2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2003 Toyota Tundra has 7 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report severe frame rusting issues that compromise vehicle safety. Several complaints mention gas tanks detaching due to frame corrosion. Brake system problems and dealer refusal to perform recall repairs are also reported.
Common Issues
- Frame corrosion. Owners report severe rusting inside and outside the frame, leading to structural failure and safety hazards.
- Gas tank detachment. The rusted frame caused the gas tank to fall off during driving, creating fire and accident risks.
- Leaf spring failure. Leaf springs broke due to rust, affecting vehicle suspension and stability.
- Recall repair denial. Some dealerships refused to perform repairs related to the frame corrosion recall.
- Corrosion protective spray ineffective. Treatments such as undercoating did not prevent frame rot, which worsened over time.
- Brake system issues. Front brakes components were missing or mismatched, preventing proper brake repairs.
There are 5 recalls for this model involving primarily the air bag inflator system. These recalls address risks of air bag inflator rupture causing injury. The truck also has a major recall for frame corrosion, affecting structural integrity and safety-critical components.
Recalls
- Passenger air bag inflator (15V285000). Affects 1,973,468 vehicles including 2003-2004 Tundras. The inflator may rupture upon deployment, sending metal fragments inside the vehicle. Risk of serious injury or death. Dealer replacement of the passenger front air bag required. No Do Not Drive advisory for Tundra models.
- Passenger air bag inflator Florida and coastal regions (15V286000). Covers 1,069,055 vehicles including 2005-2006 Tundras sold in specified coastal regions. Inflator rupture risk identical to 15V285000. Replacement of passenger air bag inflator provided free of charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator (18V883000). Affects 168,993 vehicles 2003-2005 model years including Tundra. Air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation. Dealer replaces front passenger airbag inflator or assembly.
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V741000). Affects 928,220 vehicles including 2003-2006 Tundras that previously had inflators replaced. Propellant degradation may cause inflator explosion, risking injury. Dealers replace airbag inflator or assembly at no cost.
- Driver air bag inflator (19V741000). Same scope and issues as passenger inflator recall 19V741000. Dealer replaces driver side front airbag inflator or assembly free of charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs for frame corrosion or air bag defects and unresolved recall concerns may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Legal consultation can provide guidance on protections available for persistent safety issues or substantial defects.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA Summary
2003
Model Year
7
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
4139736
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
928220 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
168993 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
1069055 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
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 ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Risk: 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 injury or death.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
1973468 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
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, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Risk: 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 injury or death.
Complaints
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2100458SERVICE BRAKES
Well I finally paid off my 2003 Toyota Tundra and I wanted to really just get a really good tune up when I say really go I mean oil change spark plugs plug wires brakes tires everything , So as they go to check my tires and brake They said that the brakes on the front didn't even go to my truck the rotors everything and that is a really big issue so now I can't get my front brakes repaired because they don't understand why those parts are on my vehicle when they shouldnt be and I need to know what to do?
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2093515FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Frame rusted out causing gas tank to fall off truck while driving. Was sparking while trying to pull of to a safe spot on highway, tank was hanging on by the fuel line. Leaf spring also broke on truck do to rust. Cars were avoiding my truck on highway as sparks were coming from the gas tank shield scrapping the highway. Frame should have been replaced along with gas lines, and leaf springs during the recall in 2012 range. Toyota of York decided to just undercoat spray frame, prior to me purchasing truck from them. They never notified me (the consumer) of the recall that was current on truck.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2093514SUSPENSION
Frame rusted out causing gas tank to fall off truck while driving. Was sparking while trying to pull of to a safe spot on highway, tank was hanging on by the fuel line. Leaf spring also broke on truck do to rust. Cars were avoiding my truck on highway as sparks were coming from the gas tank shield scrapping the highway. Frame should have been replaced along with gas lines, and leaf springs during the recall in 2012 range. Toyota of York decided to just undercoat spray frame, prior to me purchasing truck from them. They never notified me (the consumer) of the recall that was current on truck.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2093513STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame rusted out causing gas tank to fall off truck while driving. Was sparking while trying to pull of to a safe spot on highway, tank was hanging on by the fuel line. Leaf spring also broke on truck do to rust. Cars were avoiding my truck on highway as sparks were coming from the gas tank shield scrapping the highway. Frame should have been replaced along with gas lines, and leaf springs during the recall in 2012 range. Toyota of York decided to just undercoat spray frame, prior to me purchasing truck from them. They never notified me (the consumer) of the recall that was current on truck.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2073112STRUCTURE:BODY
The 2003 Toyota Tundra is known for severe frame rot due to improper rust protection, which led to a major safety recall. The excessive corrosion can cause rust holes to form in the frame, compromising the vehicle’s structural integrity. This can lead to frame cracking or even complete failure, making the truck extremely dangerous to drive. A weakened frame affects the vehicle’s ability to absorb impact in a crash, reduces stability, and can lead to suspension or steering failure. In extreme cases, parts like the fuel tank or spare tire can detach, increasing the risk of a serious accident.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2071102STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while in the process of selling the vehicle, the potential buyer inspected the subframe and informed the contact that the frame was severely rusted inside and outside. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected. The mechanic confirmed the failure and informed the contact that the six bolts holding the bed securely were severely rusted. The contact was provided an estimate for a partial external repair of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously sprayed a corrosion protective compound on the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure); however, the failure progressively worsened. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA
ID: 2065866UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Frame cross member recall, I have called several toyota dealerships and all have denied me service to the recall