Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 75/100 (GOOD)

2021 Toyota Tundra Reliability Report

The 2021 Toyota Tundra rates good for reliability and costs little to repair. Watch for a loose driver seat and electrical faults.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

2.8per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$606

Annual Fuel Cost

$4,000–$4,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity77/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact75/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity82/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Last year of the second generation, with good reliability and low repair costs, though owners report loose driver seats and electrical faults.

Top Issues to Watch

SEATS (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
VISIBILITY/WIPER (3)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2021 is the last model year of the Second generation (XK50).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
7 years after the last refresh (2014).
2nd generation Tundra (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2007: Second generation (XK50) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2010: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2014: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is the last model year of the Second generation (XK50).

Should You Buy the 2021 Toyota Tundra?

Yes, with a few checks. This Tundra has good reliability, rates above average among 2021 trucks, and sits among the stronger of the nine scored Tundra years. Owners filed 23 complaints, about 2.8 per 10,000 sold. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $606, against $936 for the class. The 2020 rates about the same. The 2022 is mixed and rates worse.

The complaints that matter are specific. The driver seat can work loose and rock when the truck brakes or accelerates, and the play grows over time. Dealers disagree on the cause, and parts can be on back order for about a year. Electrical reports include a blank instrument panel screen and one fire, with black smoke after the truck was shut off. Wipers can stop without warning. Federal recall records show three recalls: two for steering, and one for exterior lighting and the electrical system.

Ask for proof that every recall was completed. Before buying, push and rock the driver seat, run the wipers, and watch the dash screen. The 2020 is a close alternative.

Compared to the 2022 Toyota Tundra, which scored 18 points lower. See also the 2020 Toyota Tundra for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+$330 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize trucks
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Below-average complaint rate for Truck

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Fire is the most serious report (4 complaints)
−SEATS: Driver seat comes loose and rocks back and forth when the truck brakes or... (4 complaints)

Compare 2021 Toyota Tundra With

2021 Ford F-150

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

2021 Chevrolet Silverado

Reliability: 67/100

Good

2021 Ram 1500

Reliability: 63/100

Good

2021 Ram ProMaster

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

3 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

SEATS (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2021 Toyota Tundra. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

2.8

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 15.1

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Toyota Tundra Recall Details

3 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota Tundra. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21E1030002021-12-23

STEERING

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.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

21V9200002021-11-23

STEERING

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.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

21V6880002021-09-02

EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Consequence

An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Toyota Tundra? Check its history first

Seats problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Toyota Tundra, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Toyota Tundra NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 21.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Toyota TundraRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$606

vs $936 avg for fullsize trucks

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

18%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Tundra

$606

Category Avg

$936

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Toyota Tundra Resale Value

The Toyota Tundra is estimated to retain about 89.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Toyota Tundra model overall and is not specific to the 2021 model year.

Value Retained: 89.3%
Depreciation: 10.7%
Listings Analyzed: 320

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Toyota Tundra depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

14–15 MPG

Running cost: $4,600–$4,900/yr

Fuel + repair

13 city / 17 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Tundra 2WD 5.7L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	13	17	15	$4,000
Tundra 4WD 5.7L 8-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	13	17	14	$4,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Toyota Tundra.

Run the VIN for steering recall 21V920000 and get proof the repair was completed.
Turn the wheel lock to lock at a standstill and while driving, and feel for heavy or uneven power assist.
Sit in the driver seat, brake firmly and accelerate, and feel for any rocking or play in the seat.
Have a helper watch the brake lights while adaptive cruise slows the truck behind traffic.
Start the truck several times and confirm the instrument panel display, radio and A/C come on every time.
On a TRD Pro, drive over bumps above 40 mph and watch the factory LED lights for rattling or flicker.
Run both wipers on every speed and check that each arm is tight on its pivot.
Check the dash area for smoke smell or heat damage, and ask for records of any electrical repairs.

2021 Toyota Tundra Common Problems by Component

23 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

SEATS (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)VISIBILITY/WIPER (3)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)STEERING (2)ENGINE (1)AIR BAGS (1)Other (3)

SEATS

4 complaints

The driver seat comes loose and rocks back and forth when the truck brakes or accelerates. Some reports describe side-to-side movement in slow turns. The play gets worse over time, and owners worry the seat could collapse or fail in a crash. Dealers give mixed answers. Some blame the cushion, seat track or seat frame, while others say nothing is wrong. Replacement parts can sit on back order for about a year, so many trucks go unrepaired after several visits to more than one dealer.

4 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaintsSafety-related

A fire is the most serious report. The cab fills with black smoke after the truck is parked and shut off, with no prior warning, and the dash and its wiring burn. Other reports describe the instrument panel LCD going blank again and again, even after repeat dealer visits. On TRD Pro trucks, the factory LED light bars come loose, rattle and flicker over bumps or above 40 mph, with no approved repair. Some trucks also start without the radio or A/C powering on until the key is jiggled or the engine is restarted.

