2022-2024 Toyota Tundra Engine Problems & Recall: Here’s What I Found

Updated on December 30th, 2025 Author: Sergei Lemberg

Major engine recalls seem to be more and more common. With the Toyota Tundra, I started seeing complaints as early as 2022, specifically involving the then new 2022 Tundra. Those early reports described engine knocking, sudden loss of power, and internal failures. The recent November 2025 Tundra recall led me to take a deep dive into Tundra engine problems, including widespread owner complaints, known failure patterns, and whether these issues were present long before the recall was announced. Let’s get into it.

But first, my name is Sergei Lemberg. I have spent more than two decades handling lemon law and vehicle defect cases. When I see a defect emerge in one model year and later expand into a multi-year recall, I take a closer look. What I found here raises important questions for Tundra owners dealing with engine failures, partial repairs, or denied coverage.

So What’s the Issue?

I first noticed the scope of the problem by reviewing complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of those complaints describe nearly identical engine failures in the 2022 Toyota Tundra through 2024, often happening suddenly and without warning.

In these reports, owners describe engines that began making extremely loud knocking or grinding noises, followed quickly by a loss of power or complete shutdown. Several complaints emphasize that no warning lights appeared before the failure. The engine simply failed while the vehicle was in motion.

Here’s what owners describe:

• Engine knocking that sounds severe and mechanical
• Sudden loss of motive power while driving
• Complete engine shutdowns with no prior alerts
• Failures occurring at relatively low or moderate mileage

Example Complaints

“At 65,000 mile engine died. Just the same as the recall for this truck but mine wasn’t in the recall. Since it was over 60,000 miles its not covered by Toyota. We have a third party warranty we bought at the dealer that is saying we have to pay $7,000 out of pocket”

“Catastrophic engine failure. I was driving home when the engine began knocking. Drove the last couple miles home and parked in my driveway. Engine running rough, and oil was dripping onto the ground under the engine. Toyota has evaluated and said it needs a new engine. Note – Toyota has a recall but is currently claiming my vehicle is not covered as it’s just outside/newer than the covered trucks. As of today’s date, 9/19/24, Toyota has had my vehicle since 7/17/24 and it’s STILL not repaired.”

“Approximately 10 minutes into an ordinary drive home from work, the engine abruptly began making extremely loud noise, as if metal or bricks were being thrown inside the engine. Within moments, the engine rapidly lost power and then completely shut down. At no time did any warning lights, engine lights, or malfunction indicators appear on the dashboard prior to or during the failure.”

Recall 24V-381

This did not start in 2025. It started earlier.

In May 2024, Toyota issued NHTSA Recall No. 24V-381, which applied to 2022 and 2023 Toyota Tundra trucks equipped with a specific configuration of the V35A engine. I reviewed the recall materials directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the recall filing, this is what Toyota identified:

• The affected Tundras were equipped with a V35A engine manufactured during a specific production period.
• During manufacturing, engine machining debris may not have been fully cleared from the engine.
• That debris can contaminate the crankshaft main bearings over time.
• Continued operation, especially under higher loads, can cause main bearing failure.
• Main bearing failure can lead to engine knocking, rough running, no-start conditions, or an engine stall.
• An engine stall while driving results in a loss of motive power, which increases the risk of a crash.

Approximately 102,092 vehicles were included in this first recall. At the time, Toyota stated that the remedy was still under investigation and that owners would be notified once further information became available.

As of the last quarterly recall update for recall 24V-38 issued on December 17, 2024, Toyota stated they repaired 93% of the trucks with the balance being either unreachable or removed.

Recall 25V-767

By November 2025, Toyota expanded the issue. That expansion came in the form of NHTSA Recall No. 25V767, which you can view through the NHTSA website as well.

This 2025 recall significantly broadened the affected population. Based on the recall documents, here is what Toyota acknowledged:

• The recall applies to 2022 through 2024 Toyota Tundra trucks, as well as certain Lexus models, equipped with a V35A engine.
• The issue again centers on machining debris left in the engine during manufacturing.
• That debris can contaminate the crankshaft main bearings over time.
• Continued operation can lead to bearing failure, especially under higher loads.
• Bearing failure can cause engine knocking, rough running, engine stall, or complete loss of drive power.
• An engine stall while driving results in a loss of motive power, which increases the risk of a crash.

Approximately 113,079 Toyota Tundra trucks are included in this expanded recall, with 126,691 vehicles total affected across Toyota and Lexus models.

What stood out to me is that this recall expressly recognizes the same failure mode owners had been describing for years. Sudden knocking. No warning lights. Loss of power while driving. Those complaints were not isolated. They were consistent with what Toyota ultimately documented in its filings.

Engine Failure but Not Included in the Recall?

As I reviewed complaints, another issue stood apart from the engine failures themselves. Some owners report being told their Tundra is not included in the recall, even though those owners experienced the same defect as described in the recalls.

In those cases, the issue is not whether the engine failed, but how the failure is categorized. Owners describe being told their truck falls just outside a recall production window, VIN range, or mileage threshold. As a result, they are offered different repairs or no recall coverage at all.

What Can You Do

If your Toyota Tundra experienced engine knocking, loss of power, or complete engine failure, and/or you are being told the truck is not included in the recall, it may help to act promptly. The steps below can help you stay organized and informed as you decide what to do next.

1. Document everything: Keep repair orders, diagnostic reports, tow receipts, and all written communications with the dealer, Toyota, or any warranty provider.
2. Confirm the diagnosis in writing: Make sure service records clearly reference internal engine damage, bearing failure, debris contamination, or related findings tied to the engine failure.
3. Preserve timelines: Record when the failure occurred, the vehicle’s mileage at the time, and how long the truck has been out of service or awaiting repair decisions.
4. Track repair decisions: Note whether a full engine replacement, partial repair, or denial of coverage was offered, and the reason given for that decision.
5. Learn about your legal options: Serious engine failures, especially those tied to known manufacturing defects or recalls, may raise consumer protection questions depending on the facts and your state.

Contact Lemberg Law

If your Toyota Tundra suffered a serious engine failure, experienced prolonged downtime, or was denied recall coverage despite similar failures being acknowledged elsewhere, it may help to understand what options are available based on your specific situation.

Lemberg Law represents consumers dealing with vehicle defects and unresolved safety issues. We handle these matters on a contingency basis, which means there is no upfront cost. We do not get paid unless there is a recovery.

If you are facing costly engine repairs or uncertainty following a recall or denied coverage, contact Lemberg Law for a free case evaluation. Getting clarity sooner can help you decide what makes sense before more time passes

Sources:

1. 2022 NHTSA Complaints
2. 2023 NHTSA Complaints
3. 2024 NHTSA Complaints
4. Recall No. 24V381
5. Quarterly Report 24V381
6. Recall No. 25V767

About the Author:

Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."

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