TroubleCAR
60
Trouble

2001 Toyota Tundra

Complaints: 414Avg mileage: 109,885 miSince: Jan 2001
1 deathCrashFire27 injured

Problem Areas

Structure:Frame and Members
82
Suspension
50
Structure:Body
48
Disc: Rotor
33
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29
Frame and Members: Underbody Shields
28
Steering
23
Foundation Components: Disc
17
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
15
Control Arm: Lower Ball Joint
15

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
40,000 miJan 25, 2006LAS PIEDRAS, PR
1 deathCrash3 injured

BRAKES AND BALL JOINT FAILURE OF TOYOTA TUNDRA LIM. 4DOOR 4.7L 8 CYLINDER 4X4 RIGHT SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF AND HIT TWO PERSONS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY IN WHICH ONE WAS KILLED.*AK

SUSPENSION
200,000 miSep 26, 2018WALKERTON, IN
Crash1 injured

FRONT LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE AT 40 MPH WHILE CROSSING RR TRACKS.THE TIRE/HUB COMPLETELY TORE LOOSE TEARING OFF BRAKE LINE.AND JUST LUCKILY AVOIDED A DEADLY HEAD-ON COLLISION.THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED.THIS PROBLEM MUST BE ADDRESSED.MY PROBLEM IS L ALSO OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WHICH HAS THE SAME FRONT BALL JOINTS.THIS IS TOTAL BULL. I WOULD HAD SENT A PICTURE,BUT THE TRUCK LEFT THE SCENE ON A FLAT BED TRAILER.

AIR BAGS
200,000 miJun 11, 2015RALEIGH, NC
Crash2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED CARDIAC IMPACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 11/12/15*LJ UPDATED 1/4/2015 *JS

AIR BAGS
132,000 miNov 10, 2014MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ
Crash2 injured

WAS HIT HEAD ON AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 7, 2013FAIR OAKS, CA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND CRASHED INTO THE READ OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

AIR BAGS
185,000 miJan 22, 2013LIVERMORE, CA
Crash2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED ON BLACK ICE, CRASHING ON THE CENTER MEDIUM AND THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONTUSION AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

SEATS
110,000 miFeb 8, 2011MENDOCINO, CA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM BEHIND. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD REST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
175,251 miNov 17, 2009KODIAK, AK
Crash1 injured

2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT RUNNING OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH AND HAD TO BE TOWED. INSPECTION PHOTOS AVAILABLE DEMONSTRATE BRAKE LINE CORROSION ALONG WITH CHASSIS AND FRAME RUST THROUGH. *TR UPDATED 03/29/10 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED 10/05/10.

AIR BAGS
120,000 miMay 13, 2009LOCKESBURG, AR
Crash1 injured

AIR BAGS FAILED DURING CRASH. *TR

SUSPENSION:FRONT
104,000 miJun 8, 2007VAN COUVER, WA
Crash1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT TIRE DETACHED FROM THE DISC BRAKE, BUT THE TIRE BEARING WAS STILL ATTACHED. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND SUSTAINED MILD BUMPS AND BRUISES. SHE STATED THAT HER HUSBAND WOULD HAVE DIED IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CONCRETE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000. UPDATED 07/24/07 *TR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Oct 8, 2005CARMICHAEL, CA
Crash1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN MY 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. DURING THE CRASH I ENDED UP GOING THROUGH A POWER POLE SEVERING IT. I STRUCK THE POLE IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT END. THE DAMAGE WAS SUBSTANTIAL TOTALING THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TRUCKS? EVEN HIGHWAY PATROL AND THE FIRE DEPT. SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. *JB

STEERING
29,500 miMay 18, 2005ORIENT, OH
Crash4 injured

STEERING/STABILITY. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK AND RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TRUCK WENT INTO FLAT SPIN THEN ROLLED

TIRES
Jan 14, 2002HANFORD, CA
Crash1 injured

WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 40 MPH, CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A FLOODED AREA, WHEN THE CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, UPON IMPACT OF HITTING AN END POST, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES.*AK CONSUMER STATED WHEN TRYING TO GET OVER TO AVOID THE FLOOD, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE CAUSE OF FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN THE 2 TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY HAVE COME OFF THE RIMS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JG TIRE INFORMATION (B.F. GOODRICH P265/70R16)

