Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The second Tundra was Toyota's serious competitor in the full-size segment — now built in Texas, with V8 power and size matching the F-150 and Silverado.
Two V8s: the 1UR-FE 4.6L at 227 kW, and the 3UR-FE 5.7L at 283 kW. Both are reliable but share the secondary air pump weakness — fails on nearly all examples around 60,000 miles triggering limp mode ($1,500-3,500 repair). The 3UR-FE also has cam tower oil leaks and cold-start piston slap (known characteristic).
Frame is robust; rust on early builds (2007-2008) is documented. The 6-speed automatic is mature.
Test-drive checklist: Secondary air pump — P2441? Cam tower leaks on 5.7L. Frame rust (2007-2008). Cold-start piston slap on 5.7L — normal if gone after warm-up.
2026 market: Between $16,500 and $38,500. The 5.7L V8 4WD is most sought-after.
Insider pick: Tundra 5.7 V8 CrewMax 4WD from 2014+ — after frame improvements, the most reliable full-size truck on the market.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen is available with 2 engine variants — from 310 to 386 hp.
4.6-litre V8 with 310 hp, the smaller of the two truck V8 variants. Runs velvety smooth, powerful and acoustically unobtrusive, with ample torque for moderate load duty. It shares the cam-tower oil-leak issue of the larger 3UR-FE, though less prevalent here — at higher mileage check for oil traces around the valve-cover area. The timing chain is long-lived. Oil changes every 15,000 km; when buying, check service history and tightness. Overall a solid, durable engine.
- !! Timing Chain Tensioner Failure from 200,000 km
Hydraulic chain tensioner can fail suddenly. Chain develops slack, unstable engine operation.
Symptoms: Metallic noise on cold start, unstable idle - !! Sekundärluft-Pumpe versagt (Limp Mode) from 95,000 km
Gleicher Defekt wie beim 3UR-FE — Pumpe versagt um 95.000 km und löst Notlauf aus. Reparatur außerhalb der Garantie teuer.
Symptoms: Notlauf auf ~30 mph, MIL-Lampe, P2441 im OBD-II - !! Same RTV sealing issue as the 3UR-FE, but less common. Oil on exhaust manifold possible. from 150,000 km
Same RTV issue as the 3UR-FE, but less prevalent. Oil on exhaust manifold possible.
Symptoms: Oil smell, oil trail at front of engine
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
5.7-litre V8 with around 381 hp — a big-displacement, old-school naturally aspirated engine built for torque and sustained load. Timing chain, maintenance-free. The known concern is the cam tower oil leak: the RTV sealant ages, oil drips onto the exhaust manifold and smells burnt — widespread, yet without an official recall. Before buying, check the front of the engine for oil seepage. Keep an eye on the water pump and secondary air system. Otherwise rock-solid, with documented lifespans well past 400,000 km.
- !! Ventile im Emissionssystem korrodieren fest. Fahrzeug drosselt auf ~50 km/h. Besonders frühe 2nd Gen (2007-2010) in feuchtem Klima. from 100,000 km
Emission system valves corrode stuck. Vehicle throttles to ~30 mph. Especially early 2nd Gen (2007-2010) in humid climates.
Symptoms: Check engine light, drastic power loss, limp mode - !! Air Injection Pump Failure (THE 3UR-FE Issue) from 100,000 km
Nearly universal on 2007-2013: moisture intrusion into pump, codes P0418/P2440-P2443. Toyota warranty extended to 10yr/150k for 2007-2010. Dealer repair $2-3.5k, Hewitt Tech bypass kit ($300-500) is the community fix.
Symptoms: Check engine light, power loss, worse fuel economy - !! Kraftstoffpumpe versagt wiederholt from 120,000 km
Kraftstoffpumpe fällt mehrfach in kurzen Intervallen aus — sofortiger Leistungsverlust ohne Vorwarnung beim Fahren.
Symptoms: Plötzlicher Motorabfall, kein Wiederanspringen, MIL leuchtet
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| $3.4 billion class-action settlement. Frame replacement program for select US states (salt belt). Program ran 15 years from manufacture date. $3.4 billion class action settlement. Frame replacement program for certain US states (salt belt). Program ran 15 years from manufacture date. Symptoms: Rust-through on frame, structural weakening from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 18 weaknesses have been documented for the Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen (2007–2021) — 12 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. One problem engine: 3UR-FE (5.7L V8). Typical issues affect Rust, Suspension, Body, Other.
Tundra (3UR-FE, 2007–2021) — Stay Away!: Ventile im Emissionssystem korrodieren fest. Fahrzeug drosselt auf ~50 km/h. Besonders frühe 2nd Gen (2007-2010) in feuchtem Klima., Air Injection Pump Failure (THE 3UR-FE Issue), Kraftstoffpumpe versagt wiederholt. Power: 381 PS.
Tundra (1UR-FE, 2007–2021) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Tensioner Failure, Sekundärluft-Pumpe versagt (Limp Mode), Same RTV sealing issue as the 3UR-FE, but less common. Oil on exhaust manifold possible.. Power: 310 PS.
What to watch out for with the Toyota Tundra? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen engine is the most fun? +
Is the Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Toyota Tundra 2nd Gen? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee