- From 2012 through 2017, the NHTSA looked into the Tundra’s failing airbags on an annual basis.
- The Toyota Tundra’s reputation for dependability, which is generally strong, takes a turn in the 2010 and 2016 models, which record the worst years for the model by amassing 10 and 16 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls, respectively.
- Although not the worst years, the NHTSA initiated an inquiry into each of the 2012 to 2017 Toyota Tundra models because of a long-standing issue with defective airbags.
In This Article...
Which model year Toyota Tundra ought to be avoided?
The Tundra is not flawless, despite being a highly coveted truck with numerous favorable evaluations. We’ll explain why you should avoid a few particular years.
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The 2007 Toyota Tundra
Consumer reviews from 2007 revealed that the engine was the main problem, with some people claiming a complete failure. The two concerns most frequently reported in the 537 total complaints in this customer study were air injection pump failure and knocking pistons.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received reports of problems with the speed control, engine cooling, and accelerator pedals. Although these are risky problems, they are minor compared to those with other brands.
The 2012 Toyota Tundra
2012 was the Tundra’s worst year to date. Consumer complaints about the electrical, transmission, and engine have been prevalent only this year. The air induction pump, which has a significant repair cost, was the most common problem cited. On average, problems were discovered after 74,000 miles, costing more than $3,000 to fix.
Transmission failure emerged from this year as another significant problem. The transmission is like the beating heart of a car, and when it fails, a host of serious problems follow. In the case of the Tundra, transmission problems first surfaced at about 9,700 miles, which is incredibly low for a vehicle with a reputation as reliable as a Toyota. The average cost to replace a transmission is $5,000.
What is the best Tundra engine?
The Toyota Tundra appeals to Virginians who desire a full-size pickup that can tackle everything. This truck has an off-road capability and can tow a lot of weight. You can choose between the 4.6-liter V8 and the 5.7-liter V8 engines when designing your Tundra.
The 4.6-Liter V8
With a 6-speed automatic transmission, the standard 4.6-liter V8 engine produces 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. Its 32-valve head is designed with Double Overhead Cams, Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing, and Intelligence. This engine can tow up to 6,400 or 6,800 pounds, depending on how you set up your Tundra.
The 5.7-Liter V8
The same 6-speed automatic transmission powers the 5.7-liter V8 engine, which produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. By choosing this engine, you automatically receive the tow package, which includes transmission and engine oil coolers for better towing. The 32-valve head, Double Overhead Cams, and Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing are other features of this engine. Together, these characteristics allow the Tundra to boast of towing the space shuttle. Depending on how you arrange it, this engine can tow up to 9,800 or 10,500 pounds.
Which One?
You must consider how much you intend to haul and how much power you require before selecting one of the two Tundra engines. The 4.6-liter engine will improve fuel efficiency and lower the cost of your Tundra. This means that you ought to choose it if it offers sufficient power for your requirements. However, if in doubt, get the 5.7-liter engine. You don’t want to end up with a Tundra that isn’t suitable for your needs because overworking your engine will harm it and result in costly repairs.
Are Toyota Tundra trucks the most dependable?
The rankings are in, and according to J.D. Power, the most dependable full-size vehicle you can purchase in 2022 is the 2019 Toyota Tundra. Given Toyota’s stellar dependability record, this doesn’t seem all that surprising.
The Toyota Tundra’s lifetime was about to end in 2019. The Tundra has had plenty of time to iron out any kinks and potential issues since the last version was released in 2014 A new generation of Tundras will debut in 2022, and thus yet, only expected dependability rankings have been made public.
J.D. Power operates somewhat differently. It evaluates data from the previous three years rather than offering predicted dependability scores. Original owners of vehicles with the 2019 model year were issued surveys, asking them to share any problems they may have encountered.
Tundra versus Tacoma, which is superior?
The Toyota Tacoma is the more reasonably priced vehicle because it is the smaller and less powerful truck. SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro are the six trim levels available. The Toyota Tundra is more expensive than the other two but has more power and interior capacity.
What Toyota Tundra mileage qualifies as high?
Even while no truck is ever going to endure forever, the Tundra is renowned for its ability to rack up the miles. Car Covers claims that with the right maintenance and repairs, the Toyota Tundra can easily carry more over 200,000 pounds. Even a 2007 Tundra pickup truck with over a million miles on it exists. Which adds to the mystique of Toyota reliability and is a genuinely astounding feat for a vehicle.
Although we don’t anticipate every Toyota Tundra to reach a million miles, purchasing a high mileage Tundra might not be as much of a sacrifice as it first appears to be. Even with something as dependable as the Tundra, make sure to carry out adequate research before purchasing a secondhand pickup truck.
