YearToAvoid

2005 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

65/100

#8 most-complained of 21 Tundra years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Toyota Tundra has 376 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Tundra model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is structure & body (94 complaints, 25% of the total). Complaints report 33 crashes, 3 fires, and 24 injuries.

Complaints
376
Recalls
12
Crashes / fires
33 / 3
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
14 city / 18 hwy

Top 2005 Toyota Tundra problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body94 (25%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires88 (23%)
  3. Airbags83 (22%)
  4. Engine45 (12%)
  5. Brakes41 (11%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain35 (9%)
  7. Other29 (8%)
  8. Steering21 (6%)
  9. Electrical System18 (5%)
  10. Fuel System12 (3%)
2005 Toyota Tundra complaints: complaints filed per quarter332005 Q12007 Q42010 Q32013 Q22015 Q42018 Q22020 Q42023 Q2
475 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2010 Q1 (33).

2005 Toyota Tundra recalls

12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. 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 J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

  2. NHTSA 18V883000Dec 12, 2018Airbags168,993 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.

  3. NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

See all 12 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Tundra →

2005 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
15.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,175
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Tundra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution653761215.5
2006Avoid805451015.5
2007Avoid753901215

All Toyota Tundra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Toyota Tundra ranks #8 of 21 among Tundra model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 376 complaints and 12 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
The most reported problem areas are structure & body (94 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (88 complaints), and airbags (83 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 82,225 miles.
Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Tundra, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags, structure & body, other, and suspension, wheels & tires.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
EPA rates the 2005 Toyota Tundra at 15.5 MPG combined (14 city / 18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.