2001 Toyota Tundra Complaint Log

THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AWAY DESPITE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CARE. THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE TRUCK BED ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE DEALERS RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRES IS THAT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE- ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE-I AM NOT GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THE BED FALLS APART AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO TAKE ACTION. MORE OVER ,THIS TRUCK HAD ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE "CHECK UPS" AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT ONCE THEY HAVE ALERT ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OR RECOMMENDED ANY ACTION. *TR

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 4WD TRUCK. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOUSE AND I WAS PLANNING ON REPOSITIONING IT SO THAT I COULD PUT SOME THINGS IN THE BED. I PULLED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A BREAKING NOISE AND THEN A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I NOTICED THAT THE LOWER SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN AND HAD SEPARATED ITSELF FROM THE TIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT BROKE OFF SOME PARTS HAD GRINDED/SCRAPED THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT THAT HAD BROKEN AND SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE. LUCKILY, I HAD AN EMPTY UNLOADED VEHICLE AND WASN'T DRIVING FAST SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT EVALUATING THE DAMAGE IT WOULDN'T BE HARD TO BELIEVE HOW LARGE AND DEVASTATING THIS COULD HAVE BEEN IF I HAD A FULLY LOADED TRUCK AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT WILL BE TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE THE PARTS YET. HOWEVER, TOYOTA HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE PROBLEMS. VIBRATION IN TRUCK WHEN USING THE BRAKES. 60,000 MILES AND GOING ON SECOND SET OF BRAKES/ROTORS TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS TRUCK. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2001 TUNDRA 4X4, ON HIGHWAY 1, WEST OF WATSONVILLE CALIFORNIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FREEWAY THE LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED DETACHING, EXCEPT FOR BRAKE LINES, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY AND HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO THE CENTER MEDIAN. THE TRUCK SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE AND LUCKILY NO INJURIES TO MY SON OR THE PASSENGER. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED BALL JOINT BUT NOT THE BODY DAMAGE OR THE NON DAMAGED BALL JOINT. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES IN AUGUST OF 2007. IN NOVEMBER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AN ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND HEARD GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE TIRE AREA WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BEARING COMPLETELY FAILED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WHOEVER WORKED ON THE BRAKES SET THE ROTORS TOO LOW, CAUSING THE BEARING TO MALFUNCTION. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,350 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FAILURE. LEVER FAILED AT THE BASE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THIS IS A PIECE OF CAST ALUMINUM BEING USED IN A HIGH USE SAFETY ROLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IN MY OPINION. I SEE AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT FILED ON THE SAME MATTER. MY DEALER IS STILL DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE. *TR

MY HUSBAND FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION AND SAID THAT THE STEERING FELT ODD IN OUR 2001 TUNDRA. HE WAS THEN SUDDENLY SURPRISED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END SLAMMED TO THE GROUND. HE WAS LUCKY BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ON A SECONDARY ROAD AND NO COLLISION OR INJURIES OCCURRED. JUST MINUTES BEFORE HE WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN CONGESTED ROAD AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR COLLISION AND SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES. THE TUNDRA WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL TOYATO DEALER IN OUR TOWN OF BOONE, NC. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING TOYOTA TO SEE WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PLACED AND IF THEY ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR US. IT SEEMS AS IF THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THESE TRUCKS WHEN PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MELTED ONTO THE FLOOR. THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH GREY SMOKE, ASH, AND SOOT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURRED AND THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE'S POWER UNIT REMAINS OPERATIONAL WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WASHER FLUID BOTTLE TUBES WERE DAMAGED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,300.

