2018 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Tundra years
The 2018 Toyota Tundra has a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes lead complaints at 31%, followed by electrical issues at 26% and engine at 25%, plus 8 recalls.
- Complaints
- 100
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
Top 2018 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes31 (31%)
- Electrical System26 (26%)
- Engine25 (25%)
- Fuel System18 (18%)
- Other13 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (8%)
- Structure & Body6 (6%)
- Airbags5 (5%)
- Steering5 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
What owners report
- Some drivers describe hard braking events where the brake applies then releases on its own, causing the truck to roll forward unexpectedly.
- The pre-crash/collision warning system reportedly triggers false alerts and applies brakes with no vehicle ahead, even after a recall update.
- Owners report a head-on crash with airbag deployment and resulting occupant injuries.
- Some owners had the steering rack and pinion replaced due to a defect similar to a known recall, even when their unit wasn't listed as affected.
- Electrical system complaints include headlight wiring problems tied to a recall and trailer wiring fault messages that disabled trailer brakes while towing.
- One owner reported a heated driver's seat that overheated and caused a skin blister.
2018 Toyota Tundra recalls
8 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 21V688000Sep 2, 2021Electrical System158,489 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
Risk: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.
- NHTSA 20V410000Jul 15, 2020Electrical System183,397 vehicles
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB12/20TA12.
2018 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18 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.
2018 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Tundra a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years of the Tundra. Brakes, electrical system, and engine account for the most reported problems.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Tundra?
- NHTSA complaint data shows brakes at 31% of complaints, electrical system at 26%, engine at 25%, and fuel system at 18%. The median mileage at failure for brake complaints is 6,100 miles.
- Does the 2018 Toyota Tundra have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Tundra, covering steering, electrical (headlight wiring), fuel system, and airbag ECU software, among others. None are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Tundra compare to other Tundra years?
- The 2018 Tundra's complaint index of 53 is worse than the 2015 (0, Best) and 2017 (13, Best) model years, but better than the 2022-2025 Tundra years, which carry an Avoid verdict with indexes from 80 to 100.