It's one ugly truck all right. Problem is, it can be a little uglier than the buyer expects. Tundra is one of the models that is putting a pretty big blemish on Toyota's reputation for quality, reliability and customer service.
Biggest problem? The brakes. A design oversight can cause the front rotors to warp and wear prematurly. Toyota's response has been to keep quiet and hope the problem goes away. Not likely.
Here are some of the more recent complaints:
Pete of Westbrook, ME June 3, 2009
I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra truck with only 22,000 miles on it. Two years ago, when I went for my annual state inspection here in Maine, I was told that I had a very serious problem with rust and corrosion on the undercarriage of my vehicle and that my vehicle could not pass inspection. I then addressed the situation to my local Toyota dealer, who agreed there was a serious problem. They had their local body shop look at my vehicle, who determined the whole frame really should be replaced at a cost of at least 9000.
I went all the way up the corporate ladder seeking assistance from Toyota, but got nowhere. I was told that the vehicle was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do for me (despite the fact that they have recalled thousands of Tacomas out of warranty for the same problem). I needed my vehicle to pass inspection, so I paid a repair facility 1,600 to remove the rust from the frame, break lines, suspension system, etc. and treat the metal. The vehicle was in the shop for over two weeks.
Now, two years later (6/3/09), I went for my annual inspection again, aware that rust and corrosion had again become apparent. (Note: by this time, the auto repair facility that did the work had sold their business.) I brought this to the attention of the manager. He said the rust and corrosion on the frame, particularly on the frame rail on the driver's side were very serious. He said he could probably break the frame rail if he hit it with a hammer. The manager said he could not pass the vehicle due to this problem (and wrote this on my inspection report). he recommended I "hit Toyota again" with this issue and demand they take responsibility. I intend to go back to them, but thought I could get your advice or assistance first.
I should also note that I have never towed a boat, kept it near the water, or subjected the vehicle to unusual environmental conditions, etc. In fact, the past three years, my truck has been stored in a garage every day. I sure hope you can help me. If I do not get assistance (or a whole new vehicle) from Toyota by the end of this month, I will not be able to pass the state inspection and my truck will be worthless.) Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
Mark of Desert Hot Springs, CA June 13, 2009
The seat belts in my 2005 Toyota Tundra won't retract when not in use. The vehicle only has 38,000 miles on it. I took it to the dealer for inspection and they called the Toyota District FPM to request coverage by toyota. The DFPM offered to pay for one if I paid for one. I feel that a seat belt should retract for more than 3 years or 36,000 miles. I would like to see Toyota offer to replace both seat belt retractors free of charge.
Thomas of Ronkonkoma, NY June 7, 2009
I Have a 2000 Toyota Tundra ext cab,my o2 sendors went bad after my ext warranty end by two months,I had to pay to have them replace,The brake rotors then had to be raplaced becaused they warped.The heating /cooling controls don't work,Now have 76000 miles on the truck and the transmission is shifting hard into 3rd,the dealer wants 115 to lood at,so i took it to a tran shop,to find that my tierod end broke off.The whole under side of the truck is rusting.I owned a 1968 chevy that had less rust then this truck has.Still waiting for the price to fix the tran,Dropped it of on 6/5/09. With all the problems that people are having,there should be a class suit against Toyota!
jim of burleson , TX May 8, 2009
I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra and I have had 3 O sensors replaced. I think they crack the manifold replacing one because I hear a tick, tick , tick noise like and exhaust leak now. I replaced the bank 2 #2 O sensor recently and the light is still on. So back to the dealer for another 500 dollars. No more Toyotas in my house. I am looking at a 150 to replace it.
Toyota are you listening there are a lot of very dissatisfied customers here and the market is now opening up for better deals.
Ken of Frankfort, KY April 16, 2009
Was notified by Toyota that my 2001 Tacoma with rust perforated frame would not be eligible for buyback at 150% of KBB, but would be eligible for frame replacement. I am less than thrilled about a local dealership performing a structural retrofit on a SUV as any dealer is not equipped for this degree of activity. Also, my understanding is that Toyota is warranting the frame itself for 15 years, but I have seen no guarantee covering the reassembly process.
Frame replacement is ok with me, but I want to know what my exposure is to assembly issues that could include intermittent wiring issues, DTC's, body shakes/rattles/rolls, uneven tire wire etc etc. From what I get, Toyota will give you the frame and thats it..no warranty, which should also kill the resale value as well.
