Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Driving home from work 1-28-2015 my 2000 Toyota Tundra,without warning the front driver side slammed to the ground sliding to a dead stop the tire jammed under the body of the truck,very frightening to think what if I was driving faster or if another car was coming towards you or from behind,after calling a tow truck and getting the vehicle off the ground we were able to see the ball joint failed.
I had to replace my power steering rack due to rust. This was done in July of 2008. When the service tech (actually all in shop) looked at it, they said they had never seen anything like it. The part was literally crumbling in their hands. Now in nov. Of 2009, I read that Toyota is saying that this truck did not receive the proper rust protection when built. I am a long standing Toyota owner. This I hoped to handled in a way to make customers satisfied. Today I took my Tundra (limited 4x4 access cab) to the local dealer (byers in delaware, oh) where it was purchased. They inspected the truck and simply told me "it passed the perforation inspection". When I asked about the details, they repeated "it passed". As I had read where other owners were losing their spare tire, I asked if the spare was removed for the inspection. The service manager had to ask the tech. …
Front lower ball joint recall or lack thereof. There is a current recall for Toyota tundras year 2002-2004 but does not include 2000-2001 that have lower ball joints of the same design. Mine failed and so have several others around the country. Many customers have reported that their respective dealerships will not cover the repairs due to a manufacturer failed lower ball joint. I have attached a photo of the result of what a failed ball joint looks like and when you combine that image with the hypothetical of traveling 65-70 MPH the damage can then escalate to catastrophic or even death. Not only for passengers but for others traveling the same road. When the ball joint failed I was luckily traveling 25-30 MPH to get on to the freeway, but it failed before I was at full highway speed. …
Lower ball joints must be replaced under a recall. Toyota has told me to contact you to look into it for me and to ask them to recall the part in question for my vehicle. My vehicle is a 2000 Tundra. Models from 2001-06 had a recall for lower ball joints. My truck has the exact same faulty part numbers as the later models. Part numbers are: 43340, 43330 for left and right. This part failing leads to catastrophic failures that causes the entire front end to fall to the ground and the wheels to smash into the fender wells. My truck has very low mileage and is starting to show signs of this failure. My biggest concern is safety especially with an older vehicle. A quick search on the internet will show you this happening to countless other 2000 tundras. This vehicle has been well cared for but this doesn't fall under routine maintenance when the part has these known issues. …
Frame recall - the frame originally received the crc coating from kerry Toyota during the frame recall (unknown recall number and time of application). The coating has failed and as a result the steering rack mounts have separated from the frame due to rust. The bolt and mounting point are still together, but broken from the crossmember. I was driving down the road when there was a sudden change in how the steering was operating. It was causing me to wonder around in my line. I felt I had very little control on the steering. Once I pulled over and looked under the truck, it was apparent as to what happened. There is also significant rust damage to the left and right front frame assembly where the main cross member is attached to the frame. This is also where main suspension components mount to the frame. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel was turned but the wheels would not turn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering housing separated from the frame and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repairable because the frame was rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Updated 7/14/15 updated 10/16/217
Truck is very hard to steer at low speeds and doesn't correct when coming out of a turn. Steering wants to freeze up when making a u turn. I've heard that the ball joints can snap and send the truck careening out of control. I bought this truck specifically to have something safe for traveling long distances and cannot have a malfunction like this happen.
I had a 2000 Toyota Tundra shipped from massachusetts to where I live in montana. I bought it from a auto sales there whereby asking them before I even considered buying it if it had any rust issues. I was told no and the conversations I had throughout the dealing process I was confident that they were being upfront with me. I had it shipped to my son in denver and he shuttled it to me in sheridan, wyoming, where I picked it up and drove it home to montana. After inspecting it when I got home I was stunned to find the extent of the rust on the frame and various parts. One of the brackets that is welded to the frame that holds the steering stabilizer is almost gone. After talking to a friend of mine that owns a body shop he informed me about frame rust issues on earlier year Tundra's in certain parts of the country, massachusetts being one of them. …
I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra that has a rusted out and cracked rear cross member in the frame. The frame member holds the spare tire in place and while changing rear shocks at the end of September I noticed how rusted the cross member and the rest of the frame is, what is left of the cross member is cracking so I no longer have the tire under the truck. A mechanic verified this while he was under the truck replacing the power steering rack that also rusted out .my wife lost the power steering while driving the truck. The mechanic told me he had never seen the power steering rack rust out or that much rust on the frame of a truck with 88,000 on it and that the frame would have to be welded to make it right. I have filed a claim with Toyota ( claim # 0910135009 ) and was told they are looking in to it. …
My 2000 Tundra truck is denied a safety inspection for corrosion of the vehicle frame. Toyota corp limited recall time period 4-2010 to 2012 resulted in a deliberate failure and nullify effective repairs to the substandard materials used on the steering, suspension and vehicle frame integrity. I contact Toyota corp [phone], [redacted], supervisor case management dept. For help to address the n.h.t.s.a safety concerns and compliance agreement of 2010 with Toyota corp, 2000 Tundra recall. This letter is an official complaint to n.h.t.s.a requesting a follow up investigation base on Toyota corp failure to comply earnestly and an ineffective recall time period, to ensure public highway safety concerns of Toyota Tundra owners with vehicle defects needing a safety inspections of potential hazard of falling spare tire, fuel tank, defective ball joints, lower and upper control arms. …
Steering complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Toyota Tundra, 4% of the model year's 1,011 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Tundra steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.