WHEN BRAKING A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES TO THE POINT OF DIMINISHED CONTROL. *TR

MY FRAME IS ALSO RUSTING OUT. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE LEAF SPRINGS. I CAN HERE PIECES OF RUST FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WHILE ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER BUT DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE LOCAL MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, BUT BELIEVES IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

BRAKE ROTORS HAVE PREMATURELY WARPED. THREE SETS OF BRAKES IN LESS THE 75,000 MILES. TRUCK HAS NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, IS DRIVEN BY 45 YEAR-OLD. VIOLENT VIBRATION OCCURED EVERY TIME PEDAL WAS DPRESSED. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT TIRE DETACHED FROM THE DISC BRAKE, BUT THE TIRE BEARING WAS STILL ATTACHED. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND SUSTAINED MILD BUMPS AND BRUISES. SHE STATED THAT HER HUSBAND WOULD HAVE DIED IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CONCRETE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000. UPDATED 07/24/07 *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME FROM REAR WHEEL TO BUMPER SEVERELY RUSTED . REAR BUMPER HAS A SOFT BALL SIZE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE REST OF THE BUMPER HAS RUST THROUGH . CROSS MEMBERS ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN MARCH OF 2007. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES WARPING THE ROTORS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN 2002 ON THIS MODEL. THE BULLETIN REQUIRED A LARGER BRAKE CALIPER AND PADS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS TO SMALL TO HANDLE THE TRUCK WEIGHT. THE FACTORY INSTALLED SYSTEM WAS HEATING UP AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. MY CONTENTION IS THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE TRUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO MECHANICS ON THREE OCCASIONS. ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. MECHANICS FROM THESE LOCATIONS AND FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADVISE ME THE PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE BULLETIN CALLED FOR CALIPERS ARE INSTALLED. WITH THE PROBLEM AS IT IS, THE TRUCK IS HARD TO STOP WHEN BREAKING FROM 50 MPH AND UP. *TR

IN MAY 2005, TOYOTA RECALLED 775,000 PICKUPS AND SUV'S BECAUSE OF POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE WEAR TO A FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT; HOWEVER THEY ONLY RECALLED 2002-2004 AND RECENTLY 533,000 2004-2006 TUNDRA TRUCKS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE TUNDRA 2000-2001 ARE MADE FROM THE SAME CASTING THAT THE 2002-2004 AND YET, TOYOTA NEVER MADE AN EFFORT OF THINKING OF ANYONE SAFE WHEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAP OUT WHEN PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. JUST AS MIND DID ON 27 OF MARCH 2007 WHICH PINNED THE LEFT TIRE UNDER TRUCK. IT TOOK NEARLY 1 HOUR TO PLACE THE TRUCK ON TOW TRUCK, DUE TOO THE DAMAGE. I WOULD LIKE A INVESTIGATION WHICH WOULD EXPOSE TOYOTA FOR IGNORING THEIR LIALBILTY TO PROPERLY RECALL THEIR DEFECTS ON THE 2000-2001 LOWER FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT. THANK YOU. THE COST IS ABOUT $5000.00 PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

ON 3/15/07 THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER LEVER IN MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 BROKE OFF AS I SHIFTED IT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF MY TUNDRA'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER LEVER APPEARS TO BE THE RESULT OF EITHER A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT OR AN ASSEMBLY ERROR SINCE FAILURES OF THIS TYPE ARE UNHEARD OF. NOTWITHSTANDING THE 101,904 MILES ON MY TUNDRA, COMPONENT FAILURES OF THIS TYPE SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN DURING NORMAL USAGE REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE MILEAGE. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD NEVER BREAK OFF. HAD THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED HAD I BEEN DOWNSHIFTING ON A STEEP INCLINE, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAVE SINCE PAID TO HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER LEVER AND SHIFTER PIVOT FOR MY TUNDRA REPLACED BY A TOYOTA DEALER.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER SNAPPED SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM AS I HAVE FOUND MANY CASES OF THIS ON THE WEB. ONE OF THE MANY INSTANCES I FOUND SAYS THIS: THE CASTING DESIGN HAS A STRESS RISER IN IT ( A TAPPED HOLE) IN THE WORST PLACE POSSIBLE AS FAR AS STRESS IS CONCERNED!. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX! ESTIMATES COMING IN AT > $700.. I THINK TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL !! *TR

FRAME/CHASSIS IS RUSTING AT WELD JOINTS AND MOUNTS. PAINT IS BUBBLING AND RUST IS VISIBLE BELOW THE CRACKED PAINT AREAS, WHICH CONCERNS ME SINCE I TOW A 6,000 LBS RV TRAILER. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT NOT PASS THE VIRGINIA STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

