2026 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 2026 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
- Powertrain (other)816.3%
- Engine816.3%
- Fuel system612.2%
- Brakes612.2%
- Driver assistance612.2%
- Visibility36.1%
- Steering36.1%
- Body & structure24.1%
- Other / unspecified24.1%
- Suspension24.1%
- Interior & seats12.0%
- Electrical12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The electronic throttle control system (drive-by-wire) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) calibration. When accelerating from rolling stops or yields (0–10 mph), the vehicle experiences a severe dead-pedal delay with zero engine or transmission response for 1.5 to 2.5 seconds before surging forward. The unmodified vehicle is fully available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure creates an immediate crash hazard during left turns across traffic, entering roundabouts, and yielding into highway merges. Pressing the accelerator to merge into traffic produces no acceleration, leaving the truck stranded across active travel lanes. Approaching cross-traffic must brake aggressively to prevent broadside/T-bone collisions. The unpredictable delay followed by an abrupt power surge severely impairs low-speed vehicle control. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An authorized Toyota dealership service department test-drove the vehicle and confirmed the low-speed hesitation/dead pedal. The dealer stated no fix or calibration exists for this model year because the vehicle has the latest factory TCM software (prior TSBs do not apply) and designated it an "inherent operational characteristic." Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, inspected and diagnostic-scanned by certified technicians at an authorized Toyota dealer. No DTC codes were stored; the failure is in the factory throttle logic and transmission management calibration. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, dash alerts, or trouble codes appeared. The symptom presented immediately at initial delivery and recurs consistently in ALL MODES
When breaking towards a stop and deciding that you can now instead accelerate, you’ll press the gas pedal and the vehicle will occasionally feel like there’s a delay in registering that you want to accelerate instead of continuing to break
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2026 Toyota Tundra Limited I-Force has 12k miles. On numerous occasions when accelerating from a near-stop, I press the gas pedal and get ZERO response. The engine RPM's don't increase and it won't accelerate for approximately 3-4 seconds and then the throttle suddenly responds. No warnings. This is NOT engine lag. It's complete loss of pedal response and a SERIOUS safety concern. I will not allow my wife or kids to drive it because leaving the neighborhood requires crossing a highway and on numerous occasions the engine has hesitated 3-4 seconds on me in the middle of the road. To safely cross requires running the stop sign at a high enough speed where the engine won't hesitate. I reported this problem to the authorized Toyota dealership in my hometown. They test drove it, said they couldn't reproduce the condition and it drove normal. Then assured me the truck's software is up to date and should be fine. They claimed to know nothing about this problem in Tundra's. I showed them the Toyota Bulletin T-SB-0032-26, which clearly addresses this exact problem in certain Tundras. They said, based on the VIN, my Tundra is not affected by the issue listed in the bulletin because the truck software is up to date. I stated the truck is unsafe and asked them to provide a rental. They said no and they had done all they could. Ten minutes after leaving, my Tundra hesitated again and multiple times since. I reported the problem to Toyota BEC and got the same response that they aren't aware it. I'm requesting NHTSA investigate whether this recurring loss of accelerator response represents a safety-related defect affecting 2026 Toyota Tundras, including vehicles manufactured after Toyota's published production change. A truck failing to respond to accelerator input for 3-4 seconds creates a significant risk of collision when entering or crossing traffic. This warrants further investigation before a serious accident occurs.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The electronic throttle control system (drive-by-wire) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) calibration. When accelerating from rolling stops or yields (0–10 mph), the vehicle experiences a severe dead-pedal delay with zero engine or transmission response for 1.5 to 2.5 seconds before surging forward. The unmodified vehicle is fully available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure creates an immediate crash hazard during left turns across traffic, entering roundabouts, and yielding into highway merges. Pressing the accelerator to merge into traffic produces no acceleration, leaving the truck stranded across active travel lanes. Approaching cross-traffic must brake aggressively to prevent broadside/T-bone collisions. The unpredictable delay followed by an abrupt power surge severely impairs low-speed vehicle control. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An authorized Toyota dealership service department test-drove the vehicle and confirmed the low-speed hesitation/dead pedal. The dealer stated no fix or calibration exists for this model year because the vehicle has the latest factory TCM software (prior TSBs do not apply) and designated it an "inherent operational characteristic." Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, inspected and diagnostic-scanned by certified technicians at an authorized Toyota dealer. No DTC codes were stored; the failure is in the factory throttle logic and transmission management calibration. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, dash alerts, or trouble codes appeared. The symptom presented immediately at initial delivery and recurs consistently in ALL MODES
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was stopped at a stop sign, hit the gas and no thrust happened did not respond to hitting the gas. I almost got T-bone by a car after three seconds then it took off.
