2018 Toyota Tundra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Toyota Tundra: 8 recalls, 100 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #17V831000 · 2017 · 649 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018.
Stability control Vehicle recall #18V122000 · 2018 · 64,901 vehicles
What's wrong: Electrical interference within the power supply circuit May cause the vehicle's electronic stability control system to be deactivated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 126, "electronic stability control systems."
Why it matters: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system can increase the risk of a crash in certain conditions.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2018.
Electrical, Airbags Vehicle recall #18V685000 · 2018 · 168,187 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) May erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU May not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection," and 214, "side impact protection."
Why it matters: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018.
Equipment Vehicle recall #18V711000 · 2018 · 508 vehicles
What's wrong: The accessory all-weather floormats May have been counted twice when creating the load carrying capacity modification label, resulting in the capacity modification label incorrectly overstating the additional weight by 10 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: Since the incorrect label is not within 1% of the additional weight, the vehicles are not compliant with the fmvss.
The fix: All vehicle owners will be sent a corrected label.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V012000 · 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles
What's wrong: Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4runner, highlander, camry, land cruiser, sequoia, sienna, tacoma and tundra, and Lexus rc 300, rc 350, gs 350, gx 460, is 300, lc 500, ls 500, lx 570, rx 350l, and 2019 Toyota avalon and corolla, and certain Lexus nx 300, and es 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015…
Why it matters: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #20V410000 · 2020 · 183,397 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V688000 · 2021 · 158,489 vehicles
What's wrong: The headlight electrical circuits May power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
Why it matters: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Steering, Steering Vehicle recall #21V920000 · 2021 · 22,462 vehicles
What's wrong: The power steering gear assembly May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak May cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering, Steering Equipment recall #21E103000 · 2021 · 151 vehicles
What's wrong: The power steering gear assembly May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak May cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), warning light on (6), fire / smoke (5).
- Brakes (22): the most common themes are warning light on (4), brake failure / soft pedal (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (16): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (3), won't start (2).
- Speed control / throttle (14): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2018 Toyota Tundra has 100 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 28 Tundra model years for complaints (well below the 247 average). Complaints peaked in 2018 (25 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 7,900 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (78 complaints, 5 recalls), 2019 (74 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Toyota Tundra.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Toyota Tundra, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Tundra problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (26), brakes (22), fuel & propulsion (16).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Tundra get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Toyota Tundra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.