Consumer Complaint Detail

TOYOTA / TUNDRA / 2003

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 003244858 Incident Date: Nov, 09 2003
Consumer's City: LEXINGTON Consumer's State: KY
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Model Name: TUNDRA Model Year: 2003
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 5TBBT44143S Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Nov, 09 2003 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Nov, 10 2002
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 8 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: 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. toyota has fixed the problem (re-design) in current production vehicles (starting some time during the 2003 model year production schedule), but has to date refused to repair the defect for all owners presenting this problem to authorized toyota dealers / service centers. some dealers / service centers have repaired the defects at random.*ak i suspect and fear that this problem will eventually lead to a failure of some kind that may present a safety hazard, i.e. gears wearing, slipping, or binding) when the vehicle is in motion, and this in turn may cause a loss or reduction of, or interference with, driver control.*ak