10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,944 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Toyota Tundra engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Nov 092022

Tundra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cam tower leaks oil on the heat shield below it. Cam tower uses rtv rubber seal instead of a gasket. The rubber deteriorates and the cam tower leaks engine oil on the heat shield. Not clear why Toyota used form in place rubber material instead of real gasket. Repair however is major. Need to take apart engine to repair. Major repair. The fix is to replace it with the same material again. Which is subject to deteriorate again. This is a know issue on the 5.7 L engine. Toyota seems to have its head in the sand hoping they shouldn-€™t be forced to recall. However this is a know design flaw resulting in leaking oil on the heat shield. With no Toyota recommended new design or parts repair except to do it all over again and hope it doesn-€™t leak again it-€™s ridiculous.. Terrible design that leaks oil on the heat shield.

- Long Grove, IL, USA

problem #21

Jul 202022

Tundra

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle and steering wheel started shaking. The contact pulled over safely and inspected the vehicle and noticed there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as an engine leak. There was initially no warning light illuminated; however, after arriving home, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

Aug 012020

Tundra

  • 58,000 miles
On two different occasions I was driving my Tundra on the freeway at approx. 70 mph. My truck lost power and I almost caused accidents on both instances since I could not accelerate past 40 mph. I had to manage my way out of the freeway to a safe place. 2two diagnostics were performed and I received codes P0418, P1604, C1241, P2445, P2441. I was told by the Toyota dealership that there was a problem with a faulty secondary air injection system pump and other components related to the system and I was provided a repair cost of over $3,000 dollars. I was later informed, and I discovered through research, that Toyota had installed faulty/defective air pumps in thousands of Tundra 2013's like the one that I own. I reached out to corporate office but they stated that my VIN number somehow did not "qualify" as one of the affected pickups. My Tundra only has 60K miles and I use it to commute from and to work basically. I perform routine maintenance. There is obviously a problem with a defective secondary air pump system that Toyota refuses to fix. My truck is a liability on the road and this is my only means of transportation. It looses power and the check engine light activates. Toyota recalled thousands of vehicles like mine and fixed them after they acknowledged that they had placed faulty air pump systems. My truck is a potential possible cause for an accident since it unpredictably looses power on the freeway. I have not received a solution from headquarters/corporate office to repair my truck at no price since it is affected by their faulty pumps. They did offer $750 dollars towards the cost of parts, meaning that I have to come out with over $2000K out of pocket. I need Toyota to take responsibility and fix my truck.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #19

Sep 152020

Tundra

  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

#4 intake valve spring broke and cause engine failure

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 012020

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 74,734 miles
My 2013 Toyota Tundra truck ( 74,734 miles) suddenly had engine failure while driving down an incline at 48 mph. I lost power steering and power brakes. After eventually pulling the wheel with much effort and using the emergency brake I was able to get the truck off to the side of the road. I turned the key and the engine started right away and I was able to drive again but only at a reduced speed of 40 mph or less ( it's called "limp" mode) my mechanic diagnosed it as a secondary air injection pump failure. Upon investigating this on several Tundra owner message boards, I find that this is a common failure Tundra trucks at around 75000 miles. The Toyota dealer confirmed that this has been a common problem and looked up my VIN number to see if it qualified for a warranty extension program that Toyota has offered for some 2012 and 2013 Tundra trucks. Unfortunately my VIN number was a few numbers beyond the extension program. Had my wife been driving the truck when this happened, I am not so sure she would have had the strength to safely bring the truck under control and get it off the road with no power steering or power brakes. I want Toyota to extend the warranty on this faulty part before someone gets into a serious accident. They have obviously admitted there is a problem with this part and should extend it to all Toyota truck owners with this particular problem. Not just a select few.

- Cogan Station, PA, USA

problem #17

Feb 012020

Tundra

  • 60,000 miles
The truck at only 60,000 miles has a faulty cam tower seal leak that causes oil to drip onto the exhaust with potential to cause an engine fire.

- Eagle River, AK, USA

problem #16

May 062019

Tundra

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving on interstate the truck all of sudden looses power and. Dash warning lights come on and I have extremely hard time getting truck to side of road safety without power. Took to shop said I had air injection pump water intrusion and it was common issues with most of Tundra they have recalled early years before mine and it's a $4000 bill my truck has 120000 miles on it. Please help

- Landers, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 262019

Tundra

  • 64,000 miles
At only 64000 miles my 2013 platinum Tundra has a cam tower leak. This is a fire hazard and needs to be addressed asap.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #14

Mar 282019

Tundra

  • miles
Cam tower oil leaks on both driver and passenger side - oil leaking onto to manifold causing smoke - possible fire risk - numerous complaints went unanswered, finally diagnosed by the dealer, however Toyota not willing to fix as vehicle is outside of manufacturer's warranty - this is a known issue!!

