2010 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Toyota Tundra ranks 9th worst of 21 model years, with a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 163 complaints, 15 recalls, 13 crashes, and 7 injuries, with engine and suspension issues topping the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Tundra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 163
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2010 Toyota Tundra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine41 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires41 (25%)
- Structure & Body26 (16%)
- Brakes20 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (12%)
- Electrical System17 (10%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Fuel System11 (7%)
- Airbags9 (6%)
- Steering6 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration where the truck lunged forward or backward unexpectedly, including one case shifting from drive to park at low speed that led to a surge over 50 mph.
- Several drivers report the brakes failing to respond when applied from highway speeds like 30 or 35 mph, resulting in rear-end collisions.
- Owners tie some acceleration complaints to an open recall for the vehicle speed control and accelerator pedal, noting problems returned even after the recall repair.
- One owner found bed frame rust at the cross members around 78,000 miles, saying a factory issue was never flagged during dealership service.
- A side-impact crash near 41,630 miles was reported where the airbags did not deploy.
2010 Toyota Tundra recalls
15 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 gives the 2010 Tundra a Complaint Index of 60, a Caution verdict, and rank 9th worst out of 21 model years for this model. Engine and suspension complaints each make up 25% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Tundra?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine (41 complaints, 25%) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires (41 complaints, 25%) as the top problem areas, followed by Structure & Body (26 complaints, 16%) and Brakes (20 complaints, 12%).
- Does the 2010 Toyota Tundra have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns tied to the 2010 Tundra, covering areas including steering, seat heaters, tire pressure monitoring systems, and occupant detection sensors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2010 Tundra compare to other Tundra years?
- The 2010 Tundra's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than years like 2013 through 2021, which reach Best or Good verdicts with indexes as low as 0, but it is better than 2006, 2007, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes up to 100.
- What is fuel economy like on the 2010 Toyota Tundra?
- EPA rates the 2010 Tundra at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.