Toyota Tundra: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Toyota Tundra problems by model year, from 1,958 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2023 (72%, 286 drivetrain complaints), 2022 (67%, 284 drivetrain complaints) and 2012 (58%, 85 drivetrain complaints). 6 of the 13 Toyota Tundra years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 2 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2016 (15%), 2014 (20%) and 2010 (25%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2013 (46%) to 2014 (20%), down 26 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2023 drew the most drivetrain complaints (286 of 907 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2021 has fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Toyota Tundra year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Tundra | no elevated signal | 25% | 38 | 163 | 11/13 | 16 |
| 2011 Tundra | high | 46% | 58 | 134 | 4/13 | 11 |
| 2012 Tundra | high | 58% | 85 | 156 | 3/13 | 4 |
| 2013 Tundra | high | 46% | 34 | 85 | 5/13 | 6 |
| 2014 Tundra | no elevated signal | 20% | 17 | 93 | 12/13 | 5 |
| 2015 Tundra | no elevated signal | 27% | 11 | 49 | 9/13 | 5 |
| 2016 Tundra | no elevated signal | 15% | 15 | 120 | 13/13 | 6 |
| 2017 Tundra | elevated | 37% | 22 | 78 | 6/13 | 6 |
| 2018 Tundra | no elevated signal | 30% | 28 | 100 | 7/13 | 9 |
| 2019 Tundra | no elevated signal | 26% | 17 | 74 | 10/13 | 10 |
| 2020 Tundra | no elevated signal | 29% | 12 | 46 | 8/13 | 5 |
| 2021 Tundra | too few to score | – | 2 | 24 | – | 3 |
| 2022 Tundra | very high | 67% | 284 | 428 | 2/13 | 13 |
| 2023 Tundra | very high | 72% | 286 | 408 | 1/13 | 13 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Toyota Tundra years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Toyota Tundra engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns on the Toyota Tundra involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 53 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2010 | 10V091000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2010 |
| Apr 2011 | 11V254000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2011 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V012000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2019 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V682000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019–2020 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V445000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2022 |
| Aug 2023 | 23V566000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2022–2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V125000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2022–2023 |
| May 2024 | 24V381000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2022–2023 |
| Nov 2025 | 25V767000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2022–2023 |
44 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2009 | 09V223000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010 |
| Oct 2009 | 09V388000 | vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal | 2010 |
| Jan 2010 | 10V017000 | vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal | 2010 |
| Feb 2010 | 10V035000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010 |
| Feb 2010 | 10V036000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010 |
| Mar 2011 | 11V148000 | tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2010–2011 |
| Mar 2011 | 11V185000 | tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2010–2011 |
| May 2011 | 11V278000 | tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2010–2011 |
| Dec 2011 | 11V588000 | equipment: other: labels | 2011 |
| Jan 2013 | 13V014000 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2010–2013 |
| Apr 2013 | 13V123000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010–2013 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V429000 | wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 2013–2014 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V556000 | air bags: side/window | 2014 |
| Nov 2014 | 14V743000 | seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler | 2010–2011 |
| May 2015 | 15V315000 | equipment: other: labels | 2015 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V689000 | visibility: power window devices and controls | 2010–2011 |
| Jun 2016 | 16V396000 | seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler | 2010 |
| Jun 2016 | 16V420000 | equipment: other: labels | 2015–2016 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V051000 | structure: body: bumpers | 2016–2017 |
| May 2017 | 17V311000 | wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 2013–2017 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V416000 | air bags: knee bolster | 2016 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V831000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017–2018 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V122000 | electronic stability control (esc) | 2018 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V123000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2017 |
| Oct 2018 | 18V685000 | electrical system: software | 2018–2019 |
| Oct 2018 | 18V711000 | equipment: other: labels | 2018–2019 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V900000 | equipment: other: labels | 2019 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V244000 | equipment: other: labels | 2019 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V410000 | exterior lighting: turn signal | 2018–2020 |
| Sep 2021 | 21V688000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2018–2020 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V920000 | steering: hydraulic power assist system | 2010–2020 |
| Dec 2021 | 21E103000 | steering: hydraulic power assist system | 2010–2020 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V285000 | electrical system: software | 2022 |
| Jul 2022 | 22V501000 | electrical system: adas: parking assist: software | 2022 |
| Sep 2022 | 22V661000 | service brakes, hydraulic | 2022 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V854000 | equipment: other: labels | 2023 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V111000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2022–2023 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V142000 | structure: body | 2022–2023 |
| Jul 2023 | 23V468000 | tires: temporary/emergency spare tire | 2023 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V633000 | equipment: other: labels | 2023 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V757000 | equipment: other: labels | 2022–2023 |
| Jul 2024 | 24V548000 | equipment: other: labels | 2023 |
| May 2025 | 25V322000 | exterior lighting: back up lights | 2022–2023 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V657000 | back over prevention: software | 2022–2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Toyota Tundra
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Toyota Tundra
What are the worst years for the Toyota Tundra?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Toyota Tundra years are the 2023 (72% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2022 (67% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2012 (58% of relevant complaints, high). 6 of 13 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Toyota Tundra?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Toyota Tundra years are the 2016 (15%), the 2014 (20%) and the 2010 (25%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Toyota Tundra have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 13 scored years, 907 of 1,839 relevant NHTSA complaints (49%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Toyota Tundra reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 6 of 13 Toyota Tundra years we score have an elevated complaint share and 7 do not. Pooled across those years, 49% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Toyota Tundra?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Toyota Tundra years we track, out of 53 in total: 24V125000 (Feb 2024, 2022–2023), 24V381000 (May 2024, 2022–2023), 25V767000 (Nov 2025, 2022–2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.