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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-TOYOTA-TUNDRA NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2005 · Toyota

Toyota Tundra problems

374 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Tundra?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
82 reports · fails ~88,518 mi · avg $1,100
severe
suspension
68 reports · fails ~133,052 mi · avg $900
moderate
body
65 reports · fails ~133,306 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
28 reports · fails ~60,709 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
22 reports · fails ~71,266 mi · avg $450
severe
steering
21 reports · fails ~98,676 mi · avg $700
severe
engine
19 reports · fails ~85,849 mi · avg $3,100
severe
cruise control
14 reports · fails ~64,234 mi · avg $600
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2005 Tundra's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2005 Tundra?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Tundra · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota tundra. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air injector pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
12/31/2015 · at 150,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10817173.0 · see engine pattern →
2005 Tundra · airbags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Toyota tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags); however, the parts were unavailable to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
2005 Tundra · airbags Injury
I started the vehicle, proceeded forward in a strait line, reached +/- 15 MPH and the side curtain airbags deployed. I did not hit anything, was not hit and did not roll the vehicle. The ground was very smooth/flat. I received neck injuries and have had headaches ever since.…
12/30/2008 · at 60,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10253283.0 · see airbags pattern →
2005 Tundra · suspension
the frame has rotted to the point the vehicle cannot be driven. rusted with holes all in it unsafe
View all 374 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2005 Toyota Tundra? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 05V123000 March 30, 2005

Certain pickup trucks equipped with both vehicle stability control (vsc) and the trd dual exhaust systems

In this condition, the exhaust pipe flange may rub against the right rear brake line, which could cause brake fluid leakage. This could lead to an increase of vehicle stopping distance, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if so equipped, will replace the trd dual exhaust system free of charge. During this replacement, the dealer will also inspect the specific brake line to assure it has not been damaged and replace it if necessary. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
severe NHTSA 05V328000 July 20, 2005

Certain pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and optional fabric front captain's chairs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

As a result, the vehicle occupants will not be made aware of whether or not the air bag is activated and ready to protect the occupant as appropriate.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger occupant classification system indicator lens. The recall began august 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
moderate NHTSA 05V254000 June 2, 2005

Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the anchorage systems' failure, and to increase the likelihood that child restraints are properly secured and thus more fully achieve their potential effectiveness in motor vehicles.

Fix: Dealers will remove the manual air bag on-off switch, replace the owner's manual, and affix a new sun visor air bag warning label. The recall began in early january 2007. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened February 2015

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 374 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Toyota Tundra has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2005 Toyota Tundra?

The 2005 Toyota Tundra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 28 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–91,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Toyota Tundra?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 82 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,518 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 88,518 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Tundra has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Toyota Tundra?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 374 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Tundra. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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