2003 Toyota Tundra Power Train Problems
- 20
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- rear differential · 10 records
- rear axle · 8 records
- differential housing · 5 records
- rusted through · 5 records
- housing rusted · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Suspension
2003 toyota tundra front end making a severe grinding, squeaking, and knocking noise. The cv axle boots are destroyed and seems like the wheel bearings and hub is going out quickly as well. Also have transmission leakage and noise when turning. Vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it.
ODI 11189746
Power Train · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Steering column shift bracket broke in 3 places when trying to shift from park to drive, making shifting impossible. See pictures from 2 of 3 fracture locations, 3rd fracture is at an attachment screw (not shown). This is cause by an punderdesigned part made of inferior cast aluminum. There are thousands of reports of this problem on tundras and other toyota models with same defective bracket. This dangerous defect…
ODI 11121088
Power Train
I am a retired toyota master diagnostic technician. As i was replacing my rear brake lines on my 2003 tundra-with 79,962 miles, i saw a fluid leak under rear of vehicle. Upon inspection i found the rear differential housing has rusted so badly that the gear oil is leaking through the housing. Unfortunately the only remedy is the replacement of the complete rear axle/differential assembly. The frame has already been…
ODI 10914878
Power Train
Toyota had a recall of rusted out frames for 2003 toyota tundra trucks. Mine was replaced, but now the differential has rusted out and it requires an entire new rear axle. I filed a complaint with toyota corporate and was told since my vehicle is out of warranty they will not stand by their product and replace an obviously defective part. This defect could cause the rear end to lock up while driving and possible…
ODI 10820566
Body · Power Train · Suspension
Bad frame rust bad suspension rust bad differential rust bad spare tire rust.if rust condition gets worse the possibility of suspension failure is very real.some of these models need to be recalled or bought back before there is injury or death.
ODI 10790345
Body · Power Train · Suspension
I took my 2003 tundra to a transmission repair shop, independent, to have the rear differential evaluated due to crunching sound which occurred when taking off from a stop and leaking of fluid due to corrosion on housing. The shop called me that day two hours later and informed me that my frame was completely rusted out near the front of the vehicle on both sides making it unsafe to drive and not worth proceeding in…
ODI 10747148
Power Train
The rear differential housing of the truck is rusted through and leaking gear lube, if it goes unnoticed the rear differential could lock up causing the rear wheels to lock up and cause a crash. This a very common issue with the 2000-2003 tundras and is very unsafe, there is no reason the rear differential housing should rust through this quick, 30 year old trucks do have this issue but a whole lot of toyota trucks…
ODI 10735655
Differential Unit · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced, he was informed that the differential was rusted out and that fluid was leaking. As a result, the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
ODI 10617269
Power Train
Hello, i am having a really strange problem with my 2003 tundra, the rear axle is actually rusted out and leaking gear lube! I live in a snow area and drove the truck for a couple months before noticing the oil on ground after snow melted, now it is too late as the rear axle is now making a noise and cannot be driven until i replace the entire axle housing! You cannot hear it in the cab unless windows are down! I…
ODI 10583861
Power Train
My 2003 tundra sr5 4x4 access cab broke down coming to a complete stop during interstate driving in 2wd at the posted speed limit. Upon a lengthy and expensive tow to my mechanic, i was advised the rear differential had failed due to extensive rust not only on the rear differential cover, but over the entire rear axle assembly. The rust was so pervasive it allowed differential fluid to leak from the carrier assembly…
ODI 10550176
Column Shift · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. The contact stated that while shifting from park to reverse, the shift lever fractured and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle remained in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the shift assembly, lever sub assembly, tilt lever and the shift lever. The failure was reported to the manufacturer, who refused to provide any assistance. The failure…
ODI 10521902
Power Train
Noticed oily substance on driveway, took truck to mechanic and he informed me the rear axle housing had rusted through! I was shocked at the news and dumbfounded to find out this is a common problem with tundra's and tacoma's and there is no recourse except to pay upwards of $2000 to have it fixed. I have never heard of any newer vehicle having the axle rust through at only 104,000 miles. This is low miles for a…
ODI 10504374
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train · Service Brakes · Underbody Shields
Took 2003 toyota tundra in for frame rust corrosion program 09v-444000. Was told frame and other components had extensive rust and multiple 10mm holes by lead service technician at local toyota dealership. Service manager explained that my 2003 toyota tundra frame was extensively rusted and unsafe to be on the road and they wanted to take my truck immediately and provide a rental car due to safety concerns. Asked…
ODI 10483681
Power Train · Steering
For the third time since i have owned the vehicle where the shift control goes into the steering column, where it connects has broken. This is a piece of metal that has again snapped making it unable to shift the car. What happens if i was in drive and could not shift into park? I have had this fixed twice before, once when i was stuck on the road and once towed to toyota. *tr
ODI 10482610
Power Train
I believe toyota sold hundreds, possibly thousands of this type vehicle to customers who asked for a limited slip differential and paid a premium to get one. Many times when on slippery surfaces one rear tire just spins with no traction to the other. My window sticker says i have lsd and i don't. The mechanic at desert toyota told me i didn't have a ls when he changed my rear dif oil. I couldn't believe what he told…
ODI 10439718
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, he switched from four wheel drive to two wheel drive and the entire front end of the vehicle abruptly and violently seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the entire front differential was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 120,00 and the current…
ODI 10489143
Power Train · Underbody Shields
Toyota had a re-call for excessive corrosion on the 03 tundra. I have been taking the truck in for inspections for 3 years & was told everything was ok. This year toyota said they had an ok to undercoat the frames. While my truck was in for the work it was discovered that the rear differntial had rusted through & was leaking oil. Even though this componenet is on the underside of the truck just like the frame that…
ODI 10450826
Frame And Members · Power Train
I have a 2003 tundra access cab 4wd truck. Took it to the toyota dealership for the rust recall inspection and to investigate oil leaking from the rear differential housing. Dealership said that the frame was fine but the cross members and tank supports need coating. They also advised that the rear differential housing was rusted to the point that oil is leaking and would have to be replaced. They said that toyota…
ODI 10344639
Driveline · Power Train
When returning to my2003 toyota tundra, from a doctors appt, i noticed a pool of liquid, under the rear axle of the truck. Having wife back truck up, i checked this viscous, clearish fluid, finding it to be a rear end oil/grease, and had been leaking from mid housing of the rearend. Upon further inspection, i found this had been leaking for enough time that oil spots were all over the rear window of and tailgate of…
ODI 10293539
Power Train
SHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE. *TR
ODI 10406997