The Lemon Index2001 Toyota Tundra.
The 2001 Toyota Tundra is better than average by owner complaints: 79 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 69, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 14 to 16 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 415 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tundra year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 63K to 148K miles on the car (290 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 90K–153K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 29K–76K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 91K–193K miles
Recalls 5
- body structure 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, M…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- wheels 2002
ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 128 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine no start condition
- Abnormal squeal noise from the engine accessory drive belt area, usually during cold start-up
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFrame corrosion2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle stalls at any speed and when going up a hill.
2001 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 10044136
More owner reports
While driving and when brakes were applied they didn't hold. Contacted dealer. Replaced part 3 times; however problem reoccurred.
NHTSA complaint 8018435
While driving at 65 mph vehicle started to shake, and when consumer tried to apply brakes, vehicle started to shake even more. Contacted dealer, and dealer noted that there was 9 faulty codes that have gone off.
NHTSA complaint 8002959
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2001 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (71%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and engine (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tundra have?
5 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota Tundra get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 63,200 and 148,500 miles. The middle report was at 102,000 miles, from 290 complaints.
Does the 2001 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Toyota Tundra have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works