The Lemon Index2005 Toyota Tundra.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is better than average by owner complaints: 58 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 66, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 377 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tundra year. 2005 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 43K to 132K miles on the car (228 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 77K–154K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–103K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 67K–191K miles
Recalls 14
- suspension 2022
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Show all 14 recalls
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
- airbags 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pon…
- equipment 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- equipment 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- suspension 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MINI VANS, DUE TO POSSIBLE IMPROPER FINISHING OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, SOME BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENTAL DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL LUBRICATION.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND OPTIONAL FABRIC FRONT CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' T…
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PA…
- engine 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOTH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) AND THE TRD DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS.
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 221 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeak noise coming from the rear shocks
- Transmission extension housing seal leak (2wd only)
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- 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 $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2005 Toyota Tundra recall on lower ball joints. Consumer would like information on making an appointment with the dealer.
2005 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 10223890
More owner reports
Toyota Tundra with ball joint replacement. Consumer states they would not give him copies of the other invoices he signed. Consumer wants to know why they wouldn't give him copies.
NHTSA complaint 10207145
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (43%), brakes (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have?
14 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Tundra get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,100 and 132,500 miles. The middle report was at 82,200 miles, from 228 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota Tundra have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2005?
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