VehicleVerdict

2020 Toyota Tundra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2020 Toyota Tundra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 54 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 other (9), fuel system (7), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

54

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Tundra years?

Tundra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted1,334 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1,334 complaints2001: 542 complaints2002: 645 complaints2003: 524 complaints2004: 652 complaints2005: 491 complaints2006: 677 complaints2007: 535 complaints2008: 460 complaints2009: 53 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 184 complaints2012: 214 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 115 complaints2015: 58 complaints2016: 154 complaints2017: 112 complaints2018: 153 complaints2019: 103 complaints2020: 54 complaints2021: 30 complaints2022: 619 complaints2023: 580 complaints2024: 479 complaints2025: 218 complaints2026: 22 complaints
Tundra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tundra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Tundra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other917%
Fuel System713%
Engine59%
Steering47%
Brakes47%
Tires & Wheels36%
Lighting36%
Driver Assistance36%
Body & Structure36%
Electrical System36%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Seats24%
Suspension24%
Transmission24%
Airbags24%

Does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

5 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.

20V682000Fuel SystemNovember 4, 2020 · 1,525,742 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2020 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND HE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND FOR SOME REASON THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE AND STOP OR EVEN SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN HE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER TRUCK AND THAT TRUCK WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR LUCKILY NO ONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 29, 2020 · crash

“Vehicle stalled and lost power at approximately 45 mph. Warning lights activated and "Not ready to drive" message was displayed. Vehicle has had 3 other similar episodes all resulting in the vehicle losing power at high speed. Vehicle was towed to local Toyota service dept. where they said it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 18, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE STARTED TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOYOTA OF SANTA MARIA (700 EAST BETTERAVIA RD, SANTA MARIA, CA 93454,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 24, 2020

“I was driving in a 25 MPH zone approaching a red light preparing to stop. I had increased the pressure on my brake pedal and then my foot slipped of the pedal just seconds before I ran into a truck that was stopped at the red light. After further investigation I found out that the brake pedal pad…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 6, 2023 · crash

“Steering is intermittently difficult, almost as if no power steering. Steering wheel does not return to center after a turn. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed on the vehicle. This is a safety issue in that it could an accident by not responding properly to driver input. Took vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 16, 2026

2020 Toyota Tundra — common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 54 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tundra year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 Tundra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (9 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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 2020 Toyota Tundra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.