The 2018 Toyota Tundra is associated with 99 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Fuel & Propulsion System, accounting for 14 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 4.6l 8-cyl and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 14 to 16 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 99 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Fuel & Propulsion System (14 / 14%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 4 crash / 3 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 14–16 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Tundra 2WD | 4.6L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Tundra 4WD | 4.6L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Tundra 2WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 MPG | 18 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $4,100 / yr |
| Tundra 4WD FFV | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 MPG | 17 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $4,100 / yr |
| Tundra 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 MPG | 17 MPG | 14 MPG | — | $4,400 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/EC 2WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| PU/CC 2WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Toyota Tundra models.
View complete 2018 Toyota Tundra crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Toyota Tundra problems & component breakdown (43 categories) →
Affected Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Affected Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Toyota Tundra recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →