Toyota Tundra recall: Is Toyota's most expensive truck reliable or plagued with issues?

USA Today

4 days ago

Toyota Tundra recall: Is Toyota's most expensive truck reliable or plagued with issues? How reliable is Toyota's full-size pickup truck model?
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The Toyota Tundra has incredible longevity compared to rivals.
The full-size pickup truck was recently recalled over reverse light illumination issue.
Toyota remains one of the most reliable car brands in the industry based on studies and reviews.
Recalls often cause car buyers to question the reliability of certain makes and models, especially mass recalls. No automaker is perfect, and some of the best-selling cars, trucks, and SUVs have been recalled for everything from infotainment issues to major mechanical issues.
Toyota just recalled models of its only full-size truck, the Toyota Tundra. The Tundra is its largest truck and the Tundra Hybrid is its most expensive pickup, starting at $58,005. Toyota's recall extends to over 440,000 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models with model years ranging from 2022-2025.
Is Toyota's recent mass recall indicative of a major reliability issue with the Tundra, or is it business as usual in the auto industry?
Is Toyota a reliable car brand?
Drivers have their favorite car brands and preferences, but experts have made serious research efforts to determine which brands are the most reliable and the best for vehicle longevity. Toyota's luxury division Lexus ranked second for predicted reliability and Toyota ranked third, according to Consumer Reports member surveys.
Automotive research company iSeeCars said, "Toyota has perhaps the best reputation for reliability due to its wide range of models that have performed well over the past few decades" in a research piece regarding the reliability of 2025 cars. A vehicle reliability study conducted by J.D. Power also found Toyota to be one of the top-three highest-ranked car brands.
Numerous automotive publications and review experts place Toyota near the top of most reliable mass-market car brand lists.
Is the Toyota Tundra a reliable truck?
The pickup truck vehicle class is arguably the most capable vehicle class due to the typical body-on-frame design of trucks, ground clearance and the utility of their beds. Some of the best-selling trucks in America like the Ford F-150 are known for their toughness and versatility.
The Tundra nameplate has a long history of reliability based on ratings and studies. A study of the vehicles most likely to last over 250,000 miles conducted by iSeeCars.com concluded that the Tundra has the highest percentage chance of lasting over 250,000 miles (36.6%). It was followed by four other Toyota models, making the top five vehicles most likely to last over 250,000 miles all Toyota models.
While the Toyota Tundra nameplate is reliable, recent model years have been under scrutiny since the 2022 model year's redesign. Consumer Reports gave the 2022-2025 Tundra models low predicted reliability scores. The Tundra nameplate may be synonymous with reliability for many drivers, but recent model years could threaten its reputation if recalls and complaints continue to pile up.
How many cars are affected by Toyota's recall?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 443,444 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid model years could potentially have reverse lamp assemblies that may not "illuminate when the vehicle is operating in reverse". The estimated percentage of vehicles with the defect is 1%, according to the safety recall report.
The report also states that "for the purpose of this report 1 means unknown" and clarifies that "not all vehicles in this range were sold in the U.S.". So, while a large number of Tundra models are being recalled, this recall is primarily a cautionary measure to avoid accidents, based on the findings of NHTSA's safety report.
What to do if you think your Toyota Tundra is pare of the recall