Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid — the oldest and the newest.
The Tundra's problems sit at both ends. The 2000–2006 drew 3,763 complaints, 1,391 describing a rusted frame, and the 2022–2024 have three recalls for engines that can fail from manufacturing debris. In between, the 2014–2021 drew 588 complaints across eight years.
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Quick Answer
- What Toyota Tundra years should you avoid?
- The 2000–2006 for frame rust: 1,391 of their complaints describe it, 474 on the 2000 alone. And the 2022–2024 until the engine recalls are done: 176 complaints describe engine failure, and recalls 24V381000, 25V767000 and 26V320000 cover manufacturing debris that can ruin the main bearings.
- What is the best year for a used Tundra?
- The late second generation is the quietest in NHTSA's records: the 2014–2021 drew 588 complaints combined, against 1,032 for the 2000 alone. Leaving out one-fault years, 2021 (24), 2020 (48), 2015 (51) drew the fewest.
- Did Toyota recall Tundra frames?
- Yes, in part: recall 09V444000 covers rear cross-member corrosion on 2000–2003 Tundras in salt-belt states. 292 complaints on the 2000–2006 mention a frame campaign, buyback or replaced frame, and an owner below says a dealer installed a new frame on a 2000 at no charge.
Five checks for a used Tundra, by generation
On an old Tundra, look under it; on a new one, look up its recalls.
- 1Read the first three characters5TB and 5TF are Toyota's US truck codes; character 10 is the year.
- 22000–2006: get under the frameLook at the rear cross member and rails; recall 09V444000 covers 2000–2003 trucks in salt states.
- 32001–2006: lower ball jointsAsk whether they've been replaced; owners describe them failing.
- 42007–2013: air-injection pumpA check-engine light and limp mode on a cold start are what owners describe.
- 52022–2024: confirm the engine recallsAsk for proof that 25V767000 (and 24V381000 or 26V320000 if they apply) was done.
Avoid (or Inspect Hard): the 2000–2006 Tundra and Its Frame
The structure is the component named most on every 2000–2006 Tundra, and 1,391 of the 3,763 complaints on those years describe a rusted frame. The 2000 drew 1,032 complaints, the most of any Tundra, 474 of them about frame rust.
Recall 09V444000 covers excessive corrosion of the rear cross member on 2000–2003 Tundras sold or registered in salt-belt states. 292 of the 2000–2006 rust complaints mention a frame campaign, buyback or replacement frame.
The same early trucks have two smaller clusters: brakes on the 2000–2002 (563 complaints, some about rusted brake lines) and lower ball joints, 71 complaints on the 2004 alone.
The first generation by the numbers
- 474 · 204 complaints about frame rust on the 2000 and 2004.
- 178 on the 2006.
- Recall 09V444000: 2000–2003 Tundras, rear cross member corrosion in salt states.
- 177 complaints on the 2001–2004 mention the ball joints.
Be Careful With: the 2022–2024 Tundra and Its Engine
The third generation's twin-turbo V6 (Toyota's V35A) brought a new problem. The engine is the component named most on the 2022, 2023 and 2024, which drew 433, 417 and 358 complaints, and 176 describe engine failure, bearing damage or debris.
Three recalls cover it. 24V381000 (2022–2023), 25V767000 (2022–2024) and 26V320000 (2024) all describe debris from the manufacturing process that can make the main bearings fail and stall the engine. A further recall, 24V125000, covers unexpected movement in neutral.
On one of these trucks, the recall paperwork matters more than the mileage. Owners below say the opposite of the early trucks: the old V8s run forever, the new engines worry them.
The 2022–2024 by the numbers
- 433 · 417 · 358 complaints on the 2022, 2023 and 2024.
- 176 describe engine failure, bearings or debris.
- 105 mention the camera or screen.
- 13 recalls on the 2022.
Every Toyota Tundra Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every Tundra from 2000 to 2026, read on 12 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1st | 1,032 | 45 · 5 | 7 | Structure |
| 2001 | 1st | 421 | 28 · 2 | 5 | Structure |
| 2002 | 1st | 511 | 33 · 1 | 6 | Structure |
| 2003 | 1st | 411 | 27 · 3 | 10 | Structure |
| 2004 | 1st | 466 | 25 · 1 | 13 | Structure |
| 2005 | 1st | 377 | 33 · 3 | 14 | Structure |
| 2006 | 1st | 545 | 38 · 0 | 13 | Structure |
| 2007 | 2nd | 390 | 26 · 5 | 14 | Power Train |
| 2008 | 2nd | 327 | 24 · 2 | 13 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2009 | 2nd | 38 | 1 · 1 | 13 | Power Train |
| 2010 | 2nd | 0 | 0 · 0 | 16 | — |
| 2011 | 2nd | 135 | 6 · 0 | 11 | Engine |
| 2012 | 2nd | 156 | 7 · 2 | 4 | Engine |
| 2013 | 2nd | 85 | 4 · 3 | 6 | Engine |
| 2014 | 2nd | 93 | 2 · 1 | 5 | Electrical System |
| 2015 | 2nd | 51 | 2 · 1 | 5 | Service Brakes |
| 2016 | 2nd | 120 | 2 · 0 | 6 | Service Brakes |
| 2017 | 2nd | 78 | 2 · 0 | 6 | Electrical System |
| 2018 | 2nd | 100 | 4 · 3 | 9 | Electrical System |
| 2019 | 2nd | 74 | 4 · 2 | 10 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 2020 | 2nd | 48 | 4 · 1 | 5 | Engine |
| 2021 | 2nd | 24 | 1 · 1 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2022 | 3rd | 433 | 5 · 0 | 13 | Engine |
| 2023 | 3rd | 417 | 8 · 5 | 13 | Engine |
| 2024 | 3rd | 358 | 3 · 3 | 10 | Engine |
| 2025 | 3rd | 144 | 5 · 0 | 5 | Engine |
| 2026 | 3rd | 0 | 0 · 0 | 1 | — |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. NHTSA lists only 38 complaints under "Tundra" for the 2009 and none for the 2010, though it lists 16 recalls for the 2010, against 327 complaints for the 2008: a filing gap, not a clean record. It lists none yet for the 2026.
