2001 Toyota Tundra Limited 4.7L V8 from North America

Summary:

A dependable truck with lots of class!

Faults:

A bearing went out in the motor for the climate control system 3 months after I got the truck. The dealer replaced it under warranty.

There is a rattle in the dash when the temperature drops below 35 degrees. It seems to be related to the fan for one of the defrost outlets. It goes away once the truck warms up, so I don't consider it anything major at all.

General Comments:

The leather front bucket seats in this truck are extremely comfortable. The back seat of my extended cab truck is okay for an adult on short trips, but I would recommend the new 4-door model for everyday use.

The climate control system is awesome in both summer and winter. I never have a problem with the windows fogging up - something you can't say with most trucks.

Fuel economy ranges from 15 to 18 mpg. Not bad for a V8 Four Wheel Drive, although I do spend about $175-$200 a month for 2,200 miles worth of driving.

I purchased and installed an OEM alarm/keyless entry system for the car. Definitely nice to have.

I am a very apt Saturday mechanic, but I must admit that changing the oil is somewhat of a chore. Due to the off-road package, I must change the filter from above. It always a challenge to not get any oil on the serpentine belt.

Locking tailgate is a nice feature.

Layout and features of the interior are excellent.

Power outlets are located in a handy spot.

Cup holders have "inserts" that will fit just about any size beverage container that you will encounter.

The storage compartments located under the rear seats are very handy - I keep my hold down straps in one and my emergency kit in the other.

The glove compartment and center console provide more than enough storage for this vehicle.

Wood grain interior option gives this truck a lot of class. Whether you're hauling landscape supplies or going out for a night on the town, this truck fits in perfectly!

Very smooth ride - you can't tell the difference between this truck and a Lexus LS400.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th November, 2003

5th Sep 2009, 19:55

I got a 2001 Tundra Limited 2 wheel drive. Since that year I've had problems with the mpg. It is suppose to give 18/14, but I get 12mpg. I checked with the dealer, but after many complaints, no answer and on several occasions at two different dealers they told me that after they checked they repeated what was told to me before; 18/14 miles per gallon. For the past two years it has dropped to 9 MPG. I paid $40.000 dollars for a lemon.

I have tried to talk to the general manager for the pass 2 years. Every time I tried, the manager is not available, or he is in a conference. Also I want to inform you that at the dealer when the truck was taken for service, I have lost a digital AC/DC multimeter and 6 CDs from the radio. I wonder if there is someone who can control this outrage.

6th Sep 2009, 08:51

To the above comment:

Your probably driving to fast! I'm always amazed by people who drive really fast and then wonder why their gas mileage is so low.

2001 Toyota Tundra Limited 4.7 V8 from North America

Summary:

Besides the brakes, it is a very nice truck

Faults:

5 brake jobs and it currently needs a 6th. The check engine light came on a few times which turned out to be bad sensors.

General Comments:

This truck feels like it is very solidly built. It has a very quiet and comfortable ride. I was very surprised at how quiet it is at highway speeds. In my opinion this truck is very nice looking. It seems to handle light duty jobs nicely. I use mine to carry small loads in the back and pull my Seadoos to the water. However the brakes are beginning to wear on my patience, because now the dealer is starting to give me a hard time on replacing the rotors and drums. As of now I have no confidence in Toyota because the last brake job they performed on my truck was the newly redesigned brakes. Those did not last longer than the old brakes! I am so disappointed and I don't know what to do.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd September, 2003

21st Nov 2003, 19:01

I purchased a 2000 Toyota Tundra on Nov. 9, 2003, from a large used-car dealer in Reno, Nevada. This dealer went all the way to Las Vegas to get this truck into inventory supposedly because it's such a hot item. Perhaps they shouldn't have bothered. I bought this truck largely on recommendations esp. from Consumer Reports. I should have checked this web site first.

On Nov. 15, I had new studded snow tires put on the truck in Truckee, Calif. Two days later, driving around Reno, the truck stuttered when I braked. I had the alignment fixed. Still stuttered on braking. On Nov. 19, I took it to the dealer (they have a full repair dept.). The dealer repaired the brakes for free as a safety item. The so-called service writer told me that I should always downshift my automatic transmission before stopping to cut down on the strain on the brakes. Can you beat that?

This advice does have some sense to it. For one thing, many autos and trucks are always in overdrive; the Tundra is. This gives better gas mileage, but it also lets the vehicle drift so that the transmission doesn't help at all with slowing the vehicle. So, I take the Tundra out of overdrive when I drive city streets and occasionally I downshift. The truck stops without chattering now, but that advice seems screwy. A truck's brakes really ought to work better than that.

I see in the 2004 Consumer Reports Buying Guide that the 2000 Tundras have poor brakes. Next time, I'll do better research. But I'm surprised that CR so glowingly praises the Tundra in new-vehicle reviews when the Tundra's brakes go bad so easily. Are other pick-up trucks worse?