KnownCarProblems2003 Toyota Tundra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Tundra, most often about the body and structure (38% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 Tundra model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Tundra problems
Body and structure
150 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My dad bought this Tundra new in 2003. The frame started rusting in a couple of years and in 2011 he received a recall letter from Toyota stating that he needed to take the truck in and have the frame inspected. He took it to hickory Toyota to have the dealer evaluate it. Because the frame was heavily rusted my dad…
I took my 2003 Tundra to a transmission repair shop, independent, to have the rear differential evaluated due to crunching sound which occurred when taking off from a stop and leaking of fluid due to corrosion on housing. The shop called me that day two hours later and informed me that my frame was completely rusted…
Air bags
86 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 118,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, on-off switch assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. While driving approximately 10 MPH on a gravel road surface, the driver swerved to the left to avoid an obstacle in the road. Suddenly, the vehicle rolled down the steep incline into a ditch. The vehicle landed on the passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy and the driver…
I received a safety recall notice from Toyota, for my vehicle, due to a problem with the front passenger airbag inflator module. I called my local dealership to schedule an appointment for repair and was told they were not authorized by Toyota to make the repair at this time. I called the Toyota customer experience…
Suspension
63 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, multiple axle, rear.
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…
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…
Brakes
41 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
2003 Toyota Tundra with excessive frame rust including all rustable components with any connection to the frame. 2011 maine state inspection failed due to rusted emergency brake. The emergency brake had been repaired two years prior for same reason (june 2009).
Truck was being driven 250mi from destination a to b. While enroute, leaving the highway for a rest stop, the brake pedal went to the floor. Brake failure, unable to properly stop. Had truck towed to a local dealer who identified failure in (2) front steel brake lines. Total $ 428; and of course the situation could…
Transmission
35 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), manual transmission.
2003 Toyota Tundra front end making a severe grinding, squeaking, and knocking noise. The cv axle boots are destroyed and seems like the wheel bearings and hub is going out quickly as well. Also have transmission leakage and noise when turning. Vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced, he was informed that the differential was rusted out and that fluid was leaking. As a result, the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure…
Other or unspecified
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 127,000 miles.
My truck's frame has large, major rust perforation holes all over the frame and will soon need replacement. I feel that this will soon be a safety factor, as the frame is the only part of the vehicle that holds the truck in one piece when driving down the road. I'm afraid my frame will not protect me in a collision…
We sent our truck for the insurance (progressive insurance) company to the garage for an alignment and they told US the front/right side of the frame is broke. Making the truck unsafe to drive.
Fuel system
23 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
My 2003 Toyota Tundra had a check engine light come on. Diagnostic codes pointed to the fuel filler tube and air pressure tests by my personal mechanic (not a Toyota dealership) proved that there was a crack in the fuel filler line. The mechanic states that they see this happening in many Toyota's they work on. They…
I was driving down the road when the 'check engine' light came on. I took it to the dealer to see what the issue was and they stated it was a leak in the gas cap and that I didn't have cap tight enough. On the way home from the dealer the 'check engine' light came back on, so I took it back to the dealer. They stated…
Steering
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, hydraulic power assist.
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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Tundra recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will notify the pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are j0a (zone a toyota), j0b (zone b toyota), j0c (zone c toyota), jli (zone
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 lexus sc and toyota sequoia, 2003-2005 toyota corolla and tundra, and 2003-2007 pontiac vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on july 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-312 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 sequoia vehicles manufactured august 18, 2003, to august 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 tundra vehicles manufactured march 18, 2003, to august 25, 2004. On june 16, 2015, toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been ins
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on july 13, 2015. Pontiac vibe owners may contact gm at 1-800-762-2737. Gm began the recall on june 29, 2015. Note: this recacl
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 lexus sc, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sequoia, and pontiac vibe, and 2005-2006 toyota tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, along the gulf coast, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On june 16, 2015 toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 lexus sc, toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix, toyota corolla, pontiac vibe, and toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the may 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessit
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.
Air bags: on-off switch assembly
Risk: This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the anchorage systems' failure, and to increase the likelihood that child restraints are properly secured and thus more fully achieve their potential effectiveness in motor vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will remove the manual air bag on-off switch, replace the owner's manual, and affix a new sun visor air bag warning label. The recall began in early january 2007. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have a manual air bag on-off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have a child restraint lower anchorage system in the front passenger seat. This specification does not meet the standard requirements.
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
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
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
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 2003 Toyota Tundra
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Tundra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (150 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); air bags (86 complaints, typically around 118,500 miles); suspension (63 complaints, typically around 108,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Tundra have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Tundra?
- It is 8th of 27 Tundra model years by number of complaints, with 399 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.