2005 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Toyota Tundra carries a complaint index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 376 complaints, 12 recall campaigns, and 33 crashes, with Structure & Body issues topping the list at 94 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Tundra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 376
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 33
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 14 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
Top 2005 Toyota Tundra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body94 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires88 (23%)
- Airbags83 (22%)
- Engine45 (12%)
- Brakes41 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain35 (9%)
- Other29 (8%)
- Steering21 (6%)
- Electrical System18 (5%)
- Fuel System12 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of steering or vehicle control at highway speed, in one case after loading the truck bed near its advertised weight capacity.
- Some describe front-end alignment trouble with pulling to one side, rattling, and shimmering above 65 mph.
- Brake failures are reported at low speeds with no warning, sometimes resulting in collisions.
- Several owners describe unintended acceleration events, including crashes into fences and retaining walls.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in crash situations despite significant vehicle damage.
- A transmission issue was reported where the truck lost power and slid backward while off-roading in snow.
2005 Toyota Tundra recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 Tundra a complaint index of 65, ranking it 8th worst among 21 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Tundra years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
- Structure & Body complaints lead at 94 (25% of complaints), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 88 (23%) and Airbags at 83 (22%), based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recall campaigns covering the 2005 Tundra, including campaigns 19V741000, 18V883000, 16V065000, and 15V286000, tied to inflator issues.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2005 Tundra, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
- EPA rates the 2005 Tundra at 15.5 mpg combined (14 city / 18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175.