KnownCarProblems2001 Toyota Tundra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 415 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Tundra, most often about the body and structure (41% of complaints, typically around 111,500 miles). It is 6th of 27 Tundra model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2001 Toyota Tundra problems
Body and structure
171 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 111,500 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra pickup truck. On 9/5/09 I lost my power steering, and the truck was towed to my local garage, gil's garage in burnt hills, ny. Gil's garage found that my steering rack had rusted out and that the frame was rusted and cracked in two places. One at the left rear spring shackle and one in the…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The entire frame under the vehicle has completely rusted. The mechanic stated that the passenger side of the frame was peeling. The vehicle will not pass inspection until it is repaired. The contact is aware of the safety risk and related complaints. The manufacturer stated that…
Brakes
115 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, fluid.
There was a severe vibration in my front brakes when driving with my pickup bed loaded with wood and coming down a hill. Also, happened to a lesser extent when pickup bed was empty and coming off the freeway on a downslope. Had my brakes serviced, and was advised of tsb br004-02. Front brake calipers, backing plates…
2001 Toyota Tundra brakes shake excessively even after replacing them with new ones. Transmission makes a loud thump when going into overdrive.
Suspension
84 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 132,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I own a 2001 Tundra sr5 access cab trd pickup. I put 75,000 miles on it in through 8 ne iowa winters before moving to a warmer part of the country. My truck now has 132,000 miles on it. On august 17th, 2010 I drove through a pothole and heard a crack from the front left suspension. Upon inspection after work I found a…
I have Toyota Tundra 2001 with severe frame rust, rear shock mount frame rusted out holes in frame, brake stabilizer now unattached to vehicle the spare tire fell out of vehicle while driving due to rust problems. I have contact Toyota several times they said I am out of luck. This is an obvious defect.. I have read…
Transmission
30 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact heard a thumping noise while driving. Shortly thereafter, while accelerating to 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power but did not shut off. The vehicle was safely pulled over and towed to a mechanic. There were no warning indicators. The local mechanic was unable to diagnose…
At first shifting transmission into gear was extremely difficult, and impossible a few times. I had thought that it was the linkage that was dried out and sticking. Transmission is skipping 3rd gear shift and slamming into overdrive with a nerve racking bang, especially at highway speeds when accelerating.…
Steering
23 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles.
My 2001 Toyota Tundra was just taken to be inspected. I was told by my local Toyota of newport dealer that the frame was rusted out and would not pass inspection. Also, tire cross members exhaust system crossover pipes and power steering frame rusted out and is leaking. I called Toyota hot line and am waiting for a…
Took the vehicle to a local dealer for a front end inspection due to a steering problem. The vehicle was very stiff during turning and would not return to center. Asked for a thorough front end inspection of power steering system and associated steering linkages, etc. Dealer advised that all was ok but that front end…
Wheels and tires
15 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 146,500 miles. Parts named most often: temporary/emergency spare tire.
Low mileage, two year old front tires beginning to separate at inner sidewalls, making vibrations above 50+ MPH and shaking vehicle so bad almost undriveable at highway speeds. Alignment shop said get them checked. Re-balancing tires had no effect, moved front tires to rear then bed of truck would vibrate at speed.…
I left my driveway to do some errands and when I returned I thought someone had thrown an old tire on my property. To my dismay I quickly realized it was my spare tire with the rotted hoist still frozen to the inside of the rim. I had already taken my truck to a dealer for under carriage rotting recall. Thank god this…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 145,000 miles.
The frame was part of a recall, now Toyota refuses to fix it unless I pay them $850 for parts they need to cut off in order to replace the frame.
The frame is the first mentioned in recall with supplemental conditions..... My vehicle was diagnost with perforation in said frame but was told it didnt me supplemental conditions.
Fuel system
12 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
The vehicle was recalled for corrosion ,frame .cross member and gas tank straps were replaced in august 2012 03/16/2014 the gas tank leaked approx. 15 gallons of gas in my attached garage the gas tank was perforated in three spot underneath the new tank straps this vehicle has 85000 miles on it and I believe this…
Excessive rust problems impacted the gas tank and securing straps under my 2001 Toyota Tundra. The corrosion created small pinholes in the tanks, resulting in gas leakage and required the tank and straps to be replaced.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 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.
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 2001 Toyota Tundra
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Tundra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (171 complaints, typically around 111,500 miles); brakes (115 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); suspension (84 complaints, typically around 132,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tundra have?
- 2 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 2001 a bad year for the Toyota Tundra?
- It is 6th of 27 Tundra model years by number of complaints, with 415 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.