VinCanary

Reliability report · 2018 Toyota Tundra · Updated July 2026

A durable 5.7L V8 year carrying more recalls than most — mostly software and the free fuel-pump fix — so buy it with the campaigns closed out.

The 2018 Tundra keeps the bulletproof 5.7-liter V8 but sits at the top of the XK50 recall pile: nine campaigns, driven by the Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall (20V-012) that can stall the engine, plus airbag-ECU and electronic-stability-control software fixes, a pre-collision radar-sensor campaign, and the dim-turn-signal and headlight items. Every one is free.

Mechanically nothing here is expensive-if-uncaught the way a later twin-turbo year is — the 99-complaint file has no engine or transmission failure cluster. Treat a 2018 as a paperwork exercise: get every recall shown completed by VIN (fuel pump above all), inspect the cam-tower oil leak, and check the frame if it lived up north. Done, it is a durable, long-lived truck.

Evidence: 99 NHTSA complaints · 9 recall campaigns · 6 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 99 federal complaints, no powertrain-failure pattern, but nine recalls — the Denso fuel-pump stall, airbag-ECU and stability-control software, a pre-collision radar campaign, dim turn signals, and labels. All free, all worth verifying by VIN. The 5.7-liter V8 itself is the same reliable 3UR-FE.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Tundra engine guide.

99

Federal complaints

9

Recalls

$0

Recall fuel-pump replacement

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Denso low-pressure fuel pump can stall the engine — recall 20V-012

major

Recall 20V-012 (Toyota 20TB02/20TA02) covers 2018–2019 Tundra among many Toyota/Lexus models: the low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can fail, stalling the engine while driving. The remedy is a free pump replacement. A federal settlement approved December 20, 2022 also created a Customer Support Program — a CSP, the industry's quiet extended-warranty coverage — for certain 2014–2020 vehicles whose pumps were repaired. Confirm the recall shows completed by VIN; owners of later Tundras describe exactly this loss-of-power-at-speed symptom.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Recall fuel-pump replacement

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2018 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement CSP, SSC K0B, Toyota internal codes)

Airbag-ECU and stability-control software — recalls 18V-685 and 18V-122moderate

Two 2018 software recalls: 18V-122 (Toyota J0H) — electrical interference could deactivate the electronic stability control (FMVSS 126); and 18V-685 (J0X) — the airbag electronic control unit (ECU) could falsely detect a fault at startup and fail to deploy the airbags (FMVSS 208/214). 18V-685 supersedes 18V-122, so its software update fixes both. Dealers reflash free. Verify by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2018 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement CSP, SSC K0B, Toyota internal codes)

$0

Recall software updates

Pre-collision radar sensor and dim turn signals — campaigns K0B, 20V-410, 21V-688moderate

The 2018 also carries a cluster of lighting and driver-assist campaigns. Special Service Campaign K0B (an SSC — a service campaign short of a formal recall) covered the millimeter-wave radar sensor on 2018–2019 Tundra/Tacoma: water could enter the sensor and cause the pre-collision system to deactivate or apply the brakes inadvertently — which matches the false-auto-brake complaints in the file. Recall 20V-410 (20TB12/20TA12) fixes front turn signals that flash too dimly (FMVSS 108), and 21V-688 (21TB06/21TA06) addresses a headlight circuit that can power high and low beams at once and overheat the connector (a fire risk). All free.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2018 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement CSP, SSC K0B, Toyota internal codes) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (Car Care Nut XK50 buying guide; 5.7L 3UR-FE breakdown)

Cam-tower oil leak and the rust-belt tax (5.7L V8)moderate

  • 5.7L V8 (3UR-FE)

The XK50 mechanical inspection carries over. The front-of-engine cam-tower oil leak (a $1,200–$1,500 reseal, mechanic estimate) weeps onto the exhaust manifold and is easy to miss — check for smoke and a burning-oil smell. And if the truck lived in a salt state, the frame, front calipers, and rear wheel-bearing backing plates all need a look from underneath; a rotten frame is a walk-away.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2018 Tundra · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (Car Care Nut XK50 buying guide; 5.7L 3UR-FE breakdown)

$1,200–$1,500

Cam-tower reseal (mechanic estimate)

more than the truck is worth

Frame replacement

Power-steering gear and label recallsminor

Recall 21V-920 (21TB10/21TA10) covers the 2007–2021 power-steering gear that can leak and lose assist — free inspect/replace, with 21E-103 (21TH01) for the service parts. Two label recalls, 18V-711 (J0Z) and 17V-831 (H0Z), correct load-carrying-capacity labels (FMVSS 110). Confirm all by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2018 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement CSP, SSC K0B, Toyota internal codes)

$0

Recall remedies

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving — dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.
6 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Toyota dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 20V-0122018–2019 Tundra (among many): Denso low-pressure fuel pump may fail and stall the engine. Free pump replacement (Toyota 20TB02/20TA02); linked Dec 2022 settlement CSP.open
  2. 18V-6852018–2019 Tundra/Sequoia: airbag ECU may not deploy airbags (FMVSS 208/214). Free software update; supersedes 18V-122 (Toyota J0X).open
  3. 18V-1222018 Tundra/Sequoia: electrical interference may deactivate electronic stability control (FMVSS 126). Free software; superseded by 18V-685 (Toyota J0H).open
  4. 20V-4102018–2020 Tundra with LED headlights: front turn signals may flash too dimly (FMVSS 108). Free wire-harness fix (Toyota 20TB12/20TA12).open
  5. 21V-6882018–2021 Tundra: headlight circuit may power high and low beams simultaneously, overheating the connector (fire risk). Free harness modification (Toyota 21TB06/21TA06).open
  6. 21V-9202007–2021 Tundra / 2008–2022 Sequoia: power-steering gear may leak, causing loss of assist. Free inspect/replace (Toyota 21TB10/21TA10).open
  7. 21E-103JTEKT power-steering-gear service parts, same defect as 21V-920. Free (Toyota 21TH01).open
  8. 18V-7112018–2019 Tundra: load-carrying-capacity label overstates weight by 10 lb (FMVSS 110). Free corrected label (Toyota J0Z).open
  9. 17V-8312017–2018 Tundra (among models): incorrect load-carrying-capacity label (FMVSS 110). Free corrected label (Toyota H0Z).open

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