The most-documented Toyota Tundra problems are machining debris that can destroy the 3.4L twin-turbo V35A engine’s main bearings on 2022–2024 trucks (recalls 24V381, 25V767 and 26V320), loose rear axle shafts and a chafing fuel tube on early third-generation trucks, camera and reverse-light recalls, and frame rust on 2007–2008 trucks.
CarWhere lists 10 documented Tundra issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
2nd gen Tundra problems (2007–2021)
Frame can rust through on 2007–2008 trucks (class settlement) (2007–2008)
Major repair- Generation:
- 2nd gen (2007–2021)
- Years:
- 2007–2008
- Powertrain:
- All
A 2016 class settlement covering about 1.5 million Toyota trucks included 2007–2008 Tundras, alleging inadequate rust protection that could let the frame corrode badly enough to affect its structure. Toyota agreed to inspect frames for 12 years from first sale, replace frames meeting the rust-perforation standard and reimburse earlier replacements, without admitting wrongdoing.
Symptoms
- Scaling or holes in the frame rails and crossmembers
- Fresh undercoating hiding the frame on an older truck
Check before buying
- Inspect the frame on a lift, tapping rails and crossmembers for soft metal
- Ask whether the frame was replaced under the settlement and for the paperwork
Sources: [1][2]
Headlight connector can overheat (recall 21V688) (2018–2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 2nd gen (2007–2021)
- Years:
- 2018–2021
- Powertrain:
- All
The headlight circuits on 2018–2021 Tundras can power the high and low beams at the same time, overheating the electrical connector and creating a fire risk. Dealers modify the engine wire harness and replace any damaged bulb, connector or headlight.
Symptoms
- Headlight flickers or goes out
- Melted or discolored headlight connector
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 21V688 (2021-09) · 158,489 vehicles
Sources: [3]
Power steering gear can leak and lose assist (recall 21V920) (2007–2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 2nd gen (2007–2021)
- Years:
- 2007–2021
- Powertrain:
- All
A power steering gear assembly that may have been made incorrectly can leak oil on certain 2007–2021 Tundras (and 2008–2022 Sequoias), causing a sudden loss of power steering assist. Dealers inspect and replace the gear as needed.
Symptoms
- Power steering fluid leak at the steering rack
- Steering suddenly heavy or groaning
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 21V920 (2021-11) · 22,462 vehicles
Sources: [4]
3rd gen Tundra problems (2022–present)
V35A engine debris can wipe out main bearings (recall 24V381) (2022–2023)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2023
Machining debris left in some V35A engines during production can contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, leading to knocking, a stall and loss of power. Recall 24V381 covered 2022–2023 Tundra and Lexus LX 600 gas models (hybrids excluded), and dealers replace the engine assembly. By May 2026 Toyota said dealers had repaired more than 77,000 of about 102,000 U.S. vehicles in that recall.
Symptoms
- Engine knocking or rough running
- Low oil pressure warning
- Engine will not start or loses power
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Ask whether the truck received a replacement engine and when it was built
NHTSA recall: 24V381 (2024-05) · 102,092 vehicles
Sources: [5][6]
V35A debris recall expanded through 2024 (recalls 25V767, 26V320) (2022–2024)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2024
Recall 25V767 extended the V35A debris problem to more 2022–2024 Tundras (plus Lexus LX and 2024 GX), and 26V320 added about 43,500 more 2024 Tundras after Toyota found debris could still damage the #1 main bearing on engines built with added cleaning controls. Dealers inspect that bearing using vehicle software and drive data and replace the engine if needed; later engines use an improved #1 main bearing.
Symptoms
- Engine knocking or rough running
- Engine will not start or loses power
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Check both 25V767 and 26V320 status, not just 24V381
NHTSA recall: 25V767 (2025-11) · 126,691 vehicles
Sources: [7][8][9][6]
Rear axle shaft can separate (recall 22V445) (2022)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022
- Powertrain:
- All
The axle-shaft flange nuts on some 2022 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks can loosen over time, letting one or both axle shafts separate from the housing and hurting stability and braking. Dealers inspect the rear axle, tighten the nuts and replace damaged parts.
Symptoms
- Clunk or grinding from a rear wheel
- Gear oil on the inside of a rear wheel
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 22V445 (2022-06) · 46,176 vehicles
Sources: [10]
Fuel tube can chafe on brake lines and leak (recall 23V566) (2022–2023)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2023
- Powertrain:
- All
A plastic fuel tube routed near the metal brake lines on 2022–2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks can rub against them and be damaged, possibly leaking fuel and creating a fire risk. Dealers add protective material and a clamp on the tube.
Symptoms
- Fuel smell around the truck
- Wet spot under the frame near the fuel lines
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 23V566 (2023-08) · 168,179 vehicles
Sources: [11]
Truck can move unexpectedly in Neutral (recall 24V125) (2022–2024)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2024
- Powertrain:
- All
On 2022–2024 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks (plus Lexus LX 600 and 2023–2024 Sequoia Hybrid), the vehicle can move unexpectedly when in Neutral without the brakes applied. Dealers update the transmission control software.
Symptoms
- Truck creeps in Neutral on level ground
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 24V125 (2024-02) · 280,663 vehicles
Sources: [12]
Reverse lamps can fail from moisture (recall 25V322) (2022–2025)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2025
- Powertrain:
- All
Moisture can get into the reverse light assemblies on 2022–2025 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks and make both lamps stop working, reducing rear visibility and warning to others. Dealers replace both reverse lamps and repair corroded harness connectors, in phases.
Symptoms
- One or both reverse lights out
- Condensation inside the taillight
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Shift into reverse and check both reverse lamps light
NHTSA recall: 25V322 (2025-05) · 443,444 vehicles
Sources: [13][14]
Rear camera image may not display (recalls 25V657, 26V038) (2022–2025)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 3rd gen (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2025
- Powertrain:
- All
Software in the 14-inch multimedia display on 2022–2025 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks can show a green or black screen so the rearview image is missing (25V657). A separate recall, 26V038, updates the Panoramic View Monitor software on 2024–2025 trucks for a similar fault. Both are free software updates.
Symptoms
- Green or black screen when shifting into reverse
- Display stuck on a camera view
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Shift into reverse several times and confirm a live camera image
NHTSA recall: 25V657 (2025-10) · 393,838 vehicles
Sources: [15][16][17][18]