DRIVING IN FAST LANE ON HWY, EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED THERE WAS A FUNNY NOISE PROCEEDED TO GET LOUDER, STARTED MAKING MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER, GRADUALLY LOST POWER AND THEN FELT A "SNAP" WHEN I GOT TO THE SHOULDER. CALLED FOR A TOW AND SAT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE TWO HIGHWAYS MERGE FOR 45 MIN. AT 8:00PM ON A SAT. NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A REALLY BAD RAIN STORM. VERY UNSAFE CONDITIONS! TOWED TRUCK TO A GARAGE, THEY RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION SHOP. HAD IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE OD PLANETARY GEAR WAS BAD IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD DESTROYED THE ENTIRE THING. MY TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, $3000 LATER, + $300 CAR RENTAL, + ONE DAY OFF WORK. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALTHOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND, AND THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

BRAKE ROTORS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TROUBLE STOPPING VEHICLE ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN GRADES. I HAVE TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. *NM

WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ON TO FREEWAY WHEN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE AWAY FROM VEHICLE DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT SOME TUNDRAS WERE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS SAME MALFUNCTION BUT NOT MINE. EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS PARTS THAT MALFUNCTIONED BUT NOT THE BODY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE MALFUNCTIONED PART(S). CALLED TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SITUATION, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE, INCLUDING DAMAGE TO DRIVER SIDE DOOR, DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT BUMPER WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT TOYOTA'S, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS OR RECORDS OF THIS INCIDENT WITH MY YEAR MODEL TRUCK. *NM

DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA AT SPEED ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH. HAD RAPID INCREASING DIFFICULTY STEERING, SUDDENLY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (DRIVER'S SIDE) BROKE OFF AND TRUCK SLID TO A STOP. I LOOKED AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINT /ARM HAD BROKEN OFF AND THE TRUCK FELL ON TO WHEEL. I COULD NOT STEER AND LUCKY, WAS ON A SIDE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. REPAIR COST ESTIMATE IS PENDING AT THIS TIME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS. WHEN THE BRAKE WERE APPLIED, THE WHOLE FRONT END WOBBLED AND SHOOK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

I BOUGHT A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN JULY OF 2004. THE TRUCK HAD 64,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACE MY BRAKES AND HAD MY ROTORS TURNED MANY TIME. THE TRUCK CONTINUALLY WARPS THE ROTORS AND HAS SEVERE SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. TOYOTA SENT OUT A TSB ONLY TO COVER THE WARRANTY VEHICLES. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO FIX THEM. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY FIX IS TO INSTALL OVERSIZED ROTORS AND CALIPERS AND NEW BRAKE LINES AT THE COST OF $2,000.00 PLUS. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE HELP! *NM

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. AFTER 30,000 MILES MY BRAKES BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS (GREATER THAN 40 MPH). IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ROTORS ARE SEVERELY WARPED. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

BRAKES ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. GOING DOWN A HILL, IT IS HARD TO CONTROL THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF HE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I HAVE DISCOVERED RECENTLY THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKES ON 2000-2001 TUNDRAS. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE VIBRATION PROLBEMS FOR YEARS. TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY BEEN GRIEVOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT ISSUING WARNINGS AND RECALL NOTICES ON ITS TOYOTA TUNDRA TRUCKS. THERE IS LITTLE QUESTION THAT A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TUNDRA CAUSES FRONT ROTORS TO WARP VERY QUICKLY, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SHUDDER DURING BRAKING. TOYOTA EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE NOT ALERTED CONSUMERS TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM OR BLAMED FOR BRAKING TOO HARD, THAT IS, UNTIL THEIR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AT THIS POINT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE BRAKE PROBLEM AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE AT FULL PRICE....ABOUT $2000. THE TOYOTA TUNDRAS ARE BREAKING DOWN BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SELF-ADJUST PROPERLY. THIS TRANSFERS THE ENTIRE BRAKING LOAD TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE FRONT ROTORS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THAT MUCH PRESSURE AND HEAT, AND SO THEY END UP WARPING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE SEVERE SHIMMY AND VIBRATION AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 40-50 MPH. BECAUSE THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS THAT ARE REPAIRED ARE COMPLETELY WARPED AGAIN WITHIN 5,000 MILES. TOYOTA HAS HAD DOZENS OF OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TUNDRA MODEL, BUT THEY ONLY ISSUE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ONLINE AND MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO INFORM CUSTOMERS. EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE MY TRUCK HAS OVER 36,000 MILES WE HAVE TO BASICALLY PAY FOR A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL USE AND WEAR, IT IA A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND ONE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *NM

