Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, the ABS electronic control module melted onto the floor. The garage was filled with grey smoke, ash, and soot. The mechanic stated that an electrical short occurred and the ABS electronic control module's power unit remains operational when the engine is shut off. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The ABS control module will be replaced and the wiring harness May also need to be replaced. The washer fluid bottle tubes were damaged. The current and failure mileages were 82,300.
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. Updated 03/29/10 pictures received 10/05/10.
Purchased truck new in 2001. Excessive front brake pad wear out since new 6,000 to 10,000 miles per set. Noticed a looseness in front end early on and progressively worse as time went on including wobbling and lurching while braking. At 36,000 + miles Toyota replaced complete front and rear brake system with a heaver duty system at no cost. Front end still felt loose. At 52,000 miles dealer repalced front rotors and second set of pads since system up date at my expense. Still the front end felt loose. At 76,000 miles f/l wheel assemble breaks off the truck while driving over a small speed bump at less then 10 MPH damaging fender and door. A Toyota dealer fixed the truck. The front end still feels loose and the dealer will not check or work on the truck because I filed a complaint with the bureau of auto repair. …
I bought my 2001 Toyota Tundra in febuary of 2005. When ide bought the brakes where in good shape. After just 3 months of driving my truck started shaking violently when applying the brakes at higher speeds (30-55mph). I took it to a mechanic and he said that the brakes were shot and that the rotors were in need of turning. I proceeded with the repairs and was back on the road again till two nights ago. My family and I were coming home after sunset when a cow darted out in the middle of the road. I acted quickly and veired only to find that the brakes didnt work causing me to loose control of my truck. I was able to regain control by knowing the proper procedures from a defensive driving course ide taken when my occupation was as a firefighter but I still came in contact with the animal in the road due to the brake failure. …
Toyota Tundra brake issue. My truck brakes start to pulse at all speed while attempting to stop. I have inside the last two years replaces three sets of front brake pads and rotors. This is particularly frightening while apply the brakes exiting the freeway on wet roads the brakes don't seem to want to stop the truck in a straight line and the front end has a tendency to jump and drift to one side of the road. I have made several attempts my self having the brakes repaired by qualified mechanic and even to blame the brakes on one mechanic that he did not know what he was doing I have since found that he did know what he was doing he just did knot know about the Toyota Tundra brake issue history as I did not know as well till now. Each time the mechanic blamed it on the driving habits. …
I purchased this vehicle new in 2000 and had the entire unit undercoated for rust protection and sound proofing. The truck has been garaged since new and since I travel for business has low mileage. This is my personal vehicle not a work truck. As time went on I began noticing the rust under the chassis and then I received a recall notice for the spare tire bracket. I found out later that Toyota used the spare tire recall to understand the magnitude of the chassis rust problem. A short time later I received the recall for the chassis exchange. When I picked up the truck there was something wrong with the steering, the wheel did not return to straight after a turn. I complained that night and was told it was normal. After a few hindered miles the linkage was worn and had to be replaced. My mechanic told me the cab was not aligned to the rack when they changed the chassis. …
2001 Toyota Tundra complaint: while I was driving in the city all of a sudden I lost 90% of my braking ability. After pulling over to the side and inspecting my front brakes I notice my left driver's side had fluid on the road and tire. Limping it home and on farther inspection the bracket that supports the flex line from the frame to bracket and the ridged line from the bracket to the brake caliper was rusted off, this caused the ridged line to fracture. After purchasing a new bracket I than needed to look at the passenger side to see exactly how to mount the new bracket, to my surprise the passenger side bracket was also rusted off. I am sure it would have been a short period of time before I loss my brakes again had I not inspected the passenger side. …
I recently bought a ?certified used? 2001 Toyota Tundra and purchased the extended warranty. Within a few months, the truck brakes started acting funky. I took it to the dealership for routine oil change, mentioned the problem, and they said they would adjust the brakes. This helped it brakes for a few more months. The brakes started to get worse and would vibrate the entire truck when braking. I did an internet search and learned of a TSB for Toyota Tundra braking problem where Toyota recognized that the brake calipers were undersized for the truck. I took the truck to the dealer and the warranty covered replacement of the brake calipers and other components, but would not cover the rotors that were damaged by their factory defective braking calipers. …
The 1st generation Toyota Tundra's are rust buckets. I own a 2001 Toyota Tundra w/ approx 101,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the local authorized dealer for repairs under recall: 09V444000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields). The vehicle is being repaired (frame is being replaced). But the dealer also informed me that the steering rack and hose connections are rotted out and in need of replacement -> $1300. Additionally, the dealer informed me that the rear e-brake pivots are rusted/frozen and will also need replacing ->> $450. In a nutshell, the frame, the steering and the brakes are all rusted out - it appears that safety was an afterthought. I feel that Toyota corporation is negligent and that consumers are left holding the bag for poorly engineered products that are prone to early rust-out. …
Brake complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 116 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Toyota Tundra, 28% of the model year's 415 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Tundra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Toyota Tundra, though it has 2 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 2001 Toyota Tundra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.