Since taking delivery of this brand new 2026 Toyota Tundra Hybrid, I have experienced a persistent shuddering at low speeds, approximately 15 to 25 mph. The shuddering is most pronounced during slow, gradual brake application — the more gently the brake pedal is pressed, the more severe the shudder. It is also present to a lesser degree during acceleration. The issue appears to involve the transition between the regenerative braking system and the conventional friction brakes in the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership for a first repair attempt. Tires were rebalanced and inflated to 40 PSI, exceeding the manufacturer's recommended specification. The repair order was closed with the notation "test drove and vibration is gone." This conclusion is inaccurate. The shuddering was only partially reduced — the root cause was not identified or resolved. The safety concern is significant. I have found myself instinctively adjusting how I apply the brake pedal to avoid triggering the sensation. A vehicle that changes the way its driver brakes is dangerous. A second repair attempt is being scheduled at the selling dealership.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while in reverse(R) and depressing the brake pedal, there was a loud squealing sound coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to several mechanics who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.
I purchased a new 2026 Toyota Tundra on February 25, 2026. Almost immediately after purchase, I noticed a squealing noise coming from the brakes whenever the vehicle was placed in reverse. I brought the vehicle to my selling dealer, who confirmed the noise is caused by a known defect in the brake system, for which Toyota has issued an internal service notice. The dealer told me this defect has not been made the subject of a formal safety recall. The dealer informed me that the repair requires parts that Toyota Motor Manufacturing has been unable to reliably supply. I was told Toyota limited parts distribution to one package per week across all dealerships, and has since suspended distribution entirely after losing its parts supplier, with no confirmed timeline for a new supplier or for parts to become available again. As of this complaint, my vehicle has gone approximately six (6) months without an effective repair, and I have been told the wait could extend beyond one additional year. I have also been told that approximately 75 other customers at my dealership alone are on a waiting list for the same repair, and that this defect affects all 2026 Toyota Tundra vehicles as well as several other Toyota models currently in production. It is my understanding that Toyota has continued to manufacture and sell new vehicles containing this same defective brake component during this period as they don't have an adequate supplier to provide the replacement parts. I am concerned this represents a widespread brake defect that has not been properly disclosed or remedied, affecting a large population of current-production vehicles.
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
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The electronic throttle control system (drive-by-wire) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) calibration. When accelerating from rolling stops or yields (0–10 mph), the vehicle experiences a severe dead-pedal delay with zero engine or transmission response for 1.5 to 2.5 seconds before surging forward. The unmodified vehicle is fully available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure creates an immediate crash hazard during left turns across traffic, entering roundabouts, and yielding into highway merges. Pressing the accelerator to merge into traffic produces no acceleration, leaving the truck stranded across active travel lanes. Approaching cross-traffic must brake aggressively to prevent broadside/T-bone collisions. The unpredictable delay followed by an abrupt power surge severely impairs low-speed vehicle control. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An authorized Toyota dealership service department test-drove the vehicle and confirmed the low-speed hesitation/dead pedal. The dealer stated no fix or calibration exists for this model year because the vehicle has the latest factory TCM software (prior TSBs do not apply) and designated it an "inherent operational characteristic." Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, inspected and diagnostic-scanned by certified technicians at an authorized Toyota dealer. No DTC codes were stored; the failure is in the factory throttle logic and transmission management calibration. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, dash alerts, or trouble codes appeared. The symptom presented immediately at initial delivery and recurs consistently in ALL MODES
This is a reoccuring issue and happens daily. When the vehicle is cold and sitting all day or all night, on the first 5 minutes of driving or so, when you push the accelerator pedal from a dead stop or rolling stop, there is no throttle/engine response for at least 1.5-2 seconds. This is a HIGHLY unsafe condition and can lead to a traffic collision. I have reached out to Toyota Corporate about this and they said to bring it into my local dealer, Dick Hannah Toyota in Kelso, WA to perform the rolling stop TSB that is out on these Tundra Trucks. I received information from Dick Hannah that when they went to perform the procedures to take care of this TSB, that it had already been done and that there was nothing they could do further. They asked me to document the conditions to try and get Toyota Corporate to do something about it. I asked if there wasn't a recalibration they could do or anything else to make this condition improve, and they said no there is not. I expressed my concerns saying that there is nothing to document, that this happens everyday and is a daily occurence whenever the vehicle has been sitting for a long period of time. I have reached out to other vehicle owners on vehicle forums on the internet that are experiencing the same exact problems with no remediation from Toyota Dealers or Toyota Corporate. I was even offered to get into a split to hire a lawyer to get this unsafe condition remedied. This is a big deal and should not be overlooked and written off by ANYBODY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact's son owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while his son was driving 65 MPH after the rain had stopped, the turn signals failed to operate, and the windshield wipers failed to turn off. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with steering angle sensor failure. The sensor was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
A minor stone chip instantly escalated into a 12-inch crack that ran all the way to the edge of the glass. The factory acoustic glass is structurally weak and brittle, causing minor road debris to immediately result in a massive crack that compromises the glass integrity on the passenger side view.
