Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota Tundra electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Toyota Tundra have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 19,181 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
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Tundra | 16 |
| 2015 Tundra | 7 |
| 2016 Tundra | 25 |
| 2017 Tundra | 27 |
| 2018 Tundra (this page) | 26 |
| 2019 Tundra | 12 |
| 2020 Tundra | 3 |
| 2021 Tundra | 4 |
| 2022 Tundra | 23 |
1crash
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 26 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Tundra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 26 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
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.
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 repairing refrigerant leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: All 2020 ? 2023 model year 4Runner, 2018 ? 2022 model year Sequoia, 2018 ? 2023 model year Tacoma, and 2018 ? 2021 model year Tundra vehicles are equipped with Pre-collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) as part of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package. The PCS and DRCC systems are designed to help mitigate a potential collision and maintain a pre-determined traveling distance. It is recommended to disable the PCS and DRCC systems on vehicles that have been modified (ride height, oversized wheels/tires, brush bars, etc.) in a way that potentially disrupts the functionality of these systems. Vehicle owner?s written consent is required before performing the calibrat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions 010171, 010170, or 01017D) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Head unit reboots at a specific location. ?Abnormal Destination Search app operation. ?Rebooting caused by no songs on the USB-connected iPhone. ?A one-time reboot after ignition is cycled to ACC-ON. ?Audio stays muted after the key is cycled.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Tundra has shown serious electrical and safety system trouble across multiple complaint categories. Most alarming is one case of an under-console electrical fire at 20,000 miles that owner's insurance confirmed as electrical origin; the truck was sent to the dealer for investigation in March 2019 and owner was still in limbo by May with no status update.
More common are cascading failures in the pre-collision system: owners report false collision warnings with no vehicle present, unexpected hard braking on highways, and unresponsive sensor faults that dealers cannot reproduce or fix. Several say the system failed to detect actual vehicles ahead, nearly or actually causing rear-end collisions. The trailer brake controller is a known problem—Toyota issued TSB T-SB-0036-19 acknowledging the defect and specifying a replacement part, yet refuses out-of-warranty repairs despite costs around $1,100.
Multiple owners describe electrical gremlins: dashboard lights cycling on and off in groups (ABS, brake, traction control, cross-traffic alert), issues resolved only by battery disconnect, and problems that recur weeks later. Headlight dimming, radio power loss, speed sensor wires hanging loose, and Secondary Air Injection pump moisture intrusion round out the electrical catalogue. Dealer responses have been frustratingly inconsistent—some blame cold weather or "no reproducible fault," others offer software updates that don't hold.
Same Toyota Tundra electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Under-console electrical fire
Electrical fire started beneath center console, flames followed wire path, destroyed plastic trim to gear shift area. Owner's insurance confirmed fire as electrical origin. Fire resistant to water, required fire extinguisher to extinguish.
When: ~20,000 miles, 14 months after purchase (3/5/19)
Symptoms owners cite: Fire beneath center console; Flames consumed plastic center console trim; Vehicle unable to shift forward after fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership 3/8/19, filed with product liability claim #1903113498. As of 5/3/19, vehicle status unknown to owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Escalated to product liability review; ownership unaware of investigation outcome or completion timeline. Prior to fire, battery was replaced during 8/2018 service due to charging issue.
Pre-Collision System (PCS) sensor malfunction
PCS sensor intermittently reports unavailable or sends false collision warnings with no vehicle present. When dynamic cruise control active, system fails to detect vehicles ahead, vehicle accelerates unexpectedly before error displays. Narrow miss accidents reported. Some owners report sensor errors in rain/wind; cold weather cited as contributing factor by one dealer.
When: Early operation, <500 miles to several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: PCS sensor unavailable error message; False collision warnings when no vehicle present; Unexpected acceleration during adaptive cruise control; Brake assist engages without cause; PCS malfunction light illuminates intermittently; System disables cruise control when light active; Sensor errors worse in cold, wet weather
Codes mentioned: Forward camera communication issue, DTC C1435
Repairs/costs cited: Forward camera replacement ordered/installed at dealership. Reprogram/software updates attempted but unsuccessful for some owners. Dealer unable to reproduce intermittent faults.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall software update applied (date unspecified); did not resolve recurring issues for some owners. One dealer advised owner to document all surrounding factors if error recurs, stating no fix available.
Trailer brake controller failure
Integrated trailer brake controller throws error message, fails to apply brakes to electric trailers regardless of trailer type setting. Trailers confirmed working on other vehicles. Issue well-documented online since 2016+ models. Toyota issued TSB T-SB-0036-19 (4/1/19) specifying part upgrade from 89547-0C020 to 89547-0C060, but owners outside warranty face $1,100+ repair cost and manufacturer denial of coverage.
When: Throughout ownership, including under towing load
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brake error message on dash; No trailer brake application; Loss of trailer brake function while descending grade; Braking failure warning under load
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement controller part #89547-0C060 (upgrade from original #89547-0C020); estimated cost ~$1,100. Owners report Toyota refuses coverage outside 3-year warranty despite issuing updated part spec.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB T-SB-0036-19 issued 4/1/19 acknowledging problem; no recall issued. Warranty limited to 3 years—service bulletin issued too late for some owners whose warranty had expired. Toyota refuses out-of-warranty repairs despite newer part number indicating engineering change.