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #13

Dec 032018

Tundra

  • 77,900 miles
Truck has issues with delayed starting. Motor will turn over but will not start immediately first thing in the morning. Have to turn on and off several times before successful start. Have been told that the problem may be the fuel pump and this could be critical while driving as the pump might fail at speed causing complete power loss. Issue began on or about 12/03/2018 and continues to present.

- Portales, NM, USA

problem #12

Aug 142018

Tundra

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tundra. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the cam shaft tower seal was leaking onto the exhaust. The dealer (david maus Toyota, 1160 reinehart rd, sanford, fl 32771) stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and did not assist. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Orange City, FL, USA

problem #11

May 012018

Tundra

  • 98,000 miles
Cranked truck and check engine light came on. Upon computer diagnostics, find out there is a problem with the emissions system - stuck air injection control valves. After visiting two shops and talking to two more I find out this is an extremely common problem. There are literally tens of thousands Tundra's, sequoia's, etc with the exact same problem. There has been no recall, but Toyota has set up customer support programs (csp's) to reimburse some of those affected by high repair bills $3,000 - $5,000. This was obviously a very poor design by Toyota that's been dumped on their customers. My vehicle is not covered by the csp.

- Trussville, AL, USA

problem #10

Jan 152018

Tundra

  • 25,496 miles
Cam tower gaskets (right and left) leaking @ 25,000 mi/5 years on exhaust manifold causing smoke and a fire hazard. Truck would not pass Maine state inspection because of the oil leak.

- East Boothbay, ME, USA

problem #9

Jul 052017

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tundra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (price leblanc, 13250 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70817) where it was diagnosed that the air injection dial and air pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance.the VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 08/24/17

- Slaughter, LA, USA

problem #8

Feb 222017

Tundra

  • 55,000 miles
Cam tower leak -oil leaking on motor

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #7

Aug 012016

Tundra

  • miles
When the engine starts it has a very noticeable knocking noise on the passenger side that never goes away. You put it in gear and you can really hear the engine knocking, and the knocking speeds up as you accelerate. Even after the engine warms up completely you can still hear it knocking(stationary, or in motion). Also my gas mileage is horrible! I average about 12.3mpg every tank. The best mpg I have ever seen is 13.4 mpg average which is ridiculous even for a full size truck. I always loved Toyota vehicles and ever since I was young I always wanted a Toyota truck because I thought they were the toughest out there, but after owning this 2013 Toyota Tundra I'm disgusted.

- Eudora, KS, USA

problem #6

Apr 272016

Tundra

  • 65,000 miles
Oil leak around cams. This is a common problem noted all over the internet - both 4.6 and 5.7 liter motors. Toyota refuses to cover if you are not notified of this problem after 60K miles or 5 years. Oil leaks on both sides of the motor on to the exhaust. The date I noted below, is only when the dealership told me. I believe this has been happening for sometime now. I just reached 60K+ with my last oil change and was then reported to me -- I believe with that intention.

- Palermo, ME, USA

problem #5

Nov 092015

Tundra

  • 23,199 miles
Vehicle at 23199 miles, still under warranty-car stationary, smelled burning oil and noticed the oil leak from both sides of the wheel well above the heat shield. Vehicle was diagnosed by a dealer and cam tower seal was leaking from both sides. They also found valve cover was leaking as well. This was a great safety concern due to fire hazard. Factory defect due to insufficient seal applied to the matting surfaces. Defect remedied and major repair was completed. They have changed all the gaskets and seals on the engine.

- Wvc, UT, USA

problem #4

Jul 082015

Tundra

  • 43,117 miles
Continuous oil leak from cam tower onto exhaust manifold. Dealer denied the issue even though the signs are very obvious. A call to Toyota to got me no where. They denied the issue like the dealer. There is oil on the engine block and also the exhaust manifold is black from the all of the oil dripping. After driving for awhile the car smells like it's burning. There is a very real potential for fire. The issue appears to be widespread. A quick internet search can find extensive examples. Toyota appears to be reverting to it's old ways and not taking responsibility for serious safety issues.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 282014

Tundra

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Tundra. While driving at approximately 60 mph, there were flames coming from the fuel lines, the engine compartment, and under the vehicle near the rear windows. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Foley, MO, USA

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