2026 Toyota Tundra Problems and Recalls (26 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2026 Toyota Tundra is Transmission / driveline (15% of 26 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 26 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2026 Toyota Tundra?

4 of 26 filings named Transmission / driveline (15% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Fuel system (3 reports).

This snapshot lists no safety recalls for this year. That is not a clean bill of health. Still check the VIN at nhtsa.gov.

The 2025 has 130 reports on file; this year has 26. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2026 Toyota Tundra

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 4 complaints · 15.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 0
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 2
  • Deaths 0
All Toyota Tundra years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 4 of 26 owner complaints (15.4%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 4 complaints, 15.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 · 15.4% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 11.5% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 · 11.5% Engine (ENGINE): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 · 7.7% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 · 7.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 · 7.7% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 · 7.7% Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 1 · 3.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 · 3.9% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 1 · 3.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 9 complaints, 34.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 9 · 34.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 15.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 11.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 1 3.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 3.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 1 3.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 9 34.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2025; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2026. 2025-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 Owner reports Oct 2025 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 26V179000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V179000 Recall campaign 26V433000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V433000
  • Campaign 26V179000 was reported 153 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V433000 was reported 257 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2025-Q4 Owner reports 5
2026-Q1 Owner reports 5
2026-Q2 Owner reports 7
2026-Q3 Owner reports 9
Recall campaign 1 26V179000
Recall campaign 1 26V433000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

  1. Recall campaign 26V179000

    Safety recall 26V179000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB04, 26LA04, 26TB07, and 26TA07.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 26V433000

    Safety recall 26V433000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    An incorrect load carrying capacity modification label may lead to improper loading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    SET will provide the owner with a new load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. An owner notification letter was mailed August 6, 2026. The owner may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET26A.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 6 of 26 complaints · page 1 of 2
2026-09-02Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11761521
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Since taking delivery of this brand new 2026 Toyota Tundra Hybrid, I have experienced a persistent shuddering at low speeds, approximately 15 to 25 mph. The shuddering is most pronounced during slow, gradual brake application — the more gently the brake pedal is pressed, the more severe the shudder. It is also present to a lesser degree during acceleration. The issue appears to involve the transition between the regenerative braking system and the conventional friction brakes in the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership for a first repair attempt. Tires were rebalanced and inflated to 40 PSI, exceeding the manufacturer's recommended specification. The repair order was closed with the notation "test drove and vibration is gone." This conclusion is inaccurate. The shuddering was only partially reduced — the root cause was not identified or resolved. The safety concern is significant. I have found myself instinctively adjusting how I apply the brake pedal to avoid triggering the sensation. A vehicle that changes the way its driver brakes is dangerous. A second repair attempt is being scheduled at the selling dealership.
2026-08-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11761022
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Full engine failure, Rod bearing 1 failed due to debris in engine after first oil change was completed at 9500 miles. Truck at 13,000 miles at failure Safety of all vehicle occupants was put at risk. vehicle came to sudden hault and had full loss of propulsion. Failure of engine was confirmed by Matick Toyota No warming lamps of mesages, small whine came from engine for ~1 mile before failure
2026-08-25Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11759408
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed through a tornado, the steering and braking systems became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
2026-07-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11753954
CrashFireInjuryDeath
When you almost stop but then hit the gas there is a dead petal. The vehicle doesn’t accelerate. Then you almost get t boned. They know about the problem but say everything is fine. It’s traction control. It is not. I guess I will have to sue if I survive the crash.
2026-07-29Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11753619
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Brake system failure at less than 50 miles. Dealer providing minimal information Red Brake Warning lamp, Brake fluid low error message, and "Braking Power Low" Message being "Stop in a Safe Place"
2026-07-22Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11752024
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I bought the vehicle new in November 2025. 2026 Toyota Tubdra TRD SR5. In the first week I noticed a lot of jerking and shaking. I brought it to the dealer and was told it was a break in period and it should go away. I’ve had the truck in the shop 5-6 times since and the jerking and shaking hasn’t gone away. I’m at 6300 miles now. The dealer won’t even respond to me anymore. The only way to make the jerking go away is to step on the gas pedal harder but this has become extremely dangerous because it’s forcing me to go faster than I would like, especially in school zones. The dealers say that it’s the truck running very low RPM’s to maximize fuel efficiency and also because there are 10 gears but is that’s the case than why isn’t everyone experiencing it. It’s worse on cold mornings (40 or below) but it’s almost like the truck needs an hour or two to warm up. Even then it’s still jerking. My guess is that the truck doesn’t know what gear it’s supposed to be in but 4th or 5th gear are the worst where the truck hesitates and jerks. I’ve been told to run it in Sport mode but that doesn’t help. I’m finding more and more complaints about this online with the Toyota Tundra SR5’s and I’m part of numerous groups. Someone needs to step in because no one should have to go through this and it’s very unsafe to have to push the gas pedal down harder to make the jerking go away.Thank you for your time.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2026 Toyota Tundra?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 4 of 26 reports (15%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2026 Toyota Tundra?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. This snapshot lists none, which is not a clean bill of health. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2026 Toyota Tundra?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources