Toyota Tundra Problems and Common Complaints

The Toyota Tundra is a great full-size pickup truck because it has:

• Legendary truck quality
• Excellent resale value
• Many customization options
• Solid all-around capabilities

Yet, like all other vehicles (including other Toyotas, such as the Sienna), the Tundra has a few issues. Here’s a list of the most common ones.

Note: The list of problems below is organized by vehicle generation. Scroll down to find your model year range.

2007- Present Toyota Tundra - Common Problems

A Toyota Tundra CrewMax Platinum

Secondary Air Injection System Failure: Many Tundra owners experience secondary air injection system failure after a few years of vehicle age. The issue is a special system that improves cold start emissions. Yet, the system is vulnerable to rust. You can attribute this issue to water getting into the air injection pumps and sometimes the valves. Toyota responded to this widespread issue. They extended the warranty on effected Tundra models to 6 years/60,000 miles.

Integrated Brake Controller Failure: Newer Toyota Tundra models come with a factory integrated brake controller (IBC). Turns out it doesn't provide enough braking power for trailers. Many Tundra owners fix this problem by installing aftermarket brake controllers.

Ineffective Floor Mat Design (2007-2010 Models Only): The floor mat design in 2007-2010 Tundra models is defective. The design makes it easy for the accelerator pedal to get stuck while depressed. Toyota corrected the problem by recalling the trucks and having its dealers:

• Replace the pedal
• Change the shape of the floor mat
• Replace the floor mat with a redesigned one

Sticking Accelerator Pedal (2007-2010 Models Only): Many Tundra owners reported having experienced unintended acceleration. After investigating this issue, Toyota found the root cause. The gas pedal has a device on the bottom side that causes friction to create the proper pedal feel. As the friction device wore, it created too much friction. This caused the pedal to either return too slowly, or stick in place. Toyota recalled 2007-2010 Tundras to install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal. It helped the pedal operate properly.

Driver’s Side Power Window Master Switch Failure (2007-2011 Models Only): It’s common for the driver’s side power window master switch in 2007-2011 Tundras to short circuit, overheat, and melt. The switch’s sliding electrical contacts didn't have the right amount of lubricant. This is an issue because the lubricant protects the switch from debris and moisture. Toyota issued a recall in 2015 and offered to replace the switch circuit board free of charge.

Power Door Lock Failure: It’s common for 2nd generation Toyota Tundras to have power door lock failure. This usually happens because of either an electrical issue or a bad actuator motor in the door. This post will help you determine the root cause of the issue.

2000-2006 Toyota Tundra - Common Problems

A Toyota Tundra Double Cab

Premature Front Lower Ball Joint Wear: The front lower ball joint is lubricated at the factory. For a period of time, an incorrect lubricant was used. This lubricant failed quickly, which lead to premature ball joint wear. Symptoms start with hard steering. If the problem is not addressed, it may lead to loss of vehicle control due to the ball joint separating from the knuckle. In 2007, Toyota recalled hundreds of thousands of Tundras to resolve this issue.

Premature Frame Corrosion: Many first-gen Toyota Tundras are prone to premature frame rust. It’s because the frames were not properly coated when built. Toyota agreed to pay $3.4 billion to help Tundra owners fix this issue.

Airbag Propellant Degradation: The front passenger airbag inflator in first-gen Toyota Tundras lacks a chemical drying agent. The chemical drying agent absorbs moisture. As a result, excessive moisture builds up and leads to early propellant degradation. This increases the risk of the airbag exploding when deployed. Toyota, along with airbag manufacturer Takata, issued a recall to fix this issue.

2000-2021 Toyota Tundra TSBs

To find Toyota Tundra TSBs, you can try Googling the TSB ID #, the name of the TSB, or some combination. You can also subscribe to Toyota's Technical Information System (TIS) to get the latest TSBs for your Tundra.