The Middle Years: Air Pumps, Then Quiet
The second generation's one cluster, and the long quiet stretch after it.
2007–2008: air-injection pump
73 complaints describe the secondary air-injection pump.
2011–2012: air pump again
52 of the 2012's 156 complaints are about it; no recall covers it.
2007–2010: accelerator pedal
Recall 10V017000: a pedal that can stick.
2014–2021: the quiet years
588 complaints across eight model years.
2009–2010: a filing gap
NHTSA lists 38 and 0 complaints, too few to compare.
Any year: open recalls
Run the VIN; several recalls cover airbags and axles too.
What Tundra Owners Say on Reddit, YouTube and the Forums
Tundra owners split cleanly by generation: older V8 trucks with huge mileage, and newer twin-turbo trucks whose owners are watching the recalls.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- YouTube, the most-liked comment: 2014–2021 good, 2022–2025 bad; the writer's 2017 Platinum 5.7 V8 has 88,000 miles and no issues.
- YouTube, 2007: an owner reports 407,000 miles and still going.
- YouTube, 2001 Limited 4x4: just turned 440,000 miles.
- YouTube, 2000: the owner had it inspected before selling it, and the dealer installed a new frame at no charge.
- YouTube, on early trucks: a commenter warns about lower ball joints and says to make sure they have been replaced.
- YouTube, on 2022 and later: a commenter claims engine failure is close to certain and that replacement engines are failing too.
- r/tundra, 'do not buy new': an owner lists overheating at 11,000 miles, tail lights filling with dirt, a failed front camera and poor interior plastics.
- TundraTalk forum: a member recommends 2010–2018 for towing because of the transmission cooler, and says anything before 2022 will do.
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Fewest vs. Most Tundra Complaints
Fewest is limited to 2000–2021, leaves out the 2009–2010 filing gap and years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints (2000–2006 and 2012).
Fewest complaints
- 2021: 24 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2020: 48 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2015: 51 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2019: 74 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2017: 78 complaints, 6 recalls
Most complaints
- 2000: 1,032 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2006: 545 complaints, 13 recalls
- 2002: 511 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2004: 466 complaints, 13 recalls
- 2022: 433 complaints, 13 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
The Tundras Our Visitors Check
Between 14 June 2026 and 11 November 2026, visitors ran 958 different Toyota Tundra VINs through our free preview. Every one starts with 5TB or 5TF, and every one we sampled decoded through NHTSA's VIN decoder as built in the United States.
279 (29%) were 2022 or newer, the engine-recall years; 547 (57%) were 2007–2021 and 132 (14%) 2000–2006. The single most-checked year was the 2024, at 86 VINs.
Tundra Complaints by Generation
The first generation (2000–2006) drew 3,763 complaints in seven years. The second (2007–2021) drew 1,719 in fifteen, and the third, from 2022, 1,352 so far.
What to Check on a Used Tundra
By year, the faults to look for.
2000–2006: frame and brake lines
Get underneath with a light; check the rear cross member and the lines.
2001–2006: ball joints
Ask for proof they were replaced.
2007–2013: cold start
Start it cold; a check-engine light or limp mode points to the air pump.
2022–2024: engine recalls
Get the recall paperwork before anything else.
2022 on: camera and screen
Test the cameras and the display.
Any year: VIN records
Open recalls, title brands and odometer history.
Reading Tundra Complaint Numbers
NHTSA complaints are owner reports, not verified and not divided by sales. Many 2022–2024 engine complaints mention the recall itself, so those years' totals include owners waiting for repairs as well as engines that failed.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used, so they are a minimum. Watch for gaps too: NHTSA returns no 2010 complaints under "Tundra" at all, so that year and the thin 2009 are left out of the comparisons.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, history checks and the Tundra's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 12 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.
Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
Frames, engines and the quiet years in between.
What is the worst year for the Toyota Tundra?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2000 (1,032), then the 2006 (545) and the 2002 (511).
Which Tundra years have engine problems?+
The 2022–2024: 176 complaints describe engine failure, bearings or debris, covered by recalls 24V381000, 25V767000 and 26V320000.
Is the 2007–2013 Tundra a good used buy?+
Mostly; its main cluster is the secondary air-injection pump (150 complaints on the 2007–2008 and 2011–2012), which no recall covers. Owners below report 2007s past 400,000 miles.
Which Tundra years have frame rust?+
The 2000–2006: 1,391 complaints describe a rusted frame. Recall 09V444000 covers the 2000–2003 rear cross member in salt states.
Is a high-mileage Tundra worth buying?+
Often, if the frame is sound: owners report a 2007 at 407,000 miles and a 2001 at 440,000.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can see a rusted frame or a debris-damaged bearing. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Under It, Then Its Recalls
On an old Tundra, check the frame; on a new one, the engine recalls. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 12 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked posts. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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