2013 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Tundra years
The 2013 Toyota Tundra has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Tundra years. Engine complaints (33% share) and 5 recalls are the main issues, but this is far better than the 2022-2025 "Avoid" years.
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 13.5 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2013 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine28 (33%)
- Electrical System14 (16%)
- Fuel System13 (15%)
- Steering10 (12%)
- Structure & Body9 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (11%)
- Other6 (7%)
- Seat Belts5 (6%)
- Airbags4 (5%)
- Brakes4 (5%)
What owners report
- Engine cam shaft tower seal can leak oil onto the exhaust, producing visible smoke and in some cases fire.
- Electrical fires have been reported near the fuel lines and engine compartment while driving at highway speed.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a low-speed crash, resulting in reported head, neck, and shoulder injuries.
- The spare tire carrier can detach while driving, allowing the spare tire to strike the underside of the vehicle.
- Owners report noise from the steering wheel linked to the intermediate steering shaft needing replacement.
- The driver's seat belt has shown fraying and a loose latch mounting point at low mileage.
2013 Toyota Tundra recalls
5 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 17V311000May 11, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,325 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.
Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.
- NHTSA 14V429000Jul 16, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires16,249 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Toyota Tundra vehicles modified by GST as part of certain vehicle packages to be equipped with a combination of non-Toyota-brand 20-inch alloy wheels and chrome plated lug nuts. The coating on the lug nuts may give, causing the lug nuts to loosen or the wheel studs to fracture.
Risk: If the lug nuts loosen, or the wheel studs fracture, the wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will replace 20 lug nuts and torque them to specification, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074.
2013 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 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.
2013 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA lists 85 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2013 Tundra, giving it a Complaint Index of 33 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years covered.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Toyota Tundra?
- Engine complaints make up 33% of all reported issues (28 of 85 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 59,000 miles, followed by Electrical System issues at 16%.
- Does the 2013 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Tundra, covering the power steering gear assembly, wheel lug nuts, a label correction, and occupant detection sensor testing.
- How does the 2013 Tundra compare to other model years?
- With a Complaint Index of 33, the 2013 Tundra performs better than 2010-2012 and 2018 (all "Caution") and much better than 2022-2025 (all "Avoid" with indexes of 80-100), though it trails the 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2021 "Best" years.
- Were there any fires or injuries reported for the 2013 Toyota Tundra?
- NHTSA recorded 3 fires, 4 crashes, and 3 injuries linked to 2013 Tundra complaints, with no reported deaths.