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BrakesPart report

2003 Toyota Tundra Brakes Problems

Complaints
41about this part
Share
10%of 399 total for the year
Median mileage
50,464miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Toyota Tundra, 10% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,464 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was in motion and driving on a residential street, while operating vehicle at the time of accident. After the collision, the airbag did not deploy. The takata airbag was replaced by the auto manufacturer (Toyota dealership) prior to my above mentioned accident. The auto accident occurred for unknown reasons, possibly brake failure or unexpected acceleration of the car engine.”

NHTSA complaint #11232083, filed 2019-07, 168,168 miles

“This is the second time within the last several weeks where I've had brake-line failure(also reported my first one here). My vehicle was just recently repaired under warranty at the dealership I bought it from for a catastrophic brake-line failure which nearly resulted in a major accident. After the repair to the exploded lines my dealer stated he inspected the remaining lines under the truck & said they all looked good & there shouldn't be anymore problems with the lines failing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10970624, filed 2017-04, 79,140 miles

“I was recently approaching a red-light about a mile from work when I unexpectedly & suddenly was unable to stop the truck. I nearly collided with traffic in my lane & had to veer into the opposing lanes to avoid a collision. Turns out my brake-lines failed due to excessive rust which I've recently come to learn is a problem on these particular trucks. I've never had this happen before even with vehicles with well over 200k miles on them let alone well-less than 80,000; even from the same manufacturer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10948172, filed 2017-01, 75,000 miles

“The whole chassis frame for my truck is significantly and dangerously rusted and it is breaking apart which is a safety issue for me, my family, and other drivers. This also has lead to my breaks lines failing due to rust which almost caused an accident due to me not been able to stop on a red light. There is significant rust damage to the chassis frame and in some parts of the chassis frame that were welded from factory have broken off. In other sections of the chassis frame pieces have started to fall off and there are holes through the chassis frame where there should not be holes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11323509, filed 2020-05, 108,000 miles

“I am a retired Toyota master diagnostic technician. I had to replace my rear brake lines on my 2003 Tundra-with 79,962 miles. The rear brake lines have rusted through which had to be replaced- at my expense. My brakes failed as I was towing a trailer in heavy, city traffic. I was going 35mph when a vehicle pulled out in front of me and then proceeded to stop suddenly to make a left turn into a parking lot. I slammed on the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I was lucky there was room to maneuver to the right so I was able to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. …”

NHTSA complaint #10914885, filed 2016-10, 79,962 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026617%
202564%
2024247%
2023307%
2022327%
202049%
2019912%
20182222%
20171317%
20163428%
20151020%
201478%
201345%
201274%
2011107%
20101912%
200913%
2008289%
2007328%
2006346%
20054111%
2004368%
20034110%
200211724%
200111628%
200027627%

Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Tundra

Body and structure
150 complaints
Air bags
86 complaints
Suspension
63 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
35 complaints
Other or unknown
33 complaints
Fuel system
23 complaints
Steering
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Tires
8 complaints
Wheels
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Tundra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology