2000 Toyota Tundra: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 1,011 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (47% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,011 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with upper and lower ball joints failure. The contact was informed that the upper and lower ball joints and the axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2026
“2000 toyota tundra SR5 4door 4.7 liter V8. Sunroof glass blew off on freeway at 65mph almost hit car behind me. No police report, no person injured. November 3, 2025.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2025
“Excessive frame rust that is quickly progressing despite efforts to remedy. There was a recall due to this issue but I was told a few years ago by Toyota that my VIN was not covered. All the 2000 Tundra's have this issue with the frame rust but I was told I am not in the north east and would not be covered.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The brackets supporting the right rear brake line were severely rusted and failed. The brake line cracked at the juncture of the wheel cylinder attachment nut. Subsequently,there was a total loss of braking action on all wheels. The dual cylinder master cylinder failed to actuate the front brakes.THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. The emergency brake had to be deployed in order to stop the vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2025
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and hauling a boat, the subframe nearby the transmission cross member detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact was able to inspect the vehicle and became aware of severe rust on the subframe with several areas where the subframe had rusted through and had holes. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2025
“Frame of the vehicle is starting to rust, clear coat paint is wearing off and is starting to chip with small spots of rust on the roof and hood, lower ball joint failure due to corrosion and degraded components. Unknown why the lower ball joint failed. Vehicle is not in the rust belt but definitely experiences corrosion and suspension issues.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2024
“Frame of truck rusting apart Rust problem identified by independent dealer. I was told by repair shop that the frame could twist apart at any moment.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2024
“When I drive my vehicle it is difficult to apply the brakes on it and I feel like if I press too hard (which might be necessary if I need to suddenly stop) that the brakes might break or fail somehow. I have also noticed that underneath my truck, the frame is rotting out in certain areas and the leafs (steel long plates near the rear of the vehicle) is bending out of shape. There is a clanking noise near the front of the vehicle that concerns me as well when I pass through a small bump.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon investigation, he became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the frame to be replaced due to corrosion. The dealer informed the contact several unknown components needed to be repaired before the recall repair could be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2023
“Badly rusted frame. Possibly eligible for recall (Toyota BXD, NHTSA #09V444). Mechanic noticed it and deemed it unsafe to drive. He contacted local dealer who declined to fix it. I contacted Toyota support and was told recall was expired. Need to know if I have any recourse.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 39 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/STEEL WHEEL IS NOT PART OF THE UPGRADE AND WAS NOT CHANGED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: THIS RECALL IS FOR TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS OR FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THE CONNECTORS INTEGRATE THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WITH THOSE EQUIPPED ON THE TRAILER, ARE DEFECTIVE. AFFECTED PART NUMBERS ARE: PT207-34000, PT207-34002, PT207-04981, AND PT214-04985. IN THE TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE CIRCUITRY UTILIZED IN THE CONVERTER WAS INADEQUATE TO PROPERLY MANAGE VEHICLE AND/OR TRAILER-SIDE VOLTAGE SPIKES. IF THE CONVERTER IS EXPOSED TO A VOLTAGE SPIKE, IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT WITHIN THE CONVERTER. IN THE TACOMA VEHICLES, DUE TO DEFICIENT WATERPROOFING AND IMPROPER INSTALLATION LOCATION OF THE CONVERTER, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE CAVITY OF THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT WILL OCCUR IF WATER ENTERS THE CONVERTER HOUSING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tundra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota Tundra reliable?
NHTSA has 1,011 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota Tundra. The most complained-about area is structure (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Tundra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota Tundra have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members:underbody shields. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.