1,779 of the
9,446 complaints filed about the Toyota Tundra
are about the body and structure —
19% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the underbody frame appeared to be rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the underbody frame was rusted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the parts were no longer manufactured. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water is leaking into the cab of my 2022 Toyota Tundra Platinum 4x4 through the high-mounted third brake light. The leak allows water to enter the headliner and interior, creating the potential for mold, damage to the interior, and electrical issues. After troubleshooting, the third brake light gasket appears to be the source of the leak. Toyota does not appear to offer the gasket as a replacement part, requiring owners to replace the entire third brake light assembly despite the failure being limited to the seal. Numerous owners have reported similar water intrusion issues on 2022+ Tundras, suggesting this may be a common defect rather than an isolated incident. I believe Toyota should investigate the failed gasket design and consider a recall or service campaign to replace the defective seal or assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11751034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My understanding is that my vehicle went in for the frame issue. However on both the driver and passenger sides the frame is literally disintegrating. The metal is falling apart in solid chunks, not flakes actual chunks ⅜" x 2" x 3"! This is taking place in the exact same locations on each side. Just aft of the front suspension cross frame and in front of the transmission/transfer case cross support.
NHTSA complaint #11746857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bed is rusting out from the bottom in a fashion that looks very similar to a previous Tundra bed rusting issue that had a TSB and remedy from Toyota. On the driver's side bed bolt closest to the cab, the sheet metal tack welded to the bed has separated and is rusting out. Approximately 7 inches to the drivers side from that bolt. The seam sealer is also cracking. Additionally, the drivers side bed bolt closes to the tailgate has rust bubbling up from underneath approximately 1 inch to the passenger side from the bolt and also along where that sheet metal is tack welded onto the bed.
NHTSA complaint #11744041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Upper Grille Hood Scoop becomes loose and flys off during highway speeds and can distract a driver to the point of having an accident. Has been replaced once and is loose again held down by duck tape.
NHTSA complaint #11743578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front grille piece on hood keeps coming off even after being replaced 4 times now and this last time it flew off busted my windshield on the expressway and Toyota just tells me to go to collision center as a solution! This piece just snaps in as it's just plastic and it just flys off the front when it catches air under it, it busted my windshield, messed me hood up and flew down the side of my truck on the expressway and could have caused a major accident this time! Toyota refuses to do anything about it and there are other trucks that have the issues! When I did my research! This accident scared me this time the other times I was able to catch it before it flew off? Not this time there was no warning it just flew off and busted my windshield and it could have been so much worse and they aren't offering a better solution or issuing a recall after I am telling them about this issue!
NHTSA complaint #11740575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front grille piece on hood keeps coming off even after being replaced 4 times now and this last time it flew off busted my windshield on the expressway and Toyota just tells me to go to collision center as a solution! This piece just snaps in as it's just plastic and it just flys off the front when it catches air under it, it busted my windshield, messed me hood up and flew down the side of my truck on the expressway and could have caused a major accident this time! Toyota refuses to do anything about it and there are other trucks that have the issues! When I did my research! This accident scared me this time the other times I was able to catch it before it flew off? Not this time there was no warning it just flew off and busted my windshield and it could have been so much worse and they aren't offering a better solution or issuing a recall after I am telling them about this issue!
NHTSA complaint #11740575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle was at the independent mechanic. For a repair and discovered that the bottom frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was also notified of the failure; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 330,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing this complaint regarding a premature material failure on my 2024 Toyota Tundra. The factory-applied smoked overlay finish on the front grille is peeling and separating in large chunks, exposing the chrome underneath. This is occurring at approximately 46,000 miles and less than two years of ownership. This is not normal wear and tear, fading, or minor cosmetic deterioration. The finish is physically delaminating from the grille surface, which appears to indicate a defect in the manufacturing or application process of the factory-installed material. The vehicle has been properly maintained, has not been modified, and has not been subjected to misuse or environmental damage beyond normal driving conditions. Toyota and the dealership denied coverage, citing mileage limitations and categorizing the issue as cosmetic wear despite the obvious premature failure of the factory finish.
NHTSA complaint #11738701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There rear tailgate does not function. I have it in to Ourismon Toyota Chantilly for the third time. The tailgate does not come down. Issues with the tailgate started a week after I bought it in June 2025. It only has 8500 miles and has been in three times for this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11738900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The upper grille and hood trim assembly on my 2018 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition failed and partially detached from the vehicle due to apparent mounting clip and retainer failure. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. Photographs of the damage and detached trim assembly have been documented. This failure created a significant safety risk because the panel could have fully detached while the vehicle was in motion and become a roadway hazard to other motorists. The detached component also created concerns regarding possible interference with the front grille assembly and Toyota Safety Sense components located behind the grille area. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or other electronic warnings indicating a problem. There were also no visible signs of impact damage or collision that would explain the failure. The condition appears to have occurred during normal vehicle operation. The vehicle currently has approximately 76,900 miles. After researching the issue, I identified multiple reports from other Toyota Tundra owners describing similar failures involving the upper grille garnish, mounting tabs, and retaining clips on this generation of Tundra vehicles. At this time, the issue has not yet been formally inspected by Toyota, law enforcement, insurance representatives, or an independent repair facility. Dealer confirmation is currently UNKNOWN. However, based on visual inspection, the mounting clips and retainers appear to have failed under normal operating conditions.