2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA ACCESS CAB SR5 PURCHASED NEW. THERE HAS BEEN NO COMPLETE FAILURE YET, BUT QUITE OFTEN THE FRONT BRAKES SHUDDER SO BAD WHEN I APPLY THEM HARD IT FEELS ALMOST LIKE A SPEED WOBBLE ON A MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS GOTTEN SO VIOLENT AT TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD TO GRAB THE WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS AS TIGHT AS I CAN. THE LIONS SHARE OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE FREEWAY AND AS I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM I DO MY BEST TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM OTHERS. KNOWING THAT TOYOTA DOES THEIR BEST TO PUSH THE ISSUE ASIDE (I HAVE READ THE TSB AND ALL THE COMPLAINTS) I HAVE NEVER EVEN CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE PUT 4 SETS OF PADS ON IN JUST OVER 120 MILES SO I DON'T THINK THEY WEAR OUT ANY FASTER THAN ANY OTHER BRANDS BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT DISCS OR PADS AVAILABLE THAT ARE ANY BETTER. I KNOW THE ROTORS ARE WARPED BUT NOT WORN OUT. I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM BUT THIS ISSUE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE. THERE ARE 5 OTHER FULL SIZE TRUCK MFGS. OUT THERE. *JB

2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA 72,000 MILES. IN TODAY FOR THE 6TH BRAKE JOB. ROTORS WARPED AND DISKS DRUMS FAIL. REAL BRAKES OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. TRUCK WON'T BREAK CORRECTLY AND SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO FIX IT BUT NOW HAS ANOTHER "FIX" THAT WILL COST ME 2,000 DOLLARS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, THOUSANDS IF NOT 100 OF THOUSANDS OF TUNDRA OWNERS HAVE THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE RECALL. THE INTERNET HAS LOTS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. IF GM WOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR A TAIL LIGHT , WHAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSE TO TRUCKS THAT WON'T STOP AND SHUDDER VIOLENTLY? *NM

EXCESSIVE FRAME/CHASIS RUST ON 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE ANTI-SWAY END LINK DUE TO IT COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH. A VAST MAJORITY OF THE UNDERCOATING HAS FAILED AND CONTINUES TO FAIL IN LARGE SHEETS. *TR

FAULTY APPS (ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR). VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH A COMBINATION OF MECHANICAL AND DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WITH STEADY ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, THE TRUCK FELT AS IF THE FUEL CUTS OFF AND INSTANTLY STARTED TO COAST. NO INPUT FROM GAS PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED. TRUCK JUST IDLES. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AS THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. *NM

2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT BRAKE SHIMMY SO SEVERE THAT TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 40K MILES AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE UNTIL ENTIRE FRONT BRAKE REBUILD REQUIRED COSTING OVER $2,200 AT 56K MILES. *JB

BOLT HOLDING DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER (FRONT) WAS FOUND MISSING. THIS BOLT IS ONE OF FOUR THAT HOLD THE TWO CALIPER SIDES (INNER AND OUTER) TOGETHER. CALLED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO BUY THE COMPLETE CALIPER ASSEMBLY FOR $387 TO GET THE BOLT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA NATIONAL HELP LINE AND THEY CONFIRMED VERBALLY THAT THE LAST TIME THEY CAME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY THE PURCHASE OF A COMPLETE ASSEMBLED CALIPER. THE BOLT IS A 10MM X 1.25 X 90MM WITH A HARDNESS STAMP OF "9".*JB

TOYOTA TUNDRA LIMITED 2001. REPLACED ROTORS ON (2) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING. WARPED ROTORS WERE TO BLAME. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE OR REPAIR DEFECTIVE ITEMS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BULBS FALL OUT OF THE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V347003, REGARDING THE TAILLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE LOCKING TAB ON THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH FORCE TO RETAIN THE TAIL LIGHT BULB. THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET CAUSING THE BRAKE OR TAIL LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB UPDATED 03/20/06. *JB

