Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
On the day of the malfunction, I had stopped at a red light. In my home town, after a 60 mile trip to ri. The engine died. Repeatedly 3 or 4 times with the lever in park, I would start my 2001 Toyota Tundra. Engaging the lever, the engine would die. Vehicle towed to dealer, who informed me the transmission was no good. 72,110 registered on odometer. 4 weeks previous to that date, I had difficulty shifting the lever. Dealer inspected said lever, could find nothing wrong and they adjusted linkage and lubricated. Now they tell me I need an entirely new factory rebuilt transmission and they charged me 2/3 of cost (I paid approximately $2,000) because they said I was a "good customer" and it was no longer under warranty according to them. Have since found out that there have been numerous malfunctions with transmissions for no reason in tundras and sequoias using the same trans. …
While driving my 2001 Toyota Tundra a leak developed from the rear differential spraying gear oil onto the road and vehicle behind me .I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic for repair .I believed that it would probably be a 2 yrs 3 hundred dollar repair for a seal or gasket but was informed that the rear housing cover had rusted thru and that because of the design the only way to repair it is to replace the entire rear axle housing at a cost of a little over $ 2,000 . The vehicle is in very good condition and there is not even rust on any of the fenders . I contacted the Toyota customer experience hotline and explained the problem to both the first person I spoke with and then the follow up with a case manager . …
The Toyota safety recall work done in 2012 to treated my vehicles frame to prevent rust perforation has failed. During nh state inspection areas where the frame had rusted through were identified. These areas had been treated under Toyota's guidance and at their expense. Due to frame rust perforation, and rust issues identified below my vehicle would not pass inspection. Toyota of portsmouth, where the initial recall work was initiated, and Toyota motor sales have both denied to remedy this situation. Many other 2001 Toyota Tundra owners were provided complete frame replacements. I was provided with a rust treatment that has failed to correct this safety issue. …
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. …
1. Driving in town traffic. While stopping at an intersection with stop sign. Started to drive through intersection and herd and felt clunking and grinding, including jerking of the truck. The truck would not drive. Had to get out of truck and push by hand to the side of road. Called aaa to have vehicle towed to valley-hi Toyota. 2. Dealeship stated that it would be $78.00 to check the transmission and give me a repair estimate. I received a call 3 hours later and was told that my transmission blew up and it was toast. I asked what was done to diagnose the problem and could not get a clear answer. The dealer stated that my warranty was up at 60,000 and I had 67.000 miles. They also told me that it could not be determined what was wrong unless they removed the transmission, which would cost more. …
On 3/15/07 the automatic transmission shifter lever in my 2001 Toyota Tundra sr5 broke off as I shifted it from park to drive. The complete failure of my Tundra's automatic transmission shifter lever appears to be the result of either a defective component or an assembly error since failures of this type are unheard of. Notwithstanding the 101,904 miles on my Tundra, component failures of this type should never happen during normal usage regardless of vehicle mileage. This is no different than expecting that the steering wheel should never break off. Had this incident happened had I been downshifting on a steep incline, the results could have been deadly. I have since paid to have the automatic transmission shifter lever and shifter pivot for my Tundra replaced by a Toyota dealer.
Just like another consumer listed I too had a failed transmission. The cost to repair was around $3,100.00. A barely 4 yr old truck should not have lost a transmission already. We own a 1970 model chev p/u that has never had a transmission. The quality of Toyota has not stood up to the cost of the "better" manufactured vehicle. I am truly disapointed in the quality, one of the handles in the back has stripped out and is about to fall off, the back dirver's window lock has broken and flops in the wind when the window is open. I am also experiencing the very same brake shutter has other consumers and I just paid for a $450.00 brake job with new rotors and pads and still have the shutter. Now after reading these other reports I am concerned about reliability of my truck.
Driving in fast lane on hwy, every time I accelerated there was a funny noise proceeded to get louder, started making my way to the shoulder, gradually lost power and then felt a "snap" when I got to the shoulder. Called for a tow and sat on the shoulder of the road where two highways merge for 45 min. At 8:00 pm on a sat. Night in the middle of a really bad rain storm. Very unsafe conditions! Towed truck to a garage, they recommended a transmission shop. Had it towed to the transmission shop and they told me the od planetary gear was bad in the transmission and it had destroyed the entire thing. My transmission was rebuilt, $3000 later, + $300 car rental, + one day off work.
My 2001 Tundra, v-6, sr5 access cab truck turned 105,000 miles recently. My transmission started shifting very hard one day. I took the truck and had the transmission fluid changed and it seem to get better for a while, then the overdrive began to make a roar when it would engage. Shifting between gears 1-3 works fine, but when overdrive kicks in, the noise and vibrations occur. I took my truck to multiple transmission repair shops and got the same message. They have seen this issue with Toyota trucks (Tundra/sequoia) around 100,000 miles, where the overdrive slips and a bearing must be changed in the transmission, requiring an overhaul.
The vehicle was recalled for corrosion ,frame .cross member and gas tank straps were replaced in August 2012 03/16/2014 the gas tank leaked approx. 15 gallons of gas in my attached garage the gas tank was perforated in three spot underneath the new tank straps this vehicle has 85000 miles on it and I believe this issue could have been resolved without endangering people in this manner. Also now the rear differential housing is corroded so bad it is leaking gear oil in several places and I am afraid of catastrophic failure.
Transmission complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Toyota Tundra, 7% of the model year's 415 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Tundra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.