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.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was inspected by an independent mechanic who discovered that the sub frame had extensive rusting and corrosion. The contact was informed that the section connecting the cabin to the bed of the truck was severely damaged by the corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and the local dealer first team Toyota (3400 western branch blvd, chesapeake, va) were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage 195,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. While driving approximately 10 mph, a noise was heard under the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the spare tire had detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare tire holder was severely corroded with a hole and the tire brackets were also corroded. The contact also found that the vehicle's underbody frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 126,000.
The front frame on the passenger side has a large rust hole completely through it, by the sway arm bracket, and that bracket itself is loose and hanging. The vehicle has 139,000 miles on it.
The frame on my 2002 Toyota Tundra is rusting and has holes completely thru the frame. The truck has always been registered and licensed since new and my problem is never receiving a recall notice. When I learned from a friend that Tundra frame had been replaced, I called Toyota for my frame replacement. Toyota said the recall expired and refused to make the repair. Other that the frame, the truck is in excellent condition because it has been well maintained. It is sad to have an excellent truck setting on a frame that is rusting away. How can Toyota sell a defective truck and identify it as unsafe, fail to contact the owner and then refuse to repair the truck saying the owner missed the deadline. Toyota could have contacted me but I never received any notification. I asked if Toyota could offer any credit on a replacement, even some consideration on a new Tundra and Toyota refused to make any effort to assist me. I currently own four Toyota. Buyers beware!
I would like to report an unsafe condition discovered on my 2002 Tundra. With 158000 it was discovered that the front half of the frame has rotted out/ several large perforations make the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is even though the vehicle had gone through a previous recall campaign in which the frame was inspected and rust inhibitor applied to rear of frame.
- South Grafton , MA, USA
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Vehicle has 121,000 miles on it. The frame has now cracked due to rust perforation and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. Toyota is aware of the rust issues on their Tundra models years 2000-2003 and has commenced at least 3 different campaigns to address this issue. The truck was brought in for all 3 recalls the last one in 2012. Toyota's solution was to spray them with rust inhibitor and send the customer on their way. This is nothing more than putting a band aid on a hemorrhaging wound. Most of the frames had already experienced frame corrosion. When I spoke to Toyota's customer service center on 4/15/15 they issued me a case number and said I would receive a call back. Toyota called back today 4/16/15 and said they would do nothing for me as the rust corrosion campaign ended in December 2013. I think the government needs to step in and force Toyota to fix or replace these trucks.I am sure many owners have no idea they are driving around with perforated frames that are unsafe. My damaged frame was discovered during a routine oil change.
After proper maintenance and also being told that this 2002 Tundra was not recalled due to frame rust and disintegration, this vehicle is now deemed unfit by three independent mechanics/welders due to holes in the frame. There is pervasive and extensive damage. When assistance from Toyota was sought, a case manager was assigned (case number 1405021511) and the final ruling was that our Tundra did not qualify for the recall and therefore Toyota was not responsible. It is negligent on the part of Toyota to not offer any assistance in finding a solution to this problem. The frame issue is a direct result of negligent manufacture.
I recently took my 2002 Toyota Tundra to the ralph hayes Toyota dealership in anderson, SC for a repair on the power steering system. While I was there, I was notified that my truck was on recall due to corrosion of the frame. I was told that due to the recall I will be given a rental car, at no cost to me, while my truck was to have the frame inspected and repaired. I agreed to the inspection and was given a rental for the time my truck was at the shop. I received a call on 9/25/14 from the Toyota dealership and was presented with 3 options. My first option was to have the new frame installed at no cost however, if any extra parts attached to the frame need to be replaced I was to go ahead and replace them. I was then presented with the price of around $9,500 that I was going to have to pay if I chose this option. My second option was to have the new frame installed at no cost and attempt to install my current parts onto the new frame. The Toyota representative expressed with the current condition of those parts I will need to have them replaced with the cost still at $9,500. My third option was to decline the recall and drive the truck as is with the truck deemed unsafe to drive by the Toyota dealership. The time frame I was given to make a decision was short of nothing. I had to make a decision by the end of the phone call that meant spending $9,500 or drive with an unsafe vehicle that at any given moment could cause a serious or fatal accident. I was forced into declining the recall because I do not have $9,500 in my bank account. Also, after I concluded my business with the dealership, I proceeded to ask them what the trade in value on my truck was to see if buying another vehicle was an option. Their response was $500 due to the recalled frame thus trading in and purchasing a new vehicle is not a viable option. Would you mind reviewing my case?
