2017 Toyota Tundra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Tundra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2727.0%
- Exterior lighting1717.0%
- Fuel system1616.0%
- Brakes1313.0%
- Powertrain (other)66.0%
- Engine55.0%
- Steering55.0%
- Airbags33.0%
- Other / unspecified22.0%
- Driver assistance22.0%
- Body & structure22.0%
- Suspension11.0%
- Tires & wheels11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Headlights go out randomly usually when using turn signal. Because this happens at night all visibility is lost temporarily. This also confuses other drivers. I haven’t taken the vehicle to the dealer because the symptom is very sporadic and difficult to duplicate. Dealerships will not fix anything unless they can witness the issue. No warning lights or messages were displayed. This problem has been documented numerous times by many different owners on Toyota Tundra forums.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Headlights go out randomly usually when using turn signal. Because this happens at night all visibility is lost temporarily. This also confuses other drivers. I haven’t taken the vehicle to the dealer because the symptom is very sporadic and difficult to duplicate. Dealerships will not fix anything unless they can witness the issue. No warning lights or messages were displayed. This problem has been documented numerous times by many different owners on Toyota Tundra forums.
When driving at night, the front lights of the vehicle turn off randomly. Been driving on an highway at going at 75mph and randomly the headlights shuts off. Happened 4 times in the past year.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Cold starting problems so the dealer diagnosed as a defective fuel pump.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
Intermittent failure of the integrated trailer brake controller system. System indicates a frequent intermittent fault indicating a wiring or connection issue that disables the signal to activate the trailer brakes resulting in no trailer braking. Vehicle and trailer are available for inspection. I was travelling down a 6% grade mountain (Arizona SR87 MP224) an exhibited a loss of trailer brakes. Taking the trailer to the dealer on flat level service experienced intermittent loss of trailer brakes. Toyota Integrated Brake Controller (IBC) intermittently and randomly indicating a fault in the trailer wiring. •Rapid clicking of the IBC’s electrical relays. •In fault mode, the IBC disables the trailer brakes. •Sometimes the IBC works perfectly for miles and then goes into fault mode for an unknown reason. •Sometimes, the IBC goes into fault mode just plugging the trailer into the electrical socket without even taking the truck out of drive or depressing the brake pedal. •All external trailer lights include turn signals are functioning normally. Examination and diagnosis to date: •Toyota IBC was removed and replaced with a Tekonsha P3 brake controller using a Tekonsha wiring harness adapter to plug directly into the Tundra’s wiring harness used by the original Toyota IBC. The P3 is giving the error as brake circuit short-circuit, overload. •The travel trailer is a 2022 Jayco 212QBW, dual axle. •I brought the trailer to the dealer I purchased it from to have the brake system checked for faults. I’ve attached a copy of receipt from the dealer service department. In short, they examined the following and concluded the issue was with the Tundra. - The trailer wiring was physically examined with no deficiencies. - Trailer connected to the dealer's Chevy Silverado and driven around town with no faults. Toyota dealership claims they can find no fault with their tester. They would not use my 7-pin tester that also exhibits the same problems.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Diagnostic report indicates problem with shift solenoid and it’s replaceable. Dealership instead charge me for full transmission replacement.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2017 Toyota Tundra Limited has 107,192 miles. I took the vehicle to Berlin City Toyota in Portland, ME for an oil change. The service technician told me that the truck has a cam tower leak. The engine is leaking oil directly onto the exhaust manifold. The service technician told me that if the leak gets worse the engine oil could combust and the engine would light on fire. I regularly have my truck serviced at Berlin City Toyota in Portland, ME, which is where I purchased the truck. I have documented with Toyota that the truck has been burning or leaking oil since it purchased the truck when it had 43,000 miles. No leak was ever found by Toyota until yesterday. The cost to repair this issue is $5600. No warning lamps or messages have ever appeared on the truck. Toyota says this is a common issues with the 5.7 liter V8 engine in the 2017 Tundra. I feel that it should be covered by warranty or a recall should be put in place for the cam tower leak on the Toyota Tundra being that the engine could light on fire with no warning due to the faulty seal on the engine.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10170730-9999.pdf It is this issue. I just bought my truck at 83000 miles and toyota would not fix it since it is 3000 miles over the emission warranty.