TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota Tundra electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Toyota Tundra have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 83,800 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Tundra | 15 |
| 2008 Tundra | 28 |
| 2011 Tundra (this page) | 18 |
| 2012 Tundra | 17 |
| 2013 Tundra | 11 |
| 2014 Tundra | 16 |
| 2015 Tundra | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 18 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Toyota Tundra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Tundras file consistent complaints about five distinct electrical failures. The airbag clock spring breaks down, causing the horn to stop working or function only when the steering wheel turns—a safety issue when a driver needs to signal on the highway. Repairs run $365 to $800.
Rodent damage to the wiring harness is widespread and expensive. Toyota uses soy-based insulation on the wires, which rodents chew through. Owners report damage to multiple harnesses, with repair bills reaching $7,000 or more, and the problem repeats even after repair because the soy insulation attracts rodents again. Warranty does not cover this damage.
The secondary air injection system fails, throwing the truck into limp mode—speed capped at 60 km/h, no hill-climbing power. Diagnostic codes P2441 and P0418 appear. One dealership refused to diagnose without a persistent fault code, telling the owner to wait until it failed again and then pay for a tow.
Power door locks are unreliable: some doors lock and unlock while others don't, and the pattern changes. Owners resort to manual override from inside.
The climate control recirculation button is electronic and automatically shuts off every three minutes, forcing outside air in. Toyota says this is by design and refuses to provide override options, even though owners on forums report the same problem.
A couple of complaints involve odometer fraud or secondary issues (battery/alternator failure in a used unit) tied to poor condition at sale.
Same Toyota Tundra electrical reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Clock Spring Failure
The clock spring under the steering wheel malfunctions, causing the horn to stop working and potentially affecting airbag deployment. Owners report the horn works intermittently or only when turning the wheel.
When: Varies; one owner reported at 60K miles, another had horn fail during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not work or works intermittently; Horn only functions when turning steering wheel; Wiring harness rubbing and cutting into wires
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of airbag clock spring costs reported at $365–$800
Rodent Damage to Wiring Harness (Soy-Based Insulation)
Rodents chew through the soy-based wire insulation used in the truck, causing multiple wiring harnesses to fail. Owners report repeated damage even after repair, as the soy insulation continues to attract rodents.
When: Timing varies; one owner reported damage after extended storage, another had repeated incidents months apart
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Dash lights flashing; Complete wiring harness failure; Rodent nests found in engine bay
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs range from $600 to $7,000+ depending on extent of damage; multiple harnesses may require replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota has not issued recalls for rodent damage; owners state damage is not covered by warranty
Secondary Air Injection System Failure
The secondary air injection pump or related component fails, causing the truck to enter limp mode with severe power loss. Check engine, 4Lo, and traction control lights illuminate.
When: At 211,256 km and recurring within days; also reported at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode engagement; Unable to exceed 60 km/h on highway; No power for climbing hills; Check engine light illumination; 4Lo light illumination; Traction control light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership (Alpine Toyota, Cranbrook BC) refused diagnosis without persistent fault code present
Climate Control Recirculation Button Malfunction
The electronic recirculation button automatically switches off every three minutes during driving, forcing outside air intake. Toyota claims this is by design to prevent moisture damage but does not provide override options.
When: From day 1 of purchase; occurs consistently every 3 minutes while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Recirculation button automatically disengages; Outside air forced in repeatedly; Cannot maintain recirculation setting
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports multiple service visits (at least 5) with no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota states this is working as designed and that vehicles should be driven with outside air to prevent interior moisture damage
Power Door Lock Failure
Electric door locks fail to operate reliably. Some doors lock/unlock while others do not, and the pattern is unpredictable. Owner reports manual override required.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Some doors will not lock or unlock automatically; Problem worsens over time; Inconsistent operation—different doors fail each time; Manual override from inside required
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 that had a bad spot on it. This causes the wiring harness to start rubbing and cutting into the wires. Would cause the…
On 11/25/22 I meet with American Auto Mall to buy a used truck I was assured through text, website and window sticker that the truck was in excellent condition inside and out.. I have all this documents proofing this.. I did van limited inspection at the lot and a test drive.. found nothing that stuck out.. other than the radio not working but the dealership said he would reimburse me if I got…
I bought my tundra with 7 miles on it so I know its not neglect that causes this problem it's poor quality part ..the clock spring under the steering wheel is malfunctioning my horn doesn't work it only has 60k on it I've been a loyal Toyota technician as well as ii\ owned a few I called the hotline (Toyota)theirs nothing they could do for me I will not recommend Toyota to my customers any longer…
2011 Toyota tundra check engine light, 2lo, and traction control light all came on. Took to dealer, dealer found rodent damage to wiring harness. Replaced wiring harness and cleaned out mouse nest. Rodents were attracted to soy based wiring used in tundra trucks. Over $600 in damage, not covered by Toyota, but should be!
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Toyota Tundra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Toyota Tundra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 50,000 and 140,000 miles, with the median around 83,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 140,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Toyota/Tundra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.