2000 Toyota Tundra Suspension Problems

On February 19, 2026, I contacted Hendrick Toyota Apex (1210 Laura Village Rd, Apex, NC 27523) to schedule repair for two open safety recalls on my 2000 Toyota Tundra (VIN: [XXX] ) under NHTSA Campaign #09V444, Toyota Campaigns BXD and BZD. The dealership incorrectly refused to perform either recall, stating that neither could be done in North Carolina because they only apply to cold climate states. This is incorrect — Campaign BZD was specifically created as a supplemental campaign to allow Toyota dealers outside the 20 cold climate states to inspect and repair covered vehicles. I was turned away on my first call. Only after calling back a second time to lodge a complaint did a different representative look up the recalls and confirm that Campaign BZD can in fact be performed at their location. Had I accepted the initial refusal, I would have been denied a free safety recall repair on a vehicle with 255,656 miles and visible frame corrosion. The dealership's staff appear to be untrained on recall Campaign BZD and are likely turning away other affected Tundra owners. I have call recordings documenting the incorrect refusal. I am requesting NHTSA review this dealership's handling of recall #09V444 to ensure other consumers are not wrongly denied safety recall service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with upper and lower ball joints failure. The contact was informed that the upper and lower ball joints and the axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Frame of the vehicle is starting to rust, clear coat paint is wearing off and is starting to chip with small spots of rust on the roof and hood, lower ball joint failure due to corrosion and degraded components. Unknown why the lower ball joint failed. Vehicle is not in the rust belt but definitely experiences corrosion and suspension issues.

When I drive my vehicle it is difficult to apply the brakes on it and I feel like if I press too hard (which might be necessary if I need to suddenly stop) that the brakes might break or fail somehow. I have also noticed that underneath my truck, the frame is rotting out in certain areas and the leafs (steel long plates near the rear of the vehicle) is bending out of shape. There is a clanking noise near the front of the vehicle that concerns me as well when I pass through a small bump.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to engage. As a result, the contact crashed into a small tree that caused a dent in the front bumper. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the two lines in the master cylinder was missing the divider. The contact stated that he replaced the brake line, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact stated that on two separate occasions while making a left turn, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the ball joints had snapped and failed. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

I pulled out of my bank's parking lot driveway making a right turn and the lower left ball joint failed and broke off causing the left front wheel assembly to collapse. The truck slid to a stop and blocked both the driveway and roadway. Police arrived shortly afterwards and made a report. Truck was not able to move on it's own and had to be towed to a repair shop. Broken ball joint inspected and then replaced by my mechanic. Further damage occurred to the left front fender and drivers door from the wheel assembly slamming into the fender. Front fender damage caused the drivers door to jamb shut. The damaged fender had to be pried back to release the door so it could open. (fender and door not repaired) Fortunately I was alone and not injured if I had been driving at highway speeds I would have received serious injuries/death and possibly loosing control of vehicle causing possible injuries/death to others. No warning lights/messages were visible before or during the incident and the only symptom I observed was a slight creaking noise right before it happened.

MY 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION ON THE REAR FRAME OF THE TRUCK, BUMPER AND TAILGATE CONNECTIONS ARE CORRODED EXCESSIVE RUST. TROUBLE WITH THE TRAILER WIRING HARNESS. SOMETHING HAS BURNED UP A BOX ON THE WIRING HARNESS. PARKING BREAK CABLE CAN NOT BE FIXED. THEREFORE THERE ISN'T A WORKING PARKING BREAK.

