Reliable Auto DB

2018 Toyota Tundra reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Tundra over 9 years — 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Tundra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Hydraulic power steering, Headlights, and Turn signal.

2014 Toyota Tundra
Photo by A. Bailey, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

99

Per year

16

Recalls

9

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (26 of 99), then Service brakes (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (16). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Tundra has 78 complaints, 9 per year, and the 2019 has 72 complaints, 10 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Toyota Tundra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall steering, hydraulic power steering 2021-12-23 · NHTSA campaign 21E103000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall steering, hydraulic power steering 2021-11-23 · NHTSA campaign 21V920000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2021-09-02 · NHTSA campaign 21V688000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, turn signal 2020-07-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V410000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall Fuel pump 2020-01-13 · NHTSA campaign 20V012000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Labels 2018-10-11 · NHTSA campaign 18V711000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall electrical system, software 2018-10-04 · NHTSA campaign 18V685000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall Electronic stability control (ESC) 2018-02-20 · NHTSA campaign 18V122000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall Labels 2017-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 17V831000
Summary 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."
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.

Complaints by component (99 total)

Electrical system
26
Service brakes
22
Fuel and propulsion system
16
Speed control
14
Electronic stability control (ESC)
13
Engine
11
Forward collision avoidance
8
Air bags
5
Exterior lighting
4
Steering
4
Seats
3
Structure
3
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Powertrain
2
Tires
2
Visibility and wipers
1
Wheels
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201725201810201910202032021172022820235202412202562026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Front Upper Grille Hood Scoop becomes loose and flys off during highway speeds and can distract a driver to the point of having an accident. Has been replaced once and is loose again held down by duck tape."
    Structure · filed 2026-06-11
  • "Vehicle never been crash or hit by other car, but is showing problem with the air bag system"
    Air bags · filed 2026-06-08
  • "The upper grille and hood trim assembly on my 2018 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition failed and partially detached from the vehicle due to apparent mounting clip and retainer failure. The failed component is available for…"
    Structure · filed 2026-05-06
  • "Sometimes the engine will randomly turn off while driving and become hard to restart like it’s not getting fuel."
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-04-13
  • "Seat back on driver side caught fire burn 2" x 2" hole in the seat back"
    Seats · filed 2026-02-13

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA PU/CC 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2018 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2018 Toyota Tundra PU/EC 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2018 Toyota Tundra PU/EC 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tundra two-wheel drive 4.6L, 8-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Rear-wheel drive 15 19 16 MPG $4050
Tundra two-wheel drive 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Rear-wheel drive 13 18 15 MPG $4300
Tundra four-wheel drive 4.6L, 8-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 14 18 16 MPG $4050
Tundra four-wheel drive 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 13 17 14 MPG $4650
Tundra four-wheel drive flex-fuel 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 13 17 15 MPG $4300

Specs and fitment

2nd generation (XK50), 2012–2021
Body styles Regular Cab, Double Cab, CrewMax
Oil 0W-20 (4.6L and 5.7L V8; 2021 is 5.7L only) , 8.5 qt capacity
Tire size P255/70R18 to P275/55R20 (275/65R18 on TRD Pro and many SR5/Limited trims)
Towing capacity 10,200 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V920 (Toyota 21TB10 and 21TA10) covers certain 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra and 2008-2022 Toyota Sequoia vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak. An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Toyota Tundra Next year 2019 Toyota Tundra See every Toyota Tundra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Tundra over 9 years — 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Tundra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Hydraulic power steering, Headlights, and Turn signal.

What are common problems with a 2018 Toyota Tundra?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (26 of 99), then Service brakes (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (16). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2018 Toyota Tundra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Tundra has 78 complaints, 9 per year, and the 2019 has 72 complaints, 10 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Toyota Tundra been recalled?

The 2018 Toyota Tundra has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Toyota Tundra?

Owners have filed 99 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Tundra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Toyota Tundra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Toyota Tundra is 15.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Toyota Tundra take?

2nd-gen US V8 (2012-2021): 0W-20 (~8.5 qt with filter). 3rd-gen 3.4L i-FORCE (2022+): 0W-20 (~7.7 qt with filter).

Does NHTSA campaign 21V920 cover the Toyota Tundra?

It covers certain 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia vehicles (Toyota 21TB10/21TA10): the power steering gear may have been manufactured incorrectly; dealers inspect and replace as directed.

What generation is the 2020 Toyota Tundra?

2nd generation (2012-2021 in this catalog). The 3rd generation starts in 2022.