Launched in ’99, the Tundra was the first-ever full-size pickup truck built by a Japanese automaker in North America.
It’s built for the outdoors and stands out from the competition thanks to its superior off-road performance, comfortable interior and solid reliability.
In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of maintenance, tune-up and running costs.
Table of Contents
Here is the short answer to are Toyota Tundra expensive to maintain:
The Toyota Tundra has very reasonable maintenance costs. It would cost you around $606 to maintain a Toyota Tundra every year, which is significantly lower than the average of $936 annually for full-size pickup trucks. A tune-up will be around $500, including the replacement of spark plugs.
Are Toyota Tundras Expensive to Maintain?
The Tundra isn’t the cheapest in the class regarding sticker price, however its maintenance costs are very competitive.
When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.
Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your truck.
Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Toyota Tundra, all data is from RepairPal:
Toyota Tundra Maintenance | Cost |
Average annual repairs and maintenance | $606 |
Alternator replacement | $726 – $985 |
Oil change | $165 – $182 |
Wiper blade replacement | $124 – $131 |
Air filter replacement | $43 – $54 |
Battery replacement | $250 – $290 |
New brakes | $216 – $281 |
Coolant Change | $81 – $102 |
New tires (set of 4) | $688 – $699 |
New tire (one only) | $172 – $175 |
New spark plugs | $200 – $265 |
Tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance | $79 – $100 |
New transmission | $3000 – $4000 |
Tune-up | $500 |
Insurance | $1504 / year (average) |
How Much is a Tune-Up on a Toyota Tundra?
This will vary greatly depending on where you take your truck and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Toyota dealership than your local mechanic.
You can expect to pay in the region of $500 for a fairly comprehensive Toyota Tundra tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:
- New spark plugs
- Filters changed
- Coolant flush
- Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
- Throttle body clean
- Transmission and differential fluid change
Whilst your truck is under warranty it is advised you get your truck serviced at a registered Toyota dealership.
Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:
- They can bring more power back to your engine.
- Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
- Ensures long-term engine health and performance
Alternator Replacement Cost?
A new alternator on a Toyota Tundra will set you back between $726 – $985 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years
Labor costs are around $350 while parts are roughly $500.
While the battery is used for starting your truck when the engines off, the alternator keeps your truck alive when the engine is running.
The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your truck while driving.
You may also be interested in our article: Toyota Tundra Beeping? (12 Common Causes)
Oil Change Cost?
The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $165 to $182, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your truck.
An oil change should be performed on the Toyota Tundra every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil.
Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.
At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)
Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?
This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this.
Most Toyota Tundras use a 26″ wiper blade on the driver side and a 22″ on the passenger side but be sure to double-check first.
Wiper blades for the Toyota Tundra can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free.
However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $124 to $131 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.
Air Filter Replacement Cost?
According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Toyota Tundra is between $43 to $54, not including taxes and fees.
The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.
Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.
This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also.
Battery Replacement Cost?
According to yourmechanic.com, the cost of a battery replacement for a Toyota Tundra should cost between $250 and $290.
Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.
In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.
A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.
To get the most life from your battery:
- Keep your battery tightly fastened: Vibrations of your truck can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
- Limit short rides: Quick rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
- Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.
New Brakes Cost?
The average cost to replace your Toyota Tundra brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $216 and $281. Necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.
Toyota Tundra brake pads will last between 20,000 to 25,000 miles in very severe use (such as heavy-traffic urban areas) and 40,000 to 60,000 miles in average use.
Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.
Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.
Cost to Change Coolant?
If it’s just a top-up your truck requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself.
You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.
If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.
According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Toyota Tundra coolant change is between $81 and $102 (excluding taxes and fees).
How Much Does a New Transmission Cost?
The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a Toyota Tundra is anywhere from $3000 – $4000. This range may vary depending on the model year.
Transmissions on the Toyota Tundra typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the truck is driven.
Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost
According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Toyota Tundra tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.
Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).
How much Insurance Cost?
According to insuraviz.com, the average cost of Toyota Tundra insurance is $125 / month or $1532 / year (that is roughly $100 above the national average).
These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.
It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.
Toyota Tundra Repair Costs Compared to Similar Trucks
In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Toyota Tundra to some of its biggest rivals, using data from RepairPal.
Toyota Tundra Vs Ford F-150
The F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in the US.
The Toyota Tundra is notably cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $606 Vs the F-150’s $788.
Toyota Tundra | Ford F-150 | |
Reliability rating | 3.5/5.0 | 3.5/5.0 |
Repair Pal ranking | 6th / 17 | 7th / 17 |
Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Probability of a repair being severe | 18% | 15% |
Despite higher ownership costs, the F-150 is a far superior truck to the Tundra.
With modern powertrains, more high-tech features, higher payload and towing capacities, and more upscale features, the F-150 is the king of the hill.
You may also be interested in our article: Ford F-150: 8 common problems
Toyota Tundra Vs Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan first came onto the scene in 2004, hoping to bring an alternative to the mid-size pickup segment.
The Titan has an annual average repair cost of $555, that’s $51 less than the Tundra which is $606 per year.
To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all full-size trucks is $936 per year, and as you can see that is almost double what you might expect to pay with the Toyota Tundra.
Toyota Tundra | Nissan Titans | |
Reliability rating | 3.5/5.0 | 3.5/5.0 |
Repair Pal ranking | 6th / 17 | 2nd / 17 |
Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Probability of a repair being severe | 18% | 13% |
You may also be interested in our article: Nissan Titan Maintenance & Repair Costs
Toyota Tundra Vs Ram Pick-Up
The Ram 1500 has built up a loyal fanbase over the years thanks to its potent engine lineup, smooth ride and nice interior.
In terms of repair costs, the Tundra is the cheaper option of the two with an average annual repair cost of $606 Vs. $691 for the Ram.
Toyota Tundra | Ram 1500 | |
Reliability rating | 3.5/5.0 | 3.5/5.0 |
Repair Pal ranking | 6th / 17 | 4th / 17 |
Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Probability of a repair being severe | 18% | 15% |
Industry data shows that the Tundra is the more reliable of the two however the Ram gives you more power and capability.
You may also be interested in our article: Ram 1500 Maintenance Costs
How Long is the Toyota Tundra’s Manufacturers Warranty?
When you drive your new Toyota Tundra off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Toyota’s factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years (whichever comes first) powertrain coverage.
This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties
You can check your vehicle warranty status, track your service history, view your Owner’s Manual and more at the Toyota Owner’s Center, If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.
Whilst your truck is under warranty it is advised you get your truck serviced at a registered Toyota dealership.
Resources
https://repairpal.com/toyota/tundra
https://www.toyota.com/tundra/
https://enginepatrol.com/honda-ridgeline-maintenance-tune-up-cost/
Related: 20 Best & Worst Toyota Tundra Years (Pictures & Stats)