Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2020 Toyota TundraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Tundra. Most complaints involve engine (6) and fuel/propulsion system (6). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
47
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.

Exterior lightingReported Sep 2, 2021NHTSA 21V688000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

47 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine6
  2. Fuel/propulsion system6
  3. Steering5
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Forward collision avoidance4
  6. Service brakes4
  7. Power train3
  8. Structure3
  9. Exterior lighting3

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
2011135
2012156
201385
201493
201551
2016120
201778
2018100
201974
202047
202124
2022433
2023417
2024358
2025144
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

6 reports
“When driving on the freeway at 70mph speeds during rush hour, I lost all power to the vehicle causing me to have to immediately pull to the side of the freeway with minimal control of the vehicle. I had to come to a complete stop on the freeway putting myself and others at high risk for a high speed crash. There were no warning lamps just a full system failure. There are recalls on certain VIN numbers for the Denso Low Pressure Fuel Pump and a class action lawsuit settlement that resulted in Customer Support Program 23TE05 but when I called Toyota they said my VIN did not qualify.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11766148

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“Vehicle stalled and lost power at approximately 45 mph. Warning lights activated and "Not ready to drive" message was displayed. Vehicle has had 3 other similar episodes all resulting in the vehicle losing power at high speed. Vehicle was towed to local Toyota service dept. where they said it generated a code for rough idling - low fuel. They did no repairs and offered no explanation. Three miles from the dealership the Tundra died in traffic. The safety of my family was certainly at stake and had my wife been driving the vehicle she likely couldn't have steered the vehicle to safety. These are not low speed failures, but rather high speeds.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11474652

Steering

5 reports
“Safety Complaint for 2020 Toyota Tundra The power steering intermittently becomes difficult to operate, as if power steering assistance is lost. The steering wheel does not consistently return to the center position after making a turn. The issue began approximately one and a half month ago and continues to present a serious safety concern. No warning lights or messages appear on the dashboard when the problem occurs. This intermittent steering malfunction may compromise vehicle control and the driver's ability to respond appropriately to changing road conditions, increasing the risk of an accident. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue to determine whether a safety defect or recall is warranted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026SteeringODI 11772155
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
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 Nov 11, 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 (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150595
Tundra 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450614
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 4WD
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 PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14731Vehicle 14730Vehicle 14697
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

2020 Tundra questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have?

5 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.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Tundra problems?

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (6), fuel/propulsion system (6), steering (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Toyota Tundra get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota Tundra at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Toyota Tundra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Toyota Tundra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026