Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Toyota Tundra problems

Owners filed 377 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Tundra with NHTSA between Mar 2005 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (91).

Complaints
377
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
33
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure91
  2. Air bags83
  3. Suspension76
  4. Power train35
  5. Vehicle speed control24
  6. Service brakes21
  7. Steering21
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  9. Electrical system17
  10. Engine and engine cooling15
  11. Tires13
  12. Engine10
  13. Fuel/propulsion system9
  14. Seat belts5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200510
200611
200728
20089
20095
201031
20119
201210
201312
201429
201554
201628
201721
20189
201927
202026
202120
202211
20237
202413
20254
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

91 reports3 crashes1 fire
“My 2005 Toyota Tundra 4x4 Toyota’s frame is completely rusted out, with large rust holes in the frame. At 88,000 miles & is unsafe to drive. Many other people who have the same make and model are having the same problems. Toyota had a recall on the frame but I missed it as I have had a heart attack and kidney failure. I have reached out to multiple dealerships and Toyota’s main customer support in 2022 and even in the last week.. They refuse to do anything.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Suspension, StructureODI 11765212

Air bags

83 reports9 crashes7 related recalls
“Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact had notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V741000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to a local dealer for the recall repair. The contact made a local dealer aware of the issue and was informed that they were unable to provide a field technician or towing assistance and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2023Air bagsODI 11515745

Suspension

76 reports3 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“frame and brake systems are severely rusted. has been undercoated many times but frame is rusting from inside out in the boxed portions and is delaminating from double layered reinforced areas. Toyota had a recall for some of these models but this one was not included for some reason. I have a 1997 model Toyota suv that has no rust compared to this 2005 model. Toyota needs to reopen this recall campaign as there are too many vehicles that have this same issue. This truck only has 119,000 miles. Failed a safety inspection at an independent tire store-frame rust and rear brake backing plates rusted and breaking apart. This truck is from the northern states and is currently in Florida.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Suspension, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11771487

Power train

35 reports3 crashes
“It’s has come to my attention that this is an on going issue with tundra frames rusting out after being sprayed I inherited this truck from a family friend and the truck is getting to where it’s not drivable for frame issues this needs to be addressed by Toyota ASAP!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2023Suspension, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11500816

Vehicle speed control

24 reports5 crashes
“2005 TOYOTA TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB. WHEN STATIONARY ON COLD START: VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD NOISE AND ADDITIONAL CARBON MONOXIDE/EXHAUST, CAUSING ADDITIONAL DANGER WHEN STARTING IN A GARAGE. WHEN IN MOTION: TRUCK OPERATES AS INTENDED UNTIL ACCELERATION IS ATTEMPTED, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS, DRIVING UP AN INCLINE, OR ANY OTHER DRIVING SITUATION WHERE THE GAS APPLICATION IS NECESSARY. WHEN IN MOTION: VENTING AND INTERIOR AIR CONTROLS CANNOT BE USED BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF EXHAUST THAT WILL SPILL INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS WIDELY KNOWN TO THE TOYOTA COMMUNITY, AND TO DRIVERS OF TOYOTA TUNDRAS IN PARTICULAR. OF NOTE, THOUSANDS OF MESSAGES CAN BE EASILY ACCESSED IN THE TOYOTA MESSAGE BOARDS (TUNDRA TALK, TOYOTA NATION, TUNDRAS.COM, TUNDRA SOLUTIONS). IN ADDITION, THERE IS A SEPARATE COTTAGE INDUSTRY THAT HAS SPRUNG UP AS A RESULT, WHERE MANUFACTURERS ARE PRODUCING BYPASS KITS THAT COMPROMISE THE EXHAUST STANDARDS SET BY YOU ALL, WHERE AN ENTIRE BUSINESS MODEL HAS BEEN CREATED TO PROFIT OFF OF THESE ISSUES. ONE OF THE PRIMARY PARTIES IS HEWITT-TECH. WHEN ADVISED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THE REPAIR QUOTE WAS $2568…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2020Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11302247

Service brakes

21 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the vehicle ahead. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his back, neck, right shoulder, and right clavicle. The other driver sustained injuries to his back and neck. The contact sought medical attention from a physical therapist but was unaware if the other driver sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to park on the side of the road but then towed the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,313.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2023Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11503983
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.