Toyota Tundra 2000–2006 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · XK30 (2WD) / XK40 (4WD)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20263,694 complaints, 2,463 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2000 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,011
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2000
- Body structure529 reports · median 110,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit247 reports · median 44,000 mi
- Suspension100 reports · median 124,000 mi
3 recall campaigns name the 2000: Structure — frame and members; Wheels; Exterior lighting — tail lights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2001 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 102,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 415
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2001
- Body structure171 reports · median 111,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit99 reports · median 43,000 mi
- Suspension84 reports · median 132,000 mi
2 recall campaigns name the 2001: Structure — frame and members; Wheels. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 91,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 482
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2002
- Body structure154 reports · median 121,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit97 reports · median 30,000 mi
- Suspension81 reports · median 110,000 mi
3 recall campaigns name the 2002: Structure — frame and members; Suspension — front; Wheels. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 399
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2003
- Body structure150 reports · median 113,000 mi
- Airbag system86 reports · median 118,000 mi
- Suspension63 reports · median 108,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Structure — frame and members. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 102,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 466
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2004
- Body structure200 reports · median 110,000 mi
- Suspension152 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Airbag system50 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Suspension — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 376
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2005
- Body structure91 reports · median 127,000 mi
- Airbag system83 reports
- Suspension75 reports · median 118,000 mi
12 recall campaigns name the 2005: Air bags — frontal; Seats — front assembly; Air bags — side/window. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Toyota Tundra
Close- Median failure report
- 96,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 545
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2006
- Body structure169 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Airbag system134 reports
- Suspension91 reports · median 116,000 mi
10 recall campaigns name the 2006: Air bags — frontal; Seats — front assembly; Air bags — side/window. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2001 reports latest and the 2005 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2001 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2000–2006 Toyota Tundra reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 98,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 180,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,463
- Recalls
- 18
Most reported
- Body structure39.6% of complaints · median 113,000 mi
- Suspension17.5% of complaints · median 109,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit13.9% of complaints · median 38,000 mi
Owners filed 3,694 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2006 Toyota Tundra; body structure leads with 39.6% of them, and half of the 2,463 that record an odometer reading came by 98,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 55,000 and 140,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2000–2006 Toyota Tundra last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2000–2006 Toyota Tundra, half of the 2,463 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 98,000 miles and 90% by 180,000 miles.
531 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 162 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Tundra reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota Tundra 2000–2006 · 2,463 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 162 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 162 complaints (6.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 23,550
- 25%
- 55,000
- Median
- 98,000
- 75%
- 140,000
- 90%
- 180,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 79 | 3.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 43 | 1.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 37 | 1.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 50 | 2.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 45 | 1.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 31 | 1.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 74 | 3.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 74 | 3.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 58 | 2.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 51 | 2.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 70 | 2.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 57 | 2.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 70 | 2.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 78 | 3.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 63 | 2.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 67 | 2.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 83 | 3.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 65 | 2.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 82 | 3.3% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 78 | 3.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 105 | 4.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 73 | 3.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 73 | 3.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 67 | 2.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 70 | 2.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 67 | 2.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 58 | 2.4% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 59 | 2.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 62 | 2.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 43 | 1.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 71 | 2.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 44 | 1.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 55 | 2.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 19 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 47 | 1.9% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 32 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 32 | 1.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 23 | 0.9% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 27 | 1.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 19 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 162 | 6.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Tundra problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota Tundra 2000–2006
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit512 reports38,00018,000–65,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 512 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 18,000 to 65,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline271 reports87,00049,000–117,000Transmission and driveline: 271 reports, median 87,000 miles, middle half 49,000 to 117,000 miles.
- Steering198 reports107,00068,000–149,000Steering: 198 reports, median 107,000 miles, middle half 68,000 to 149,000 miles.
- Suspension646 reports109,00072,000–158,000Suspension: 646 reports, median 109,000 miles, middle half 72,000 to 158,000 miles.
