KnownCarProblems2000 Toyota Tundra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,011 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota Tundra, most often about the body and structure (52% of complaints, typically around 110,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Tundra model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2000 Toyota Tundra problems
Body and structure
529 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the frame rail was rotting near the rear passenger side cab mount. There was a hole in the frame. The vehicle is still able to be driven, but poses a safety hazard. The dealer stated that a new frame was needed and advised the contact to stop driving the…
My 2000 Toyota Tundra with 108,499 miles on it. I had it in for serviced when it was lifted up I was told that a big piece of my frame fell off and that the frame was buckled and it looked very poor. At this time I didn't see any holes in it. I called Toyota customer service and they said that there are no problems…
Brakes
275 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, fluid.
2000 Tundra was purchased at 47,000 miles. Within 1000 miles, a severe vibration developed whenever the brakes were applied at speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour. As the vibration increased, I noticed a fairly severe increase in braking distance as well. After a near collision, I took the vehicle in for service.…
Brakes on 2000 Toyota Tundra failed, feel extremely unsafe, vibration when braking. Brakes were redone under warranty at 30,000 miles and now at 46,000 miles need $2000, all new parts.
Suspension
100 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 124,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
While driving at approx. 50 MPH, with no warning the right front suspension came apart. The tire folded underneath and the truck skidded to a stop. Fortunately we were on a 2 lane macadam road. There were no injuries. The truck was towed to a garage where the mechanic replaced the upper and lower ball joints right…
I own a 2000 Toyota Tundra 4x4 limited access cab. I took it in to my local dealership on 4/26/2010 for unrelated servicing and because I was concerned about the amount of rust on the rear frame components. I had heard about the recall and assumed that they would tell me something. I was told that it was ok, and that…
Engine
52 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
"ticking" sound from left rear of engine block. I know it was an exhaust leak. Went to Toyota dealer and they said my exhaust header was cracked and rusted. The truck was bought new in texas. According to the service manager named gabe at camelback Toyota in phoenix, az, "the humidity in dallas must have caused the…
Oxygen sensors constantly fail. I have replaced twice and another is currently out. Toyota extended the warranty instead of recalling and fixing the problem. The second o2 sensor was out within the extended warranty period but I didn't fix b/c I already had it repaired once. Of 3, I was reimbursed for 1.
Transmission
51 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, clutch assembly.
I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra and it has a problem that when the car gets hot the engine will stall out and die without warning. It creates no omd II errors and the check engine light never appears. The ECM fuse blows on occasion but replacing it does not lead to a running vehicle. It fails to start until the engine…
The transmission occasionally made a clunking noise and felt like the tire hit a small pothole in the road when shifting into overdrive. This started around 80,000 miles. I had the transmission fluid changed and the transmission pan dropped. The pan magnets had mostly small metal shavings but also a few larger pieces…
Steering
43 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, gear box (other than rack and pinion), steering wheel/handle bar.
My 2000 Toyota Tundra failed inspection due to frame rust. The steering rack rusted through and is no longer attached to the frame. I was told not to drive the vehicle until it is repaired. The frame has many areas that are in similar condition.
Both left and right connecting rods which connect the lower front control arms to the front torsion bar on my 2000 Toyota Tundra 4x4 have broken off where the rod extends through the torsion bar. This vehicle is used primarily for highway driving and has not been abused or driven abusively in rough terrain.
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles.
Truck was brought in for frame recall, had some rust corrosion put on it. Was a band aid on the problem frame is rusted badly as well as suspension parts.
The steel fitting in the radiators to transmission cooler rusted off, dumping antifreeze and transmission fluid on the road, in doing so antifreeze got into the transmission and transmission fluid got into the engine. Cost of repairs $1150. Next the rear axle housing rusted a hole in. Cost of repairs $1900. Next front…
Wheels and tires
26 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 157,000 miles. Parts named most often: temporary/emergency spare tire, tread/belt, sidewall.
In june 2010 my Tundra was repaired after being recalled for a severely rusted frame and spare tire housing. What signaled the problem was when my spare tire dropped from the mount and was dangling above the ground causing me to almost loose control on an off ramp. The first dealer inspected the vehicle and told me…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The vehicle has cooper discoverer radial lt tires. While driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a thumping sound from the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle fishtailed, spun around towards the right side of the road, and rolled over. The driver sustained facial fractures as well as…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Toyota Tundra recalls
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: Separation of the spare tire and diminished brake capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota is asking owners of the affected vehicles to remove the spare tire from under the vehicle until a remedy can be obtained. Dealers will inspect the rear cross member and related components, including the brake lines, and replace them if necessary. If the cross member does not need to be replaced, it will be sprayed with a corrosion protection compound. These services will be performed free of charge, however multiple visits to the dealer may be required. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about april 30, 2010. Owner may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling model year 2000-2003 tundra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. Excessive corrosion of the rear cross member may cause the separation of the spare tire stowed under the truck bed which would present a road hazard that could cause a crash. Also, corrosion of the rear cross member could affect the rear brake lines and the proportioning valve resulting in diminished braking capability.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: Different operating characteristics can be experienced when the spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a caution label and an insert for their owner's manual. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
On certain 4x2 vehicles equipped with an alloy wheel tire upgrade (options wm4, wm8, zl1-zl4, dh4, or dh5) installed by the processing centers in jacksonville, florida or commerce, georgia, a label identifying the spare tire as a temporary use spare tire was not installed. The upgrade includes 4 larger size tires with alloy wheels. The original spare tire/steel wheel is not part of the upgrade and was not changed.
Lights: tail lights
Risk: If the bulb falls out of the socket, the brake or tail lamp function cannot occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tail lamp sockets.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: light duty trucks. The tail light socket may have been improperly molded, resulting in the locking tab having insufficient force to retain the bulb.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Frame corrosion
Summary
This investigation was opened based on 20 reports of model year (my) 2000 and 2001 vehicles experiencing severe corrosion of the frame, resulting in either under-body mounted spare tire separation or rear brake failure.the failure report counts shown above are for my 2000 and 2001 vehicles only.by letter of november 16, 2009 toyota has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (09v-444) of approximately 110,000 model year (my) 2000 through 2003 tundra vehicles.the affected recalled vehicles were sold or are currently registered in the district of columbia and the states of ct, de, il, in, ky, ma, md, me, mi, mn, nh, nj, ny, oh, pa, ri, va, vt, wi, wv.toyota alleges high amount
Questions about the 2000 Toyota Tundra
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Toyota Tundra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (529 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles); brakes (275 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); suspension (100 complaints, typically around 124,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Toyota Tundra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 18, 2009 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Toyota Tundra?
- It is the most complained-about Tundra model year since 2000, with 1,011 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.