Speed sensor wire damage and ABS/stability light cascade
Left rear speed sensor wire separates from wheel due to plastic part detachment, leaving wire hanging. Cascades multiple dashboard warning lights (ABS, traction control, etc.) that blink on/off continuously. Speedometer display affected.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights flashing on/off; ABS light illumination; Traction control light; Continuous blinking lights; Speedometer display impaired
Repairs/costs cited: New speed sensor replacement required at high cost; not yet completed per owner. Wire currently hanging loose under vehicle.
Secondary Air Injection pump failure
Secondary Air Injection pump stuck off, vehicle enters limp mode (reduced power). Moisture inside pump causes electrical short. Issue recurs on Toyota V8s across multiple generations. Check engine light and reduced power mode create unsafe highway driving conditions.
When: Unknown exact mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Vehicle enters limp mode/lower power mode; Reduced highway driving capability; Moisture intrusion in pump
Codes mentioned: P2445 (Secondary Air Injection Pump Stuck Off)
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement ~$850. Moisture found inside pump at failure. Same problem plagued 2007-2010 Tundra/Sequoia models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota offers 10-year warranty on Secondary Air Injection Pumps for 2007-2010 models only; no extended coverage for 2018 model year.
Headlight dimming and exterior lighting electrical defect
Both front headlights intermittently go dim without warning. Tied to NHTSA Campaign 21V688000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System). Owners also reported concern of engine fire risk due to headlight electrical failure. Parts unavailable for recall repair despite notification sent.
When: ~35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent headlight dimming; Both front lights affected
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA Campaign 21V688000 recalls for part replacement but parts unavailable at multiple dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 21V688000 issued but parts remain unavailable; manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for parts availability.
Radio power/preset loss
Radio power cycles on and off every ~10 minutes, does not retain preset stations. Radio fails to accept software update download.
When: Beyond 30,000-mile warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Radio turns on and off every 10 minutes; Presets not saved; Radio unresponsive to update
Repairs/costs cited: Attempted software update/download unsuccessful. Out of factory warranty, no repair pursued.
Rough idle, misfire, and engine control system faults
Morning rough idle causing sputtering and irregular engine operation. Check engine light illuminates with misfire-related codes. One owner reports no recall found by VIN despite online reports of recall for 3UR-FBE engine on 2018 Tundra. Fuel contamination (water in tank) suggested by one dealer as cause, costing $1,400+.
When: Early morning cold starts
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle with sputtering; Check engine light; Misfire condition; Engine runs rough until warming up
Codes mentioned: P2445 (Secondary Air Injection Pump Stuck Off in one case), Misfire-related codes (unspecified in some narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed fuel contamination, quoted $1,400 for tank service/refill; misfire codes cleared after fuel system work and injector cleaner addition. No formal recall identified by VIN for some owners.
Radar cruise control sensor malfunction
Radar sensor for adaptive cruise control displays 'please contact dealer' warning and flashing light. Sensor has been replaced once under recall but is malfunctioning again.
When: Unspecified mileage; recurrence after prior recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Radar sensor warning on dash; Flashing warning light; Adaptive cruise control malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Previously replaced under recall; now failing again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under prior recall for replacement; no mention of permanent fix or warranty extension for recurrence.
Multiple electrical malfunction cascade
Intermittent electrical event triggers simultaneous failures: ABS, brake, 4LO, 4HI, hazard, blind spot monitor, traction control, rear cross-traffic alert, drive start control, and trailer brake error all illuminate/alarm together with loud beeping. Clears after restart.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights simultaneously; Loud beeping alarm; ABS light; Brake light; Drive start control malfunction message; Blind spot monitor malfunction message; Trailer brake error message; Rear cross-traffic alert malfunction message; 4LO, 4HI, hazard triangle, traction control lights
Repairs/costs cited: Resolved by vehicle power cycle (off/on). No repair completed.
Pre-collision system and transmission shifting interaction fault
Multiple warning lights and messages appear together during operation. In one case, vehicle shows pre-collision malfunction, trailer brake error, transmission shifting becomes irregular/hard/slipping, adaptive cruise control fails, ABS deactivates. Only resolved by disconnecting battery; fault recurs weeks or months later.
When: While driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights; Pre-collision system failure; Trailer brake error; Hard/slipping transmission shifts; Irregular transmission behavior; Adaptive cruise control failure; ABS deactivation
Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnect resolves symptoms temporarily; recurring pattern. Dealer unable to identify root cause.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, both front headlights would intermittently go dim without warning. The contact then received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V688000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of…
Car purchased 10/09/2018 pre-collision malfunction and trailer brake error 11/04/2018, 11/16/2018, 12/5/2018 light comes and goes intermittently. Especially during rainy and windy weather dropped off at Toyota dealership Toyota of selma in selma ca. Diagnosis as DTC c1435 detected. Please see attached photos dealer has not remedied problem.
Vehicle was diagnosed with having a left rear speed sensor and speed sensor wire was broken due to a piece of plastic part came separated from the wheel. Have all kinds of lights come on dashboard and flash on and off, until sensor is replaced with new at an astronomical rate, which cannot be replaced at this time. Feel that the vehicle should be considered recalled for this issue, as the wire is…
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Toyota Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 7,000 and 27,000 miles, with the median around 19,181. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 27,000. 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/2018/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.