- Airbag system401 reports111,00074,000–160,000Airbag system: 401 reports, median 111,000 miles, middle half 74,000 to 160,000 miles.
- Body structure1,464 reports113,00084,000–150,000Body structure: 1,464 reports, median 113,000 miles, middle half 84,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise242 reports139,000104,000–174,000Problems owners could not categorise: 242 reports, median 139,000 miles, middle half 104,000 to 174,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 1,464 | 39.6% | 113,000 | 84,000–150,000 |
| Suspension | 646 | 17.5% | 109,000 | 72,000–158,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 512 | 13.9% | 38,000 | 18,000–65,000 |
| Airbag system | 401 | 10.9% | 111,000 | 74,000–160,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 271 | 7.3% | 87,000 | 49,000–117,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 242 | 6.6% | 139,000 | 104,000–174,000 |
| Steering | 198 | 5.4% | 107,000 | 68,000–149,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 124 | 3.4% | 54,000 | 28,000–103,000 |
| Brakes | 114 | 3.1% | 105,000 | 79,000–158,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 96 | 2.6% | 51,000 | 32,000–80,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 98,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 39.6% of complaints (1,464 reports, 1,096 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 113,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 84,000 and 150,000 miles.
A single system taking 39.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The suspension accounts for 17.5% of complaints (646 reports, 450 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 109,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 72,000 and 158,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 13.9% of complaints (512 reports, 319 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 38,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 65,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 10.9% of complaints (401 reports, 124 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 111,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 74,000 and 160,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.3% of complaints (271 reports, 216 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 87,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 49,000 and 117,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 6.6% of complaints (242 reports, 113 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 139,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 104,000 and 174,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2000–2006 Tundra
Frame/Structure 2000–2003
Frame corrosion and perforation. Toyota recalled roughly 110,000 MY2000-2003 Tundras across 20 cold-weather states and DC for frame rust that could allow the spare tire carrier to separate from the vehicle and, in advanced cases, compromise frame integrity. Inspection criteria centered on rust-through holes larger than about 10 mm; qualifying trucks received frame replacement. Toyota subsequently extended corrosion warranty coverage to later first-generation trucks.
Before you buy a 2000–2006 Tundra: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,463 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check frame/structure on 2000–2003 cars. Frame corrosion and perforation. Toyota recalled roughly 110,000 MY2000-2003 Tundras across 20 cold-weather states and DC for frame rust that could allow the spare tire carrier to separate from the vehicle and, in…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 55,000 and 140,000 miles, with a median of 98,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, body structure and the suspension are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The suspension in particular shows a median failure mileage of 109,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Tundra problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi27% below | At 90k mi44% below | At 120k mi64% below | At 150k mi78% below | At 200k mi93% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 84,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 72,000–158,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 18,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 74,000–160,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 49,000–117,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 104,000–174,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Steering | 68,000–149,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota Tundra 2000–2006 · 2,463 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 27% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 44% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 64% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 93%: the remaining 6.6% of reports (162) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2000–2006 Toyota Tundra recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), equipment (3), seats (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Oct 2019 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag…
Dec 2018 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…
Jun 2016 · 2005–2006 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011…
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact…
Feb 2016 · 2005–2006 · Air BagsIf the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags.…
What can happen. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota…
May 2015 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles…
May 2015 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles…
Nov 2014 · 2006 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4…
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected…
Feb 2010 · 2005–2006 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying…
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
Feb 2010 · 2005–2006 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
Nov 2009 · 2000–2003 · StructureSeparation of the spare tire and diminished brake capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota is recalling model year 2000-2003 Tundra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey…