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Vehicle was driven 30 miles to work with no steering issues and parked in work parking lot. Upon returning to vehicle to return home when backing out of parking spot the front driver wheel would not turn almost causing me to back into parked car next to me. I looked under the front of the driver side tire, and noticed the outer tie rod was hanging down, and was causing the no steering issue. I called a tow truck, and had the vehicle taken to the Toyota dealer where vehicle was purchased new. I informed the dealer to be careful with the vehicle as the outer tie rod on driver side was broken and was not possible to drive. The Toyota dealer investigated the issue and found that the threads on bother inner and outer tie rods on both passenger and driver side was stripped. All outer and inner tie rods on the vehicle had to be replaced due to the threads being stripped on all 4 tie rods. My concern is this truck only has 86,000 miles on it, and if I had been travelling on interstate at 70MPH and the tie rod broke it would have resulted in a catastrophic collision due to a no steering condition. This vehicle has never sustained any front end damage of any type. I can provide the dealers name and the notes on the repair bill from the Toyota dealership stating exactly what I have stated in this report.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, while the vehicle was idling in park, the driver’s and passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to find the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
My airbag sensor is active. My vehicle only has 94000 miles on it. Power training warranty does not cover this failure. This happened when my car was parked and I turned on the engine and the sensor remains active.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-76 IN NE COLORADO. THE TIRE FELL TO THE PAVEMENT AND WAS STRUCK BY THE TRAVEL TRAILER WE WERE TOWING, BLOWING OUT A TRAILER TIRE AND DAMAGING THE TRAILER. THE SPARE TIRE WAS STRUCK A FEW MINUTES LATER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING FAILURE TO 2 TIRES ON THEIR VEHICLE AND NEAR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE PEOPLE IN THE SECOND VEHICLE CONFIRMED IT WAS OUR SPARE TIRE. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, OUR TOYOTA TUNDRA WAS 10 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2017. THE SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN USED NOR HAD IT BEEN LOWERED OR REMOVED FROM ITS FACTORY-INSTALLED MOUNTING DEVICE. IT WAS FITTED WITH A DEALER-INSTALLED SPARE TIRE LOCK. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. WE HAVE A DASH-CAM FILE OF THE INCIDENT BUT IT ONLY SHOWS THAT NOTHING ELSE WAS IN THE HIGHWAY AS THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE REARVIEW CAMERA ONLY SHOWS THE TRAVEL TRAILER ROCKING AS IT WENT OVER THE SPARE TIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
As I am driving down the pickup loses power/ has no power. Was driving down the interstate and trying to make it up the Harbor bridge I could only go 40. Then try to pass a semi that (BAD DRIVER) was dangerously close, I could not even pass him. Not to mention people were angry at me and getting defensive. There were no warning lights, I took it in immediately. It has been inspected by my secondary warranty I purchased. ( Tripple Diamond 1-833-909-0015 or 1-844-526-0415 our policy # is [XXX] under [XXX] -So I take it to the Toyota Dealership in Corpus Christi Texas, They then tell me it is my Secondary air pump (both Sides) and Valves including Gasket, Air Tube, Pump Assembly, air, (2 both sides)/inlet, Air pump(1) and valve set, emission (1) That was on 12-16-2022 (it has been there since) this will cost me $3,205.38 out of pocket. But the real problem is that there is a long waiting list of people waiting for this same part, so no one can get it. Many people with the same problem last I called I was 44 people in line. I only have 75,000 miles on my truck, and still have the same tires That are in great shape (I rotate them) So for this to happen seems strange, I take special care of this truck. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
MICE ARE ABLE TO ENTER THE AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM FROM A LARGE GAP AT THE ENDS OF THE AIR INTAKE GRILL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD, ONCE IN, THEY ENTER THE CAB AND DASH AREA. THESE MICE WILL DAMAGE THE WIRING AND CAUSE A VEHICLE SYSTEM FAILURE (BRAKING-POWER-AIR BAG, ETC.) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER ROCHESTER TOYOTA AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (800-331-4331). THE DEALER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A ISSUE AND ONLY SUGGESTION WAS TO PUT A SCENT IN THE CAB TO DISCOURAGE THE MICE. THIS IS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT NEEDS A RETRO FITTED AIR INTAKE GRILL TO CLOSE OFF IT'S CURRENT GAP THAT ALLOW MICE TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. I HAVE INSTALLED STEEL MESH TO COVER THESE LARGE GAPS (PHOTOS ATTACHED). A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ISSUED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .