10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,607 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.

2005 Toyota Tundra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments

problem #19

Oct 052022

Tundra

  • miles

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

It-??s has come to my attention that this is an on going issue with tundra frames rusting out after being sprayed I inherited this truck from a family friend and the truck is getting to where it-??s not drivable for frame issues this needs to be addressed by Toyota ASAP!!

- Church Road, VA, USA

problem #18

May 062021

Tundra

  • miles
The frame has several holes in it. Toyota said they did the corrosion prevension on it and said the repair is out of warranty. The sway bar has broken free of the frame and there are several hole and flaking spots on the frame.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 082021

Tundra

  • 139,500 miles
While driving down the road my spare tire mount failed do to rust corrosion causing my spare tire to fall off of my vehicle. Upon inspection the entire rear frame as well as parts of the front are corroded and flaking chunks of metal off. This rusting also affects suspension mounts and the entirety of the rear axle.

- Fort Bragg, NC, USA

problem #16

Jul 152020

Tundra

  • 313,000 miles

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

I took this truck into my local Toyota dealer on July 09, 2015 as part of a recall for a frame inspection. The mileage at that time was 295,801. The dealer said the frame was in good shape and applied a corrosion inhibitor as part of the program. In February of this year, (2020) I decided to install new break pads. When I removed the wheel on the driver side, I found a significant hole in the frame and cracking all around the area. In approximately 5 years and 17,000 miles, this developed. I have not driven the truck in the winter for about 8 years as this became a secondary vehicle only for summer project use around the home. I contacted Toyota corporate and they said that there weren't any programs available to remedy the situation and I was basically out of luck. I recently took the trunk to a frame & body shop and was shown much more extensive failure in the frame on both sides. He determined the frame is unrepairable because of the amount of rot and the truck will need a complete new frame. I can't believe that in 5 years driving, averaging 3,400 miles a year that the frame went from good (as the dealer described it) to being undriveable. Toyota new the steel was bad in many of their trucks and SUV's but has refused to repair all that were affected by the bad steel and lack of protection applied during manufacturing. I have had to pull the truck off the road as it has become unstable and hazardous to drive.

- Williamsburg, OH, USA

problem #15

May 042005

Tundra

  • miles
The frame and cross members are deteriorated to the point of breaking. The front driveshaft and steering linkage is excessively deteriorated. The brake and fuel tank brackets are also deteriorated and are failing to support attached components

- London, KY, USA

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problem #14

Dec 162019

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I own a 2005 Toyota Tundra with just 60,000 miles. In 2014 Toyota was allowed to put a band-aid on a problem that needed a tourniquet - applying a rust converter coating to a frame that, because of their failure to manufacturer it properly, deserved replacing. I was told by Toyota (case number [xxx]) that because the previous owner took the band-aid they were no longer liable until the government forced them via further government safety recall actions to do more. My hope is by writing this that the government can be proactive and solve this safety concern before they have to collect enough death and accident statistics to take notice of this issue. Not only that, I see that Toyota is being offered the same band-aid solution on a number of new models with the same issue - proving that they didn't learn any lesson just how they can get away with actual murder. The result will be more vehicles in 5 years in worse shape due to the lenient reconciliation mandated by the government. Do not put more lives at risk in order to save a multi-billion dollar companies bottom line. The frame which is known to be prone to excessive, premature rust corrosion because the frames were not properly prepared and treated against rust corrosion when they were manufactured should all have to be replaced under this recall to protect american drivers. This excessive rust corrosion compromises the vehicles' safety, stability, and crash-worthiness because important suspension components, engine mounts, transmission mounts, and body mounts anchored to the vehicles' frames are at risk of failure. Do you want this vehicle (picture attached) passing your family on a two-lane highway, because I can tell you there are a lot, and soon to be even more, doing it every day. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #13

Jan 012007

Tundra

  • miles

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

I purchased this vehicle used aprox 10 years ago. The issue that I have had looked at by Toyota dealership remains unresolved. When you take your foot off the brake it immediately lunges forward and travels without foot on the gas up to speed of 15 mph on flat level ground. It is definitely not safe. It could cause"an accident. My brother's insisted that I have it looked at by Toyota dealership. I have not had a satisfactory answer to this issue. Again the answer remains there has been no recall. Could it be a timing chain issue"

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #12

Oct 262018

Tundra

  • 135,000 miles
Tundra had electrical fault in transmission due to wiring harness corrosion. Tundra will drop our of gear while driving and reengage violently. Toyota has refused any assistance and I am unable to repair due to national backlog on necessary parts. My Tundra was part of the rust recall a couple years ago which was never properly rectified and I believe this is a continuation of that problem. Transmission issue seems to occur mostly at speeds up to 45 mph.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #11

May 042007

Tundra

  • 31,000 miles
2005 Tundra with manual transmission has issue with 3rd gear grinding and popping out of gear when driving can see many complaints online with Tundra and Tacoma with 6 speed manual transmissions and some indications Toyota new the issue was bad synchros in transmission and changed transmissions out with ones containing heavy-duty synchros when they were failing with 18000 miles, otherwise once out of warranty your problem. Some pepole stated replacement done more than once. Pops out of gear while driving on street

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 012016

Tundra

  • miles
2005 Toyota Tundra. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair airbag recall notice. The consumer stated the vehicle was returned damaged from having a recall repair completed. Updated 09/14/2017 updated 09/14/2017

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #9

Jan 102016

Tundra

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle moved without being prompted. The contact jumped into the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle crashed into a house. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact sustained injuries to her left leg that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unknown.

