2003 Toyota Tundra Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2003 Toyota Tundra, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 108,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “ball joint” (21% of reports).
- 63suspension complaints
- 108,000median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ball joint: mentioned in 13 of 63 complaints (21%)
- Spare tire: mentioned in 7 of 63 complaints (11%)
- Frame corrosion: mentioned in 5 of 63 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 40 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 63 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Toyota Tundra suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tundra | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2025 Tundra | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Tundra | 7 | 2% | — |
| 2023 Tundra | 7 | 2% | 27,142 |
| 2022 Tundra | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Tundra | 2 | 4% | 15 |
| 2019 Tundra | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2017 Tundra | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2016 Tundra | 3 | 3% | 8,500 |
| 2014 Tundra | 3 | 3% | 2,118 |
| 2013 Tundra | 3 | 4% | 34,000 |
| 2012 Tundra | 4 | 3% | 90,627 |
| 2011 Tundra | 5 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 2010 Tundra | 31 | 19% | 87,000 |
| 2009 Tundra | 2 | 5% | 35,989 |
| 2008 Tundra | 29 | 9% | 1,000 |
| 2007 Tundra | 57 | 15% | 1,800 |
| 2006 Tundra | 91 | 17% | 116,000 |
| 2005 Tundra | 76 | 20% | 118,000 |
| 2004 Tundra | 152 | 33% | 88,733 |
| 2003 Tundra | 63 | 16% | 108,000 |
| 2002 Tundra | 81 | 17% | 110,000 |
| 2001 Tundra | 84 | 20% | 132,000 |
| 2000 Tundra | 100 | 10% | 124,302 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The frame was undercoated incorrectly and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive. Very clearly was not undercoated correctly as there is areas in the frame that have no signs of undercoating. This is putting the driver of the vehicle at risk as well as the other drivers on the road. This…
The frame was not professionally undercoated and is actively falling apart. Super unsafe to drive.
I need to have rear shock replaced. They found that the bracket holder rusted thru . Shock was fine . The Rear frame corrosion and separation, spare tire frame corrosion is really bad. I have had this truck since 2004 . I absolutely love my truck. I am deeply saddened that all the care I took still…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Toyota Tundras have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about suspension for the 2003 Toyota Tundra (16% of the 399 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Toyota Tundra suspension?
Yes: 1 safety recall list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 108,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2003 Toyota Tundra?
The most frequent phrase is “ball joint”, in 13 of 63 complaints, followed by “spare tire” (7).
Other 2003 Toyota Tundra problems
- Structure problems (150)
- Air Bags problems (86)
See all 2003 Toyota Tundra problems or suspension problems across all Tundra years.