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Reliability report · 2018 Toyota Tundra · ~$4,150/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

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

By Russell, VinCanary founder · How these reports are built · Data updated July 2026

The 2018 Tundra keeps the 5.7-liter V8 that has no failure pattern in any year here 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

The short version

Status
Chirping. 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.
Biggest risk
Denso low-pressure fuel pump can stall the engine — recall 20V-012
First check
Verify the Denso fuel-pump recall (20V-012) shows completed by VIN — this is the one that can stall the engine.

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

99

Federal complaints

9

Recalls

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.

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.
From the manufacturer’s own recall notice or service bulletin, in its words.

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.VERIFY BY VIN
  2. 18V-6852018–2019 Tundra/Sequoia: airbag ECU may not deploy airbags (FMVSS 208/214). Free software update; supersedes 18V-122 (Toyota J0X).VERIFY BY VIN
  3. 18V-1222018 Tundra/Sequoia: electrical interference may deactivate electronic stability control (FMVSS 126). Free software; superseded by 18V-685 (Toyota J0H).VERIFY BY VIN
  4. 20V-4102018–2020 Tundra with LED headlights: front turn signals may flash too dimly (FMVSS 108). Free wire-harness fix (Toyota 20TB12/20TA12).VERIFY BY VIN
  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).VERIFY BY VIN
  6. 21V-9202007–2021 Tundra / 2008–2022 Sequoia: power-steering gear may leak, causing loss of assist. Free inspect/replace (Toyota 21TB10/21TA10).VERIFY BY VIN
  7. 21E-103JTEKT power-steering-gear service parts, same defect as 21V-920. Free (Toyota 21TH01).VERIFY BY VIN
  8. 18V-7112018–2019 Tundra: load-carrying-capacity label overstates weight by 10 lb (FMVSS 110). Free corrected label (Toyota J0Z).VERIFY BY VIN
  9. 17V-8312017–2018 Tundra (among models): incorrect load-carrying-capacity label (FMVSS 110). Free corrected label (Toyota H0Z).VERIFY BY VIN

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2018 Tundra

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

15 MPG combined (13 city / 18 highway) for the RWD, 5.7L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 39250 (Tundra 2WD).
Other builds EPA lists: 4WD, 5.7L 14 MPG · RWD, 4.6L 16 MPG · 4WD, 4.6L 16 MPG.

$4,150/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen about 24% more often than the average vehicle. Worth pricing comprehensive coverage before you buy, not after.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4WD.
Other series: Toyota Tundra double cab 4WD 93 · Toyota Tundra CrewMax 125 · Toyota Tundra double cab 128, where 100 = average.

124 vs 100

24% above average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Recall fuel-pump replacement$0
Recall software updates$0
Cam-tower reseal (mechanic estimate)$1,200–$1,500
Frame replacementmore than the truck is worth
Recall remedies$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Verify the Denso fuel-pump recall (20V-012) shows completed by VIN — this is the one that can stall the engine.
  2. 02Confirm the airbag-ECU / stability-control software recall (18V-685, which also covers 18V-122) is done.
  3. 03Check the pre-collision radar campaign (K0B) and the lighting recalls (20V-410 dim signals, 21V-688 headlight circuit) by VIN.
  4. 04Verify the power-steering-gear recall (21V-920 / 21E-103) by VIN.
  5. 05Inspect the front of the engine for a cam-tower oil leak (smoke / burning smell without a puddle).
  6. 06If it lived in a salt state, inspect the frame from underneath plus front calipers and rear wheel-bearing backing plates.

Own one already?

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