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
The contact's son owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while his son was driving 65 MPH after the rain had stopped, the turn signals failed to operate, and the windshield wipers failed to turn off. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with steering angle sensor failure. The sensor was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed through a tornado, the steering and braking systems became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
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
The passenger door handle was recently replaced. Inside door handle assembly broke and the passenger was unable to open the door from the inside. Now the driver door handle assembly just broke and I was unable to open the door from the inside. The inability to exit the vehicle from the inside should be a safety recall. Various online forums mention similar issues from other owners. Concern was raised with Toyota but not actions was taken.
According to Toyota, the 2022-2026 Tundra is compatible with 35x11.5 tires. These tires were installed by the dealer before my purchase. However, during turns, the tires heavily rub against the sway bar. This issue may be specific to the TRD upgrade package, which includes an upgraded, thicker sway bar. After driving for just 500 miles, noticeable rub marks have developed on both sides of the sway bar and visible marks on the inside of the tire. Tire rubbing can lead to faster tire wear and may even cause the tire to break during operation if the damage continues over time. I have reported this to Toyota Customer service and all they say they do is file a report.
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 an Autokato Mid Rise Scissor Lift. The contact stated that while using the Autokato Mid-Rise Scissor Lift, the ramps failed to function as intended. The contact inspected the ramps and determined that the ramps were partially welded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the Autokato Mid-Rise Scissor Lift had been discontinued.
According to Toyota, the 2022-2026 Tundra is compatible with 35x11.5 tires. These tires were installed by the dealer before my purchase. However, during turns, the tires heavily rub against the sway bar. This issue may be specific to the TRD upgrade package, which includes an upgraded, thicker sway bar. After driving for just 500 miles, noticeable rub marks have developed on both sides of the sway bar and visible marks on the inside of the tire. Tire rubbing can lead to faster tire wear and may even cause the tire to break during operation if the damage continues over time. I have reported this to Toyota Customer service and all they say they do is file a report.
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
A significant rattle occurs randomly in between the frame and the rear passengar seating. We have contacted Toyota. Toyota believes it is a "normal road condition" of which would imply it happens every single mile driven. As the rattle can be startling, we have swerved by accident. In addition, Toyota has not fixed the issue and we have been in process of pursuing a settlement for faulty manufacturing. We also believe the Truck is a danger to road as this rattle may mean the frame may come off one day while driving.
While Driving at 75mph there was sudden violent shake of Truck and it was not until I reduced the speed to 55 that it stopped. Then it happened again for the second time in the same day. After a week it is still doing the same sporadic but the truck feels jumping. Took it to the Toyota Dealer and they discarded any tire balance issue and they said they need to recreate the issue in order to be able to diagnose the problem. My concern is safety and that sudden violent shake loose the control.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger door handle was recently replaced. Inside door handle assembly broke and the passenger was unable to open the door from the inside. Now the driver door handle assembly just broke and I was unable to open the door from the inside. The inability to exit the vehicle from the inside should be a safety recall. Various online forums mention similar issues from other owners. Concern was raised with Toyota but not actions was taken.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought the vehicle new in November 2025. 2026 Toyota Tubdra TRD SR5. In the first week I noticed a lot of jerking and shaking. I brought it to the dealer and was told it was a break in period and it should go away. I’ve had the truck in the shop 5-6 times since and the jerking and shaking hasn’t gone away. I’m at 6300 miles now. The dealer won’t even respond to me anymore. The only way to make the jerking go away is to step on the gas pedal harder but this has become extremely dangerous because it’s forcing me to go faster than I would like, especially in school zones. The dealers say that it’s the truck running very low RPM’s to maximize fuel efficiency and also because there are 10 gears but is that’s the case than why isn’t everyone experiencing it. It’s worse on cold mornings (40 or below) but it’s almost like the truck needs an hour or two to warm up. Even then it’s still jerking. My guess is that the truck doesn’t know what gear it’s supposed to be in but 4th or 5th gear are the worst where the truck hesitates and jerks. I’ve been told to run it in Sport mode but that doesn’t help. I’m finding more and more complaints about this online with the Toyota Tundra SR5’s and I’m part of numerous groups. Someone needs to step in because no one should have to go through this and it’s very unsafe to have to push the gas pedal down harder to make the jerking go away.Thank you for your time.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact's son owns a 2026 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while his son was driving 65 MPH after the rain had stopped, the turn signals failed to operate, and the windshield wipers failed to turn off. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with steering angle sensor failure. The sensor was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
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 .