Had a recall phone call not a letter. brought in the truck 03 Tundra Stepside. After the replacement of the lower ball joint, going over bumps, there was this clunking noise. Took the truck back in the next day and they said that a bolt was loose (lower ball joint) They rechecked the front and realign the truck again. But still have this noise coming from the driverside floor. Called and took the truck back the 3rd time and finally they tighten the frame bushing under the driver and passanger side and took the truck for a test drive, so far it seems OK.
I too am a bit disheartened that my first Toyota, also a 2003 Tundra stepside 4X4, wasn't the jewel of perfection that I'd been led to believe by all the hype, and from owners, not just the magazines and such. But...
I've owned Ford and GMC, and through close friends might as well have owned their Dodge's especially since I was the one that gave the ride to and from the dealerships when their trucks were towed in...and when I compare the relatively small problems I have on my Toyota compared to what my friends and I have had on their domestic trucks (yep, even the diesel ones!), I'll hold on to this Toyota for a long time.
Yeah it sucks that Toyota went with crap springs on a $33,000 truck and even worse that they did absolutely nothing to aleviate the issue under warranty. But $350 and 4 hours later, I have air suspension that takes care of it and now I have no mechanical issues (knock on wood).
MCjava, if you have the fender flares on your stepside, wait until your mudflaps break off...you'll be real happy when you find out how much the replacement ones are, nearly $100 EACH. And if they mudflap hasn't broken off, it will. Guaranteed. Very poor design and quality. Shame on Toyota here also.
After trading trucks for a couple days with my buddy, I do think that Nissan's Titan is a better truck than the Tundra. It wasn't at first, with their own front brake issues (you'd think they would have learned from Toyota's mistakes), but if my Tundra was totalled today, I would be driving home a Titan. Look at the obvious: bigger engine with more power YET has better fuel economy, no timing belt to EVER have to worry about, and Nissan builds one heck of reliable engine. I couldn't care less about looks as long as the function is top notch. I do have to admit that the Tundra does have more eye appeal. What's better though, a gorgeous gal that doesn't perform, or a homlier gal that is just plain naughty!
__________________ 2003 Tundra SR5 Access Cab 4X4 Stepside V8
Only additions: Waterproof seat covers, Westin nerf bars, Colgan sport bra
REMOVED: Formfit hood deflector. Loved the look but a clip went missing. Can't find one for sale without the $45 hardware kit!
Mods: 12V outlet relay "fix" to have power when ignition switch is off.
Gripes: Weak leaf springs that Toyota doesn't want to warranty, paper-thin paint, interference design motor, crappy rear mud guards that cost $78 each (local dealer wanted $100) and only last 25k miles. Front mudguards built differently! (better)
After trading trucks for a couple days with my buddy, I do think that Nissan's Titan is a better truck than the Tundra. It wasn't at first, with their own front brake issues (you'd think they would have learned from Toyota's mistakes), but if my Tundra was totalled today, I would be driving home a Titan. Look at the obvious: bigger engine with more power YET has better fuel economy, no timing belt to EVER have to worry about, and Nissan builds one heck of reliable engine. I couldn't care less about looks as long as the function is top notch. I do have to admit that the Tundra does have more eye appeal. What's better though, a gorgeous gal that doesn't perform, or a homlier gal that is just plain naughty!
The Titan has been a nightmare for all of the owners I've talked to, including a couple close friends. It's not just the front brakes, or rear differentials blowing up left and right... it's the whole overall feel and build quality of the truck. The engine is bulletproof (basically every engine is nowadays), and the tranny is just like every other full-size truck tranny (it goes out at about 70k to 100k), but everything else around the drivetrain just screams poor quality... TO ME. My Tundra is still solid with no rattles at 35k, and my buddy's Titan has plenty of noises and issues at 12k.
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The beatings will continue until morale improves.
The titan is the pits everything Ive read shows this (titantalk.com)
rear ends are so bad, the spider gears grenade and they are having True Track LSD put in at around $700 a pop so they wont grenade. looks like a mini van up front, hrs power not that hi up, Dodge has way more, if you want power dodge has fewer problems and looks better IMHO.
My tundra is 5 years in Nov has 31k, actual uncovered repairs $125 for downstream 02 sensor, thats it other than the brake shudder that was fixed under warranty Ive had no issues to speak of.
One thing tho because of the break issues, this vehicle has spent more time at the dealer than all my old domestic cars combined, shame on Toyota for that.
It's funny how people have such different takes on the same subject, and not to say that everyone's perspective isn't absolutely correct from just that, their perspective.