TRAILER HITCHES
Nov 2, 2001ASH, NC
Crash2 injured

A BROKEN WELD WHICH MANUFACTURER INSTALLED ON TOW HITCH WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH LED TO A VEHICLE CRASH. DRIVER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Nov 2, 2001ASH, NC
Crash1 injured

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, PASSENGER WAS FORCED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

SUSPENSION
148,000 miSep 18, 2019MINFORD, OH
Crash

MY BALL JOINTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED THIS MORNING WITHOUT WARNING (NO KNOCKING/RATTLING/VIBRATION/ETC.). LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 15 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE BALL JOINTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. I AM WORRIED FOR FUTURE INCIDENTS THAT WOULD NOT BE SO LUCKY AND HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH OR MORE (WHICH I WAS DOING 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING). I UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT THIS IS A SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND LIKELY TO KILL PEOPLE. NORMAL BALL JOINT WEAR LOOSENS THE BALL JOINT AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE, THIS ISSUE BINDS THE BALL JOINT WITH NO WARNING AND BREAKS IT OFF. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS DECLINED ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO TRENDING AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS WAS IN SPITE OF KNOWLEDGE I HAVE OF OVER 533,000 RECALLS OF BALL JOINTS ON SIMILAR MODELS WITH SIMILAR SUSPENSIONS. THE TOYOTA PERSONNEL I SPOKE WITH WOULD NOT EVEN ADMIT TO ANY RECALLS OF SUCH LIKE INCIDENTS. TOYOTA SEEMED COMPLETELY UNCONCERNED AND EVEN WORRIED THAT IF THEY PROVIDED INFORMATION LIKE THIS TO OTHER TUNDRA OWNERS THAT THEY WOULD BE "LIABLE" AND EXPECTED TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED. IT SEEMED TOYOTA WAS HAPPY TO SIT BY AND WATCH THE NEXT WHEEL GO FLYING OFF THEIR TUNDRAS/SEQUOIAS (AND POTENTIAL FATALITY) AT THE RISK OF HAVING TO COMMUNICATE AN ISSUE TO CUSTOMERS. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO KNOW THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXISTING BALL JOINT ISSUE, I WOULD HAVE PERFORMED A PM ON MINE!

SUSPENSION
240,000 miApr 1, 2019KLONDIKE, TX
Crash

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THESE FIRST GENERATION TUNDRAS ARE ALL PRONE TO EARLY FAILURE WHEN USING ANY OTHER BRAND THAN OEM. I HAVE TALKED TO DOZENS OF FIRST GEN OWNERS AND ALL AGREE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE TRUCKS ARE A HUGE WEAK POINT. I HAD MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL COME OFF OF MY TRUCK WHILE TURNING DOWN A STREET IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY TUNDRA. THE WHEEL WENT ABOUT 50 FEET AND STOPPED BY COLLIDING WITH A PARKED CAR. THE SUSPENSION OF MY TRUCK ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ROAD.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Apr 2, 2012WESTBROOK, CT
Crash

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED. LOWER PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS AT FAULT. BALL UNDER SOCKET SEPARATED ALLOWING TIRE TO SWING 90 DEGREES AND JAM UNDER FRAME. CV AXLE WAS TORN FROM FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UPON FAILURE. DIFFERENTIAL OIL LOSS OCCURRED. TIE ROD, UPPER BALL JOINT AND BRAKE LINE REMAINED INTACT. BODY DAMAGE RESULTED ON FRONT PASSENGER FENDER. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
140,000 miAug 20, 2010GLEEN ELLEN, CA
Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CARBURETOR INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BACKWARD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
87,000 miMar 4, 2010NEW ORLEANS, LA
Crash

2001 TUNDRA BRAKES FAILED TO STOP TRUCK FROM HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT ON A SUDDEN STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. FOUND OUT LATER THAT TOYOTA KNEW OF DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ISSUED TSB BR004-002 TO REPLACE 191MM FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WITH LARGER 231 MM CALIPERS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE DEFECT. ONLY OWNERS WHO COMPLAINED OF VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AND EARLY FAILURE OF FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE OFFERED THE UPGRADED CALIPERS, BUT ONLY AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS. THE UPGRADED CALIPERS WERE EVENTUALLY INCORPORATED INTO THE 2004 AND LATER TUNDRAS. *TR

Other Tundra Years

Other Toyota Models