Verdict
2021 Toyota Tundra: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Toyota Tundra — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most truck.
Owners filed 23 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 86% of 2021 trucks. Electrical System leads the reports (17%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
23
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
14.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 86% of 2021 trucks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (17% of 23 reports), followed by seats (17%).
+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 23 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11450576, ODI 11692748, ODI 11510734, ODI 11471047.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior LightingFeb 2021 · 21V688000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Steering · 21E103000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Steering · 21V920000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 2WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 2WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 | 17 | 15 |
| Tundra 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 | 17 | 14 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Toyota Tundra: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
Owners filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Toyota Tundra — fewer complaints than 86% of comparable 2021 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (17% of complaints) and seats (17%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2021 Toyota Tundra, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Tundra get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tundra between 14 and 15 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.