Best and worst Toyota Tundra years — which to avoid

Buying a used Toyota Tundra might be an easy pick in terms of the model, but finding a problem-free model year is a bit more difficult. Even though it’s a dependable model overall, there have been some Tundra years that are best avoided.

So, our team took it upon ourselves to deliver a complete guide on the best years to buy and worst Toyota Tundra years to avoid to help you with your decision. We’ve gone through extensive research and records of Tundra’s reliability based on NHTSA submissions, driver complaints, and personal driver experiences, so stick along for our findings.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Toyota Tundra years

During our evaluation of Tundra model years, we’ve ranked the models from best to worst by using information on reliable automotive websites. First off, we relied on NHTSA’s records and details available on recalls, along with common complaints that drivers have filed on the model’s problems.

Along with that, we’ve explored consumer ratings to figure out which models received more complaints and worse scores than others. Finally, we also wanted to consider posts on popular Toyota Tundra forums where we found useful information from real Tundra owners that we later on cross-referenced with our databases. Thanks to all these evaluation methods, we’ve come across the following results:

Most common Toyota Tundra problems

Every vehicle in the market has some potentially recurring problems that are bound to occur, especially after a certain mileage. While most of the Tundra years were pretty reliable, some had repetitive problems that made us include them on our “worst years” list, so here’s an overview of such issues:

1. Lower ball joint wear

The lower ball joint of the front suspension in some Tundras wears pretty fast. The wear is inevitable as you use the ball joints to control a moving vehicle. But, if you own a Tundra, you should look forward to replacing them earlier than most vehicles’ recommended time.

The faster wear is attributed to improper finishing on the joints. Since it was a production error, Toyota issued a recall for the affected vehicles in 2007 when the complaints were most severe. The model years most affected were the 2004 to 2006 Tundras.

This kind of problem must be arrested very early as it can turn out to be fatal if left to escalate. Warning signs include a significant amount of vibration, high-pitched sounds, difficulty maintaining control, and increased steering effort. The worst that can happen is the ball joints breaking, which will cause you to lose control of the vehicle entirely. If you are wondering why is the steering wheel shaking at high speed, it could be due to bad ball joints, and replacing them is the only solution.

Replacing the ball joints would cost at most $450, including labor. However, you are required to realign your wheels when replacing the ball joints, which can cost more than $100, depending on the rate your mechanic offers. To resolve this issue, you may spend up to $1,000.

2. Defective air injection pump

The job of the air injection pump is to push air to intercept and burn unburned fuels in the exhaust system, thus reducing pollution. Toyota’s Tundra is notorious for having constantly defecting air injection pumps. The incomplete combustion that happens as a consequence of this problem produces harmful emissions and reduces the vehicle’s fuel economy.

It would help if you noticed the early signs of this problem before it reached the point where it caused your car to stall. Replacing it will cost you more than $1,000.

3. Failed exhaust manifold

The exhaust manifold constantly expands and contracts due to heat exposure which regularly fractures the metal the manifold is made of. Most Tundras are known to develop cracks in their manifolds more than other vehicles. The cracks cause the exhaust manifold to leak, reducing the truck’s fuel efficiency.

Most drivers suggest that Toyota should recall affected vehicles as it is very uncomfortable. The leaking manifold gives a weird ticking noise which sometimes gets too loud, especially when the engine is cold or idle.

The cause of the problem is attributed to poor quality control during the sealing of the exhaust system. A more common reason is leaking the cam shaft tower seal onto the exhaust. It costs over $1,000 to replace but is best done early to prevent having to deal with the additional problems delay can cause.

4. Slipping transmission

Tundra models from 2000 to 2006 containing an automatic transmission are the Tundras at the most risk of developing slipping transmissions. It is most popularly called the “strawberry milkshake” problem because of the color of the mixture, which is formed when the automatic transmission fluid and the engine coolant mix.

The mixture is caused by rupturing the radiator’s part responsible for cooling the transmission. Overheating of the engine and transmission follows right after, causing significant damage to both systems. Most times, the transmission requires a complete replacement afterward.

To save money on repairs, you must address this problem as soon as it happens by changing the radiator and flushing the transmission and engine cooling system. Ensure your mechanic checks for any issue that could have occurred due to the little overheating that would have happened. 

5. Brake malfunctions

Brake malfunctions are not uncommon on the Toyota Tundra and are mainly caused by warped brake rotors. It causes the steering to be shaky when the brakes are activated. If left to linger, it can mess with your control over your vehicle and put you in a tight situation.

