2017 Toyota Tundra

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Tundra. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 95,000. It was later discovered upon checking the Carfax report the mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11742240

Incident

Jun 5, 2026

Mileage

200,000 mi

Front grille piece on hood keeps coming off even after being replaced 4 times now and this last time it flew off busted my windshield on the expressway and Toyota just tells me to go to collision center as a solution! This piece just snaps in as it's just plastic and it just flys off the front when it catches air under it, it busted my windshield, messed me hood up and flew down the side of my truck on the expressway and could have caused a major accident this time! Toyota refuses to do anything about it and there are other trucks that have the issues! When I did my research! This accident scared me this time the other times I was able to catch it before it flew off? Not this time there was no warning it just flew off and busted my windshield and it could have been so much worse and they aren't offering a better solution or issuing a recall after I am telling them about this issue!

NHTSA ID

11740575

Incident

May 26, 2026

Began experiencing long cranking, difficulty starting, then rough idling. Started researching online and found recalls for 2018 -2019 Flex fuel 5.7 Tundras. My 2017 is also a Flex fuel 5.7 with exactly the same issue. Dealer says 2017 not covered. I had to pay over $2000 to have the fuel pump replaced, ECM reprogrammed. I don’t understand why 2017 was not included in the recall. Please NHTSA consider extending this recall to 2017. I am reading numerous complaints on this website about the same issue from owners of 2017 Flex fuel Tundras.

NHTSA ID

11708488

Incident

Nov 26, 2025

The factory IBC is a safety issue. I would not tow anything over 1500lbs as the brake controller does not work. This controller is an accident waiting to happen. When set on gain 10 you can barely feel a tug from the trailer. You can't feel anything if you apply the vehicle brake pedal. On a gain of 10 it should lock up the trailer brakes, and it can't do that on a dirt road much less on asphalt. Toyota has not done anything to fix this issue AT ALL! Lots of truck owners out there that don't even know of this problem and alot of owners are forced to install aftermarket brake controllers on their dimensions. Toyota should be held to fixing this safety issue. Why isn't there a recall on these vehicles. It's a problem that multiple year tundras! I purchased this vehicle to tow a 16' travel trailer weighin3500 lbs. I tried to adjust the controller in the neighborhood and was not happy or safe with the test. I will not tow with the factory setup. UNSAFE!

NHTSA ID

11707243

Incident

Dec 22, 2025

The transmission solenoid D shows high voltage which sets my check engine light off. At first no difference would be noticed and it would randomly turn off and then back on randomly. After doing this on and off for the last few months, the transmission has randomly been getting stuck in 4th gear but will lower when slowing down. According to those who have had the same issue have found it to be fixed by replacing the S4 solenoid which seems to be producing way more voltage than it’s supposed to

NHTSA ID

11695329

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

Cold starting problems so the dealer diagnosed as a defective fuel pump.

NHTSA ID

11694781

Incident

Oct 8, 2025

Power steering rack and pinion failure on 2017 Toyota Tundra Limited. Leak and Popping clunk noise when turning steering wheel . Potential for steering loss and accident.

NHTSA ID

11690798

Incident

Sep 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and became aware that the passenger's side rear tire was losing air. The contact attempted to use the OEM jack; however, the jack was too small. The contact used several rocks to add height to raise the vehicle up with the OEM jack. The flat tire was replaced with the spare. The contact was concerned about the vehicle falling off the jack. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the tire was patched. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer declined to replace the jack. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 87,500.

NHTSA ID

11643470

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

Mileage

87,500 mi

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

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.

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.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.