2021 Toyota Tundra Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Tundra (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Tundra. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and seats (4). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 134 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown6 25%
- Electrical system4 17%
- Seats4 17%
- Exterior lighting2 8.3%
- Fuel system2 8.3%
- Steering2 8.3%
- Body and structure2 8.3%
- Air bags1 4.2%
Also reported: Engine (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “When I turn the key to crank my radio doesn’t come on , A/C won’t blow and I have to jiggle the keys or restart it to end the issue. My husband has witnessed thi happen many times. Scared I might have an electrical issue. Contact me back for assistance to me for this issue please. It doesn’t happen every time either.”
NHTSA complaint #11692748, filed 2025-10Electrical system: “The software in the combination meter's electronic control Instrument Panel LCD display frequently goes blank I have taken my vehicle at least 5 times since I bought it 18 months ago as a new vehicle and it is yet to be remedied. This is the same issue that the 2022 Thundra has, 2021 should be included in the recall as well to remedy this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11510734, filed 2023-03Seats: “The seat has been loose since I first purchased the truck, first time at the dealer they said it was the cushion which it wasn’t and they ordered part and it didn’t fix the situation. The next oil change I took it in and they said it was the frame, bottom of seat, and they ordered one and it’s been on back order a year now or thereabouts. Now I’ve owned the truck for over a year and a half and still no resolution. If an accident occurs will the seat completely break and fling me out of the vehicle? …”
NHTSA complaint #11485072, filed 2022-09Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “When I was driving and snow accumulating on the windshield put stress on the windshield wiper arm. The arm stopped working and I later found that the arm stripped out. I contacted three different dealerships and Toyota America and was told the wiper arm is no longer made ( part #85221-0C021 ). I told Toyota if it rains or snows I can not drive the vehicle due to laws and safety issues. I thought under the Magnuson-Moss act, a manufacture had to keep parts for items under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11510463, filed 2023-03Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,000 and 48,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Tundra. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra · crew cab 2WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 21.9% risk |
| Tundra · extended cab 2WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 21.9% risk |
| Tundra · crew cab 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 19.8% risk |
| Tundra · extended cab 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 19.8% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: 5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Toyota Tundra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Tundra 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering › Hydraulic power assist systemCovers: Toyota Tundra 2007–2021, Sequoia 2008–2019, 2021–2022
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.
- 21V688000Sep 2, 2021Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Toyota Tundra 2018–2021
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.
Recall details for the 2021 Toyota Tundra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 134 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026Electrical system. OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest…
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Other or unknown. Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025Electrical system. The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
- 11015882Feb 12, 2025Engine. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 11, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0021-25.
- 11016786Feb 11, 2025Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest…
- 11015500Feb 11, 2025Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest…
- 11016782Feb 10, 2025Engine. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
Other model years of the Toyota Tundra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 12,000 | 1 | 5 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 141 | 4,605 | 5 | 5 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 350 | 15,000 | 10 | 5 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 412 | 30,000 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 100 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 432 | 28,500 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 24 | 18,000 | 2 | 4 | 15 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 47 | 3,000 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 74 | 17,256 | 9 | 4 | 16 | 59 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 100 | 7,900 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 69 · More | Stable |
| 2017 | 78 | 16,000 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 42 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 120 | 15,000 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 75 · More | Stable |
| 2015 | 51 | 57,000 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 93 | 40,000 | 4 | 3–4 | 17 | 32 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 85 | 53,250 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 27 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 156 | 78,893 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 31 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 134 | 69,500 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 163 | 41,630 | 15 | — | 16 | 79 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 38 | 60,000 | 12 | — | 16 | 26 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 327 | 42,396 | 12 | — | 16 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 390 | 48,210 | 12 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 545 | 96,000 | 10 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 377 | 82,225 | 12 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 466 | 102,000 | 8 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 399 | 98,564 | 7 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 482 | 91,100 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 415 | 102,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 1,011 | 99,665 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Toyota Tundra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Tundra as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Toyota Tundra is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2021 Toyota Tundra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Toyota Tundra do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Toyota Tundra 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Tundra get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tundra (Tundra 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Toyota Tundra reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,000 and 48,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.