What can happen. Separation of the spare tire and diminished brake capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota is asking owners of the affected vehicles to remove the spare tire from under the vehicle until a remedy can be obtained. Dealers will inspect the rear cross member and related components…
Jun 2009 · 2006 · EquipmentIncorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing…
The defect. Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor…
What can happen. Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota…
Jan 2007 · 2004–2006 · SuspensionIn extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may…
The defect. On certain trucks and MINI vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. This may cause the ball joint to wear and loosen…
What can happen. In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on february 28, 2007. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Jul 2005 · 2005 · Air BagsAs a result, the vehicle occupants will not be made aware of whether or not the air bag is activated and…
The defect. Certain pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and optional fabric front captain's chairs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'Occupant crash protection.' These vehicles were built with an…
What can happen. As a result, the vehicle occupants will not be made aware of whether or not the air bag is activated and ready to protect the occupant as appropriate.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front passenger occupant classification system indicator lens. The recall began august 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Jun 2005 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsThis standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location…
The defect. Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'Child restraint anchorage systems.' These vehicles have a manual air bag on-off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have a child…
What can happen. This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of…
The free fix. Dealers will remove the manual air bag on-off switch, replace the owner's manual, and affix a new sun visor air bag warning label. The recall began in early january 2007. Owners may contact Toyota at…
May 2005 · 2002–2004 · SuspensionThe lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and…
What can happen. The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Mar 2005 · 2004–2005 · Engine and Engine CoolingIn this condition, the exhaust pipe flange may rub against the right rear brake line, which could cause brake…
The defect. Certain pickup trucks equipped with both vehicle stability control (VSC) and the trd dual exhaust systems. The trd dual exhaust system met all clearance specifications on models without VSC, however the driver's side exhaust located in a position where…
What can happen. In this condition, the exhaust pipe flange may rub against the right rear brake line, which could cause brake fluid leakage. This could lead to an increase of vehicle stopping distance, which could…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if so equipped, will replace the trd dual exhaust system free of charge. During this replacement, the dealer will also inspect the specific brake line to assure it has not…
May 2002 · 2000–2002 · WheelsDifferent operating characteristics can be experienced when the spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
The defect. On certain 4x2 vehicles equipped with an alloy wheel tire upgrade (options wm4, wm8, zl1-zl4, dh4, or dh5) installed by the processing centers in jacksonville, florida or commerce, georgia, a label identifying the spare tire as a temporary use spare tire was…
What can happen. Different operating characteristics can be experienced when the spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with a caution label and an insert for their owner's manual. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should…
Jan 2000 · 2000 · Exterior LightingIf the bulb falls out of the socket, the brake or tail lamp function cannot occur.
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty trucks. The tail light socket may have been improperly molded, resulting in the locking tab having insufficient force to retain the bulb.
What can happen. If the bulb falls out of the socket, the brake or tail lamp function cannot occur.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the tail lamp sockets.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,694 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 222 (6.0%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 120
- Fatality reports
- 6
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Tundra problems by model year
The 2000 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,011, most of them about body structure, and the 2005 the fewest, 376. A typical year drew about 466.
That makes the 2000 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,011 | 689 | 100,000 | Body structure (529) | 3 |
| 2001 | 415 | 290 | 102,000 | Body structure (171) | 2 |
| 2002 | 482 | 370 | 91,000 | Body structure (154) | 3 |
| 2003 | 399 | 269 | 100,000 | Body structure (150) | 7 |
| 2004 | 466 | 310 | 102,000 | Body structure (200) | 8 |
| 2005 | 376 | 228 | 82,000 | Body structure (91) | 12 |
| 2006 | 545 | 307 | 96,000 | Body structure (169) | 10 |
What Tundra owners reported
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH during heavy rains, the vehicle hydroplaned and spun several times before the front end crashed into a guardrail. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy, causing the driver's chest to strike the steering wheel. A…
2004 · 185,000 miles · Airbag system
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…
2001 · 200,000 miles · Body structure
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…
2004 · 72,000 miles · Body structure
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…
2000 · 51,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 2,463 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Tundra generations
- Tundra 2007–2021 1,347 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Tundra 2022–2025 154 reports with mileage, most about the engine