Toyota Tundra continue to have corrosion and rust on frame, last inspection on 1/1/12 in a Toyota dealership they check for corrosion and did not find any, which is not accurate because as of 9/1/14 rust and a actual hole and crack was found by a certified frame technician..he said this should have been caught in year of 2012 because metal does not rust that quickly.it takes more that a couple years to actually cause a hole and cracks. Toyota just did a visual and did not look thoroughly, they did not want to go to the expense of taking care of the problem leaving a unsafe vehicles on the roads and risking people lives.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the frame and undercarriage of the vehicle were corroded. The dealer confirmed the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 09V444000 (structure) had expired. The contact stated that a recall notification was never received. The contact had the spare tire replaced in 2012, which could have been included with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Severely rusted frame. May impact structural integrity. Just learned that a neighbor had their frame replaced recently, and discovered my frame is severely rusted too. Today Toyota dealer said there was a recall (but it ended last year). I never got a notification (letter) of the recall. Dealer could not make the repairs for me.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. While parked, the contact noticed corroded holes throughout the frame. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 09V444000 (structure: Frame and members:underbody shields) however, the manufacturer advised that the vehicle did not qualify for repairs under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Had frame replaced per recall, 5/2012. Had been smelling gas after fill ups so had airport Toyota, vandalia, Ohio - repair while they had truck torn apart- told me the gas tank port was corroded so they put new gasket on. Now I am smelling gas on passenger side. I am taking truck back to Toyota. I am concerned about the corroded gas tank because I had it repaired once before. I believe this problem is just as important as the corroded tank straps that were replaced in 2010. It's not something that is seen easily.
Steering rack rotted out and all the power steering fluid drained out almost instantly. Thankfully I was pulling out of a parking space and not on the highway. I currently have excessive frame rust, a hole in the gas tank from rust, the rear differential is almost rotted threw, the gas tank straps have already been replaced. I am not sure if this vehicle is even safe to drive anymore. The dealer inspects it regularly for the frame rust but they have never provided a fix.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a repair associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V444000 (structure: Frame and members: Underbody shields). While the technician performed the repair, he noticed both stabilizer links and the parking brake rear wheel mechanism were fractured as a result of excessive rust corrosion. In addition, the rack and pinion was corroded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 4/3/12 the consumer stated the front stabilizer links broke off, due to them being rusted. The driver side emergency brake seized. The steering shaft U-joint was badly rusted. Updated 05/17/12
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the front area of the frame was rusted significantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer previously for a repair under NHTSA campaign id number 09V444000 (structure: Frame and members: Underbody shields), the technician inspected the vehicle and advised that the recall repair was not necessary. He also noticed that the fuel tank straps exhibited rust corrosion and they were replaced. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent frame defect. The failure mileage was 39,000.
2002 Toyota Tundra. Consumer requests reimbursement the consumer stated Toyota did send him a check for $ $61.63. But, they didn't reimburse for his time for installing the fuel support strap that had completely rusted. When he contacted Toyota, he was informed it was their policy to only pay for installation when a business performed the installation not individuals. The consumer stated the dealer was busy and couldn't install the strap, so he and a friend performed the installation.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact referenced recall 09V444000 (structure: Frame and members: Under body shields) for which he received a recall notice. He took the vehicle to an authorized dealership where the vehicle was inspected and he was informed that the vehicle was fine. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusting and flaking in the rear cross member but the dealer did nothing. While driving at approximately 50-60 mph, the vehicle made a clunking noise and shook from the front end. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for the failure at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The current mileage was approximately 89,000.
I have had the Tundra and 5th wheel trailer combination since they were both new in 2002 and towing has been excellent. This trip however, I hit a 'bump' on rt. 93 southbound (heavy traffic) in medford, MA and the spare tire broke off of the holder. It proceeded to bounce up into the front compartment of the trailer and then dropped down and lodged between the trailer's axles. At least no one was injured, but the vehicles were damaged. I had about $5,000 in repair bills relating to the 'accident'. my concern is that the spare tire/wheel had never been off of the Tundra and they were 'new' except for their age. It appears that the amount of rust on the tire hanger bracket was a major cause of the wheel dropping. I have pictures and the replaced parts for your inspection if desired; you can see rust-out holes right through the bracket! I am concerned that this could be happening to many other Tundra's of a similar age. I would like to at least offer some form of warning to other owners. After Toyota's email response, basically saying this was never heard of before and calling the holder bracket a 'cover', I sent a second email: My concern now is that you have referred to the rusted-out bracket that holds the tire under the truck's bed (part # 51900-0C010 on my repair invoice.) as a 'cover, I'm hoping that we are speaking of the same piece of equipment. My suggestion involves safety more than warranty or money. If other Tundra's have the same rotting out of that bracket, other tires will fall off of those trucks. By the way, my Tundra looks like new and is in excellent condition; so I'm presuming that others may be even worse and that my vehicle is likely in average or better condition. If this truly is a potential issue for others, at least warning them to evaluate it would be appropriate; I surely would have appreciated it! updated 03/25/10 pictures received. Updated 10/05/10
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Portsmith, VA, USA