2018 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Toyota Tundra has 100 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th worst out of 21 model years. NHTSA caps its verdict at Caution because of the 8 recall campaigns, even though the complaint index alone is moderate.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Tundra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 100
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2018 Toyota Tundra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Pre-collision system falsely warns or applies brakes with no vehicle ahead, sometimes triggered by a car passing on either side.
- During hard braking, some owners describe the brakes releasing pressure on their own and the truck sliding forward unexpectedly.
- Toyota Safety Sense warnings for cruise control, trailer brake error, and pre-collision malfunction appear intermittently, especially in cold or wet weather.
- Some owners report a rattling or vibration noise from the passenger-side dash after purchase.
- The pre-collision sensor has been described as unreliable, sometimes accelerating the truck before an error message appears.
- One report describes the pre-collision system shutting off entirely while cruise control is engaged, removing automatic braking support.
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 lists 100 complaints and a complaint index of 40 for the 2018 Tundra, ranking 13th worst among 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by 8 recall campaigns rather than an especially high complaint count.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tundra?
- Brakes account for 31% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 26% and Engine at 25%. Median mileage at failure was 6,100 miles for brake complaints and 5,200 miles for engine complaints.
- Does the 2018 Toyota Tundra have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2018 Tundra, covering steering, electrical system (headlights), airbags, fuel system, and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Tundra compare to other Tundra years?
- With a complaint index of 40, the 2018 model is safer than the worst years like 2023 (index 100) and 2022 (index 90), but worse than top years like 2015 and 2021, which each scored a complaint index under 15.
- Why is the 2018 Tundra rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its complaint index of 40 might otherwise support a better rating, but NHTSA data shows 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, which caps the verdict at Caution.