VehicleVerdict

2018 Toyota Tundra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Toyota Tundra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 153 owner complaints run below the Tundra median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

153

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Tundra years?

See all Tundra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Tundra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4026%
Brakes2214%
Fuel System1812%
Speed Control149%
Other138%
Engine117%
Driver Assistance96%
Airbags53%
Body & Structure43%
Lighting43%
Steering43%
Seats32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Transmission21%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2018 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

9 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.

21V688000LightingSeptember 2, 2021 · 158,489 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.

Consequence

An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.

20V410000LightingJuly 15, 2020 · 183,397 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB12/20TA12.

20V012000Fuel SystemJanuary 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

18V711000OtherOctober 11, 2018 · 508 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra vehicles. The accessory all-weather floormats may have been counted twice when creating the load carrying capacity modification label, resulting in the capacity modification label incorrectly overstating the additional weight by 10 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

Since the incorrect label is not within 1% of the additional weight, the vehicles are not compliant with the FMVSS.

Remedy

All vehicle owners will be sent a corrected label. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0Z.

18V685000Electrical SystemOctober 4, 2018 · 168,187 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence

If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.

18V122000Electrical SystemFebruary 20, 2018 · 64,901 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. Electrical interference within the power supply circuit may cause the vehicle's electronic stability control system to be deactivated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system can increase the risk of a crash in certain conditions.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0H. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V-685. The software remedy for 18V-685 includes the updates to the software for this recall.

17V831000OtherDecember 20, 2017 · 649 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

PRE-CRASH SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY, AT TIMES IF A VEGICLE PASSES ME ON EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE, THE CRASH WARNING BEEPED AND BRAKES APPLIED, NOTE: NO ONE IS IN FRONT OF ME, THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, SINCE THE INITIAL RECALL FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2018 · crash

ON A QUICK HARD BRAKING..APPLIES BRAKE THEN WITHOUT LIFTING BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE THE. TRUCK AUTOMATICALLY RELEASES IT AND SLIDES FORWARD SOME DISTANCE...THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION...THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE BEFORE....THIS TIME RAN INTO A TURNING VEHICLE

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 1, 2019 · crash

My truck continues to start extremely rough and it staled out on me the other day driving down the road. The problem has persisted for several months now and I have been told that it is a problem with the fuel pump. I know that Toyota had a massive recall on fuel pumps but my truck was not under…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 2, 2024

CAR PURCHASED 10/09/2018 PRE-COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND TRAILER BRAKE ERROR 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 LIGHT COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. ESPECIALLY DURING RAINY AND WINDY WEATHER DROPPED OFF AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF SELMA IN SELMA CA. DIAGNOSIS AS DTC C1435 DETECTED. PLEASE SEE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 5, 2017

PRE COLLISION LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVING 300 MILES ON IT. CYCLE ON AND OFF TO RESET BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON. RECOMMEND REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PCS. POLLED OTHER 2018 TUNDRAS AND 85% OF THE THEM ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FEBRUARY RECALL DID NOT FIX THIS ISSUE. LIGHT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 7, 2018

2018 Toyota Tundra — common questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 153 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tundra year, with 9 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Tundra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (40 complaints), brakes (22 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2018 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Toyota Tundra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2018 Toyota Tundra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 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.