Best Toyota Tundra Model Years For Reliability

Toyota hasn’t been throughout the full-size pickup sport for virtually as long as America’s Big 3, and that’s mirrored throughout the Tundra’s product sales nonetheless lagging far behind its Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram rivals. Whereas the Tacoma has found loads love throughout the mid-size pickup part, the Tundra has wanted to simply accept being a rational nevertheless a lot much less impressed different over the a very long time. The Toyota badge nonetheless holds a great deal of clout, though, and the Tundra has been a reliable steed all through three generations. Nevertheless which model yr for the Toyota Tundra is the best for reliability? Let’s dive into the best and worst years for the Toyota Tundra.

This piece was initially revealed in April 2024 nevertheless has been updated with associated data, and is suitable as of November 2024. Specs have been sourced from Toyota immediately.

Toyota Tundra Historic previous

The first-generation Tundra went into manufacturing in 1999 as a 2000 model, becoming the first Japanese full-size pickup to be constructed throughout the USA. It outdated the Toyota T100, a pickup that was restricted by its two-door configuration.

That first Tundra arrived with the first 32-valve, double-overhead cam, V8 engine throughout the class, allowing it to haul 7,200 kilos. V6 engines had been equipped, too. It moreover set new necessities for safety throughout the part, becoming the first full-size pickup to realize a “Good” whole rating for the frontal offset crash verify run by the Insurance coverage protection Institute for Freeway Safety (IIHS).

Late in 2006, the second-gen Tundra went into manufacturing, sharing some styling parts with the Tacoma. It was now capable of towing over 10,000 lbs, whereas the model new 5.7-liter V8 engine produced close to 400 horsepower. After quite a few updates for the 2008 model yr, there have been over 40 Tundra configurations, guaranteeing there was a Tundra for every need. The second-gen model overstayed its welcome, though, and was accurately outdated by the purpose it went out of producing in 2021.

That made means for the third-gen model, launched for the 2022 model yr. It has loads bolder styling, further atmosphere pleasant turbocharged V6 engines, and a superb luxurious Capstone trim. We moreover found the Tundra TRD Skilled to be a mightily spectacular off-road truck as soon as we drove it.

The Best Toyota Tundra Model Years

Now we have solely centered on Tundra fashions that had been as a minimum three years earlier, as one thing newer obtained’t have ample of a reliability file. Mainly, any Tundra is a robust automobile which will last for a number of years with acceptable repairs, so even the worst ones on our itemizing shouldn’t be immediately discarded. We’ll start with the best Tundra years which have basically probably the most pristine information, though.

2021 Toyota Tundra

As a result of the ultimate model yr of the second-gen Tundra, it’s little shock that the 2021 model has attracted just some complaints. By the purpose it went into manufacturing, Toyota had been developing the second-gen model for correctly over a decade, so most factors would have been ironed out. This model yr has a reliability and prime quality rating of 86 out of 100, in response to J.D. Vitality – that’s greater than the Ford and Chevy alternate choices from the similar yr, and matches the Ram 1500.

Whereas quite extra outdated than the third-gen model, the 2021 Tundra is solely powered by a thirsty (14 mpg combined with 4×4) nevertheless sonorous-sounding V8 making 381 hp. It’s an excellent off-road pickup and should tow over 10,000 kilos, however it’s hardly basically probably the most cosy truck. However, if you’re cautious of the third-gen’s further superior turbocharged V6 and price simplicity, a 2021 Tundra in further main guise (similar to an SR5) has the potential to last for lots of, a number of years.

Three remembers affected this Tundra – one for a headlight electrical connector that will overheat and two related to the power steering – nevertheless totally different model years had rather more remembers.

This makes the 2021 model in all probability the best yr for Toyota Tundra vans, and the 2020 Tundra wasn’t far behind with a low number of complaints.

2015 Toyota Tundra

Moreover part of the second period, the 2015 Tundra has accrued beneath 40 complaints on the NHTSA, which is minimal considering it’s been on sale for a decade. A “good” prime quality/reliability score of 81/100 from J.D. Vitality underscores this model yr’s trouble-free standing. Lastly, the number of complaints for the 2015 Tundra is probably going one of many lowest for the second-gen model, making it top-of-the-line years for the Toyota Tundra.

This model yr did away with the underside V6 engine solely, so chances are you’ll rely on bigger gasoline funds. The 2015 model benefits from a substantial refresh of the second-gen Tundra, launched in 2013.

2001 Toyota Tundra

Within the occasion you’re planning to spend a lot much less and go for a first-gen Tundra, all of them have a justifiable share of remembers and complaints. However, the 2001 model has the underside number of remembers from this period and far fewer complaints than the 2000 model from a yr sooner than.

Mainly, first-gen Tundras are considered dependable cars, nevertheless one factor to watch out for is excessive rust. Plenty of the complaints made to the NHTSA are linked to the automobile’s development and excessive rust, so if you buy a first-gen Tundra, try to find a garaged occasion.

The following are a number of of the best Tundra years and all have a lower-than-average number of shopper complaints on the NHTSA website online, so are moreover worth considering:

• 2019 Tundra
• 2017 Tundra
• 2018 Tundra
• 2013 Tundra
• 2014 Tundra

The 2017-2019 Tundras might need a lot much less complaints, nevertheless they’ve a extreme number of remembers. Ten remembers are on file for the 2019 model alone, along with a widespread gasoline pump failure issue. Then as soon as extra, provided Toyota has remedied these remembers, they shouldn’t basically deter you from one in every of these Tundras.