MY FRAME IS RUSTED ON MOST IN TO AN I NO YALL HAD A RECALL BUT I DON'T KNOW IF ITS STALL GOOD FOR THIS TRUCK

MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME ON LAST VISIT TO SHOP, W/ MY 2000 TUNDRA, THAT THE FRAME WAS SERIOUSLY RUSTED. BUT, I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW SERIOUS IT WAS UNTIL...DUE TO BLACK ICE....MY TRUCK ENDED UP IN THE DITCH (12/4) AND HAD TO HAVE A THE LOCAL TOWING COMPANY TOW IT HOME. JEFF HILL, THE OWNER-WHO ALSO RUNS A BODY SHOP-INFORMED ME, AFTER LOOKING AT UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK....NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT DUE TO DAMAGE OF FRAME----RUSTED OUT----HE ADVISED THAT I NOT PUT ANY MORE $$$ INTO IT. AFTER GETTING IT HOME WE LOOKED UP UNDER TRUCK AND COULD VISIBLY SEE HOW SERIOUSLY RUSTED IT WAS. AND, DUE TO THE RUST, THE IMPACT OF MY ACCIDENT ACTUALLY BROKE THE FRAME....SO NOW IT IS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE AND BASICALLY TOTALED. I HAD A MAN, DON YATES, WHO OWNS/OPERATES A LOCAL WELDING SHOP, STOP BY AND INSPECT IT. HE GAVE ME A QUOTE OF AT LEAST $1400 TO HAVE FRAME REPAIRED. MY INTENTION WAS TO REPLACE THE BROKEN WINDOW AND MIRROR-DAMAGE FROM HITTING THE DITCH-AND KEEP ON DRIVING IT TILL SHE WOULDN'T GO ANYMORE. THE MOTOR AND TRANEY ARE STILL GOOD...ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON THEM. THE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT STATES OVER $1,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND I HAVE TAKEN PICS OF THE RUST. I HAD JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR IT...THEY ARE STILL SITTING AT TIRE SHOP WAITING ON ME. I AM WONDERING IF I CAN STILL GET IN ON THE CLASS ACTION SUIT OR IF THERE IS ANY WAY OF GETTING ANY HELP W MY PROBLEM??? PLEASE. ANY RECOURSE?? DUE TO MY TRUCK FRAME BEING BROKEN... I WAS FORCED TO TRADE IN MY CAR TO ENABLE ME TO BUY ANOTHER TRUCK-TOYOTA OF COURSE. SO, NOW MY PAYMENTS ARE ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT I HAD ON CAR. WHICH..I COULD NOT AFFORD, BUT, I WORK OUT IN THE BOONIES AND MUST HAVE A TRUCK TO GET THERE. I HAVE PICS ON MY PHONE BUT AM UNABLE TO GET THEM UPLOADED TO MY COMP. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT SOON. MAY I SEND THEM LATER??? TU KINDLY, (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

PREVIOUSLY RECALLED RUSTED CROSS MEMBER DROPPED SPARE TIRE ON MASSACHUSETTS 495 HITTING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. 8/18 TOYOTA INSPECTED CROSS MEMBERS AND FRAME AND TOLD ME THEY ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SINCE THEY ALREADY DID IT ONCE DURING RECALL THEY HAVE FULFILLED OBLIGATION. TRUCK RECIEVED VEHICLE UNDERCOATING PER CAMPAIGN HAS HAD ONE CROSSEMBER REPLACED AND FUEL STRAPS. TRUCK IS ONE OWNER WITH 74K MILES AND GARAGED. TRUCK INSPECTED IN 2014 AND IN 2017 NOTED NO CORROSION AT MULTI POINT INSPECTIONS FROM TOYOTA. 8/14/18 DEALERSHIP NOTED CROSSMEMBERS HAD ROT THAT MUST BE WELDED AT AN OUTSIDE SHOP. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT QUOTE REPAIR AND NOT WORK ON TRUCK. HAVE 2 CHILDREN 3 AND 5, WIFE AND I NEED A SAFE RESOLUTION FROM TOYOTA. THE RECOMMENDATION IS REPAIR AT AN OUTSIDE SHOP FOR SAFETY REASON AND I UNABLE TO FIND A SHOP TO PREFORM TOYOTA'S RECOMMENDATION AND THEY WILL NOT WORK ON VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, RUST WAS NOTICED ON THE FRAME, CROSS MEMBER, AND THE FUEL STRAPS, WHICH WERE EXTENDING TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD FRACTURE. THE DEALER (CUMBERLAND TOYOTA, 1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 520-4149) INDICATED THAT THE STATUTE EXPIRED TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REMEDY AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the front wheels would frequently turn to the opposite direction of what was intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the upper ball joints had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic replaced the upper ball joints with the same model; however, the failure reoccurred after the vehicle had been driven for less than 20,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the upper ball joints with the same model part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replace the ball joints with the original OEM ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an auto builder who assisted the contact in replacing the control arms, upper and lower ball joints, and retro shocks with a different model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E002000 (Suspension) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

BALL JOINT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKE. REPLACED IT EVERY TIME. ONCE TURNING IN A BUSINESS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, DAMAGING VEHICLE, ONCE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND ONCE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. CASE NUMBER: 1709200106 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000.

