CarComplaints.com Notes: A dependable pickup option that does have a slight history of frame corrosion. Even though mud looks cool on a truck, it's best if you run this through the car wash every now and again.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,710 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Toyota Tundra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments

problem #10

Feb 012004

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my Tundra new in 2003..I bought it to carry the mail as I was informed that it would last longer and hold up better than other makes..I had to replace the front brake pads the first time at about 15,000 miles but was not to concerned as I use them more heavily than most drivers..the next time was about 12,000 miles and this time it was shuttering very bad and I replaced the rotors along with new pads..this has been an on going problem of replacement of parts to elevate the severe shuttering each time thinking I had it fixed..today for the first time I find out that this is not only problem that Toyota knew about but possibly have tried to cover because the real fix is very costly ($2000)..they issued a tbs (BR004-02) along with 6 or 7 other tsb's about the problems with brakes from year model 2000-2005..I contacted Toyota and they told me that if I would have brought the vehicle to a dealer before my 36,0000 warranty expired it could have been fixed..had I known about the service bulletin I would have taken it to the dealer..since the brake parts are not covered under the 36,000 mile warranty I did not take it to the dealer as the first pad replacement seemed to fix the problem..I was informed that maybe if enough people filed a complaint here that Toyota would be forced to fix a problem that they new about but did not inform owners about to have repaired..

- Whitney, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 062011

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 50,464 miles
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).

- Scarborough, ME, USA

problem #8

Apr 272010

Tundra

  • miles
Extreme warping on front disc brake rotors. Driving down the road and steering wheel shakes almost uncontrollably. This leads to longer stopping distances. I contacted the dealership and they said it is not a recall and it is because the rotors are to small for the size vehicle. I know several other owners with the same problem and had them replaced, but about 2000 miles on new equipment and they warp again. This is very dangerous as I own a Toyota Tundra and a Toyota sequoia and both have the same parts and same problem.

- Breckenridge, CO, USA

problem #7

Apr 212010

Tundra

  • 177,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Anti-lock braking system failed: Brakes locked under wet conditions. Vehicle slid off road. Vehicle has history of pulsating brake pedal, shuttering and clanging noises under braking.

- Mt Laguna, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 302005

Tundra 4WD

  • 33,531 miles
I read with interest the ap story about problems with brakes on the Toyota prius. The first generation Tundra (2000-2006) has had front brake problems for years (undersized) and Toyota refuses to acknowledge it or issue a recall. The brakes on my 2003 Tundra are horrible. They vibrate and shimmy. I had to replace pads and turn the rotors twice already and the vehicle only has approximately 80,000 miles. My mechanic tells me the entire front brakes need to be replaced as the rotors cannot be turned again. Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin on these brakes tsb BR004-02 but that's it, and the suggested fix is very expensive. Check out some of the online forums for more information about this annoying, expensive problem. www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/brakes/65633-upgrade-your-early-Tundra-brakes-1-A/ www.tundratalk.net/ www.yotatech.com/F28/tire-size-stock-2003-Tundra-rims-92790/ just in case you are interested... thanks for listening.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #5

Jun 152009

Tundra

  • 40,000 miles
Front rotors keep warpping. Turned the original set at 40000, then replaced them with slotted rotors, which have now warpped. Understand there is a techinncal service bulletin stating the rear brakes do not self adjust, subsequently increasing the brake load on the front, causing the warpping. The real fix might be to fix the rear brakes. Apply the brakes and the front wheels shudder or shimmy offically called "pulsation" increased when braking on a downhill or with some load in the bed. Toyota should fix this!!!

- Orcutt, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 152009

Tundra

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front brake caliper corrosion leading to reduced braking capability.

- Tolland, CT, USA

problem #3

May 182007

Tundra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact noticed that the main frame of the vehicle was perforated due to severe rust corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they replaced the rusted fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on a separate occasion. The technician detected a rusted brake backing plate, and the front and rear brakes were replaced. In addition, four new tires were mounted on the vehicle. The technician was unable to perform a tire alignment due to the significant frame damage. The VIN was unable to be entered into the system. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 62,000.

- South Wellfleet, MA, USA

problem #2

Jan 212009

Tundra

  • 74,000 miles
Have a Toyota Tundra with front brakes that are warped. Vehicle has extreme vibration when braking. Apparently Toyota has a tsb issued for this but the vehicle is now out of warranty. This seems to be a common problem from what I have read.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #1

Nov 102003

Tundra 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,500 miles
2003 Tundra RPM hang-up - safety issue hello all:I have a 2003 Toyota Tundra 3.4, V6, 4X4, 5 speed. While traveling at highway speeds, if I have to brake hard the RPM's are maintained for up to 1.5 seconds before the RPM starts to drop. This occurs with and without cruise control being on. I'd like to also note that my last truck was a T-100 with the 3.4 V6 engine - so I am very familiar with how this engine should, in theory, respond. Dealer claims this a computer issue and Toyota has not issued a tsb. Dealer also claims that this feature was added to reduce jerky feeling when shifting gears. The issue presents a serious safety issue. When traveling at highway speeds, in an emergency, you can't afford to loose 1.5 seconds of braking time. Additionally, there is the added wear on your front disk brake pads due to the engine trying to maintain RPM while brakes are trying to stop the truck. This issue has been reproduced at the dealer. To check a truck, cruise at 55 or 65 mph, note the RPM - then if you have to brake hard try to note if the RPM drops immediately or, hangs up for a second or two. Another way to check this is, while parked, race engine to 2500-3000 RPM then switch foot from gas to brake pedal quickly-simulating an emergency stop. Note the RPM and engine sound. You will find the engine still maintaining that 2500-3000 RPM for 1-1.5 seconds. Also, dealer pointed out that unless there are more complaints, Toyota 'will not' do anything about this problem. Personally I would like this issue resolved before incident(s) forces us to look seriously at this. Thanks to all mike laudano.

- Deale, MD, USA

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