The Worst Toyota Tundra Model Years

Even the worst Toyota Tundra continues to be a succesful pickup that has the potential to last for a number of years. However, if you’re a cautious, risk-averse purchaser, there are a selection of Tundra model years that should possibly be scrapped out of your shortlist. Based mostly on RepairPal, the most typical Toyota Tundra points are:

• Ticking noise from a failed exhaust manifold
• Lower ball joint factors
• Air injection pump failure
• Faulty oxygen sensor

Vehicle Complaints info mentions the secondary air pump failure on the 2005 Tundra as being basically probably the most reported whole grievance for any Tundra model yr. These are the Toyota Tundra years to steer clear of:

2000 Toyota Tundra

Toyota took a second to hunt out its toes when the Tundra first arrived on the scene. The first model yr of the full-size pickup has accrued 1,021 complaints on the NHTSA’s web site, nearly double that of the next-worst model yr. It moreover has 9 remembers to its title.

Many complaints related to the automobile development (notably rust/corrosion), braking points, and the suspension. Considering that these Tundras are literally correctly over 20 years earlier, we’d be cautious of them till they’ve been correctly maintained or are given a radical inspection.

2006-2007 Toyota Tundra

13 remembers and over 500 complaints plagued the last word model yr of the first-gen Tundra. A sort of remembers was for a entrance suspension lower ball joint that will impact the facility to handle the automobile; over 530,000 fashions had been recalled, along with 2004-2005 Tundras. Worryingly, essential rust factors continued to impact the 2006 Tundra, however this model yr was not part of a Toyota recall to deal with the difficulty. Many patrons seen excessive subframe rust that will end in a safety issue. On Vehicle Complaints, physique and paint factors had been basically probably the most prevalent, adopted by engine and transmission factors.

Vehicle Complaints lists the 2007 Tundra as having basically probably the most complaints whole, led by engine factors like air injection pump failure, piston slap when chilly, and a caught secondary air pump. This model yr moreover has 14 remembers.

2003 – 2006 model yr Tundras had been implicated throughout the Takata airbag inflator debacle. On the time of writing, there could also be an open investigation for this airbag issue.

2012 Toyota Tundra

Vehicle Complaints lists the 2012 Tundra as a result of the worst model yr as a result of it has extreme restore costs and has been further problematic at lower mileage. Exhaust system and engine points had been most prevalent; notably, this involved a faulty air induction pump and attracted a imply restore worth of nearly $3,000. We found further conditions of this half failing on the NHTSA’s website online, although the overall number of complaints reported proper right here (147) is lower than for lots of various Tundra model years.

Class Movement Lawsuit: 2022-2023 Tundras

Although we’ve centered on older Tundras with further full reliability histories, it’s worth maintaining monitor of newer fashions embroiled in a class movement lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in direction of Toyota last yr, alleging that the automaker provided 2022-2023 Tundras with faulty gasoline traces that are an infinite fire hazard. Toyota recalled over 168,000 Tundras for the issue. Based mostly on data on the NHTSA’s web site, “the plastic gasoline tube routed near metallic brake traces would possibly chafe in direction of the brake traces and grow to be damaged, in all probability resulting in a gasoline leak.”

Toyota responded by placing in defending provides and clamps to cease future placed on, along with altering the gasoline tubes with upgraded components.

Toyota Tundra V6 Engine Recollects

Toyota’s present recall of 2022-2023 Tundra and Lexus LX fashions with the V6 engine (V35A engine code) highlights a vital manufacturing oversight which led to Toyota recalling 102,092 cars, of which 98,600 had been Tundras. Luckily, the hybrid variants of the engine weren’t affected by the difficulty, in response to Toyota. The issue obtained right here on account of machining particles that was left contained in the engine in the middle of the preliminary manufacturing course of. This contamination resulted in potential risks for excessive engine hurt, as metal fragments can intervene with shifting components, rising the possibility of factor placed on, diminished engine effectivity, and even complete engine failure over time. After recalling the cars, Toyota launched that it might trade all the engines free-of-charge.

The following factors concerning this disadvantage is perhaps expert by owners of these V6-equipped cars:

• Engine knocking
• Incapability to start engine
• Stalling when automobile is in motion
• Robust working

Toyota has devoted to altering the engines in all 102,092 cars.

– Consumer Experiences

This V6 engine from Toyota choices the following specs:

• 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6
• 349–389 horsepower
• 405–479 lb-ft

In hybrid guise, the engine delivers 437 hp combined, nevertheless the hybrids are unaffected by the recall.

Importantly, Toyota elements out that solely Tundras manufactured between November 2021 and February 2023 are affected. The issue had been rectified sooner than 2024 and 2025 fashions had been produced, so going for a more moderen Lexus or Toyota model with this V6 is a intelligent different.

Summary: A Principally Dependable Pickup

As with all automotive purchase, chances are you’ll lower hazard by doing all your homework. Even the Tundra model years listed as these to steer clear of might be safe purchases if a number of of their explicit factors have been addressed. Whole, the Toyota Tundra is a tough full-size pickup and a sensible longer-term purchase; in Kelley Blue E e book’s latest Best Resale Price Awards, the Tundra as quickly as as soon as extra led one of the best ways in its part.

Within the occasion you plan to utilize your pickup as a day-to-day driver and by no means solely a workhorse, however, older Tundras do endure from inferior comfort and know-how in distinction rivals, so that’s one factor to bear in mind.