball joints on similar models with similar suspensions. The Toyota personnel I spoke with would not even admit to any recalls of such like incidents. Toyota seemed completely unconcerned and even worried that if they provided information like this to other Tundra owners that they would be "liable" and expected to pay to have them fixed. It seemed Toyota was happy to sit by and watch the next wheel go flying off their Tundra/sequoias (and potential fatality) at the risk of having to communicate an issue to customers. I would have loved to know there could have been an existing ball joint issue, I would have performed a pm on mine!
- Minford, OH, USA
Bought truck new in 8/2001. Brought truck to dealer when it was recalled for rust in 2012 and was told rust wasn't bad enough to do anything. Brought truck back to dealer multiple times after 2012 (last in 11/18) and was told everything was fine on each occasion. In 8/2019 I heard a squeak from undercarriage and when I looked, the spare tire crossmember was hanging down and the right side upper shock mount was completely rusted through and the top of the shock was rubbing against the bottom of the truck bed (top shock mount was completely rusted away). Local service center told me to remove the shock and spare tire for safety. This rust is limited to the upper shock mount and the crossmember holding the spare tire. Other crossmembers and frame rails are all stable with only the amount of surface rust expected on a 18 year old vehicle. I do not believe that the dealer did a thorough exam of the truck in 2012, 2018 or other visits I made when I prompted them to check the rust as it related to the recall. I was told that since the campaign for rust was over they couldn't do anything. Based on the fact of only 2-3 areas of catastrophic rust on the frame and components while the rest of the frame and chassis is wearing appropriately I believe that this is a safety issue that should be re-instated - obvious factory defect - no corrosion inhibited applied. The vehicle is still mechanically perfect but the falling spare tire and broken suspension can cause an accident or injury that could be prevented with a recall. I believe that the Toyota dealer did not do a thorough inspection. I also question why I have seen multiple instances of individuals with similar problems who were given anti-corrosion treatment or other efforts made to stop the rust from getting worse - but nothing was done by Toyota to mitigate this problem before it got to this catastrophic level.
- Seward, AK, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While driving 50 mph and making a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle and was stuck on the side. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 270,000.
- Ojai, CA, USA
The lower ball joints on these first generation Tundra are all prone to early failure when using any other brand than oem. I have talked to dozens of first gen owners and all agree the lower ball joints on the trucks are a huge weak point. I had my driver's side front wheel come off of my truck while turning down a street in a busy intersection, causing extensive damage to my Tundra. The wheel went about 50 feet and stopped by colliding with a parked car. The suspension of my truck also caused damage to the road.
- Klondike, TX, USA
Front lower left ball joint broke at 40 mph while crossing rr tracks.the tire/hub completely tore loose tearing off brake line.and just luckily avoided a deadly head-on collision.this is the most dangerous vehicle I have ever owned.this problem must be addressed.my problem is L also own a 2001 Toyota sequoia which has the same front ball joints.this is total bull. I would had sent a picture, but the truck left the scene on a flat bed trailer.
- Walkerton, IN, USA
2001 Toyota Tundra. Frame rusted out. 194,000 miles. Installed new exhaust system in fall 2017. Frame was ok had some surface rust. On memorial day I installed new caliper, rotor, & shoes. At that time I could see the frame was bad, I could put finger through the frame. Truck unsafe to drive.
- Wellesley, MA, USA
December 2017 - shop informed me of serious frame corrosion/perforation, I called Toyota Corp. Was told to take to dealer for inspection. Dealer inspected March 2018 informed me not to drive vehicle as the frame was unsafe. Dealer would not release vehicle to me without me signing their form about unsafe vehicle. I phoned Toyota Corp. And was told no assistance was available. How is this possible / legit" the main frame has failed on the vehicle - and company not responsible for design and production/alloy errors"
- North Benton, OH, USA
2001 Toyota Tundra. Consumer writes in regards to excessive corrosion of the frame and suspension components.
- Grass Valley, CA, USA
Lower drivers side ball joint popped out going down hyway. Tire ended up collapsing in on drivers fender door and broke cv shaft and twisted a arms. Very dangerous. No prior sign of clunking or popping.
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA
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).
- North Smithfield, RI, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While driving 65 mph, the driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle slid 100 feet into the median after the failure. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver side upper ball joint fractured, which resulted in the driver side wheel detaching. The a arm, rim, tire, calipers, and upper ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 05V22500 (suspension), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 268,000.
- Morse, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While driving less than 5 mph, there was an abnormal noise heard on the front driver side of the vehicle. The front driver side lower ball joint fractured without warning and caused the contact to coast the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V225000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 304,000.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
- Whittier, CA, USA