Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid in 2025: Worst Models & Best Alternatives

There is a lot of reliable models released by Toyota. It was Toyota’s first pickup, with specifications that no one else could produce. The company has had its share of slip-ups, and some should be known. 

Buying a used Tundra can be tough if you don’t know what years to avoid. You’ll learn more about the Tundra over the years in the sections below.

Best: 2014

It may be older than double-digits now, but the 2014 Toyota Tundra remains among the most popular full-size pickups in North America. As part of the second generation of the Tundra, it has consistently earned high reliability scores from Consumer Reports and Edmunds as well as 4.5/5-star ratings from cars.com and Edmunds.

It was not perfect, but it has aged well. Although some critics have complained about its bulky size and limited customization options, overall customer satisfaction has remained positive for over a decade. One of the most important selling points of this vehicle is its spacious interior, long-term reliability, and high price. There’s no surprise that Toyota brands are known for such reliability and affordability, and the 2014 Tundra didn’t disappoint. Work trucks like this are popular among laborers who need a tough pickup truck.

In 2014, the Tundra is criticized for its poor fuel economy. In terms of fuel economy, it just falls short of what the US Department of Energy calls a gas guzzler, with an average of just 15 miles per gallon. Nevertheless, fans might argue that a low maintenance cost and reasonable cost offset gas costs. The original retail price of its 2-door model was $29,845, but it is currently listed around $14,000 on Kelley Blue Book. Considering the 2014 Tundra has an estimated 400,000-mile lifespan, it may be a good investment. 

Best: 2021

As a relatively new model, the 2021 Tundra hasn’t had as much time to accumulate owner complaints as older models. Also, it’s the last year of the lauded second generation, which means it was developed and improved for a decade-and-a-half. Despite these advantages, the 2021 Tundra’s near-perfect design remains a strong point.

Of course, nothing is perfect, but the 2021 Tundra’s 4.7/5-star customer review on Cars.com doesn’t fall far off the mark. The rating is the same on other review websites. Research and Development ranks it 86/100 for “Quality & Reliability”. The overall reliability rating is 62/100 according to Consumer Reports. 85% of owners recommend the 2021 Tundra according to Kelley Blue Book consumer-score data. Top review sites consistently give this model year high marks, which contribute to its popularity.

Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance system, roomy interior, V8 power, and impressive off-road performance are some of the stand-out features of the 2021 Tundra. As a result of its longevity, buyers can trust it to provide many thousands of miles of service, contributing to its “strong” resale value.

Tundra represents all the best aspects of the second-generation, without many drawbacks. Its fuel economy is only notable for being 15 mpg on average. While that’s consistent with other second-generation models, it’s still something to keep in mind when determining your budget.

Best: 2022

A lot depended on the 2022 Tundra, since it was the first model of a new generation. Tundra’s blueprint underwent a number of fundamental changes in its third generation. A multimedia system with Apple CarPlay support, Android Auto, Amazon Music, and more are among the notable updates. Two turbocharged V6 engines replace the single V8 engine, the biggest change. The third-generation Tundra is now capable of towing 12,000 pounds after this switch.

Compared to the second generation’s maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, it’s a noticeable increase. SlashGear’s reviewers found that the 2022 Toyota Tundra was superior to the 2021 model in nearly every respect. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class retains its strengths, such as a comfortable, spacious interior, and improves its weaknesses, such as a limited infotainment system. Although it is a large vehicle, it handles smoothly and effortlessly despite its size. Despite a few notable improvements, it remains the dependable full-sized truck that so many Tundra owners love.

Most complaints are related to fuel economy. It’s a gas guzzler similar to previous models. Based on FuelEconomy.gov, the standard 4WD model achieves a meager 19 mpg, which improves upon the 14 mpg the 2021 model obtained. The quality isn’t great, though. A hybrid version of the Toyota Tundra Capstone managed only 20 miles per gallon in 2022. 

It is a superb pickup truck that can be relied upon to do a wide variety of tasks, provided you can overlook its middling fuel economy. 

Best: 2013

In spite of its ten-year anniversary, Toyota Tundras are still popular thanks to their reliability. The Tundra line was designated as one of the most reliable Toyota models ever built as a result of its model year. In terms of reliability as well as customer satisfaction, Consumer Reports gives it a 4/5 rating. A second-place finish was also achieved on U.S. News’ 2013 full-size pickup trucks ranking, with an 8.5/ 10 score. To emphasize the point, J.D. To emphasize the point, it received a perfect reliability rating of 5 out of 5. 

How does the 2013 Tundra maintain its reliability? Its well-designed V8 engine is probably responsible for its “outstanding” reliability rating. Full-size pickup trucks usually have powerful V8 engines and six-speed automatic transmissions that can handle heavy hauling jobs. In fact, it performs exactly as expected.

There are many complaints regarding the 2013 Tundra, including its lack of high-tech features and luxurious interior. Despite having the Tundra’s signature spacious interior, U.S. Despite having the Tundra’s signature spacious interior, its biggest drawback is its rather stiff ride quality and a few cheap cabin materials. Even though these things are lacking, it is still one of the best Tundras ever released because of its excellent performance and reliability.

