Toyota builds some really sturdy and long-lasting vehicles, with pure dependability & endurance in mind. Remember when the Top Gear team threw a Toyota Hilux from a building and it still ran like a horse. We are discussing its big brother Tundra, which is also a very reliable and highly capable truck.
Toyota Tundra has a powerful engine, a highly capable transmission, and suspension system. In this article, we will discuss Toyota Tundra’s reliability, some common issues, and how to make this solid vehicle last a lifetime with proper care.
What’s a High Mileage for a Toyota Tundra?
For reference, 300,000 miles can be considered high mileage for a Toyota Tundra. It is a highly reliable and capable truck that has been the choice of so many off-road enthusiasts, and it has rightly stood the test of time. Some problems start to appear around 300,000 miles if not maintained properly.
Although the dependability of Tundra cannot be denied and it is one of the most reliable off-roaders you can get, it is also prone to some problems if not maintained properly.
Toyota Tundra is a strong truck and despite its sturdiness, be wary of the problems that can occur around high mileage, when you go looking for one in the used car market.
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What Problems Can Arise with High-Mileage Toyota Tundra?
Toyota Tundra can have different mechanical problems once it’s driven too many miles or years, and you should consider these once looking for a used one. The problems include the lower ball joint issues, air injection pump faults, failure of the exhaust manifold, rusting, and troublesome transmission.
Let’s have a detailed look at these problems, and the cost required to fix them;
1- Lower Ball Joint Issues
The front suspension lower ball joint plays an important role as it connects the steering wheel to the wheels and is crucial for proper maneuvering and stability of the vehicle. Toyota Tundra is known to have this problem of lower ball joint wearing very quickly and causing problems on and off the road. It is a critical problem and requires immediate attention.
2- Air Injection Pump Faults
The air injection pump is vital for proper emission system functioning and fuel efficiency of the car. Toyota Tundra has this common problem of air injection pump fault, which leads to poor mileage and reduced engine performance. It has been reported by many owners over the years and costs a substantial amount of money in repairs.
3- Failure of Exhaust Manifold
The majority of Tundra models are also prone to exhaust manifold leaks. Constant usage leads to cracks and fractures in the manifold frame, which leads to loud ticking noises and engine performance issues, such as black exhaust smoke and reduced fuel efficiency.
4- Rusting
Many generations of Toyota Tundra are prone to rusting of the body panels and undercarriage area. It happens due to excessive usage in the damp areas, but majorly due to manufacturing fault as the metal parts are not properly treated for anti-corrosion protection. It costs a fortune to get rid of and repair.
5- Troublesome Transmission
This serious issue occurs when a part of the radiator taking care of the automatic transmission fluid temperature fails. This leads to the transmission fluid getting mixed with the engine coolant. This causes overheating of the transmission and failure of the system, causing the engine to stall.
Cost of Fixing the Common Problems in Toyota Tundra
| Fault | Cost | |
| 1 | Lower Ball Joint issues | $1000 |
| 2 | Air Injection Pump faults | $1,100 |
| 3 | Failure of Exhaust Manifold | $1,200 |
| 4 | Rusting | Up to $2,000 |
| 5 | Troublesome Transmission | $600 |
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Do High Mileage Toyota Tundras Rust?
Unexpectedly, Toyota Tundras are prone to rust, only after a few years of service and not too many miles on the odometer. This is highly unlike a Toyota vehicle, but this problem exists and there have been multiple recalls for rectification of this problem.
Rusting mostly affects the undercarriage area and brake assembly of the Tundra, and spare wheel carriage as well. Some owners even reported their spare wheel flying off during a trip or important parts breaking off, such as metal rods.
This is a very costly problem to fix and even after spending thousands of dollars, it never returns to its original shape and is no more off-road adventure worthy.
Keep these points in mind if you want to protect your Tundra from rusting;
- Regularly wash your Tundra to get rid of debris and other harmful pollutants.
- Get it waxed every 2nd week to protect the paint.
- Get the undercarriage area silicone coated and body ceramic coated for long-lasting protection against rust.
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How Many Miles Can a Toyota Tundra Last?
If taken care of properly, maintained at regular schedules, and driven with care, a Tundra can easily last 300,000 – 400,000 miles. We also have some examples where some owners took their Tundras beyond a Million Mile Mark without major rebuilds or powertrain replacement, and their trucks were still solid. A Tundra would last as long as you want it to last….
Tundra is a very sturdy truck and a benchmark in reliability. Tough terrains, rugged off-road trails, and impenetrable mountains, there’s nothing a Tundra can conquer. But such ruggedness requires proper maintenance, especially the powertrain and suspension system.
If you stick to the official maintenance structure, drive it with care, and use premium fuel with OEM parts, a Tundra can easily go beyond 400,000 miles.
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How to Make Your High-Mileage Toyota Tundra Last Long?
Follow these points if you want to make sure that your Toyota Tundra lives a lifetime and serves you well over hundreds of thousands of miles;
- Change the engine oil, transmission oil, and brake fluid regularly.
- Switch the grade of lubricants based on the weather, and mileage of the car.
- Replace brake pads and get the brake assembly serviced regularly.
- Tire rotation and wheel balancing are also crucial for the suspension system.
- Get the suspension system overhauled and faulty parts replaced timely.
- Service of the throttle body, intake & exhaust manifolds, catalytic converter, and other important parts on time.
- Timing belt replacement and adjustment of the timing assembly.
- Ceramic coating of the body and silicone coating of the undercarriage is important for rust proofing and paint protection.
- Use unleaded, high RON, premium quality fuel to ensure the engine’s performance remains top-notch.
- Spark plug replacement, battery service, and inspection of all the electronic components.
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Is it Worth Buying a Toyota Tundra with High Mileage?
If it has been driven by a single owner, a proper maintenance schedule is available, there’s no history of any major accident, and a good CARFAX report is present, buying a Toyota Tundra with high mileage can be totally worth it. As these are highly reliable and available at a very cheap price in the used car market.
Toyota produces one of the most reliable cars in the world, and when they are manufacturing their flagship off-roader, the benchmark is next level.
Tundra is a very sturdy truck, with a powerful engine, dependable transmission, and a highly capable suspension system. With all the features and equipment on the car, its rugged nature, and tough capability, buying a well-maintained Tundra with high mileage can be a great option.
Make sure that you check the CARFAX report, maintenance history, and all the body panels for rusting. If everything is fine and all that’s in your way is the odometer saying too many miles, close your eyes and go for it, Toyota is never going to let you down.
