2003 Toyota Tundra Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“For the third time since I have owned the vehicle where the shift control goes into the steering column, where it connects has broken. This is a piece of metal that has again snapped making it unable to shift the car. What happens if I was in drive and could not shift into park? I have had this fixed twice before, once when I was stuck on the road and once towed to Toyota.”

“Noticed oily substance on driveway, took truck to mechanic and he informed me the rear axle housing had rusted through! I was shocked at the news and dumbfounded to find out this is a common problem with Tundra's and tacoma's and there is no recourse except to pay upwards of $2000 to have it fixed. I have never heard of any newer vehicle having the axle rust through at only 104,000 miles. This is low miles for a 2003 and the truck has been taken care of too.”

“I am a retired Toyota master diagnostic technician. As I was replacing my rear brake lines on my 2003 Tundra-with 79,962 miles, I saw a fluid leak under rear of vehicle. Upon inspection I found the rear differential housing has rusted so badly that the gear oil is leaking through the housing. Unfortunately the only remedy is the replacement of the complete rear axle/differential assembly. The frame has already been replaced-under recall. The rear brake lines have rusted through which had to be replaced- at my expense. …”

“When returning to my2003 Toyota Tundra, from a doctors appt, I noticed a pool of liquid, under the rear axle of the truck. Having wife back truck up, I checked this viscous, clearish fluid, finding it to be a rear end oil/grease, and had been leaking from mid housing of the rearend. Upon further inspection, I found this had been leaking for enough time that oil spots were all over the rear window of and tailgate of truck. …”

“My 2003 Tundra sr5 4x4 access cab broke down coming to a complete stop during interstate driving in 2wd at the posted speed limit. Upon a lengthy and expensive tow to my mechanic, I was advised the rear differential had failed due to extensive rust not only on the rear differential cover, but over the entire rear axle assembly. The rust was so pervasive it allowed differential fluid to leak from the carrier assembly resulting in heat and friction leading to the catastrophic failure of the differential gears. …”