Is the 2018 Toyota TUNDRA reliable?

The 2018 Toyota TUNDRA has 153 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota TUNDRA?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (27 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (22 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Toyota TUNDRA?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Toyota TUNDRA?

The 2018 Toyota TUNDRA gets 16 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Toyota TUNDRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Toyota TUNDRA is approximately $1,575/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.

2018 Toyota TUNDRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Toyota TUNDRA has 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 154. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: car purchased 10/09/2018 pre-collision malfunction and trailer brake error 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 light comes and goes intermittently. especially during rainy and windy weather dropped off at toyota dealership toyota of selma in selma ca. diagnosis as dtc c1435 detected. please se. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 5 crash reports 1 injury

153

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

27 complaints

18%

• CAR PURCHASED 10/09/2018 PRE-COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND TRAILER BRAKE ERROR 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 LIGHT COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. ESPECIALLY DURING RAINY AND WINDY WEATHER DROPPED OFF AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF SELMA IN SELMA CA. DIAGNOSIS AS DTC C1435 DETECTED. PLEASE SE
• RECEIVED A PRE-COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND TRAILER BRAKE ERROR MULTIPLE TIMES. WAS INFORMED THE FAULT OCCURRED DUE TO COLD WEATHER. WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD RESOLVE ISSUE BUT HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE WITH THE LATEST OCCURRING 1/12/2018. ALSO, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A RATTL
• THE PRE COLLISION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES A VARIOUS TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK WHEN ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN KEPT CLEAN. IT DOES NOT GIVE A FAILURE CODE AT THE DEALER. IT WAS REPROGRAMED. THE PRE COLLISION BRAKING WAS A MAJOR FEATURE IN MY BUYING PROCESS AND IT DOES NOT WORK C

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“CAR PURCHASED 10/09/2018 PRE-COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND TRAILER BRAKE ERROR 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 LIGHT COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. ESPECIALLY DURING RAINY AND WINDY WEATHER DROPPED OFF AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF SELMA IN SELMA CA. DIAGNOSIS AS DTC C1435 DETECTED. PLEASE SE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Toyota TUNDRA

Based on 78 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 775 mi · 8 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 (9)

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM23/11/2021

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

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

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Toyota TUNDRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,001

Per month

$250

Per mile

25.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,693/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,527/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 2018 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

$1,575

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-6%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1575

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 2018 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 153 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR PURCHASED 10/09/2018 PRE-COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND TRAILER BRAKE ERROR 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 LIGHT COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. ESPECIALLY DURING RAINY AND WINDY WEATHER DROPPED OFF AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF SELMA IN SELMA CA. DIAGNOSIS AS DTC C1435 DETECTED. PLEASE SE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE MALFUNCTION CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, TRAILER BRAKE ERROR, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHTS. TRUCK. MALFUNCTION IS INTERMITTENT AT ALL SPEEDS AND DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR POTENTIAL FUEL PUMP FAILURE FROM TOYOTA IN JAN. 2020. IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS AND NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS NOT ASSISTING WITH RESOLUTION. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE MALFUNCTION CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, TRAILER BRAKE ERROR, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHTS. TRUCK. MALFUNCTION IS INTERMITTENT AT ALL SPEEDS AND DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)