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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-TOYOTA-TUNDRANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2011 Toyota Tundra problems
The 2011 Toyota Tundra has 134 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2011 Toyota Tundra has 134 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 25 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,187 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
11
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Tundra?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
11 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Toyota Tundra PU/RC AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Toyota Tundra? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 25 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,187 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,480 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 102,242 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,917 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 66,480 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2011 Tundra· suspension
I bought a 2011 Toyota tundra crewmax, that was lifted and had different wheels and tires put on by the dealership prior to me purchasing the truck, around october of 2011. I found it to be slightly pulling left so I thought it needed an alignment done so call russel Toyota in…
?on 12/26/2014, I started my tundra, placed it into gear after a 30 second pause and proceeded to literally stand on my breaks to stop the vehicle from lurching forward. The back tires spun causing smoke to emanate from the screeching tires. At the time I placed the vehicle in…
On 12/17/2016 my daughter and I had a head-on collision. The passenger side airbags deployed fine and prevented my daughter from having any major injuries. My driver's side airbag popped out of the steering wheel but didn't inflate. Due to the airbag not deploying properly I hit…
Horn stopped working right after I bought this truck from a dealer. I did some research on why it stopped. I was told and also read that it was the air bag clock spring. This controls the air bags and horn and other components. What it is the clock spring was installed by Toyota…
Had a problem with your 2011 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.
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
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, 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles
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.
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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 2011 Toyota Tundra?
The 2011 Toyota Tundra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 11 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Toyota Tundra?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,187 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Toyota Tundra a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 134 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 81,187 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Toyota Tundra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 25 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,187 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,187 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 2011 Toyota Tundra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 134 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Toyota/Tundra.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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