My opinion on this whole fiasco is that Toyota should warrant the frame rework for 1 or 2 years to shoulder any exposure from the customer side OR buyback any Tacoma with frame rust, rework the frames themselves, and see how much they can get for a retrofitted vehicle on their used truck sales lots..seems like Toyota is leaving their customer base from 2001 on hanging out to dry with the old take it or leave it philosophy. There's a lot of Tacoma owners like me that enjoy their products and don't really want to turn them in...but also don't want to screwed for the committment...Toyota quality has been on the downward spiral for the last several years and this bone-head response to quality issues will leave them with the proverbial black eye for years to come...
Toyota may lose yet another customer due to their poor response to market conditions regarding their admitted poor quality..
Jeffrey of New Port Richey, FL April 15, 2009
2007 toyota tundra 4.7 auto ,brakes first issue@10,500 miles,couldnt stop,hadto pump,went to sun ,they replied best brakes ever,after 3 times @16,000 miles power brake booster was leaking,fixed,2nd trans problem,if you take off banging sound as soon as you let off the brake and when you come to a stop 3 seconds later it bangs,now im getting the banging sound in the frontend of the truck, now the truck is surging forward,when im stopped,and im fighting the brake petal,sun toyota service mgr ,i cant make this truck do what you want,that was on my last visit,and test ride,hes wasting my time,and dening the problem excist,it feels like your getting rearended when you stop,about 90% of the time ,it was once in a while,it has increased ,im at 22,000 miles --
Jessica of Washington, UT April 8, 2009
My husband and I purchased our 2002 Toyota Tundra in February 2003 with appx. 10,000 miles on it from Centennial Toyota in Las Vegas. About a year ago (at 60,000ish miles) when we started to experience the same shaking that everyone else has who apparently owns a Toyota Tundra from this year. We have taken it to the local dealer who looked perplexed at my request for a brake check, and quoted me an insane amount of money to even pull my truck into the garage.
As of to date we have replaced the brakes/rotors twice (500.00+), the shocks (155.00), the tires twice(1700.00+), and just took it into a mechanic today to rotate and balance the tires because we now feel shaking/shimming when we reach freeway speeds between 50-62 mph. Of course our Extended Warranty expired in March of this year, and from reading previous posts it seems it isn't worth the ink it is printed on in this instance. So now the concern is with the brake issue what damage has it caused to warrant shaking in our truck at freeway speeds. I saw other people commenting on a class action lawsuit, and would be interested if there is any legitimate information on this.
V. Fritz Hill of Chapin,, SC March 27, 2009
I purchased my 2001 Tundra from Toyota Center, W. Columbia, SC and couldn't be more satisfied with it. It has 88,000 miles on it and the only problem I've had was heat sensors on the manifold, which were replaced under Warranty. It averages 18 mpg and runs like a top. I change the oil around 7,500 miles and use Synthetic oil. It's the best truck on the market as far as I'm concerned.
This is NOT a Complaint.
Bill of Elkton, MD March 23, 2009
I have a 2002 Tundra 4x4 At about 60,000 miles front brakes started to pulse. Replaced pads and refinished rotors twice. I still have issues with my brakes not working as before the pulsing
Joe of Milford, PA February 26, 2009
Bought this 2000 Tundra used, with 82k miles on it. Ok first problem, O2 sensors failed after the first year. A part that looks like a sparkplug, but cost 150 and another 300 to install. And of course they come in pairs so that's X2! Next major thing to go is the fuel gauge which stuck on half a tank. They drop the tank fix the sending unit or float and send me on my merry way after about 600 bucks. This truck i really wanted to have faith in, and have been taking it to toyota for it's regular scheduled maintenence for the past few yrs since i bouth it.
Just last month i had to replace the front pads and rotors and two tie-rods! Now just the otherday, guess what happens? Fuel gauge again!!..stuck on half a tank..I am not paying another 600 for the same proble, as the warranty to this vehicle is long expired. Me and my wife are debating right this minute as i type this wether to get a Dodge Ram, which seems to be the truck everybody and their grandmother are driving! I really wanted to have faith in toyota since US made vehicles were getting a bad rap for quality, but i think in this case you should definetely buy american, or do better research when buying another truck.
Physical damage to my wallet and unessacary aggravation, isn't that enough?
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