Brake problems should be dealt with as soon as possible for safety reasons. The best solution for rotor-related brake problems is to replace the rotor entirely with higher quality. There were also some issues with the brake controller which regulates the electric brakes of an attached trailer. It can prove disastrous on the wrong speed and terrain if it fails.

New Toyota Tundra models have a problem with their integrated brake controllers. The controllers are reported to not provide enough braking power for the trailers. Most drivers fix the issue by replacing it with an aftermarket brake controller.

Worst Toyota Tundra years to avoid

Despite the many positive reviews the Tundra has received, it is not perfect. After going through the common complaints, you may be left with the question – which are the worst Toyota Tundra years to avoid? The worst Toyota Tundra years are 2000 and 2004, but here’s a detailed list:

• 2000
• 2004
• 2007
• 2008

This may not be much having in mind it’s only four model years, but since it’s a Toyota it should be reliable, so let’s take a look at the details.

First-generation Tundra (2000 and 2004 model years)

The 2000 Toyota Tundra is one of the worst-rated model years with over 1,000 reports of negative feedback issued by drivers to NHTSA. However, it’s at least a good thing that most of these weren’t that serious since the most commonly reported issue is related to body and paint problems that are easy to solve.

Of course, fixing rusted frame rails can be a pretty tricky thing to do, especially if you are wondering about what is frame damage on a car and aren’t familiar with the details. Still, it’s at least a better scenario than having serious engine issues as some future models have experienced.

Second-generation Tundra (2007 and 2008 model years)

The engine is the biggest problem of the second-generation Tundras, with that of the 2007 model being the worst. There were reports of complete engine failure, with the bulk of other engine problems caused by knocking pistons and air injection pump failure.

The 2007 model also had issues with speed control, accelerator pads, and speed control which were tabled before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The only redemption the Tundra had with such dangerous issues on its 20th model is that they appeared on a small scale compared to other brands at the time. Nonetheless, they subtracted greatly from the safety of the vehicle.

2008 Toyota Tundra received a lot of complaints about its exhaust manifold. The oxygen sensor and air injection pump also failed massively, among other problems.

What are the best Toyota Tundra years to buy?

Most of the Tundras Toyota has produced made their mark as one of the best in their time, aside from the worst ones covered above. Some have proven to be quite a significant investment, whether you buy it factory fresh or used. Here are the best Toyota Tundra years you should look out for.

• 2001
• 2003
• 2005
• 2010  
• 2011
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

In order of importance, the best three you should consider when buying a used Tundra are the 2009, 2019, and 2013 models. They have the most reliable engines, excellent handling, and aesthetic lure.

2009 Toyota Tundra

The 2009 Toyota Tundra only receive around 50 ownership complaints, making it the best-rated model up to date. For reference, the next best model had more than 150 complaints, while the worst-rated Tundra models had up to 2,000 complaints per year.

Along with that, it’s a good sign that the only issues reported were related to the car’s body and paint, so it’s no wonder the model received a positive rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Edmunds.

2013 Toyota Tundra

For the 2013 model, Toyota managed to sort out the common issues of frame damage and head gasket leaks, as well as those troublesome exhaust issues we’ve discussed. All of that has led to positive driver critics and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 on reputable platforms with just over 150 complaints made to NHTSA.

2019 Toyota Tundra

Finally, the 2019 Toyota Tundra is a pretty decent model of its own and one of the latest models before the introduction of the third-gen model which debuted in 2022. The main issues with this one were mostly minor, featuring interior accessory faults and electrical problems.

However, the model only received around 100 complaints and had impressive crash test results which put it in place of the most reliable and safest trucks in the class.

Is the Toyota Tundra worth buying? 

The Toyota Tundra is a good investment with a value balanced with time. Its powerful engine can tow cargo up to 6,800 pounds on any terrain.

To sweeten the purchase, Toyota includes roadside assistance and a complimentary maintenance plan for its first two years or 25,000 miles, which you might not use because the truck delivers on reliability. A Toyota Tundra can last 300,000 miles or 20 years with proper and regular maintenance.

Need a truck that won’t let you down? We’ve gone through reviews and common issues to tell you which ones are keepers and which to skip. If you wonder what are Ford F-150 years to avoid, Chevy Silverado years to avoid, and Ram 1500 years to avoid, our straightforward guides have you covered.