MY 2001 TUNDRA, V-6, SR5 ACCESS CAB TRUCK TURNED 105,000 MILES RECENTLY. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD ONE DAY. I TOOK THE TRUCK AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND IT SEEM TO GET BETTER FOR A WHILE, THEN THE OVERDRIVE BEGAN TO MAKE A ROAR WHEN IT WOULD ENGAGE. SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS 1-3 WORKS FINE, BUT WHEN OVERDRIVE KICKS IN, THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS OCCUR. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS AND GOT THE SAME MESSAGE. THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA TRUCKS (TUNDRA/SEQUOIA) AROUND 100,000 MILES, WHERE THE OVERDRIVE SLIPS AND A BEARING MUST BE CHANGED IN THE TRANSMISSION, REQUIRING AN OVERHAUL.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED AND AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS ALSO AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND THE FUEL TANK IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

ANTILOCK UNIT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT WORK. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. HAVE PICTURES. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH SHE FELT A BUMP THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE DISENGAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEFT LOWER BALL WAS WEAKENED AND WORN. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT, THE AXLE AND THE TIE ROD END. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND HALF LATER THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT, AXLE AND TIE ROD END. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT (RECALL #05V225000). THE CONTACT FELT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. IT HAS JUST ABOUT 59,000 MILES. WHEN I USE THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, THE TRUCK WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC. I WILL HAVE TO RESTART THE TRUCK AND IT WILL STALL. I WILL TRY TO START IT AGAIN AND I HAVE TO GUN THE ENGINE AND HOLD THE BRAKE PEDAL SO AS NOT TO CRASH INTO SOMETHING, AND HOPE THE TRUCK WILL MOVE. IF I GO ABOUT 300 FEET AND APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN, IT MAY STALL. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR THIS AND EACH TIME THEY TELL ME IT IS 'GUNK' THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED, OR A STICKY THROTTLE. PROBLEM STARTED IN MARCH 2005, AGAIN IN JULY 2005 AND NOW IN NOV. THE SERVICE PERFORMED IS CLEAN CARBON BUILD UP IN THROTTLE BODY. PERFORM FUEL INDUCTION. I AM FEARFUL THAT THE TRUCK WILL STALL AND I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

DRIVING NORTH ON ALVERNON IN THE LEFT LANE BETWEEN 37TH AND PALO VERDE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL OF THE 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL REMAINED UNDER THE VEHICLE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS IS SUSPECTED. APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 40 MPH. AFTER SEPARATION THE VEHICLE TRACKED STRAIGHT FOR APPROXIMATE 100 FEET, I THEN CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE AND MOVE TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE RIGHT LANE AND STOPPED. DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, WHEEL, FRONT BUMPER, FRONT LEFT PANEL, ABS SYSTEM AND OTHER EXPECTED DAMAGE OCCURRED. NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD OR SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN DAMAGE TO THE ROADWAY. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NOT RELATED PHYSICAL DAMAGE OR INJURY TO MYSELF (I WAS ALONE WHEN THIS OCCURRED) OR ANYONE ELSE. TOYOTA AT THIS TIME HAS REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 05V225000 FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, BUT CURRENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2001 YEAR FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *NM

PURCHASED MY 2001 TUNDRA NEW. FRAME HAS BEEN RUSTED SINCE 2005, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED FOR YEARS ON THE AMOUNT OF RUST, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE FROM TIE ROD WHEEL AREA. JUST HEARD THROUGH THE MEDIA ABOUT A POTENTIAL RECALL. SIMPLY TOO MUCH RUST FOR MY COMFORT LEVEL ON TRUCK. *TR

