Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2011 Toyota TundraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Tundra. Most complaints involve engine (35) and electrical system (21). The EPA rates it 14–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
14–18mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
134
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Dec 23, 2021NHTSA 21E103000

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 23, 2021NHTSA 21V920000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

VisibilityReported Oct 22, 2015NHTSA 15V689000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

134 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2011 – Mar 2026
  1. Engine35
  2. Electrical system21
  3. Steering19
  4. Power train18
  5. Fuel/propulsion system15
  6. Structure11
  7. Service brakes10
  8. Vehicle speed control9
  9. Air bags6

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

By model year

Complaints for each Tundra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20001,026
2001421
2002511
2003411
2004466
2005377
2006545
2007390
2008327
200938
2010163
2011134
2012156
201385
201493
201551
2016120
201778
2018100
201974
202047
202124
2022432
2023412
2024349
2025141
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

35 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine waning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of secondary error in the injection system caused by water intrusion. The contact was also informed that there was a recall on the vehicle however, the vehicle had exceeded the mileage limitation. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2024EngineODI 11567783

Electrical system

21 reports1 crash
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Toyota Tundra. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 147,497, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 275,143.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026Electrical systemODI 11724911

Steering

19 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH downhill, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, there was an oil leak on the passenger's side of the steering gear onto the ground. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the destination without power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the steering rack replacement could not be covered under warranty due the part number. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E103000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2024SteeringODI 11600862
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550494
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Tundra 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Tundra 4WD FFV
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
Tundra 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD FFV
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Tundra PU/RC AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Tundra Double Cab AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
— / 5
Toyota Tundra PU/CC AWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Tundra PU/RC RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 633Vehicle 632Vehicle 631
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Tundra questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Tundra have?

11 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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.

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Tundra problems?

Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (35), electrical system (21), steering (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Toyota Tundra get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Tundra at 14–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Toyota Tundra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Toyota Tundra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026