Model year 2021 · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
2021 Toyota Tundra: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tundra at 14–15 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
14–15
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Toyota Tundra recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Toyota Tundra, newest first.
Steering: Hydraulic power assist system and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V920000Reported Nov 23, 2021
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 21TB10 / 21TA10)
Components
Steering: Hydraulic power assist system; Steering: Rack and pinion
Units affected
22,462 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Remedy
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
Risk
An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Toyota Tundra fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Toyota Tundra crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2021 Toyota Tundra NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 2WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
3 stars
21.9%
Standard
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/CC 4WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
19.8%
Standard
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 2WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
3 stars
21.9%
Standard
2021 Toyota TUNDRA PU/EC 4WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
19.8%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Toyota Tundra owner complaints
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Tundra, most recently on Aug 14, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Toyota Tundra complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
6
Electrical system
4
Seats
4
Visibility/wiper
3
Exterior lighting
2
Steering
2
Structure: Body
2
Air bags
1
Engine
1
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
