2009 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
5/100
#20 most-complained of 21 Tundra years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Toyota Tundra has a Caution verdict, driven mainly by 12 recall campaigns rather than an especially high complaint count. NHTSA lists 38 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 29% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 20,250 miles.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13.5 city / 17 hwy
Top 2009 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (29%)
- Engine10 (26%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (16%)
- Electrical System5 (13%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Airbags3 (8%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report a burning electrical smell while driving that dealers could not diagnose.
- Some describe the stability control system failing to prevent loss of control after a rear tire blew out while towing a loaded trailer.
- Rear wheels have detached from the vehicle at low speed, which one owner attributed to improperly tightened lug nuts.
- Owners describe extreme vibration and shaking at freeway speeds even after tire rotation and balancing.
- Transmission issues include failure to shift properly, sudden RPM surges near stop signs, and the vehicle lunging forward during gear changes.
- Some owners report unintended acceleration when turning or merging, in one case linked to a floor mat jamming the accelerator pedal.
2009 Toyota Tundra recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering22,462 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
- 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.
- NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
2009 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 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.
2009 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA lists 38 complaints and a complaint index of 5 for the 2009 Tundra, which is low compared to other Tundra years, but it carries a Caution verdict because of 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the top problem area for the 2009 Tundra?
- Transmission & Powertrain leads with 11 complaints, 29% of the total, and a median failure mileage of 20,250 miles.
- Does the 2009 Tundra have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2009 Tundra, covering steering, structure and body, visibility and wipers, and tire pressure monitoring systems.
- How does the 2009 Tundra compare to other Tundra years?
- The 2009 Tundra ranks 20th out of 21 model years from worst to best, meaning most other Tundra years perform better on complaints and recalls.
- Why is the 2009 Tundra rated Caution instead of based only on complaints?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, despite a complaint index of only 5.