The 2020 Tundra is mechanically solid overall, but the 5.7L 3UR-FE has a documented weak spot with cam tower oil gallery plugs that can starve bearings, leading to catastrophic failures. Secondary-air injection system leaks and transmission cooler line corrosion are also platform-specific issues worth watching.
Cam Tower Oil Gallery Plug Failure (5.7L 3UR-FE)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden metallic knocking or rod knock at idle, Low oil pressure warning light at operating temperature, Metal shavings in oil filter during changes, Catastrophic bearing failure with no prior warning in some cases
Fix: The plastic oil gallery plugs in the cam towers can pop out or leak, starving rod and main bearings of oil. Requires full engine teardown to replace bearings, plugs, and any damaged components. 35-50 labor hours for short block or full rebuild depending on damage extent. Some shops now recommend preventive plug replacement and upgrade to metal plugs around 100k mi (6-8 hours).
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Secondary Air Injection System Leaks and Valve Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: P0410 or P0418 codes (secondary air system malfunction), Rough cold start or extended cranking when cold, Hissing noise from engine bay on cold starts, Check engine light on startup that may clear after warmup
Fix: One-way check valves crack or stick, and rubber hoses become brittle. Common on trucks in northern climates with thermal cycling. Valve and hose replacement takes 2-3 hours. Not safety-critical but will trigger CEL and emissions test failure.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddle under front of truck near radiator, Low transmission fluid level on dipstick, Harsh or delayed shifts if fluid level drops significantly, Visible rust perforation on steel cooler lines
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they mount to frame, especially in salt-belt states. Requires replacement of both lines and flushing trans fluid. 3-4 hours labor. Toyota issued TSB but no recall. Catching it early prevents transmission damage from low fluid.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Power Steering Hydraulic Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid drips or puddles on ground, Whining noise from PS pump, worse when turning, Heavy steering effort, especially at low speeds or parking, Low fluid level in reservoir requiring frequent top-offs
Fix: High-pressure hose and hard lines crack at fittings or develop pinhole leaks. Related to NHTSA recall component pattern. Hose replacement is 1.5-2 hours; if hard lines are corroded, add another hour. Flush and bleed system afterward. Ignoring it kills the pump ($800+ additional).
Estimated cost: $450-900
Fuel Pump Failure (Recall Related)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking but no fuel pressure, Engine stalling at highway speed without warning, Rough running or hesitation under load, Fuel pump prime cycle noise absent when key is turned on
Fix: Low-pressure fuel pump (in-tank) can fail due to impeller manufacturing defect covered under NHTSA recall. Dealer replacement is free if VIN is in recall population. If not covered, pump replacement is 2-3 hours labor. Safety issue due to potential for stalling in traffic.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Headlight Condensation and Seal Failure
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Water droplets visible inside headlight lens, Foggy or milky appearance after rain or car wash, Intermittent bulb failure from moisture corrosion, Reduced light output at night
Fix: Headlight vent seals fail, allowing moisture intrusion. TSB and partial recall coverage exists. Dealer may reseal under warranty extension, otherwise replacement headlight assemblies run 1-1.5 hours each side. Aftermarket sealing attempts rarely hold long-term.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Owner tips
If buying a 5.7L high-mileage Tundra, have a pre-purchase oil analysis done and inspect for metal in the filter—cam tower plug failure can be sudden and catastrophic
Undercoat or fluid-film the transmission cooler lines and PS hard lines annually if in the rust belt—corrosion is the main enemy on these otherwise durable trucks
Check for open recalls by VIN (fuel pump especially)—dealer service is free and prevents dangerous stalling
Use Toyota ATF WS fluid only in the transmission; aftermarket 'equivalent' fluids cause long-term valve body issues on the A750 6-speed
Buy it—the Tundra is one of the most durable trucks on the road, but budget $1,500-2,000 reserve for cam tower preventive work if buying a 5.7L over 100k miles, and avoid rust-belt examples with crusty cooler lines.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 21E103000
2021-12-23
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 21V920000
2021-11-23
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 21V688000
2021-09-02
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
Consequence: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · 20V410000
2020-07-15
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB12/20TA12.
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