Avoid: 2012

This Toyota Tundra may seem surprising given how highly regarded its predecessors have been. In part, this year achieved the distinction of being the worst Toyota Tundra model year to avoid because of the large number of consumer complaints and the relatively high repair costs. Particularly, many owners reported problems with the air induction pump following 75,000 miles. The average cost of repairing this component is over $3,000. 

Consumer Reports offers a similarly bleak assessment of the 2012 Tundra. A U.S. News report called the 2012 model “unrefined and dated; its ride is jittery.” Attorney General’s reported the same. It also received low marks from J.D. Power, who rated it 3/5 for reliability. This is an inexcusably low performance rating for a full-size pickup that has a reputation for reliability. 

Aside from its drawbacks, the 2012 Tundra offers nearly none of the positives of its predecessor. The Tundra is praised for its spacious interior, but reliability and affordability are its weaknesses. The second-generation Tundra has low mileage and is prone to expensive repairs, so avoid it if you can.

Avoid: 2007

Second-generation Tundras are considered Toyota’s “powerhouse” trucks, cementing their position as the company’s best-selling models. The start was rocky, however. In 2007, the Tundra launched a new design that was well-received because of its lower price point.

The Tundra maintains its reputation for dependability with a 4/5 reliability rating from Consumer Reports. As time went on, recalls and consumer complaints accumulated. 14 recalls have been issued for the 2007 Tundra. Other than the 2010 model, which had 16, only one other second-gen model year had more recalls than the 2009 one.

There are, however, a number of problems with the recalls of 2007. There are a number of components that may be affected, including the steering, power train, wheels and tires, braking system, and even a sticky accelerator pedal. There is a serious danger to the vehicle from these serious issues. Moreover, It’s risky to buy a 2007 Tundra if you don’t know the recall history of a vehicle or have it fixed if there are known problems.

The 2008 Tundra, however, received less recalls and fewer complaints from its customers one year later, according to the Department of Transportation’s database. Negative feedback also continued to decline for the 2009 model, where customer complaints dropped from 379 to 316 to 38. New model years have seen a significant decline in complaints relating to suspensions and structures. When it comes down to choosing between different model years, the 2007 Tundra is probably the best choice.

We compare vehicles based on three main sources: Consumer Reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and J.D. Consumer. A reliable source of consumer reviews, professional testing results, and recall history can be found on these sites. We found which Toyota Tundra models to avoid based on the number of negative reviews, recalls, and alerts.

Additionally, we reviewed a number of other sources in order to complete our analysis. According to US News, the overall rating is derived from the press results for each model year. Additionally, it offers a side-by-side comparison tool. Professional testing is performed by Edmunds.com, another reliable source. The above resources also feature owner reviews, where you can read individual comments.

Common Toyota Tundra Issues 

On RepairPal , there have been a few complaints regarding the Tundra. Despite the fact that there hasn’t been anything major, owners have been reporting the following issues: 

• A ticking noise from the exhaust manifold has been reported in several Tundra models related to problems with the manifold. In addition, cold engines seemed to exhibit this more.
• 5.33,000 Toyota trucks and SUVs have been recalled because their lower ball joints are malfunctioning. The ball joints were susceptible to premature wear, causing steering problems and suspension problems.
• Problem with air injection pump – Many Tundra owners complained about faulty air injection pumps in their engines, which affect 11 model years. There are a number of common fixes for this problem, including replacing the injection pump or the emission control valve.

• Shaky or shuddering brake pedal – Some frustrated owners reported their trucks shaking when they pressed the brake pedal. Rotating the rotors solved this problem for one person, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re better off getting a mechanic to handle it for you.
• Failed transmission – Failed transmissions are among the most common mechanical problems, and the Tundra wasn’t exempt from them. There is a possibility that you could end up spending thousands of dollars on repairing a faulty transmission system.

There were many complaints about the noise coming from the failed exhaust manifold, and eventually the manifold had to be repaired or replaced. A relatively small number of Tundras are sold each year, so 261 people are reporting this issue. There were 206 complaints regarding the ball joint, though only 206 were recalled.

Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid: The Takeaway

There are a number of reasons why the Toyota Tundra is a reliable and durable vehicle. It’s great because there aren’t many reported incidents. Recalls were only conducted when The project lasted a year.er a The Tundra then returned with a vengeance and seemed to be fixed.fixed. 

You should look for certain things when buying a used Tundra. The year should also be considered, making sure it wasn’t involved in any major recalls. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who doesn’t like dealing with dealerships. No dealerships are involved here at CoPilot. We instead present you with a list of the best Tundras in your area so that you can make an informed decision. 

Please give us a shout if you would like to see the best Tundra years around you. When it comes to Tundras, there is a reason why they’re award-winning vehicles, so keep an eye out for the best ones.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Toyota Tundra Years to Avoid

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