Makes›Toyota›Tundra›2005

2005 Toyota Tundra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Toyota Tundra
Pictured: 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax Short Bed 4x4 with TRD Off-Road Package, front left, 11-01-2022. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
P/U 2WD Access Cab 4.7l V8, P/U 2WD Doublecab, P/U 2WD Regular Cab 3.4l V6, P/U 4WD Access Cab 3.4l V6
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 20 hwy
Length
213–226.4 in
Curb weight
3,860–4,978 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Toyota Tundra is a standard pickup truck offered with 2 engines (4.0L 6-cyl and 4.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 213 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 128-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,299 lb (P/U 2WD Access Cab 4.7l V8).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 20 highway), 8% better than the 2005 standard pickup truck average of 16.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
P/U 2WD Access Cab 4.7l V8213 in75.2 in71.3 in128.3 in66.1 / 65 in4,299 lb57/43
P/U 2WD Doublecab226.4 in79.5 in74.8 in140.6 in65.4 / 66.9 in4,740 lb57/43
P/U 2WD Regular Cab 3.4l V6213 in75.2 in70.9 in128.3 in66.1 / 65 in3,860 lb57/43
P/U 4WD Access Cab 3.4l V6213 in75.2 in72 in128.3 in66.1 / 65 in4,398 lb57/43
P/U 4WD Access Cab 4.7l V8 Base/Ltd213 in75.2 in72 in128.3 in66.1 / 65 in4,542 lb57/43
P/U 4WD Doublecab226.4 in79.5 in74.8 in140.6 in65.4 / 66.9 in4,978 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18+8%$3,700494
Tundra 2WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Tundra 2WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15-10%$4,450592
Tundra 4WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-4%$4,450592
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.6 MPG2005 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Toyota Tundra under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Toyota Tundra (this car)18 MPGNot rated8
2005 Ford F-15015 MPGNot rated1
2005 Toyota Tacoma21 MPGNot rated5
2005 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated1
2005 GMC Canyon21 MPGNot rated1
2005 Nissan Frontier21 MPGNot rated1
2005 Nissan Titan14 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (8)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Dec 12, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V883000 · 168,993 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk
If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Air Bags · May 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V285000 · 1,973,468 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.
Air Bags · May 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V286000 · 1,069,055 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles

Problem
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Toyota Tundra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

223Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
129,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags71
Structure › Body69
Suspension48
Unknown Or Other24
Service Brakes18
Power Train13
Steering8
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/01: 122/03: 222/04: 122/05: 122/08: 122/09: 122/11: 222/12: 223/01: 323/04: 123/08: 123/10: 123/11: 124/01: 224/02: 224/04: 324/05: 224/06: 224/08: 225/06: 125/10: 225/12: 126/09: 226/10: 122/0122/0522/1123/0423/1124/0424/0825/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Toyota Tundra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 71 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 69 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Suspension — 48 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 129,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Tundra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tundra years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Tundra22245.7 inNot rated237
2025 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★5142
2024 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★10353
2023 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13414
2022 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13434
2021 Tundra15226 in★★★★★224
2020 Tundra15226 in★★★★★447
2019 Tundra16226 in★★★★★974
2018 Tundra16226 in★★★★★8100
2017 Tundra16226 in★★★★★578
2016 Tundra17226 inNot rated5120
2015 Tundra17226 inNot rated451

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →