2018 Toyota Tundra Safety Report
2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Toyota Tundra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (9) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (95) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Toyota Tundra with 23 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Toyota Tundra before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Tundra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Tundra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | 70 | 10 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Toyota Tundra | 76 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Tundra | 42 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Toyota Tundra | 115 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Toyota Tundra | 23 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Tundra | 44 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Toyota Tundra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Toyota Tundra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel/Propulsion System
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlySteering
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
Reliability Score
The 2018 Toyota Tundra receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Tundra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Power Assist System Toyota is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2022 Tundra vehicles due to potential issues with the hydraulic power assist system. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Pump Toyota has issued multiple recalls for fuel pump issues in 2018-2020 Tundra vehicles, leading to sudden loss of propulsion and increased safety risks. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Headlights Toyota is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles due to issues with headlights, affecting visibility and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Turn Signals Toyota is recalling certain 2018-2020 Tundra vehicles due to issues with turn signals, affecting visibility and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Toyota Tundra:
23% of reported issues involve the hydraulic power assist system.
20% of reported issues involve the fuel pump.
15% of reported issues involve headlights.
10% of reported issues involve turn signals.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
The following 9 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Toyota Tundra by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
Consequence: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB12/20TA12.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra vehicles. The accessory all-weather floormats may have been counted twice when creating the load carrying capacity modification label, resulting in the capacity modification label incorrectly overstating the additional weight by 10 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Since the incorrect label is not within 1% of the additional weight, the vehicles are not compliant with the FMVSS.
Remedy: All vehicle owners will be sent a corrected label. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0Z.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupa...
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. Electrical interference within the power supply circuit may cause the vehicle's electronic stability control system to be deactivated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system can increase the risk of a crash in certain conditions.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0H. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V-685. The software remedy for 18V-685 includes the updates to the software for this recall.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota Tundra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota Tundra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
Seat back on driver side caught fire burn 2" x 2" hole in the seat back
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 light Code. Also my radar sensor that it on for cruise control i...
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 us pay for the fuel pump before we left the dealership. The v...
Heated seat element and module burnt
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 the way over. I looked up that the 2018 Toyota Tundra w cert...
The truck under frame is rusting a lot in spots near welds.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while her husband attempted to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manu...
Vehicle occasionally stalls on acceleration and deceleration. Occasional stall on idle. Check engine light DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. After several stalls; warning lights for trainer brake controller, forward anti-collision, and cruise control errors illuminate. Diagnosed as bad fuel pump and fuel pump modulator. Fuel pump and modulator replaced and issues rectified.
My fuel pump died with symptoms consistent with other 2018-2020 Tundras involved in a fuel pump recall.
Fuel pump out after 3 weeks.4-24-25 Three weeks ago 4-07-25 I had an issue with my fuel pump and the Toyota dealer replaced it. I also reported it here at that time. I typed up what the truck did and sent it to y'all before i ever got word of what was wrong. The report from them is not accurate. They stated I had run out of gas and the fuel pump was burnt up. As I stated I lost propulsion but the ...
FUEL PUMP. I was driving at highway speeds of about 70mph when I suddenly lost propulsion but the truck was still running. I had cars behind me and coming from the front. I shifted to neutral and back to drive to see if that would fix it and nothing changed. I pulled over onto the shoulder and put it in park. I went back to drive and nothing again. I turned it off hoping for a reset and it wouldn...
My truck continues to start extremely rough and it staled out on me the other day driving down the road. The problem has persisted for several months now and I have been told that it is a problem with the fuel pump. I know that Toyota had a massive recall on fuel pumps but my truck was not under that recall and believe that it should have been.
Doesn’t want to start very good and throws misfire codes and turns off trailer breaks and precollsion sensors.
3 of 4 tires LT285/75/R20 have consistant cracks around the sidewall of the tires rubber showing small shining metal strips
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 safety risk.
This case results from the malfunctioning trailer brake ECU on 2018-2019 Tundras. There is a Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0036-19, which specifies an updated controller to replace the defective model. Part # : Original 89547-0C020 Update/replacement 89547-0C060 Toyota will not replace this defective part outside of the original warranty period despite the issuance of an updated replacement part...
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 door to close on me from the lift.
The vehicle has had no other fuel issues and has always been kept up on maintenance at the Toyota dealership. Recently we had issues after getting gas and it stalling. Today after closer inspection the dealership called to say it was the fuel pump. The fuel pump has melted to the gas tank. This is obviously a huge fire and safety risk. There are no after market parts that would cause this.
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 other complants.
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 Tota...
Showing 20 of 95 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota Tundra
Has the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 9 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
The 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 95 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA involve fuel/propulsion system (13 complaints), service brakes (9 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints). Other affected components include engine, steering, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA out of 95 total complaints (4.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA out of 95 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA is acceptable with caveats. It has 95 complaints, 9 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (13 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (9 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 4. ENGINE (4 complaints), 5. STEERING (4 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 13 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Be aware of potential recalls for hydraulic power assist systems, fuel pumps, and exterior lighting. Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial to ensure safety. The 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 95 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 95 owner complaints, 9 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Hydraulic Power Assist System and Fuel Pump.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA include: Hydraulic Power Assist System, Fuel Pump, Headlights, Turn Signals. These are based on patterns found across 95 NHTSA complaints. 9 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Toyota Tundra?
Yes, recalls have been issued for hydraulic power assist systems, fuel pumps, and exterior lighting issues.
What are the common issues with the fuel pump?
Fuel pump failures can lead to sudden loss of propulsion and are a common issue in 2018-2020 Tundra vehicles.
Are there any known issues with the steering system?
Toyota has issued recalls for hydraulic power assist systems and steering gear assemblies in certain Tundra models.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential recalls for hydraulic power assist systems, fuel pumps, and exterior lighting. Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial to ensure safety.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Tundra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Tundra. The data includes 95 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 9 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Toyota Tundra an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16