Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the vehicle ahead. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his back, neck, right shoulder, and right clavicle. The other driver sustained injuries to his back and neck. The contact sought medical attention from a physical therapist but was unaware if the other driver sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to park on the side of the road but then towed the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,313.
frame and brake systems are severely rusted. has been undercoated many times but frame is rusting from inside out in the boxed portions and is delaminating from double layered reinforced areas. Toyota had a recall for some of these models but this one was not included for some reason. I have a 1997 model Toyota suv that has no rust compared to this 2005 model. Toyota needs to reopen this recall campaign as there are too many vehicles that have this same issue. This truck only has 119,000 miles. Failed a safety inspection at an independent tire store-frame rust and rear brake backing plates rusted and breaking apart. This truck is from the northern states and is currently in Florida.
Toyota Tundra frame recall - frame coating applied per recall in 2014. Vehicle inspected twice by dealer in 2018 & 2019 and vehicle determined to be OK. Recently experienced loss of brakes and crash into garage. Vehicle inspected by independent mechanic and found 2 perforated and rusted brake lines. Scraping away the undercoating uncovered other corrosion in various degrees. Determined that spray undercoating came way to late as truck already had 9 years of corrosion. Undercoating only HID the problem. Submitted a claim with Toyota who offered no assistance.
I pulled my truck out of the garage (it was backed in) and when I approached the street applied the brakes. The brake pedal went to the floor and the truck barely stopped before entering the street. (driveway was luckily on flat terrain) I checked the brake reservoir and it was almost empty. Filled up reservoir, pumped brakes to get stiff pedal and checked for leaks. Could find none so drove truck on about 5 mile roundtrip. Pulled truck out the next day and reservoir was again empty but could find no fluid on concrete in garage. Filled reservoir & brought to my mechanic. He found that the booster pump was leaking into the master cylinder which was why there was not fluid on the concrete. He had to replace the entire unit since Toyota does not sell the components separately. This could have been disastrous under different circumstances. …
I have a 2005 Toyota Tundra, which has the entire frame all rusted. I already replaced all brake lines and differential because of the rust. The mechanic said it is rusted so bad that it could fall apart. There was a limited campaign for a recall on our Tundra and the spray was done in 2015. Obviously it didn't take because of all the continuous issues we are having. I called the corporate office of Toyota and opened an claim and the manager I spoke to really could care less and told me that once the warranties are over its no longer their (Toyota) problem. I requested a field inspection technician to look at the truck . That request was denied by the manager who stated that he was speaking for Toyota. I asked for my claim to be reviewed by some one above him and he stated their was no one higher them himself and his decision was final. …
Got in truck, started it, brake light remained on. While driving, brakes were soft. Checked brake fluid reservoir, low on fluid. Added brake fluid, pumped brakes- pedal went to the floor. Fluid under right front wheel. Had truck taken to my mechanic - brake line rusted out, all all other lines rusted as well. Recommended all get replaced as a safety issue. Not only rust issues with this vehicle- was in the Toyota chassis recall- chassis coated with rust inhibitor. Differential rusted out- replaced at my cost. Toyota took no responsibility. Also replaced the hood release cable, emergency brake cable, as well as the two cables supporting the tailgate- all rusted out. Rear bumper rusted out too.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact was driving at approximately 35 MPH when another vehicle moved into her lane. To avoid an accident, she depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle was unresponsive and did not slow down. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the other vehicle. There were two people injured. The police were called to the scene of the accident and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance companys automotive body shop for inspection where it was determined the vehicle was totalled. The current and failure mileages were 74,645.
My 2005 Toyota Tundra has 217K miles and is, mechanically, in terrific shape, except the frame has rusted out on the drivers side. Structurally, it's still drivable safely, but it will no longer pass state inspection (maine, USA). Thousands of other Toyota tundras of the same style and manufacturing process and similar model year have had frame recalls done for the exact same reason. I do not feel it is fair to skip this year. This is my family's only source of transportation right now, and it is vital to keep it on the road. Please allow a frame recall for this model year!
Tl* the contact owns 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle as the brake barrier warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that he drive uphill and when the vehicles started rolling backwards, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed to work under normal road conditions causing the vehicle to collide into another. There were not warnings prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was totaled and taken to a collision repair shop. A police report was taken, and the driver did not sustain injuries. Updated 11/30/2006 -
Brake complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Tundra, 11% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Tundra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Toyota Tundra, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Tundra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.