AI Damage2020 Toyota Tundra: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tundra filed 47 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 138 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 47
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 138
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 6 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 5 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 47 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 40 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was driving in a 25 MPH zone approaching a red light preparing to stop. I had increased the pressure on my brake pedal and then my foot slipped of the pedal just seconds before I ran into a truck that was stopped at the red light.
was struck in front right corner of truck and air bags did not deploy or the automatic braking system did not respond causing me to be thrown in to rearview mirror and breaking the windshiled and causing body harm to my head and spine
He caused a frontal impact on my vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. I was traveling 55 mph with a trailer attached and slammed on brakes but still impacted him really hard. I was on the feeder or frontage road.
Safety Complaint for 2020 Toyota Tundra The power steering intermittently becomes difficult to operate, as if power steering assistance is lost. The steering wheel does not consistently return to the center position after making a turn.
There are recalls on certain VIN numbers for the Denso Low Pressure Fuel Pump and a class action lawsuit settlement that resulted in Customer Support Program 23TE05 but when I called Toyota they said my VIN did not qualify.
while heading west with cruise control on and I passed a truck that was fully in the left turn lane my vehicle has done a collision avoidance complete stop three time in the same day. I wasn’t tailgating and I was doing the speed limit of 55 mph. The road was very straight. It did this twice before about a year ago.
Steering is intermittently difficult, almost as if no power steering. Steering wheel does not return to center after a turn. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed on the vehicle. This is a safety issue in that it could an accident by not responding properly to driver input.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that there was smoke inside the vehicle. The contact opened the front passenger side door and discovered that the front passenger seat was burned and had melted.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 899 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 43% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tundra has 161 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 47, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
NHTSA lists 138 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Tundra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, steering. Total complaints: 47. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), windows, sunroof (13%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA lists 138 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Toyota Tundra from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.