Toyota Tundra Structure Problems
Owners have filed 1,730 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Toyota Tundra across 28 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (529). The words owners use most often: “frame rust” (11% of reports).
- 1,730structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%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.
- Frame rust: mentioned in 198 of 1,730 complaints (11%)
- Spare tire: mentioned in 182 of 1,730 complaints (11%)
- Cross member: mentioned in 114 of 1,730 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Toyota Tundra at $4,150, and half of them between $1,150 and $12,150.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 1,237 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,730 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 17 an injury.
Toyota Tundra structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tundra | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2025 Tundra | 7 | 5% | 1,300 |
| 2024 Tundra | 6 | 2% | — |
| 2023 Tundra | 9 | 2% | 57,000 |
| 2022 Tundra | 17 | 4% | 28,321 |
| 2021 Tundra | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2020 Tundra | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2019 Tundra | 4 | 5% | 2,000 |
| 2018 Tundra | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2017 Tundra | 2 | 3% | 4,800 |
| 2016 Tundra | 21 | 18% | 16,000 |
| 2015 Tundra | 3 | 6% | 25,000 |
| 2014 Tundra | 14 | 15% | 9,400 |
| 2013 Tundra | 7 | 8% | 11,450 |
| 2012 Tundra | 11 | 7% | 42,600 |
| 2011 Tundra | 11 | 8% | 75,000 |
| 2010 Tundra | 25 | 15% | 74,300 |
| 2009 Tundra | 1 | 3% | 38,794 |
| 2008 Tundra | 56 | 17% | 76,000 |
| 2007 Tundra | 61 | 16% | 76,000 |
| 2006 Tundra | 169 | 31% | 120,000 |
| 2005 Tundra | 91 | 24% | 126,635 |
| 2004 Tundra | 200 | 43% | 110,280 |
| 2003 Tundra | 150 | 38% | 113,466 |
| 2002 Tundra | 154 | 32% | 121,000 |
| 2001 Tundra | 171 | 41% | 111,320 |
| 2000 Tundra | 529 | 52% | 110,368 |
| 1999 Tundra | 1 | 100% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Structure:body
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles that may be equipped with a Toyota genuine accessory tonneau cover. The tonneau cover attachment joints may come loose and allow the cover to detach.
Risk: A tonneau cover that detaches while driving can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer. Dealer will install new hardware (bolts, spacers, washers, nuts, rubber washers and cotter pins) to the existing bracket and tonneau cover. If the tonneau cover has tears or splits at the mounting holes to the extent that new hardware cannot be installed, it will be replaced with a new tonneau cover and hardware. Owners will receive a notice once the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB03/23TA03.
Structure:body:bumpers
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles equipped with a resin rear step bumper and resin reinforcement brackets (vehicles with chrome step bumpers are not affected). In the event of an impact to the corner of the bumper, the resin bracket may be damaged but not be noticed.
Risk: If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of the bumper may break away, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones, and replace the rear bumper tread, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0C.
Structure:frame and members:underbody shields
Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: Toyota is recalling model year 2000-2003 tundra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. Excessive corrosion of the rear cross member may cause the separation of the spare tire stowed under the truck bed which would present a road hazard that could cause a crash. Also, corrosion of the rear cross member could affect the rear brake lines and the proportioning valve resulting in diminished braking capability.
Risk: Separation of the spare tire and diminished brake capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota is asking owners of the affected vehicles to remove the spare tire from under the vehicle until a remedy can be obtained. Dealers will inspect the rear cross member and related components, including the brake lines, and replace them if necessary. If the cross member does not need to be replaced, it will be sprayed with a corrosion protection compound. These services will be performed free of charge, however multiple visits to the dealer may be required. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about april 30, 2010. Owner 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.
On 06/02/2026, at approximately 20,000 miles, the driver's front interior door handle on my 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro failed. An internal component connecting the handle to the latch mechanism broke, and the door could not be opened from inside. I was unable to exit the vehicle through the…
My 2005 Toyota Tundra 4x4 Toyotaâs frame is completely rusted out, with large rust holes in the frame. At 88,000 miles & is unsafe to drive. Many other people who have the same make and model are having the same problems. Toyota had a recall on the frame but I missed it as I have had a heart…
The passenger door handle was recently replaced. Inside door handle assembly broke and the passenger was unable to open the door from the inside. Now the driver door handle assembly just broke and I was unable to open the door from the inside. The inability to exit the vehicle from the inside…
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, Auto Start/Stop, and another unknown warning light illuminated. The message "Grill Shutter Malfunction Low Voltage" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that…
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the underbody frame appeared to be rusted. The vehicle was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Tundras have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,730 owner complaints about structure for the Toyota Tundra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Tundra structure?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Toyota Tundra?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,150 (half paid between $1,150 and $12,150), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Toyota Tundra?
The most frequent phrase is “frame rust”, in 198 of 1,730 complaints, followed by “spare tire” (182).
Other Toyota Tundra problems
- Engine problems (820)
- Suspension problems (814)
- Power Train problems (804)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (555)
- Air Bags problems (494)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (462)
- Electrical System problems (456)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (414)
See all Toyota Tundra problems.