Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Rohrich Toyota replaced the severely rusted frame on my 2000 Tundra in 2009, only after NHTSA directed them to. Rohrich Toyota after telling me that per my VIN I wasn't one of affected owners!? Toyota replaced frame and brake lines as well as cross member in 2009. Toyota then reattached rusted fuel line to new frame and now rust from old frame has caused the fuel line to leak severely. I called rohrich and Toyota America and was denied remedy of replacing fuel line! I am a survivor of open heart surgery and my wife is a disabled diabetic amputee and we need our vehicle for dr's appointments and shopping etc... Is there anything you can do to help and soon? [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate before an unknown light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned out. The repairs were made, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 7/7/14 updated 07/14/2014 updated 07/22/14 ma updated 8/25/2017
Dt*: the contact stated the 2000 Toyota Tundra that was bought new had a tire problem. While driving on the highway the rear differential locked, the contact lost control, and the vehicle caught on fire. There were five people in the vehicle and all occupants were injured. The dealer inspected the vehicle, and determined the failure was due to a lack of oil in the vehicle.
Passenger side exhaust manifold warping causing leak which in turn causing vehicle to run improperly and effecting performance and safety issue. Engaging accelerator with the leak causes vehicle to sputter and loses power making vehicle unsafe to drive.
I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra and it has a problem that when the car gets hot the engine will stall out and die without warning. It creates no omd ii errors and the check engine light never appears. The ECM fuse blows on occasion but replacing it does not lead to a running vehicle. It fails to start until the engine compartment cools down. There is fire from the spark plugs and there is fuel pressure in the fuel rail. We have replaced all the relays and fuses in the ECM and efi circuits and all fingers are now pointing to the ECM controller itself. We just changed out the fuel pump and are looking at replacement of all the ignition coils (8) and all the fuel injectors (8). But since all of these components seam to be working that would make little since. …
My 2000 Tundra trd 4x4 v-8, auto trans developed an engine noise within the first 10,000 miles and first year of ownership. I took it to the dealership, godfrey Toyota of Cadillac, mi and they were unable to identify the problem. At approximately 78,000 miles, the o2 sensor failed, as identified to me by the check engine light. The dealership service department replaced my sensor, and initially billed me for the work. When I asked the mechanic, he identified the occurrence of an extended service bulletin on the o2 sensor. He further identified the reason for the noise was the cracked manifold, that had apparently occurred within the first 10,000 miles of driving. He indicated the noise was worse when the engine was cold and that after driving awhile, the cracked tended to close up and reduce the noise. …
I have a 2000 Tundra access cab truck with 62,000 miles. The check engine light came on so I had it diagnosed. The front o2 sensor before the cat has failed. I wrote Toyota and they said that they had extended the warranty to 7 yrs or 90,000 miles. They said that it was also up to the local dealer to decide if the fault would be covered. I purchased this vehicle from a relative, who is now deceased, and did not receive any recall info. I wrote to Toyota and they told me to talk to my local dealershp. I talked to the local dealer and they told me to write or call the Toyota experience department, or what ever it is. From what I have read there are a lot of people getting ripped off for a defect in factory provided parts and replacement parts. I definately think this is a design flaw and should be covered by Toyota. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he received a manufacturer's recall in regards to the chassis. The vehicle was serviced per the recall however, two weeks later he started to notice other failures with the vehicle. The contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated and the suspension on the vehicle would not support the weight from his trailer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised him that the oxygen sensor and evaporation system failed, and the entire suspension system would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The current mileage was approximately 98,000.
"ticking" sound from left rear of engine block. I know it was an exhaust leak. Went to Toyota dealer and they said my exhaust header was cracked and rusted. The truck was bought new in texas. According to the service manager named gabe at camelback Toyota in phoenix, az, "the humidity in dallas must have caused the rusting." the truck has 79,000 miles on it with no rust anywhere else on the vehicle. When I inquired to the price of repairs, he said $1800. However, he added, I could get the "improved" manifold, "which has thicker welds, for only ten dollars more." this seemed every odd to me that Toyota already has an improved design for the header that rusts from the "high humidity" of texas.
Engine complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Toyota Tundra, 5% of the model year's 1,011 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Tundra engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Toyota Tundra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Tundra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.