NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Tundra. Most complaints involve power train (11) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Tundra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,026 |
| 2001 | 421 |
| 2002 | 511 |
| 2003 | 411 |
| 2004 | 466 |
| 2005 | 377 |
| 2006 | 545 |
| 2007 | 390 |
| 2008 | 327 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 135 |
| 2012 | 156 |
| 2013 | 85 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 120 |
| 2017 | 78 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 433 |
| 2023 | 412 |
| 2024 | 358 |
| 2025 | 144 |
“PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH 67 MILES ON IT, AT ABOUT 12,000 MILES IT STARTED TO MAKE A DRAGGING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVE TRAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HAD IT BACK ANOTHER TIME FOR INSPECTION AND MENTIONED NOISE AGAIN BUT STILL THEY COULD NOT "HEAR ANYTHING". I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK SINCE THEN WITH THE NOISE COMING AND SUBSIDING, THE TRUCK NOW HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH VIBRATIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEVEN YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT AND I'M SURE THAT IF I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY WILL NOW HEAR THE NOISE. I LOOKED AT ONLINE FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS, TOYOTA HAS TO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS.”
“IT LOSES POWER, MY 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH LESS THAN 90,000 MILES , JUST DECELERATES AND WENT DOWN TO 30 MILES PER HOUR IN THE FREEWAY, I USED A CARMD READING TO GIVE ME A CODE, AND IT SHOWS THAT THE CODE WAS P2442, IT WILL COST ME $2,500 OR MORE TO FIX IT. THE ENGINE RED LIGHT, VSC AND 4LO WILL SHOW IN THE DASH. *TR”
“MY 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA WAS REPAIRED BY TOYOTA THIS PAST FRIDAY AS A RESULT OF THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING OPEN..IE WOULD STALL. AFTER REPAIRS, THE TRUCK DROVE FINE FOR 2 HRS APPROX. AFTER STOPPING FOR SUPPER (1HR) I STARTED MY TRUCK AGAIN...THIS TIME THE ENGINE ACCELERATED IN PARK UPTO 5,000 + RPMS FOR 10-15SECS AND THEN DOWN TO 500 RMPS...THEN REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER. I WAITED TIL THE RPMS DROPPED TO 500 AND PLACED TRUCK IN GEAR TO TRY TO GET IT HOME. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN...ALMOST TAKING ME THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO PRESS HARD ENOUGH ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IN TIME....THEN IT TOOK OFF AGAIN FOR ANOTHER BLOCK WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING BUT RIDING THE BRAKES. I TURNED INTO A RANDALLS PARKING LOT WHEN RPMS DROPPED TO 500 AGAIN,...DODGING PEOPLE WHO WERE WALKING INTO THE GROCERY STORE. WHEN IT DROPPED AGAIN, I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PUT TRUCK INTO PARK. THIS, ALL WHILE THE ENGINE WAS CONSISTENTLY CHANGING FROM 500RPMS UPTO 5,000+ RPMS WITH NO INTERRUPTION'S CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, STILL SHAKING, BUT ONLY ONE PERSON WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP...HE ADVISED SINCE THEY WERE CLOSED THAT ANOTHER DEALER WAS OPEN LATER. SO I HAD…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra 2WD Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Tundra 2WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Tundra 2WD Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Tundra 4WD Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Tundra 4WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L, RNG=400 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Tundra 4WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
13 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (11), engine (5), vehicle speed control (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Tundra at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).