- Bugalusa, LA, USA

problem #8

Nov 012015

Tundra

  • 1 miles
The differential housing rusted through so that the lubricating fluid leaked out onto the road. This happened both when the truck was moving and at rest. Toyota had already replaced the vehicle frame as rapid corrosion and rusting caused a recall. The differential transfers power to the rear wheels so the lack of lubrication could have caused the rear wheels to lock while driving with the potential for a rear end collision or complete loss of control at high speed. Used replacement differential housings are unavailable because of high demand due to failure of originals due to rust.

- Essex Junction, VT, USA

problem #7

Jan 192015

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
The connector on the cable from the ECU to the transmission failed due to corrosion. This causes the truck to accelerate from a standing stop in a manner where the transmission slams in and out of gear. Thankfully this didn't occur when pulling out on a busy street. The situation is dangerous. The truck already had a frame recall due to corrosion. This issue is similar and represents a design flaw with dangerous consequences.

- Roseville, MN, USA

problem #6

Sep 222014

Tundra

  • 65,000 miles
We received several recall notices for frame deterioration and the need for inspection, correction and anti-corrosion chemical application. We took it to the Toyota dealer as requested. They called the next morning to have us pick up the vehicle and the anti-corrosion spray (black gooey stuff similar to undercoating) that they used was everywhere, including on the wiring harnesses, brake lines, the step bars that we installed aftermarket last year, inside of the wheel wells, the mud flaps - it was still wet and smelled awful. We contacted the service manager who blew us off, we called Toyota and they refused to assist, other than to take down the complaint on paper. I can't seem to find an attorney even remotely interested in assisting with this case. Toyota says that the coating may never dry so it will attract all dirt and grime that it's exposed to. It looks and smells horrible. We can't even sell it because it smells so bad! Toyota won't remove it or even repair it, nor will they replace the vehicle.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #5

Mar 172014

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 70,192 miles
Was taking it to have its oil changed and noticed a small puddle of oil under the rear axle setting in my driveway when I took it back to the dealer I ask them to check the rear axle to see were the oil was coming from they told me that the axle housing had rusted through Toyota wont cover it under warranty because warranty dosnt cover rust and it is going to cost me $3600 for them to fix it. To me I think this is a bunch of bull this truck only has 70192 miles on it there is no way this should of rusted out causing a major safety issue if I didn't notice this the rear axle could have lost all of its oil causing a major malfunction the axle could of locked up broke the axle causing to loose controll creating a bad accident they say it dosnt cover rust but yet I got a recall notice to bring it in to have the frame inspected for extreme rust corrosion. This dosnt make much sence to me they will cover the rusty frame which is great but they wont cover the rusted out rear axle that could cause a catastrophic accident as well as the frame.

- Falmouth, KY, USA

problem #4

Aug 102013

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 83,840 miles
Gear shift on steering wheel column became loose and it became very difficult to place truck into park. It started gradually until the play in the shifter was so bad that I could no longer put it into drive, reverse or neutral without the shifter handle hitting the windshield wiper handle and causing the windshield wipers to activate and squirt cleaner onto the windshield. I was concerned that it was going to slip out of gear or into gear causing injury or death, and it became increasingly hard to put the vehicle into park. I took it to Toyota dealer and they replaced it. I have the part (A1 shaft sub-assembly / BD376 housing, steering column) and it is defective inferior metal part broken into two pieces.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 232012

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
After stopping at a red light. Made right turn uphill. Truck accelerated quickly like it was floored. Attempted to brake easily to slow down. Truck spun 180 on pavement, crashing sideways into island divider. Right rear wheel was sheered off. Truck was stopped by rear bumper smashing into light standard. Sheered wheel had grind marks as wheels were still under power. This was pointed out at scene by law enforcement. I am a retired firefighter used to driving emergency equipment. My truck accelerated on its own.

- Orinda, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 242010

Tundra

  • 53,000 miles
My 2005 Tundra double cab 4X4 has an issue where you feel a strong thud and push forward coming from the transmission when you come to a stop (such as a stop sign or red light). Toyota's only fix if to grease the propeller/drive shafts well. I do this with each oil change but the condition persists even after lubing the powertrain. Other Tundra owners have reported this as a common issue with this vehicle. Toyota should consider a more suitable fix than just applying grease. This issue has existed for years in my Tundra.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #1

Dec 182009

Tundra

  • 66,000 miles
2005 Toyota Tundra double cab SR5 transmission mount has 4 bolts and a plastic centering piece 3 of the bolts had worked their way out and the 4th was half way out centering piece was loose and floating in the crossbeam tightened the one bolt went to bob tyler Toyota in pensacola, fl. All that was asked of mewas did I have the extended warranty. I said no I thought the Tundra was covered for 100,000 miles. Besides I considered this a safety issue because my transmission could have become disconnected and caused a wreck or worse. I consider this unacceptable and the attitude of the associate was unconcerned. What can be done about this? tw*

- Pensacola, FL, USA

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