Is the 2011 Toyota TUNDRA reliable?

The 2011 Toyota TUNDRA has 184 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Toyota TUNDRA?

Top problems: ENGINE (35 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (22 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (20 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Toyota TUNDRA?

Yes, there are 11 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Toyota TUNDRA?

The 2011 Toyota TUNDRA gets 17 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2824. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Toyota TUNDRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Toyota TUNDRA is approximately $1,339/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Toyota TUNDRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota TUNDRA has 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 154. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: high idle -cold start, truck starts in morning or when left for a time at 1600-1800 rpm it sounds like its screaming,,stays there for appox 3 minutes then goes to 1300 and 1100 but does not drop down after 5 min ,if vehicles is driven or put in gear ,depending on how long up wait the truck will pull. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year.

6 crash reports 3 injuries

184

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

35 complaints

19%

• HIGH IDLE -COLD START, TRUCK STARTS IN MORNING OR WHEN LEFT FOR A TIME AT 1600-1800 RPM IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS SCREAMING,,STAYS THERE FOR APPOX 3 MINUTES THEN GOES TO 1300 AND 1100 BUT DOES NOT DROP DOWN AFTER 5 MIN ,IF VEHICLES IS DRIVEN OR PUT IN GEAR ,DEPENDING ON HOW LONG UP WAIT THE TRUCK WILL PULL
• TRUCK'S COMPUTER IS READING AN INCORRECT PERCEIVED ALCOHOL DENSITY. TRUCK HAS A FLEX FUEL ENGINE AND THE COMPUTER IS TELLING THE ENGINE THAT THERE IS ETHANOL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WHILE THERE IS NOT. I HAVE NEVER RUN ETHANOL IN THE TRUCK YET THE COMPUTER IS READING THAT THERE IS A 30-50% ALCOHOL DENS
• ON THEIR 5.7 LITER ENGINE KNOCKS WHEN YOU FIRST TAKE OFF. SOUNDS LIKE EXCESSIVE PISTON SLAP FROM THE MOTOR BEING BORED OUT TO BIG DURING PRODUCTION. I HAVE CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA THEMSELVES AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. WITH THIS EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE IT WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO HAVE A SH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HIGH IDLE -COLD START, TRUCK STARTS IN MORNING OR WHEN LEFT FOR A TIME AT 1600-1800 RPM IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS SCREAMING,,STAYS THERE FOR APPOX 3 MINUTES THEN GOES TO 1300 AND 1100 BUT DOES NOT DROP DOWN AFTER 5 MIN ,IF VEHICLES IS DRIVEN OR PUT IN GEAR ,DEPENDING ON HOW LONG UP WAIT THE TRUCK WILL PULL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Toyota TUNDRA

Based on 132 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 69K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 69K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 79K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 81K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER19/11/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Toyota TUNDRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,824

Per month

$235

Per mile

23.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Toyota TUNDRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,339

Full coverage / month

$112

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-20%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1339

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota TUNDRA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2011 TUNDRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 184 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: HIGH IDLE -COLD START, TRUCK STARTS IN MORNING OR WHEN LEFT FOR A TIME AT 1600-1800 RPM IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS SCREAMING,,STAYS THERE FOR APPOX 3 MINUTES THEN GOES TO 1300 AND 1100 BUT DOES NOT DROP DOWN AFTER 5 MIN ,IF VEHICLES IS DRIVEN OR PUT IN GEAR ,DEPENDING ON HOW LONG UP WAIT THE TRUCK WILL PULL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I HAVE A 2011 TUNDRA SR5 WITH A LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE SHIFT LEVER. WHILE IN PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE PRESSED IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO GEAR. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOUD CLICK CAN BE HEARD FROM THE COLUMN SHIFTER. THIS IS THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: I WAS DRIVING MY TUNDRA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I THEN LOST MY STEERING ABILITY. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY TURNS. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW SOME TYPE OF FLUID LEAKING VERY FAST. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING FLUID. I HAD THE CAR TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO MR. GENACHAOWKI REGARDING HIS NEW 2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICK UP TRUCK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT CAME WITH A TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION TO SIRIUS XM SATELLITE RADIO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)