Selling a rusted, dead or blown-engine Toyota Tundra

One warning first. If your Tundra is a 2022, 2023 or 2024 and the engine failed, an open recall may cover a new engine. Read that section before you sell.

Three Tundras, three different problem lists

Every number in this section is ours. We tallied NHTSA's complaint and recall records as they stood on October 10, 2026.

Five campaigns, all labels or Southeast Toyota seat heaters, cross from 2006 into 2007 and count in both of the first two rows. The Tundra was the first full-size pickup from a Japanese maker built in North America.

2000-2006: the cross member, ball joints and air bags

Rust leads this generation. On the 2000, 497 of 1,011 complaints are filed under structure, and structure ranks first on six of the seven years. Recall 09V444 covered about 110,000 trucks from 2000-2003 that were sold or registered in 20 cold-weather states and DC. The rear cross member that carries the spare tire could rust badly. It sits close to the brake lines, so the risks were a spare dropping off and weaker braking. Owners were told to take the spare off. Dealers inspected the member and the brake lines, replaced what needed it, or sprayed the member with corrosion protection.

Hydraulic brakes are the second-largest complaint area on the 2000-2002: 221, 92 and 90 complaints. Apart from the brake line checks in the cross member recall, no recall on those years deals with brakes.

Front suspension is next. Recall 05V225 replaced lower ball joints on 2002-2004 Tundras, in a campaign NHTSA describes as covering certain sport utility vehicles, 768,379 in all. Recall 07V013 did the same on 2004-2006 trucks, part of 533,124 trucks and minivans. On the 2004, 109 of 466 complaints are about the suspension.

Air bags peak on the 2005 (82 complaints) and 2006 (132). Takata passenger inflators are recalled on certain 2003-2006 trucks, in four campaigns: 15V285, 15V286, 18V883 and 19V741. Each campaign also reached other models. A degraded inflator can rupture and throw metal into the cab. Separately, recall 16V065 swapped the side curtain air bag control module on 2005-2006 Tundras for one with improved programming, in a 320,409-vehicle campaign that also took in the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia and two Lexus SUVs.

2007-2021: pedals, driveshafts and a steering leak

On the 2008, vehicle speed control is the top complaint area, 58 of 327. Two Toyota-wide campaigns cover 2007-2010 Tundras: 09V388, where an unsecured or mismatched floor mat can pin the gas pedal (4,445,056 vehicles across many models), and 10V017, the sticky pedal recall (2,230,661 vehicles across eight Toyota models).

Driveshafts come up three times. Recall 07V579 covered 15,616 four-wheel-drive 2007 trucks with reworked slip yokes that were not hard enough; dealers replaced the propeller shaft where needed. Recall 11V254 covered 50,939 2011 trucks whose 3-joint propeller shafts had poorly cast yokes. Both could let the shaft drop. A third, 10V091, named two 2010 trucks with a bad weld.

Frames come back too. Toyota's frame corrosion settlement, approved May 21, 2017, produced program ZH7 for certain 2007-2008 Tundras. We have not read its terms, so ask a dealer whether your VIN was covered.

Late in this generation came recall 21V920, for steering gears built incorrectly at the factory. They can seep oil until the power assist quits, and dealers inspect and replace them as needed. Its 22,462 vehicles include 2008-2022 Sequoias. Certain 2018-2020 Tundras are also in Denso's low-pressure fuel pump recall, which spans many Toyota models; the pump can make the engine stall at speed.

2022 on: main bearings in the V35A

Engine is the top complaint area on the 2022 (133 of 431), the 2023 (124 of 411) and the 2024 (122 of 346). Three recalls name the same defect: machining debris left in the engine can make the main bearings fail, which stalls it and cuts drive power.

• 24V381: 2022-2023 Tundras and the Lexus LX600, 102,092 vehicles. Dealers replace the engine.
• 25V767: a wider campaign, 126,691 vehicles: 2022-2024 Tundra, Lexus LX and 2024 Lexus GX. Dealers judge the No. 1 main bearing using inspection software and the truck's drive data, and swap the engine when it fails that check. Toyota's filing states "Estimated percentage with defect: 1%".
• 26V320: a separate May 2026 campaign for certain 2024 Tundras, 43,566 vehicles. Interim letters went out July 23, 2026.

Other recalls on these trucks: rear axle flange nuts that can loosen (22V445, 46,176 trucks), a fuel tube that can rub against brake lines and leak (23V566, 168,179), unexpected movement in Neutral with the brakes off, fixed by a transmission software update (24V125, 280,663 vehicles with the LX600 and Sequoia Hybrid), and several rearview camera and reverse light campaigns. Hybrid models carry Toyota's 10-year, 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty, whichever comes first.

Complaints and recalls by model year

From NHTSA's files, October 10, 2026. A campaign that reaches several years of a grouped row counts once; label and distributor campaigns are included. NHTSA also files a single complaint under model year 1999, before the first Tundra model year; it is left out.

Repair it, claim the recall, or sell?

Weigh the written quote against what the truck brings running. Then go in this order.

1. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. Cross member, ball joint, air bag and steering gear work is recall work.
2. Dead V35A on a 2022-2024? Ask a Toyota dealer whether the truck is in 24V381, 25V767 or 26V320 before you spend anything or sell. See blown engine for an engine no recall covers.
3. Rust on a first-generation truck? Put it on a lift. If the frame or cross member is soft, the failed inspection guide explains frame rot versus surface rust.

We have no sourced Tundra repair prices, so we print none. Get the quote on paper.

Selling the truck whole

1. Gather the VIN, the mileage, what's broken and whether it starts, drives or only rolls.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it's parked: a driveway, a field, a shop lot. Mention a seized wheel, a missing spare or a frame that sags, so the right truck comes. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it complete. Keep the wheels, tailgate, hitch and converters on, and mention anything already gone.
5. Paperwork at the truck: the signed title, plus ID that matches the name on it. Plate rules differ, and after you sell sorts them by state.

Other big Toyotas: the Sequoia, Tacoma and Land Cruiser.