Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
2005 Toyota Tundra quad cab. Front end alignment problems, extreme pulling to the left and right, consistent rattling in the front end. Control issues at 5 MPH, extreme shimmering over 65 MPH. Recommended parts by service department knuckle sub assembly, bearings, ring hole, seals. Vehicle loses power, and steering control, caused accident. Manufacturer refuses to honor warranty and repair vehicle. Problems began at 2000 miles, taken in at 5009 miles for service and reported problem, 4 attempts at repair with no success.
Toyota has extended its warranty for the air injection pump and air switching valves on 2007-2010 tundras. The extension is for 10 years or 150,000 miles from first use. I have a 2005 Tundra that has a failing air injection system. I am within the mileage range of first use . The truck has the same air injection system as the tundras within the warranty extension, but Toyota refuses to honor the warranty extension on my truck. This is a $4000 fix and the truck is unsafe to drive in the current state.
At speeds above 50+ the rear end constantly rumbles and shakes the whole truck. And when pressing the break it does as well. Seat belt locks when trying to put it on. Parking brake doesn't work. Whining and squeaky noise in the rear end. Clunking noise at lower speeds. Engine light is on & won't go off. Tire pressure sensor doesn't work. Rear end seal leak. Driver side window feels like it's gonna fall out. Truck is way too loud and everything is stock. Ac/heat being on makes loud noise.
Secondary injection pump trigger a limp mode which is extremely dangerous on the highway. Toyota has extended the warranty on all vehicle except the 2005, 2006, 2007 which have the exact same air pumps installed. This repair is costing Toyota owners in excess of $3,000.00 with vehicles having having less the 100K miles. This is obviously an emission issue that Toyota should address, the U.S. Has made vw responsible for there shortcomings I think Toyota should be held accountable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air injector pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Suddenly unintended acceleration has happened multiple times with the brake depressed and the accelerator pedal not depressed.
I own a 2005 Toyota Tundra with just 60,000 miles. In 2014 Toyota was allowed to put a band-aid on a problem that needed a tourniquet - applying a rust converter coating to a frame that, because of their failure to manufacturer it properly, deserved replacing. I was told by Toyota (case number [redacted]) that because the previous owner took the band-aid they were no longer liable until the government forced them via further government safety recall actions to do more. My hope is by writing this that the government can be proactive and solve this safety concern before they have to collect enough death and accident statistics to take notice of this issue. Not only that, I see that Toyota is being offered the same band-aid solution on a number of new models with the same issue - proving that they didn't learn any lesson just how they can get away with actual murder. …
2005 Toyota Tundra double cab. When stationary on cold start: vehicle produces a loud noise and additional carbon monoxide/exhaust, causing additional danger when starting in a garage. When in motion: truck operates as intended until acceleration is attempted, causing a major safety concern when merging onto highways, driving up an incline, or any other driving situation where the gas application is necessary. When in motion: venting and interior air controls cannot be used based on the amount of exhaust that will spill into the cab of the truck. This is a problem that is widely known to the Toyota community, and to drivers of Toyota tundras in particular. Of note, thousands of messages can be easily accessed in the Toyota message boards (Tundra talk, Toyota nation, tundras.com, Tundra solutions). …
Check engine light came on and the truck lost power. The engine revved like it was trying to go, but had no more forward momentum. The speed at the time of the incident was 50mph. Hooked up the computer and the error code read that it is the air switching valve. Error codes p-1442, switching valves are stuck closed, #2 in bank 1 and #2 in bank 2 of the secondary air inspection system. Same issue on 2007-10 Tundra and was recalled due to defect. My truck has the same issue, has under 150,000 miles, and has been very well maintained. Told by Toyota that it is not a recall at this time and if there is one in the future, they will reimburse us our costs. Driving down a two lane highway with 18 wheelers behind you and losing power, going 65-70mph, is going to cause a wreck. I don't know how Toyota would reimburse me my husband.
2005 Toyota Tundra experience electronic failure the consumer stated the mechanical or electronic failure caused an accident as well as injuries. The consumer stated all he remembered was exiting the highway in evening traffic when all of a sudden, his vehicle rammed into the vehicle in front of him. The air bags deployed prior to the collision and he had no recollection of being able to brake. He also stated the engine failed in June 2009. The consumer was informed there must have been something wrong with the seams in the radiator. Apparently, it blew out the bottom, which caused the instantaneous loss of the radiator fluid.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Certain pickup trucks equipped with both vehicle stability control (vsc) and the trd dual exhaust systems. The trd dual exhaust system met all clearance specifications on models without vsc, however the driver's side exhaust located in a position where contact between a brake line found only on vehicles with vsc and the trd…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if so equipped, will replace the trd dual exhaust system free of charge. During this replacement, the dealer will also inspect the specific brake line to assure it has not been damaged and…
Engine complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Toyota Tundra, 7% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Tundra engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-123 (exhaust system, Mar 30, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Tundra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.