(1) I LEFT MY WORK AT 6:00 AM THE MORNING OF SEPT. 22 . I HAD ONLY GONE APPROX. 2 MILES AT ABOUT 50 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND SPARKS WERE FLYING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. (2) I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE OFF AND WEDGED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS REALLY SHAKEN ABOUT THIS. IN ANOTHER 10 MINUTES I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING HOME THROUGH A REAL WINDY CANYON DRIVE THAT I COMMUTE ABOUT 54 MILES ONE-WAY TO WORK, WITH MOUNTAIN ON ONE SIDE AND A CANYON WITH RIVER ON THE OTHER. I DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINT DOWN THE ROAD . IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SHEERED AT THE THREAD AREA. I CALLED THE BAKERSFIELD TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MY 2001 TUNDRA WAS NOT COVERED FOR THIS. I ALSO CALLED THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED FOR THIS. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY TUNDRA. I HAD NO CLUE AS TO A PROBLEM WITH MY BALL JOINTS. THE BALL JOINT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED LIKE THIS. (3) I HAD MY TUNDRA TOWED TO A LOCAL BRAKE AND FRONT END SHOP AND HAD THE WORK DONE THERE. I HAD BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES DONE. IT COST ME $624.00. *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. DURING THE CRASH I ENDED UP GOING THROUGH A POWER POLE SEVERING IT. I STRUCK THE POLE IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT END. THE DAMAGE WAS SUBSTANTIAL TOTALING THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TRUCKS? EVEN HIGHWAY PATROL AND THE FIRE DEPT. SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. *JB

MY 2001 TUNDRA TRUCK HAS ONLY 80,000 MILES AND FOR THE SECOND TIME THE CALIPERS AND BRAKING SYSTEM ARE HAVING TO BE REDONE. THIS STARTS WITH SEVERE VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IF ON AN INCLINE, THE VIBRATION CAN BE SO BAD IT IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING AND STOP. YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE TO RELIEVE THE VIBRATION AND THEN RE-APPLY QUICKLY. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS FIXING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND TIME AND I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS AROUND 37629 MILES IN MAY OF 2003, NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80800 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2005. *NM

I BOUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN FEBUARY OF 2005. WHEN IDE BOUGHT THE BRAKES WHERE IN GOOD SHAPE. AFTER JUST 3 MONTHS OF DRIVING MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT HIGHER SPEEDS (30-55MPH). I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE BRAKES WERE SHOT AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE IN NEED OF TURNING. I PROCEEDED WITH THE REPAIRS AND WAS BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN TILL TWO NIGHTS AGO. MY FAMILY AND I WERE COMING HOME AFTER SUNSET WHEN A COW DARTED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I ACTED QUICKLY AND VEIRED ONLY TO FIND THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY KNOWING THE PROPER PROCEDURES FROM A DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE IDE TAKEN WHEN MY OCCUPATION WAS AS A FIREFIGHTER BUT I STILL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANIMAL IN THE ROAD DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. IVE SINCE TAKEN THE TRUCK BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE SHOT ONCE AGAIN. HE SAID THE EXCEEDINGLY RAPID WARE OF THE BRAKES AND ROTORS CAME FROM A MALFUNCTION ON THE REAR BRAKES WHICH IN TURN CAUSES OVER STRAIN ON THE FRONT BRAKES RESULTING IN PREMATURE BREAK FAILURE. IVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IF YOUR STAFF CAN POSSIBLY DO THE SAME THEY'LL FIND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TERRIBLY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE TOYOTA TUNDRAS YEAR MODEL 2000 THROUGH 2004. IVE RECENTLY STARTED CIRCULATING A PETITION FOR OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TOYOTA TO ACCUMULATE PROOF THAT THE PROBLEM HAS EXSISTED FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THAT IT HAS HAPPENED IN AN EXTREMLY LARGE NUMBER OF THE TOYOTA TUNDRAS. THEIR ARE COUNTLESS TESTIMONIES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND HAVE TRIED GOING TO THE MANUFACTURER ONLY TO GET THE RUN AROUND OR JUST SIMPLY IGNORED. TOYOTA IS IN VIOLATION OF MANUFACTURING DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND SELLING THEM TO THE PUBLIC WITH NO CONCERN WHAT SO EVER FOR THE SAFETY AND CONCERN OF THERE CUSTOMERS OR THE PEOPLE THAT THEY SHARE THE ROADWAYS WITH.