Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota tundra. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the cam shaft tower seal was leaking onto the exhaust. The dealer (david maus Toyota, 1160 reinehart rd, sanford, fl 32771) stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and did not assist. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not…
2013 Toyota Tundra engine problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 21 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Tundra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Tundra has a widespread cam tower oil leak problem that costs $3,000–$5,000 to repair and often recurs because Toyota uses a flawed RTV seal design instead of a gasket; secondary air injection system failures are also common and expensive. Expect potential fire hazards from oil on hot exhaust, and verify Toyota's selective Customer Support Program coverage before buying.
The 2013 Tundra accumulates complaints about two major engine systems. The cam tower seal problem dominates the narrative: owners report oil leaking from RTV rubber material onto the heat shield and exhaust manifold, often bilaterally, starting as early as 23,000 miles. The leak drips onto hot exhaust surfaces, creating smoke and a fire hazard. Owners state this is a known, widespread issue that Toyota refuses to address as a recall, though the manufacturer set up selective Customer Support Programs offering $3,000–$5,000 reimbursement. Major engine teardown is required for repair, and dealers reuse the same failing RTV material, so leaks recur. Several owners report Toyota and dealers denied the problem despite obvious oil staining on engine and manifold.
The secondary air injection system fails repeatedly. Check engine lights illuminate; air injection control valves stick and pumps fail, particularly water intrusion into pumps. One owner replaced sensors three times and is on the third pump replacement. Owners report losing power at highway speeds—a serious safety risk—and one mechanic confirmed this is a common generational problem. Toyota modified the gooseneck hose design, indicating a known defect. The $4,000 repair cost falls outside warranty for many owners.
Minor complaints include engine knock on the passenger side with abnormally poor fuel economy (12–13 MPG), delayed cold starting requiring multiple crank cycles, and erratic RPM surging under braking—issues dealers could not reproduce or confirm.
Same Toyota Tundra engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Cam tower oil leak
RTV rubber seal material on cam tower deteriorates, causing engine oil to leak onto heat shield, exhaust manifold, and exhaust components. Owners report oil leaking from one or both sides. Material fails prematurely and leaks recur after repair because Toyota reuses the same RTV material rather than switching to a gasket design. Multiple owners report this as a widespread, known issue.
When: 25,000 to 122,000 miles; reported as early as 23,199 miles under warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Oil dripping onto heat shield and exhaust manifold; Burning oil smell when driving; Smoke from engine; Oil visible on engine block and manifold; Fire risk from oil on hot exhaust surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: Major engine teardown required. Dealers replace seals and gaskets with same RTV material, resulting in repeated failures. Estimated repair cost $3,000–$5,000 range mentioned in CSP context.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Customer Support Programs (CSP) set up to reimburse some owners $3,000–$5,000, but coverage is selective and many owners fall outside warranty or CSP eligibility. Dealers and Toyota often deny the issue despite obvious signs.
Secondary air injection system failure
Air injection pump fails or becomes stuck; control valves jam. Check engine light illuminates. Owners report repeated sensor and pump replacement, suggesting a systemic design flaw. Mechanic states this is a common problem in this generation. Toyota modified the gooseneck hose attachment to pump, indicating a known design issue.
When: Occurs throughout vehicle life; one owner at 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination (multiple occurrences for same owner); Power loss at highway speeds, near-accident hazard; Stalling while driving at various speeds; Water intrusion into pump reported
Codes mentioned: Stuck air injection control valves, Air injection pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement (all secondary air injection sensors), pump replacement, and pump gooseneck hose assembly replacement. One owner on third pump replacement attempt. Repair cost cited as $4,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota modified gooseneck hose attachment design. CSP programs exist for some owners. No recall issued despite widespread complaints. Toyota does not offer warranty coverage for this repair in all cases.
Engine knock and poor fuel economy
Noticeable knocking noise on passenger side that persists when hot and warms up completely. Occurs during acceleration and stationary operation. Associated with severely degraded fuel economy.
When: Ongoing from engine start
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking noise from passenger side, audible at all RPMs; Knocking accelerates with throttle input; Poor fuel economy, averaging 12.3 MPG with best of 13.4 MPG
Delayed cold starting
Motor turns over but does not start on first attempt in morning. Multiple crank cycles required before successful ignition.
When: Began December 2018 and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: No immediate start when turning key in morning; Multiple on-off cycles required before engine fires; Described as potentially critical at highway speed if pump fails
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects fuel pump based on mechanic advice; not confirmed as repaired.
Erratic idle RPM increase
Engine revs and RPMs increase erroneously when brake pedal is pressed at low speed (3–7 MPH), independent of driver input.
When: At 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended engine revving when brakes applied at low speed; RPM increase without throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Two separate dealers unable to reproduce; issue not confirmed as resolved.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota tundra. While driving between 3 and 7 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the engine would rev and the rpms would erroneously increase. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers who were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.
When the engine starts it has a very noticeable knocking noise on the passenger side that never goes away. You put it in gear and you can really hear the engine knocking, and the knocking speeds up as you accelerate. Even after the engine warms up completely you can still hear it knocking(stationary, or in motion) . Also my gas mileage is horrible! I average about 12.3mpg every tank. The…
Vehicle at 23199 miles, still under warranty-car stationary, smelled burning oil and noticed the oil leak from both sides of the wheel well above the heat shield. Vehicle was diagnosed by a dealer and cam tower seal was leaking from both sides. They also found valve cover was leaking as well. This was a great safety concern due to fire hazard. Factory defect due to insufficient seal applied to…
Cam tower leaks oil on the heat shield below it. Cam tower uses rtv rubber seal instead of a gasket. The rubber deteriorates and the cam tower leaks engine oil on the heat shield. Not clear why Toyota used form in place rubber material instead of real gasket. Repair however is major. Need to take apart engine to repair. Major repair. The fix is to replace it with the same material again.…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Toyota Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 43,117 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,117; a quarter make it past 98,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.