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 2003 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame has failed by rusting through and continues to the brake line. It is available for inspection. The truck is no longer safe to drive due to the rust and brake issues. The truck frame could have failed in traffic causing harm to myself and other drivers. The problem has been confirmed by Yingling's in Topeka, KS, Lewis Toyota in Topeka and Crown Toyota in Lawrence, KS. They have all done inspections of the truck frame. The problem first appeared when it was taken to Yinglings in 2018 to replace the muffler.
I took my 2003 Tundra to a transmission repair shop, independent, to have the rear differential evaluated due to crunching sound which occurred when taking off from a stop and leaking of fluid due to corrosion on housing. The shop called me that day two hours later and informed me that my frame was completely rusted out near the front of the vehicle on both sides making it unsafe to drive and not worth proceeding in any repairs of the rear differential at this point. They contacted the nearest dealership which told them that the frame perforation recall, NHTSA # 09V444 had expired 7/31/2015 six days prior. I was instructed to call Toyota, which I did. The lady informed me that the recall was still ongoing. I took the Tundra to that same dealership for them to inspect the frame. The next day they call me and inform me that I need to contact Toyota again myself. …
The rear differential housing of the truck is rusted through and leaking gear lube, if it goes unnoticed the rear differential could lock up causing the rear wheels to lock up and cause a crash. This a very common issue with the 2000-2003 tundras and is very unsafe, there is no reason the rear differential housing should rust through this quick, 30 year old trucks do have this issue but a whole lot of Toyota trucks do, if you do a search on google for rusted through differentials its all Toyota trucks, and its not just a differential cover its the entire housing, I would not be writing this if it had a cover I would have replaced it in an hour and called it a day. The frame of the truck was already replaced because it rusted through and now the differential housing is rusted through due to substandard materials used in its construction. …
Steering column shift bracket broke in 3 places when trying to shift from park to drive, making shifting impossible. See pictures from 2 of 3 fracture locations, 3rd fracture is at an attachment screw (not shown). This is cause by an underdesigned part made of inferior cast aluminum. There are thousands of reports of this problem on tundras and other Toyota models with same defective bracket. This dangerous defect must be recalled and fixed by Toyota with a redesigned part.
Steering column shift bracket broke in 3 places when trying to shift from park to drive, making shifting impossible. See pictures from 2 of 3 fracture locations, 3rd fracture is at an attachment screw (not shown). This is cause by an punderdesigned part made of inferior cast aluminum. There are thousands of reports of this problem on tundras and other Toyota models with same defective bracket. This dangerous defect must be recalled and fixed by Toyota with a redesigned part.
2003 Toyota Tundra front end making a severe grinding, squeaking, and knocking noise. The cv axle boots are destroyed and seems like the wheel bearings and hub is going out quickly as well. Also have transmission leakage and noise when turning. Vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it.
Bad frame rust bad suspension rust bad differential rust bad spare tire rust.if rust condition gets worse the possibility of suspension failure is very real.some of these models need to be recalled or bought back before there is injury or death.
2003 Toyota Tundra, (4wd) VIN 5tbbt44143s36074 there is a very obvious vibration and humming noise coming from the front transfer case / differential. This causes a slight reduction ins speed and / or resistance to acceleration. The problem is most noticeable between 30 ~ 40 MPH in colder weather, but is present at all speeds and weather conditions. The problem has been present since purchasing the vehicle as new, and is becoming progressively worse. Toyota recognizes and acknowledges that there is a defect with some of the 2003 thunders and squish (documented in service report for this vehicle). It was describe to me by two Toyota service managers and a Toyota technical assistance representative as resulting from the fit / mesh tolerance of some gears in the front gear case being too tight. …
I own a 2003 Toyota Tundra. It currently has 101,200 miles on it. I purchased it brand new and when I reached 15,000 miles the shift column to the right of the steering wheel snapped off in my hand. I brought it to the dealer that I bought it and it took them three weeks to fix because they claimed not to have a tool needed to reassemble the various parts of the column. At approximately 39,000 miles the column again snapped off during normal operation. This time I took it to another Toyota dealer because I had no confidence in the original one that fixed it. I had to argue with the new dealer over covering the repair under warranty which they did eventually do. Once again the second dealer had the vehicle nearly 3 weeks and once again they cited the lack of the appropriate tool to reassemble the column. They actually said they had to fabricate a tool to make the repair. …
I am a retired Toyota master diagnostic technician. As I was replacing my rear brake lines on my 2003 Tundra-with 79,962 miles, I saw a fluid leak under rear of vehicle. Upon inspection I found the rear differential housing has rusted so badly that the gear oil is leaking through the housing. Unfortunately the only remedy is the replacement of the complete rear axle/differential assembly. The frame has already been replaced-under recall. The rear brake lines have rusted through which had to be replaced- at my expense. Also the power steering lines have also rusted through which also had to be replaced- at my expense. It is obvious that the material that was used is of very low quality causing very dangerous situations.ie; loss of vehicle control due to differential lock-up, loss of vehicle braking due to rapid fluid loss, loss of vehicle steering control due to rapid fluid loss. …
Transmission complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota Tundra, 9% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is driveline (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Tundra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Toyota Tundra, though it has 7 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 2003 Toyota Tundra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 19% 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.