YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Toyota Tundra has a complaint index of 10, the best-ranked year (rank 19 out of 21) among Tundra model years, with 24 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive campaigns. Its top problem area is Structure & Body.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Tundra years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
24
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
14.5
13 city / 17 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2021 Toyota Tundra problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other6 (25%)
  2. Structure & Body6 (25%)
  3. Electrical System4 (17%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers3 (13%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (8%)
  6. Fuel System2 (8%)
  7. Steering2 (8%)
  8. Airbags1 (4%)
  9. Engine1 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Loose or sliding front seats that shift back and forth when braking or accelerating, sometimes tied to a frame or seat cushion issue dealers struggled to fix.
  • Driver-side wiper motor failing while the passenger side keeps working, with no warning before it stops.
  • Wiper arm stripping out under snow load, leaving owners unable to clear the windshield in wet weather.
  • Rear brake lights failing to illuminate when adaptive cruise control slowed the truck on its own, at 3,000 miles.
  • Hazard lights blinking on their own after the truck was parked, with reports of smoke or fire inside the cab.
  • TRD Pro factory LED headlights described as loose, rattling, and flashing erratically at highway speed or over bumps.
2021 Toyota Tundra complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2021Sep 2022Mar 2023May 2024Dec 2024Jan 2026
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Jun 2022 (3).

2021 Toyota Tundra recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2021 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17 MPG
Combined
14.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,475
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.

2021 compared with other Tundra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Caution4572915
2020Good3046414.5
2021Best1024214.5
2022Avoid904281320
2023Avoid1004051320

All Toyota Tundra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra reliable based on NHTSA data?
NHTSA lists 24 complaints for the 2021 Tundra, giving it a complaint index of 10, the lowest (best) among all 21 Tundra model years covered, with a Best verdict relative to other Tundra years.
Does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for a power steering gear assembly that may have been manufactured incorrectly, and one for a headlight electrical circuit that could overheat. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What is the top complaint area for the 2021 Tundra?
Structure & Body leads with 6 complaints, 25% of the total, mainly involving loose or sliding seats.
How does the 2021 Tundra compare to other years?
It ranks 19th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 10, far below high-complaint years like 2023 (index 100) and 2022 (index 90).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
EPA rates it at 14.5 mpg combined (13 city / 17 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.