VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota Tundra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2013 Toyota Tundra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 105 owner complaints run below the Tundra median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (24), fuel system (13), and electrical system (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

105

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Tundra years?

See all Tundra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota Tundra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2423%
Fuel System1312%
Electrical System1110%
Steering1010%
Tires & Wheels77%
Body & Structure77%
Airbags55%
Other55%
Seat Belts55%
Speed Control44%
Brakes44%
Lighting33%
Suspension33%
Seats22%
Visibility & Wipers22%

Does the 2013 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21E103000SteeringDecember 23, 2021 · 151 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

21V920000SteeringNovember 23, 2021 · 22,462 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

17V311000Tires & WheelsMay 11, 2017 · 1,325 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.

Consequence

Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.

14V429000Tires & WheelsJuly 16, 2014 · 16,249 units

Defect

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Toyota Tundra vehicles modified by GST as part of certain vehicle packages to be equipped with a combination of non-Toyota-brand 20-inch alloy wheels and chrome plated lug nuts. The coating on the lug nuts may give, causing the lug nuts to loosen or the wheel studs to fracture.

Consequence

If the lug nuts loosen, or the wheel studs fracture, the wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GST will notify owners, and dealers will replace 20 lug nuts and torque them to specification, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074.

13V123000OtherApril 9, 2013 · 7,525 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

13V014000SeatsJanuary 16, 2013 · 3,235 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TOWER SEAL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER (DAVID MAUS TOYOTA, 1160 REINEHART RD, SANFORD, FL 32771) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 14, 2018 · fire

INCREDIBLY POOR MILEAGE DUE TO DEFECTIVE FLEX FUEL ENGINE. I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREWMAX 4X4 FLEX FUEL THAT IS EPA RATE FOR 13/17. I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY AVERAGING 7.4 MPG CITY UNDER VERY LIGHT THROTTLE. FOLLOWING A TOYOTA CORPORATE ESB I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE DEALER REFLASH THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FUEL LINES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE REAR WINDOWS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 28, 2014 · fire

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 40 STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY FELL ON TO LAP, HAD TO PICK UP STEERING COLUMN AND TRY TO KEEP TRUCK UNDER CONTROL AT WHICH TIME ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON . AFTER GETTING TRUCK STOPPED NOTICED THAT BOLTS USED TO HOLD STEERING COLUMN WHERE NOT ATTACHED TO COLUMN.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 18, 2013

ON 08/22/14, I HAD BEEN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED. I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES BECAUSE THERE WAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION AND THE BRAKES HAVE NOT STOPPED WELL SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. THEY SAID THE TRUCK NEEDED NEW BRAKES, ROTORS AND PADS ALL THE WAY AROUND. I WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 28, 2014 · crash

2013 Toyota Tundra — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 105 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tundra year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2013 Tundra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (24 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints).

Does the 2013 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Toyota Tundra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Toyota Tundra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Tundra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tundra years to avoid are 2000, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2022, 2023, 2001, 2007, 2003, 2005, 2024, 2008. The cleanest record among Tundra years belongs to 1999.

How safe is the 2013 Toyota Tundra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Toyota Tundra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.