NHTSA complaint #11736050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The upper grille and hood trim assembly on my 2018 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition failed and partially detached from the vehicle due to apparent mounting clip and retainer failure. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. Photographs of the damage and detached trim assembly have been documented. This failure created a significant safety risk because the panel could have fully detached while the vehicle was in motion and become a roadway hazard to other motorists. The detached component also created concerns regarding possible interference with the front grille assembly and Toyota Safety Sense components located behind the grille area. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or other electronic warnings indicating a problem. There were also no visible signs of impact damage or collision that would explain the failure. The condition appears to have occurred during normal vehicle operation. The vehicle currently has approximately 76,900 miles. After researching the issue, I identified multiple reports from other Toyota Tundra owners describing similar failures involving the upper grille garnish, mounting tabs, and retaining clips on this generation of Tundra vehicles. At this time, the issue has not yet been formally inspected by Toyota, law enforcement, insurance representatives, or an independent repair facility. Dealer confirmation is currently UNKNOWN. However, based on visual inspection, the mounting clips and retainers appear to have failed under normal operating conditions.
NHTSA complaint #11736050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At low outdoor (40* or less)temperatures, safety feature remain off line. Side mirrors squeak during actuation open or close. Plastic modeling cracked on driver seat, tail gate stays open and doesn't reset without manually closing the tailgate by hand.
NHTSA complaint #11735740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra to address severe corrosion on the rear frame cross-member section or rear brake lining proportion valve. Vehicle was apparently treated with CRC in 2010, but vehicle continued to rust severely in the specified recall zone, even after Toyota Safety Recall 90M had been completed on the vehicle. The CRC applied to the rear frame cross-member of the frame as specified did not inhibit further corrosion of the rear frame cross member, if anything it accelerated the corrosion. Thousands of 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras titled in the specified severe cold weather states still remain in use, and pose a threat to the overall safety of drivers. The Toyota 90M Safety recall did not adequately inhibit the corrosion of the rear frame section, rendering the vehicle unserviceable & unable to align, and leaving gas tanks, rear suspension, rear drive train, and spare tire parts susceptible to falling off of the vehicle and causing an accident- posing a risk of severe injury/death to road users. I am asking that the NHTSA please look into reissuing the NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 to have all 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras still registered for road use in severe cold weather states be inspected by a certified Toyota dealership for repairs, frame replacement, or vehicle buybacks to prevent unnecessary accidents due to a manufacturer defect that was never rectified properly.
NHTSA complaint #11734951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was Emissions tested, and rust was discovered on the driver’s and passenger’s side subframes. The dealer was notified of the issue, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE09049 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure). The failure mileage was 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 for 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra to address severe corrosion on the rear frame cross-member section or rear brake lining proportion valve. Vehicle was apparently treated with CRC in 2010, but vehicle continued to rust severely in the specified recall zone, even after Toyota Safety Recall 90M had been completed on the vehicle. The CRC applied to the rear frame cross-member of the frame as specified did not inhibit further corrosion of the rear frame cross member, if anything it accelerated the corrosion. Thousands of 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras titled in the specified severe cold weather states still remain in use, and pose a threat to the overall safety of drivers. The Toyota 90M Safety recall did not adequately inhibit the corrosion of the rear frame section, rendering the vehicle unserviceable & unable to align, and leaving gas tanks, rear suspension, rear drive train, and spare tire parts susceptible to falling off of the vehicle and causing an accident- posing a risk of severe injury/death to road users. I am asking that the NHTSA please look into reissuing the NHTSA Campaign 09V444000 to have all 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras still registered for road use in severe cold weather states be inspected by a certified Toyota dealership for repairs, frame replacement, or vehicle buybacks to prevent unnecessary accidents due to a manufacturer defect that was never rectified properly.
NHTSA complaint #11730991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center console glossy trim around the gear shift gives off a blinding glare from the sunlight coming through the front windshield. Almost side swiped the adjacent vehicle on my right when blinded. This was noted and photographed after just owning the vehicle for one day. Talked to Toyota Corporate who told me to take it to local dealership. Toyota of Fort Worth said there is nothing they can do and referred back to Toyota Corporate. Toyota Corporate has yet to respond. The start/stop is faulty. Engine does not turn off at red lights (bypass not activated). At red lights, the "press brake further to activate" light will come on, the truck will shake, then the "battery charging" warning light will come on. Dealership response is I am not breaking hard enough or I just need to learn to press the bypass every time I start the vehicle. The vehicle will automatically turn off the engine when I park the vehicle, but as soon as I take my foot off the brake (while still parked in the driveway), the truck will automatically restart. Basically, the start/stop does not work while driving but will work when parked. Per Toyota of Fort Worth Service Dept, that is normal operation.
NHTSA complaint #11730166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The frame was undercoated incorrectly and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive. Very clearly was not undercoated correctly as there is areas in the frame that have no signs of undercoating. This is putting the driver of the vehicle at risk as well as the other drivers on the road. This is a huge recall that was issued for this model of year truck. Very common. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as they refused to inspect it or even acknowledge the issue. There is no warning lamps on but it is visibly unsafe to drive
NHTSA complaint #11721706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle while parked and not running on our driveway burst into flames and had large fire and explosions that burned the vehicle front half completely. the whole engine compartment burned and melted and destroyed the vehicle. No warning lights, no issues. Just burst into flames and destroyed the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11721124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.