VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Tundra2007–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Tundra
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid
14 recalls · 389 complaints
22 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
13 recalls · 392 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
13 recalls · 324 complaints
12 reported injuries
Top issue: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Toyota Tundra — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 92 | 30 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 95 | 11 | 50 | 42 | 47 | Good |
| 2024 | 8 | 241 | — | 30 | 58 | 40 | Caution |
| 2023 | 13 | 330 | 2 | 4 | 72 | 28 | Avoid |
| 2022 | 13 | 392 | 3 | 4 | 82 | 31 | Avoid |
| 2021 | 3 | 23 | 1 | 62 | 88 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 5 | 42 | 3 | 44 | 84 | 58 | Good |
| 2019 | 10 | 70 | 6 | 17 | 74 | 37 | Good |
| 2018 | 9 | 95 | 6 | 22 | 62 | 36 | Good |
| 2017 | 6 | 76 | 1 | 40 | 50 | 44 | Good |
| 2016 | 6 | 115 | 3 | 39 | 40 | 39 | Good |
| 2015 | 5 | 44 | — | 45 | 40 | 43 | Good |
| 2014 | 5 | 92 | 3 | 44 | 40 | 43 | Good |
| 2013 | 6 | 84 | 3 | 39 | 40 | 39 | Good |
| 2012 | 4 | 152 | 5 | 48 | 40 | 45 | Caution |
| 2011 | 11 | 133 | 5 | 13 | 40 | 22 | Caution |
| 2010 | 16 | 0 | — | 20 | 40 | 27 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 13 | 38 | — | 5 | 40 | 17 | Good |
| 2008 | 13 | 324 | 12 | 0 | 40 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 14 | 389 | 22 | 0 | 40 | 14 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Tundra Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Tundra compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 71).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 44).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Tundra to buy?+
The 2021 Toyota Tundra scores highest on our Buyer Score (71/100) — combining a reliability score of 62/100 with a value score of 88/100. It has 3 recalls and 23 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Tundra years have the most problems?+
The 2007, 2022, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2007 Tundra leads with 14 recalls and 389 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Tundra problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Tundra issues involve: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.