Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Toyota Tundra model year (2000–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 664 complaints
18 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Problem score: 717
9 recalls · 347 complaints
18 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 415
9 recalls · 348 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 397
Best Toyota Tundra Years to Buy
1 recall · 8 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 11
2 recalls · 25 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 31
1 recall · 32 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 35
Found the right year? Verify that specific Tundra with a free VIN report.
Toyota Tundra — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 33 | 2 | — | 37 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 120 | 5 | — | 136 | Good |
| 2024 | 3 | 266 | — | — | 275 | Caution |
| 2023 | 8 | 328 | 5 | — | 362 | Caution |
| 2022 | 9 | 357 | 3 | — | 390 | Caution |
| 2021 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 32 | — | — | 35 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 3 | 66 | 7 | — | 89 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 66 | 6 | — | 84 | Good |
| 2017 | 3 | 43 | 2 | — | 56 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 3 | 69 | 1 | — | 80 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 31 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 4 | 55 | 1 | — | 69 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 5 | 53 | 2 | — | 72 | Good |
| 2012 | 3 | 106 | 10 | — | 135 | Good |
| 2011 | 6 | 93 | 4 | — | 119 | Good |
| 2010 | 11 | 111 | 5 | — | 154 | Good |
| 2009 | 8 | 21 | — | — | 45 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 9 | 218 | 1 | — | 247 | Good |
| 2007 | 10 | 246 | 19 | 5 | 339 | Caution |
| 2006 | 9 | 348 | 11 | — | 397 | Caution |
| 2005 | 10 | 257 | 15 | — | 317 | Caution |
| 2004 | 9 | 347 | 18 | 1 | 415 | Caution |
| 2003 | 8 | 266 | 5 | — | 300 | Caution |
| 2002 | 4 | 311 | 17 | 4 | 377 | Caution |
| 2001 | 3 | 270 | 21 | 2 | 331 | Caution |
| 2000 | 4 | 664 | 18 | 1 | 717 | Avoid |
All 27 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Toyota Tundra Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2021Recent Tundra models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2021 stands out with just 11 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Tundra units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Tundra models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Tundra should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2000 Toyota Tundra if possible. It has 4 recalls, 664 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 717 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Tundra to buy?+
The 2021 Toyota Tundra is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 11. It has only 1 recall and 8 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Tundra has the fewest problems?+
The 2021, 2015, 2020 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Toyota Tundra Research
Check a Specific Toyota Tundra VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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