I HAVE TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO REPLACE MY FRAME FOR ABOUT MAYBE SIX YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN AND HAD THE TREATMENT AROUND THE SPARE TIRE ON THE FRAME TREATED, AND OVER A COUPLE OF YEAR ALL OF THE BLACK COLORED TREATMENT JUST FEEL OFF ON MY DRIVEWAY IN CHARLESTON WV WHERE I LIVED AT THE TIME. I WENT BACK TO LOVE LEXUS AND TOYOTA TO HAVE MY FRAME CHECKED TO SEE IF THEY COULD REPLACE IT ACCORDING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE 2000-2003 TUNDRA TRUCKS.LOVES SAID MY FRAME LOOKED OK TO THEM AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. THIS WAS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. NOW MY LEFT FRONT SIDE OF MY FRAME HAS A HOLE IN THE UNDER NEATH SIDE OF THE FRAME AND THE STRUT BAR IS RIPPING AWAY FROM THE FRAME...I CALLED AND TALKED TO ALEXUS, AND AL , AND A HIGHER UP MAN IN THE COMPANY NAMED ROB, THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME BETTER I.D. THAN THAT, I TOLD HIM THIS STORY AS I'M SURE HIS UNDERLING AL DID, THAT IS WHY ROB CALLED ME ON AUG 22ND AND TOLD ME THERE WERE NO AVENUES THAT HE (ROB) COULD SEE TO HELP ME.THEN I SAID WOULD HE HELP ME TRADE FOR A NEWER TRUCK AND HE (ROB) SAID THAT WOULD BE UP TO ME TO DO. MY TUNDRA IS UNDRIVEABLE AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD FIX IT IN THE DEAL THAT WAS MADE FOR THE 2000 TO 2003 TOYOYA TUNDRA TRUCKS. WHAT DO I DO TO GET SOME HELP. WALK TO WHRE I WANT TO GO? I AM ON DISABILITY AND I HAVE VERY BAD CONDITIONS, AND I DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO GO BUY A VEHICLE. I THINK IF MY VEHICLE MEETS THEIR SPECS FOR REPAIR MY TRUCK SHOULD BE FIXED!!!! I TRIED TO FIND OUT THE LAWYERS WHO WON OR SETTLED THIS CASE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY HELP IN DOING THIS? HELP FROM TONY OF HUNTINGTON WV. THANK YOU.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THEN 2 YEARS AGO UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FROM A SMALL DEALER. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE IS NO WAY TO REPLACE THEM AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE TRUCK. IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE OTHER THEN THIS. CAN YOU HELP?

I WAS RECENTLY DOING SOME ROUTINE REPAIRS ON MY 2000 TUNDRA AND NOTICED THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL & SPARE TIRE CROSSOVER HAS VERY SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. ON 9/21/2011 THIS 2000 TUNDRA WAS INSPECTED FOR FRAME RUST BY A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I ASKED THE TECH WHAT WAS THE METHOD FOR INSPECTION, HE REPLIED THEY WOULD HIT THE FRAME WITH A HAMMER IN THREE TO FOUR AREAS, IF THEY WERE UNABLE TO PUNCH A HOLE IN THE FRAME IT PASSED INSPECTION. THE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT REMOVED TO INSPECT THE SPARE TIRE CROSSOVER. THE LEFT REAR FRAME AREA (WHERE THE WORST DAMAGE IS ON MY FRAME) IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO HIT WITH A HAMMER WITH THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. TOYOTA & THE DEALERSHIP IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS FRAME WAS IN GOOD SHAPE IN 2011 IT SHOULD STILL BE ROAD WORTHY TODAY (IT IS NOT) I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY TUNDRA OWNER THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, THEY KNEW THAT THESE FRAMES WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FAIL, I NOW HAVE A TRUCK WITH AN ABOVE AVERAGE BODY PERFECT INTERIOR AND A WELL MAINTAINED DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE FRAMES WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM INJURY OR WORSE DEATH? I HAVE BEEN DRIVING TOYOTA'S SINCE 1984, THIS IS FIRST TIME THE FRAME FAILED BEFORE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. AND NOW I HEAR THE ARE HAVING FRAME RUST PROBLEMS WITH LATER MODEL TUNDRA'S & TACOMA'S. *TR

I HAD JUST TURNED AROUND IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS PULLING AWAY WHEN MY RIGHT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME APART FROM THE SUSPENSION AND WEDGED SIDEWAYS IN THE WHEEL WELL. SHORTLY BEFORE THIS I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR FASTER AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING EVENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POTHOLE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, STATED THAT THE U-BOLT DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,604.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS CORRODED THROUGH THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE SPRING FRACTURED THE FRAME AND CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO MOVE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 288,437. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/08/16.*JB