- Although two Toyota Tundra owners exceeded the million-mile barrier, most drivers should anticipate that their Tundra will achieve its maximum mileage of roughly 300,000.
- Typical issues with high mileage Ball-joint failure and exhaust manifold leakage are Tundra problems.
- For the Toyota truck, repairs are inexpensive.
When was the Tundra’s frame recalled?
To repair excessive rust on the vehicle’s frame, Toyota will recall 110,000 Tundra vehicles from the 2000–2003 model years.
To repair excessive rust on the vehicle’s frame, Toyota Motor Corp. will recall 110,000 Tundra trucks from the 2000–2003 model years. In order to prevent the spare tire from falling onto the road and endangering other vehicles, the government advised owners to remove it from the frame.
The 2000–2003 model year Tundras registered in 20 “cold weather” states and the District of Columbia are subject to the recall that was issued on Tuesday. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are the states in question.
After receiving 20 reports of “serious frame corrosion,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an inquiry into excessive rust on Tundra frames in October. The spare tire, which was kept under the truck bed, allegedly came off from the frame, according to 15 reports, the NHTSA reported at the time. According to five other investigations, the rust is to blame for broken brake lines.
Road salts and chemical deicers are frequently used to treat roads during the winter and might cause extra corrosion in the trucks, according to Toyota, which said on Tuesday that it was recalling the trucks in the cold weather states.
Toyota announced that it will start notifying owners in December and asking them to bring their trucks to a Toyota dealer for an inspection of the rear cross-member of the frame. According to Toyota, the cross-member assembly will be changed if the examination reveals that it can no longer support the spare tire in a secure manner.
The dealer will come up with a temporary fix, such as taking out the spare tire and strapping it to the truck bed, if replacement parts are not readily accessible.
Toyota stated that owners will have a corrosion-resistant substance put to the frame if no major rust is observed. Toyota stated that owners will not be charged for the inspections or repairs.
Owners of 2000-2003 Tundras registered outside of states with harsh winters will also be contacted, according to NHTSA, and their cars will be inspected and fixed if they so want.
Toyota stated that customers may “Remove the spare tire to reduce the possibility of it detaching from the rear cross-member. If you decide to do this, please make sure you are not underneath the spare tire carrier or rear cross-member when it is being lowered.” Additionally, the car manufacturer advised customers to store the spare tire in the truck bed or other parts of the car.
What is the Toyota Tundra’s most typical issue?
Full-size pickup trucks like the Toyota Tundra have been manufactured since 1999.
While older models had a V8 engine, the most recent model has a potent turbocharged V6 and a hybrid drivetrain.
The Tundra’s excellent performance on and off-road is complemented by a cozy and clutter-free interior.
The Tundra has many excellent qualities, but it also has certain drawbacks. Below, we go over the most typical Toyota Tundra problems.
Is the Toyota 5.7 V8 an effective motor?
You’ve probably heard of engines like the 22 R-E, 2UZ-FE, and 1GR-FE if you’re a serious Toyota aficionado. The reliability and usability of Toyota’s trucks and SUVs were really cemented by these engines. However, Toyota debuted their largest engine to date in 2006: the 3UR-FE 5.7L V8.
One of the best engines for a full-size pickup truck or SUV is the Toyota 5.7 V8. It has been utilized by Toyota for the past 14 years with good reason: it provides both dependability and outstanding performance data. The engine’s poor fuel efficiency is its sole serious flaw.
Toyota Tundra vs. Ford F-150: Which is superior?
Ford is the undisputed champion in terms of truck capabilities. Our Tundra could tow 11,120 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 1,740 pounds when fully outfitted. The Ford, on the other hand, featured a 2,100-pound payload capacity and a 13,900-pound towing capacity with its Max Trailering package. However, even with a less robust trailering gear, the F-150 would still be able to haul 180 pounds more than the Tundra. Capacity and ability, however, are distinct concepts. We’ve always thought the F-150 to be a reliable towing vehicle, and the Tundra shown an equal level of ability when towing our prominent two-horse trailer.
We love Ford’s optional Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology, so we were excited to test out Toyota’s Straight Path Assist system. The main distinction between the two is that while the Tundra simply maintains the trailer’s straight course, the F-150’s dashboard dial allows the driver to maneuver the trailer in reverse. With Straight Path Assist, you can let off of the steering wheel once you’ve steered the trailer in the desired direction, and the Tundra will continue to guide itself in that direction. The Tundra performed a decent job of keeping the trailer on the straight and narrow, but getting the trailer oriented in the appropriate direction is where inexperienced trailer-backers truly struggle. When backing up a trailer, Ford’s system (as well as Ram’s Trailer Reverse Steering) reduces anxiety by 95%; the Toyota, perhaps 50%. Why Toyota didn’t develop a comprehensive trailer-backing solution baffles us.