Toyota has a reputation for legendary reliability, and its full-size pickup truck is no exception. But the truth is, even the Toyota Tundra has some. There are specific problems with the Tundra, reported by hundreds of owners, that you can easily remedy yourself:
- Air pump failure
- Ignition coil failure
- Exhaust sensor malfunction 02
Secondary injector pump failure
My colleague Amanda Klein has written what has been reported by as many owners. Secondary air-injector pump failure was one of the most common problems for the Tundra, showing up with an average of 133,582 miles.
A video about common Tundra problems and explained that this part is simply a pump that pumps air into the exhaust system while the engine is still warm to reduce the amount of pollution your truck has. When you fail, it will not affect your truck’s performance. But it will illuminate the check engine light which can mask other, more serious problems.
Can you replace this pump yourself? maybe. A1 auto mechanics revealed that early second generation Tundras had this pump under the manifold, so replacing it is a real chore best left to a pro. But the later second generation Tundras have the same pump in the fender well, easily accessible.
Ignition coil failure
Another common cause of a second generation Toyota Tundra throwing a check engine light is a worn ignition coil. The Tundra has one ignition coil attached to each spark plug, which converts 12 volts into the 40,000 volts required by the spark plug. As the coil wears out, the spark plug may have difficulty igniting the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. This leads to rough idle, loss of power, and loss of mpg.
If you see a check engine light, you will need to use a code reader to find out what is causing the light. Your local auto parts store will also likely read this code for you. If it’s a specific ignition coil, replacing it is as easy as changing the spark plug (now’s a great time to toss in a new plug anyway). See more about.
Exhaust O2 sensor malfunction
The third common cause of an annoying check engine light is a failed oxygen (O2) sensor in your exhaust system. The second generation Toyota Tundra has four O2 sensors in total. Two are set in the exhaust stacks, between the engine and the catalytic converter. These provide important feedback to the engine, and when they fail, the engine can perform poorly.
The second pair of 02 sensors is downstream from the catalytic converters. When they fail, you’ll see the check engine light, but the truck shouldn’t operate any differently.
The 02 sensors are bolted to the exhaust pipe, so changing them should be as easy as unplugging them, then unscrewing them with a wrench, right? Not so fast. Depending on how much salt is passing through it, the O2 sensors may get severely rusted into place. If you want to try to remove them, it’s wise to spray them in penetrating oil periodically, for a few days.
Remember, if you disconnect the O2 sensor trying to remove it, you can accidentally create an exhaust leak. The real professional move is making sure your local mechanic has the ability to finish the job on the day you attempt it. Finally, if the O2 sensor fails, it’s a good idea to replace all four. You don’t want to go through the whole process again.
Next, meet the only resident mechanic or watch an A1 Auto mechanic explain the full range of five common Toyota Tundra problems:
