2011 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Tundra years
The 2011 Toyota Tundra has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 134 complaints, 10 recalls, and 6 crashes, with Engine problems the top category at 30% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 134
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
Top 2011 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine40 (30%)
- Electrical System23 (17%)
- Steering19 (14%)
- Other18 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (13%)
- Fuel System15 (11%)
- Brakes14 (10%)
- Structure & Body13 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (6%)
- Airbags6 (4%)
What owners report
- Steering can suddenly lose power assist as power steering fluid leaks out, making turns difficult until the vehicle is towed.
- Owners describe the truck rolling away after being placed in park, with the driver having to chase or jump clear of the moving vehicle.
- Some report the brake pedal feels spongy and sinks toward the floor, causing the foot to slip onto the accelerator instead of braking.
- The horn fails to sound when the steering wheel switch is pressed, which owners say is a common complaint among Tundra drivers.
- One owner reported the engine lost power and ground while moving at very low speed, with the brake pedal seizing and the dealer unable to diagnose the cause.
- The column shift lockout solenoid produces a loud clicking sound near the shifter when the brake pedal is pressed to shift out of park.
2011 Toyota Tundra recalls
10 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 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.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
2011 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 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.
2011 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Tundra a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Tundra years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Tundra?
- Engine issues lead at 30% of complaints (40 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 17% (23 complaints) and Steering at 14% (19 complaints).
- Does the 2011 Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2011 Tundra, including a propeller shaft slip yoke recall and a tire pressure monitoring system recalibration recall, with none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Toyota Tundra should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index values of 80, 93, 100, and 87, all worse than the 2011's index of 60.
- At what mileage do 2011 Tundra problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across sample data ranges by system, from 61,500 miles for Electrical System issues to 81,280 miles for Fuel System issues, with an overall median of 69,500 miles.