The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota Tundra

2020 Toyota Tundra.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 32 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 31, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel or ev drive system, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.

31Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2015 · Worst year 2022

Toyota Tundra
Photo shows a 2022 Toyota Tundra. Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints32first 3 years
Fuel economy14–15 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 46 owner complaints, owners reported:

4crashes
2injuries
1fires
4tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

fuel or ev drive system19%
engine16%
brakes12%
lights9%
steering9%

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.

Transmission problems in every Toyota Tundra year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 3K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 7K miles on the car (19 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 5

  • steering 2021

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

  • steering 2021

    The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

  • lights 2021

    The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.

Show all 5 recalls
  • fuel system, gasoline 2020

    If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • lights 2020

    Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Toyota told dealers about

Toyota sent dealers 159 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • REVISION NOTICE July 03, 2019 Rev1: ?
  • Customers may complain of a whine noise upon starter engagement

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
NHTSA front crash test of the 2020 Toyota Tundra
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $4300–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.7L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

Car will not start in hot weather (115f+). This is extremely dangerous. Both times I got stuck in 115-117f weather outdoor. Toyota dealer say they can't replicate issue as there needs to be a 115f+ weather.

2020 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 11354056
More owner reports

Fuel pump running while engine is off and key is turned off

NHTSA complaint 11372946

Can not fuel truck normally. Gas stops pumping after 2secs and have confirmed the issues with multiple gas stations.

NHTSA complaint 11518301

Quick answers

Is the 2020 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Tundra problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel or ev drive system (19%), engine (16%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have?

5 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Toyota Tundra get?

14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2020 Toyota Tundra safe?

NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2020 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?

About $4300 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2020 Toyota Tundra have?

5.7L 8-cyl.

What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2020?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data