I guess what I'm saying is that my Tundra, as much as I love it at times, isn't the truck Toyota could have built for this amount of money. IF they had covered the springs, which were obviously bad to the dealer (understand that they were batting for me and that I listened to several phone calls made to Toyota corp while I was in the office, on speakerphone no less!) I would have one less gripe except for the obvious: Why would a "quality" company like toyota put such crap on their TOP truck? A truck that MSRP'd for $33,000 no less! In Texas, you can still buy land and a trailer for less than this! (to put it in perspective for those out of state).
I do know the Titan has had it's share of issues. It's only been out 3 model years now. My truck still had brake issues and it was an '03! Look how long Toyota took to figure that out (as far as we know anyway). I've heard of plenty of toyota tranny's grenading as well as a host of other issues.
I'm just glad there is some competition out there. I've owned several Nissan's before (and I still have a hard body) and they do build quality machines, although far from perfect, but then again, they were always MUCH less than the comparable Toyota. Now the Titan and Tundra are pretty much the same price when you compare the same equipment.
All I can say is that this is, sadly, my last Tundra, based on my experience. I'm watching my buddy's truck like a hawk. So far, he has a better truck than I do. And I don't see anything Toyota's done with their newer trucks to sway me back. You don't know how much this pains me to say this. But it's the truth.
__________________ 2003 Tundra SR5 Access Cab 4X4 Stepside V8
Only additions: Waterproof seat covers, Westin nerf bars, Colgan sport bra
REMOVED: Formfit hood deflector. Loved the look but a clip went missing. Can't find one for sale without the $45 hardware kit!
Mods: 12V outlet relay "fix" to have power when ignition switch is off.
Gripes: Weak leaf springs that Toyota doesn't want to warranty, paper-thin paint, interference design motor, crappy rear mud guards that cost $78 each (local dealer wanted $100) and only last 25k miles. Front mudguards built differently! (better)
Any excessive wear or looseness in the joint could force drivers to exert more effort when steering, allow the vehicle to drift and increase the amount of noise from the suspension.
the second generation dodge ram has always had this problem and so do the new dakotas but you won't here a peep out of them unless the NTSHA makes them do it.
I worked for Toyota for almost 15 years and since 1980 have owned nothing but Toyotas up until the last year. I lost a little respect for Toyota when their solution to fix the first V-8 Super Charger recall was to De-Tune the Super Charger instead of beef up the rear end…(The first ones put out too much torque and it was grenadeing rear ends)... It was very unlike Toyota to leave inadequacy built into their product... This year I bought my first non-Toyota product. We traded my wife’s 03 Sienna in for an 05 Honda Odyssey. The Sienna also did not have the same durability I had experienced in the past. I am meticulous about service and it is disappointing when things fail because of quality.
This is my fourth Toyota truck (88-8100 Base truck, 03 X-cab 4x4 Tacoma, 04 X-cab 4x4 Tundra and now my 06 4x2 DC Tundra) I never had any complaints until I had a Tundra. Don't get me wrong I still loved and love my truck, but it is a light duty vehicle. If you pull anything of significance it wipes out Tranny’s and Rotor’s and the Super Charger thing really ate at my craw.
My problem then and now with the Tundra (04) and now with my (06) is Toyota still has not built a solid platform to really compete with Ford, Dodge and Chevy in the full size arena (by the way I would never buy either a Chevy, GMC, Dodge or Ford... car or truck).
I really hope this is changed in the 07 Tundra… but at this point with my recent experience I would not be Toyota’s Guiney Pig for the new truck, they have had way too many problems with initial launches.
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The only one we have to impress doesn't live here...
All of us are;"Just Here for Him"†.
I worked for Toyota for almost 15 years and since 1980 have owned nothing but Toyotas up until the last year. I lost a little respect for Toyota when their solution to fix the first V-8 Super Charger recall was to De-Tune the Super Charger instead of beef up the rear end…(The first ones put out too much torque and it was grenadeing rear ends)... It was very unlike Toyota to leave inadequacy built into their product... This year I bought my first non-Toyota product. We traded my wife’s 03 Sienna in for an 05 Honda Odyssey. The Sienna also did not have the same durability I had experienced in the past. I am meticulous about service and it is disappointing when things fail because of quality.
This is my fourth Toyota truck (88-8100 Base truck, 03 X-cab 4x4 Tacoma, 04 X-cab 4x4 Tundra and now my 06 4x2 DC Tundra) I never had any complaints until I had a Tundra. Don't get me wrong I still loved and love my truck, but it is a light duty vehicle. If you pull anything of significance it wipes out Tranny’s and Rotor’s and the Super Charger thing really ate at my craw.
