2018 Toyota Tundra Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am having problems with the integrated brake controller constantly disconnecting when pulling any type of trailer. When ever I pull a trailer I never know when the controller will disconnect and I'll lose brakes on my trailer. This happens at any speed while towing. This seems to be a thing for 2018 tundras, as I've read about many…Owner complaint, filed 2024

The bluetooth signal (phone calling) keep disconnecting. The dealer, toyota of seattle tried to fix 4 times and they replaced the unit last time but I still have the same problem. They keep blaming on apple iphone.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 20,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

While descending a steep grade towing an 8,000lb travel trailer using appropriate hill descent braking techniques, an error message came on the dash indicating a trailer wiring, type, or connection fault. From this point forward, I had no trailer brakes and was left with truck brakes only. I got the truck/trailer combination to the…Owner complaint, filed 2023

I purchased a 2018 toyota, tundra truck in 1/2018. On 3/5/19 at apprx 8 am. I assume an electrical fire started beneath the center console. While at a standstill, on my driveway, around 8 am, a fire started inside the toyota.the fire could not be extinguished with water and continued to grow and only after a fire extinguisher was used…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 20,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vehicle was having issues with the fuel pump which was a known safety recall for the 2018 Toyota Tundra vehicles. The service man said that when he pulled up the safety recall for our VIN number that it didn't show anything, but we needed a new fuel pump according to the service codes that were coming up after inspection. They made…Owner complaint, filed 2025

I had an independent service center diagnose the issue with my 2018 Toyota Tundra. My truck would not start so there was no safety concern, but if the fuel pump failed while driving then the safety concern rises. The electrical connection inside the fuel pump was melted. There was no warning signs of the issue, it just would not turn all…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Loss of dynamic radar-controlled cruise control: clean sensor, once on city street, then I stopped and restarted the vehicle, it cleared itself, then a few minutes down the road stopped at a stop sign. It came back on. I checked my VIN# and my truck is not listed for the same recall that I have seen others get.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 6,200 miles

The avoidance collision radar can be intermittent. Sometime, it detects the vehicle in front of me, then stop working and my truck will accelerate towards the vehicle in front of me. At other time, the warning light will come on, saying the sensor needs to be cleaned, even though the windshield is spotless and drop my truck out of cruise…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 12,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

This is the second occurrence of "rodent" damage eating engine wires. The first incident cost me $2,000. This has now occurred again. There is something "maybe soy based" or environmentally friendly materials that are attracting rats, and mice to cause engine damage by eating essential wiring and sensors, causing a fire risk, and highway…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Cam tower is leaking oil. I was told by the dealership that the oil is dripping onto the exhaust and could cause a fire! The truck is five years old with only 35000 miles on it! Apparently the sealant that is supposed to hold the cam tower together can start leaking oil! But I didn't expect it to leak with this new of a truck and this…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The pre collision system malfunction - visit dealer warning light came on 11/15/23 Diagnosed by dealer on 11/23/23 as "pre collision radar sensor is not good" Cost paid to diagnose the problem $412.53 Estimated cost to replace the sensor and recalibrate the system $1,112.40 Total cost $1,524.93 This part should be recalled as it has…Owner complaint, filed 2023

When starting up my truck in the morning there is rough idle that cause truck to sputter and sound horrible. It eventually smooths out but I believe the computer needs flashing. When I look online some have a recall for the engine 3UR-FBE / 2018 Toyota tundra, but when I put in my vin # it shows no recall and throws off check engine…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while making a turn she heard a squeaking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 50,000 miles

I had the same issue as in recall 21TH01. Had to have my Rack and Pinion replaced June 2022. Although my steering rack was not one of the "affected" units, I have seen another 2018 had to have its rack replaced one month before I had mine replaced. This is a major safety issue, if a steering rack goes bad, a complete loss of steering…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Was rear ended while at a stop in traffic. Was pushed into another truck in the front and ricochet back and was hit again by the car that hit me. After everyone came to a stop my dashboard information center stated the SRS Airbag System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer. My truck was totaled.Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 65mph, he was involved in a head-on collision with an unknown vehicle. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was provided medical attention. The occupant of the front passenger seat sustained a sternum injury and…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 96,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on the highway and as I was entering an exit, I heard a loud bang like a shot gun blast. I was on my way back to work from lunch, so I pulled into my office's parking lot. I look at my vehicle's dash display screen to see if a tire had blown. I exited my vehicle and walked around, but didn't notice any damage. Later that…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Toyota corporate as well as Toyota of Kirkland Washington failed to inform me of an open recall associated with my 2018 Toyota tundra pertaining to possible engine fire due to electrical failure in headlight assembly.Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was inspecting the vehicle for an extended warranty company the issue was the transmission. I was in the process of inspecting the vehicle when I was installing the Blue Diver to retrieve the stored codes in the system when I leaned in to turned the accessory key the vehicle started in gear and drove froward. Causing the left front…Owner complaint, filed 2024

The vehicle is a 2018 Toyota Tundra and failed state inspection at an authorized dealership due to the power steering rack and pinion assemble leaking at both ends. This is the same failure described in Toyota recall 21V920000, but Toyota claims my VIN is not covered. This is a severe safety issue occuring preamturley at 54,000 miiles.Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The drivers side front seat. The heated seat over heats. The seat left a quarter size blister on my right side buttocks. I do have a case number with Toyota. The vehicle has been inspected by one of Toyota’s field agents. I'm still waiting on the results. I can provide you with all of the complete details. My contact information. Email…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Front Upper Grille Hood Scoop becomes loose and flys off during highway speeds and can distract a driver to the point of having an accident. Has been replaced once and is loose again held down by duck tape.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The upper grille and hood trim assembly on my 2018 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition failed and partially detached from the vehicle due to apparent mounting clip and retainer failure. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. Photographs of the damage and detached trim assembly have been documented. This failure created a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

3 of 4 tires LT285/75/R20 have consistant cracks around the sidewall of the tires rubber showing small shining metal stripsOwner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tundra equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Dueler, Tire Size: 275/55/R20, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was a rumbling from the vehicle for five seconds, then the rear driver’s side tire detached. The contact pulled over and replaced the detached tire with the…Owner complaint, filed 2021