4 complaints total1 fire

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 complaints

Wiper failures and windshield cracks are the two patterns. A wiper can stop working with no warning. In one case the driver-side wiper fails while the passenger side keeps working. In another, snow load strips the wiper arm, and dealers report the replacement arm is no longer made, which leaves the truck unsafe to drive in rain or snow. Separately, small pebble strikes chip the windshield, and the chips spread into full-length cracks, which raises concerns about glass quality.

3 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

The sunroof glass shatters while driving with no apparent cause, which is the main safety concern in this group. Another report says the A/C condensate drain is poorly placed, so water collects where it can cause electrical problems in the A/C housing. One filing gives no details at all. The reports are few and cover unrelated problems, so no shared failure pattern appears.

3 complaints total

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

The brake lights stay off when adaptive cruise control slows the truck on its own. Drivers behind get no warning, which raises the risk of a rear-end crash. One report puts this at about 3,000 miles. The pre-collision system also triggers false warnings with no vehicles, pedestrians or animals ahead, in one case more than 10 times on the same stretch of road. Both problems involve the driver-assist system acting in ways that surprise the driver or nearby traffic.

2 complaints total

STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

Power steering fails outright, and the fix is replacing the entire steering assembly. One owner reports a failure at around 38,000 miles and a quoted cost of more than $6,000. Many 2021 trucks fall under steering recall 21V920000. Reports here are mostly about that recall. Repair parts are not yet available, dealers cannot do the work, and owners wait longer than they consider reasonable. A sudden loss of power assist makes the truck hard to steer, which creates loss-of-control risk.

2 complaints total

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint

2026-01-18

Were were driving, my 2021 Toyota Tundra, just stopped running. No check engine lights had come on until the engine stalled as we coasted to a stop on the side of the road. We had it towed to the Central Maine Motor in Waterville, Maine 04901. Central Maine Motor -Toyota service just got my truck in to a service bay today 1/29/26 and in formed me the failure was due to the fuel pressure module and a fuel pump failure. Toyota has other years of vehicles that they have issues recalls for and my truck has the same fuel system and fuel pump as in those year vehicles, but no recalls for my truck, a 2021 Toyota Tundra built in Sept/Oct of 2020. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related

2025-12-26Crash reported1 injury

Airbag , it was bad accident on freeway , but my car airbag did not work.car did not inspect with dealer , they were not any waring sign

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2025-03-21

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and jolted, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 48,000.

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2024-11-05

My sunroof exploded due to weather conditions while i was driving with my family on highway during heavy rain storm

Best & Worst Toyota Tundra Years

Best Toyota Tundra Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2021

(Current Model)

3Recalls

23Complaints

Good

Toyota Tundra Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Toyota Tundra reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	69/100	Good
2019	70/100	Good
2020	74/100	Good
2021	75/100	Good
2022	57/100	Mixed
2023	59/100	Mixed
2024	65/100	Good
2025	73/100	Good
2026	82/100	Excellent

Toyota Tundra Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	82/100	+9	Excellent	0	0
2025	73/100	+8	Good	6	88
2024	65/100	+6	Good	14	235
2023	59/100	+2	Mixed	22	321
2022	57/100	-18	Mixed	21	386
2021(selected)	75/100	+1	Good	3	23
2020	74/100	+4	Good	5	42
2019	70/100	+1	Good	10	69
2018	69/100	—	Good	9	94

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Yes, it rates good for reliability and above average among 2021 trucks. It is also among the stronger of the nine scored Tundra years. Owners filed 23 complaints, about 2.8 per 10,000 sold. The federal crash-test rating is 4 of 5 stars.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Tundra?

Electrical faults and driver seat looseness lead, with four complaints each. Wiper and windshield problems follow with three. Two complaints involve the driver-assist system, covering brake lights that stay off under adaptive cruise control and false pre-collision warnings.

Does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have seat problems?

Some do. Owners say the driver seat comes loose and rocks during braking or acceleration, and some feel side-to-side movement in slow turns. It worsens over time. Dealers give mixed diagnoses, and replacement parts can be back-ordered for about a year, so some trucks stay unrepaired.

What recalls does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have?

Federal recall records list three recalls. Two cover steering. The third involves exterior lighting and the electrical system. Ask the seller for proof that each one was completed, or have a Toyota dealer check the VIN for open recalls.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra cheaper to repair than other trucks?

Yes. Independent repair-cost data estimates $606 a year for the Tundra, compared with $936 for its class. That figure covers the model across its years, not only the 2021, so an inspection still matters.

Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Tundra without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Toyota Tundra

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Toyota Tundra does best on how many systems draw complaints (82/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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