My problem then and now with the Tundra (04) and now with my (06) is Toyota still has not built a solid platform to really compete with Ford, Dodge and Chevy in the full size arena (by the way I would never buy either a Chevy, GMC, Dodge or Ford... car or truck).
I really hope this is changed in the 07 Tundra… but at this point with my recent experience I would not be Toyota’s Guiney Pig for the new truck, they have had way too many problems with initial launches.
Indeed your right I had a new 2000 Tundra and I'm sure your aware about the brake issues on the first Gen Tundra and many people do know. The overall problems with Toyota on the first gen Tundra was using brake part's from the Tacoma to save Money and they caused a problem because the Tundra was much larger of a truck and it result's on pre mature warping and others issues which got on my nerves. Overall Yes I too still Love Toyota Quality But I wouldn't get the New 07 Tundra either based on the pr-oven facts it's best to wait till Toyota get's it right..I will say this Toyota will take care of there customer's but having a huge Issue with a few dishonest Toyota dealerships I would expect a better service coming from Dealership levels rather then me calling Corp and filling a complaint on each and every one that has cocky attitude.When Dealership don't take into account these problems are flawed parts and puts the blame on there customer's I'll tell them where to go. Dealership around my area don't take the time to listen and communicate effectively and there are a few dealerships I trust But One in general I wouldn't waste my time on.
More recall woes for Toyota. The company's Tundra pickup may have its second recall in two years, pending the results of an NHTSA investigation into more suspension part failures.
In 2005, Toyota recalled 775,000 Tundra and Tacoma pickups, and the Sequoia and 4Runner SUVs because of ball joint problems that could lead to suspension failure. The current investigation is taking a new look at continued complaints of suspension problems with 2003 and 2004 Tundras.
The NHTSA has 142 incidents of ball joint failure on file, with two-thirds of the failures occuring on four-wheel drive models.
When you know your vehicle is under a recall, you don't have to wait to receive the notice. Your local dealership knows all about it and doesn't need a recall slip to do the work.
What about the steering relay rods recall? Toyota recalls 1 million trucks over flawed parts - 9/8/05
My son was driving our 1991 Toyota King Cab when the rod BROKE and left him with NO STEERING WHATSOEVER!! Then Big O Tires replaced it with a USED rod!! As soon as the recall was announced, we had it replaced again with a new part, and took my 1991 4-Runner in for the same fix. Now THIS is a hairy situation. I am amazed no one was killed, but maybe someone was? I still love my Toyotas, just have to keep them maintained properly. Regards, MAE
I have an 04 Tundra, have had upper control arms on both sides change, I think three times on one side, two on the other, and ball joints. I find I get a vibration at about 70 mph.
At first they replaced it as normal warranty, the dealer said it wasn't a recall issue, and now its just the warranty on the part because I've exceeded the miles for warranty.
I have an 04 Tundra, have had upper control arms on both sides change, I think three times on one side, two on the other, and ball joints. I find I get a vibration at about 70 mph.
At first they replaced it as normal warranty, the dealer said it wasn't a recall issue, and now its just the warranty on the part because I've exceeded the miles for warranty.
I never heard of upper control arms ever having a problem, the recall is for the lower ball joints only, three times i would find another dealer, one that knows how to fix it.
I never received a recall notice. When I took my 2003 Tundra in for service the advisor told me that it would need to be done.
IN HAWAII THEY OPENED UP A SEPERATE SERVICE CENTER JUST FOR RECALLS.I REALLY BROUGHT BACK MY TRUCK 5 TIMES. AFTER REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS THE TRUCK MADE THIS THUMPING NOISES GOING OVER BUMPS, TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE LOWER BALL JOINT. (REPLACED) TOOK IT HOME AND SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK AND SAID THAT THE BOLT TO THE BODY FRAME WAS LOOSE, THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLT, BUT STILL THE SAME NOISE. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN , AND THEY CHECKED THE BODY BOLT AGAIN AND WHEN THRY WERE TIGHTENING THE BOLT THE BOLT SNAPPED. SO THEY HAD TO LOOK FOR A SAME BOLT, WHILE THE BOLT IS BACK ORDERED FROM TOYOTA.BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY PUT THE NEW BOLT IN AND SEEMS OK NOW..MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COVERED THE SERVICE.
I have a 2001 Tundra and the only problems I have had are the two back O-2 sensors. (covered under waranty) Wife has a rural mail route with 90 miles of dit roads she drives every day. She has had four Tacomas with over 750,000 miles between them and aside from oil changes, plugs, etc. no problems.
Re: Safety Recall!
Re: Safety Recall!
You don't know how much this pains me to say this. But it's the truth.
Re: Safety Recall!
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