2009 Toyota TUNDRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 38 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 26.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Engine: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Air Bags: 3; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2009: 2; 2010: 11; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10300164 · 2010-01-18 (January 18, 2010)
2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA, 5 MOS AFTER PURCHASE(5-16-09),MY DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED, WHILE DRIVING WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON WHICH IS CAUSED THE ODOMETER TO READ INCORRECTLY,(READING 44,000 MILES) & USE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL . SEVERAL FLUID LEAKS, MUFFLER REPLACED, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN ACCELERATING & WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT TAKE TIME BEFORE IS SHIFT INTO STOP, & ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, TICKING NOISE & VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR. THESE HAVE CODES COM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10300164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305749 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AND WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT COMPONENTS WERE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS RECENTLY BEGAN MAKING A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORW…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10305749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314531 · 2010-02-26 (February 26, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 25 MPH, THERE WOULD BE A SUDDEN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION ON HIS PARTICULAR MODEL WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 7,816. UPDATED 04/…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,816 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313259 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
LTR FWD (TX) RE 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA, CONSIDERS VEHICLE A LEMON AFTER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL DEFECTS ESPECIALLY W/ELECTRICAL & FUEL SYSTEM, FILED COMPLAINTS W/NHTSA ODI SYSTEM IN 2009, REPLY TO HOUSTON, TX OFC. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ODOMETER, DRIVE SHAFT AND MUFFLER FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 105 MPH. THE ODOMETER WAS NOT CORRECT, THERE WERE VIBRATION AND TICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10313259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285760 · 2009-09-30 (September 30, 2009)
TRUCK HAS EXTREME VIBRATION, BOUNCE AND OVERALL SHAKE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THIS COMBINED WITH THE VERY LIGHT STEERING AND ACCELERATOR EFFORT LEADS TO A VERY UNSTABLE FEELING OF NOT BEING IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN EVEN AND STEADY ACCELERATOR PRESSURE AND STEERING DIRECTION. DEALERSHIP HAS ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT, BUT HAS MADE ZERO DIFFERENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,989 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413611 · 2011-07-19 (July 19, 2011)
1. COLD START PISTON SLAP - EVERYTIME VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. 2. TIRES DO NOT HOLD A BALANCE. 3. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES; ESPECIALLY AT 64-70 MPH 4. DRIVE SHAFT BODY ROLL - FEELS LIKE BEING REAR ENDED - EVERY TIME TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP *KB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348350 · 2010-08-09 (August 9, 2010)
MY 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA WAS REPAIRED BY TOYOTA THIS PAST FRIDAY AS A RESULT OF THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING OPEN..IE WOULD STALL. AFTER REPAIRS, THE TRUCK DROVE FINE FOR 2 HRS APPROX. AFTER STOPPING FOR SUPPER (1HR) I STARTED MY TRUCK AGAIN...THIS TIME THE ENGINE ACCELERATED IN PARK UPTO 5,000 + RPMS FOR 10-15SECS AND THEN DOWN TO 500 RMPS...THEN REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER. I WAITED TIL THE RPMS DROPPED TO 500 AND PLACED TRUCK IN GEAR TO TRY TO GET IT HOME. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN...ALMOST TAKING ME THROUGH A RED LIGHT. …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360407 · 2020-09-22 (September 22, 2020)
MY 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA FREQUENTLY STALLS AFTER SLOWING FROM HIGH WAY SPEED FOR A TURN ONTO A SIDE ROAD OR AFTER BRAKING TO A SLOW SPEED WHILE DRIVING AFTER WHICH I NORMALLY REACCERLATE. THIS IS A 5.7 L I-FORCE V8, 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANS.
Owner-reported narrative. 172,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360407 at NHTSA ↗