2010 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Tundra years
The 2010 Toyota Tundra has 160 NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls, with a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst of 16 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by engine and unintended-acceleration reports, plus brake failure complaints.
- Complaints
- 160
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes / fires
- 12 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2010 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine40 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (25%)
- Structure & Body26 (16%)
- Brakes20 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (11%)
- Electrical System17 (11%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Fuel System11 (7%)
- Airbags9 (6%)
- Steering6 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration when shifting into reverse or braking, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some drivers describe brakes failing to engage or slow the truck when applied at moderate speeds like 30 to 35 mph.
- Frame and bed cross members reportedly rusted through in multiple spots, with one owner citing a related technical bulletin.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in some crashes, including after loss of control or a side-rail impact.
- A prior accelerator pedal recall repair was followed by a separate unexpected reverse acceleration incident in one case.
2010 Toyota Tundra recalls
13 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.
2010 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 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.
2010 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 160 complaints and a complaint index of 73 for the 2010 Tundra, ranking it 5th worst among 16 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Tundra years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Tundra?
- Engine and suspension/wheel/tire issues each account for 25% of complaints, followed by structure and body issues at 16% and brake issues at 13%, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2010 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2010 Tundra, covering steering, structure and body, visibility/wipers, tire pressure monitoring, and other components; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Toyota Tundra should I avoid?
- Among Tundra model years, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 80, 93, 100, and 87. The 2010 model is rated Caution, better than those years but worse than 2013-2021.