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2015 Toyota Tundra Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Toyota Tundra carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering lugs/nuts/bolts/studs and labels. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Trailer brake controller underpower.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Campaign #17V311000 · Nov 5, 2017

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.

Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #16V420000 · Sep 6, 2016

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #15V315000 · May 27, 2015

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Tundra vehicles manufactured March 11, 2015, to April 11, 2015 and equipped with Nitto Terra Grappler G2 275/60R20 116S XL tires. These vehicles have a tire placcard that incorrectly states the recommended cold tire inflation pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Risk: If the operator inflates the tires according to the information on the tire placard, the tires may be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure which could result in a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a new tire placard with the correct cold tire inflation pressure information, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET15C.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #21V920000 · Nov 23, 2021

Issue: 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.

Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #21E103000 · Dec 23, 2021

Issue: 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.

Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Toyota Tundra.

Reported to NHTSA

Trailer brake controller underpower

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2019-01

“INSTALLED FACTORY INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER IN 2016. CONTROLLER DOES NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKES EARLY ENOUGH TO STOP APPROPRIATELY (TRAILER PUSHES THE VEHICLE). EVEN AT MAXIMUM POWER, THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK THE TRAILER BRAKES IS WITH THE MANUAL HAND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11171281
“I OWN A 2015 TUNDRA CREW CAB. THE FAMILY AND I LOVE TO CAMP, SO WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAMPER. I HOOKED UP THE CAMPER TO THE TUNDRA UTILIZING THE 7 PIN CONNECTOR. THE DASH DISPLAY INDICATED THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROL WAS WORKING AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL. TO MY DISMAY, THE BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10872503

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor warping and pedal vibration

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2025-05

“Front Rotors purchased on Amazon warped in under 5,000 miles/3 months of normal highway and city driving conditions. Issue caused high vibrations in front end when braking from 40+ mph. Paired with new Wagner OEX pads when installed. Manufacturer’s Warranty period was 24,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11660175
“TOYOTA TUNDRA 2015 BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED AND DISTORTED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON FLAT CITY FREEWAYS AT 60MPH AND HIGHER. THIS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I AM 74 YRS OLD AND HAVE EXPERIENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10959088

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wiper linkage mechanical failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2021-04

“WIPER MECHANICAL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD BROKE LOOSE FROM WIPER TRANSMISSION ON DRIVERS SIDE DURING HEAVY RAIN/SLEET/SNOW WITHOUT WARNING. PASSENGER SIDE STILL WORKED. RESEARCH INDICATES YEARS 2015-2018 NON LUBRICATED, NON REPAIRABLE PLASTIC COMPONENTS USED IN MECHANICAL ARMS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309891
“THE BOLT FOR THE WIPER BLADE ON THE DRIVER SIDE LOOSENS UP MAKING THE WIPER INOPERABLE AND BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11406295

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump stall and hard cold start

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2026-08

“Unknown Truck stuck in Branchport NY Started truck. Drove for ~20miles then died Has ~1/4 tank of gas Started truck again let it idle then died again Started truck again, gave it gas, ran fine, then died Started truck again, reversed it to turn around and died again in middle of”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755724
“MULTIPLE RECALLS ISSUED FOR TOYOTA FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THIS YEAR. VEHICLE QUIT WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT START, TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, AND ROUGH RUNNING. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP (JUST LIKE ALL PREVIOUS MODELS) AND REPLACED IT WITH THE REPLACEMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397129

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turn signal shuts off exterior lights

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2021-11

“When using the turn signal to indicate turning direction at night, all lights shut off randomly, leaving you with no way to see where you're going. This includes all cabin lights so you can't find the switch to turn the lights back on. This happen regularly. This has been”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11441287
“WHEN USING LEFT TURN SIGNAL, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS SHUT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION AND WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296922

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Clock spring failure disabling horn and airbag

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the horn failed to sound while pressing the horn pad in the center of the steering wheel. The horn only sounded while activated with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a defective clock”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689858
“Was living in South Carolina at the time, but now live in West Virginia. Airbag light came on and Horn stopped working. Has not worked since and received a recall in the mail, but they are saying my vehicle is not on the list. Has not been repaired, but still in-operative”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11732643

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2015-11

“2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, HE ATTEMPTED SO SLOW DOWN. CONSEQUENTLY, HE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10806931
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION, THE CONTACT STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMBANKMENT. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10722892

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

31 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Toyota Tundra reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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