Fix it
- Read the code and write it down
Any OBD2 scan tool shows the stored code. Record it before anything is cleared; it decides which Toyota document fits your truck.
- Check the fuel tank and fuel cap
These are the first checks in the 2008, 2018, 2022 and 2026 manuals. After a fix, the light goes off after several driving trips.
- Match the code to your model year
Find your year below, note the bulletin or program number, and have a dealer run the VIN for recalls, campaigns and programs.
- Repair, then clear
The manuals say the stored code stays until the truck is driven 40 or more times. Don't clear it or disconnect the battery right before an emissions test.
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The 2022 and 2026 Tundra manuals say the check engine light indicates a malfunction in the electronic engine control, electronic throttle control or emission control system. Manuals from 2008 to 2018 add the automatic transmission’s electronic control.
First checks, per the manuals: is the tank empty, is the fuel cap loose? Fix either and the light should go off “after several driving trips.” If it stays on, see a Toyota dealer.
What sets this truck apart is secondary air injection. Toyota’s documents tie air injection codes to Tundras from 2005 through 2016, and for some 2012 to 2016 trucks they say the fault can bring limp-home mode. Toyota extended coverage on 2007 to 2011 trucks to 10 years or 150,000 miles for check engine light repairs caused by moisture in the pumps or valves; the VIN decides who qualifies. No Tundra manual we read describes a flashing light; see the flashing check engine light page.
About the complaint numbers
We pulled every Tundra complaint from NHTSA’s complaintsByVehicle API, under all five model names NHTSA uses for the truck. A complaint counts as mentioning the light if the narrative says check engine, engine light, CEL, malfunction indicator or MIL light. Model year comes from each complaint’s own vehicle record; duplicates were removed by ODI number. For 2000 to 2026 that gives 285 of 6,917 complaints. These are owner reports that NHTSA does not verify, and a count is not a failure rate.
2000–2006: a thin record
Toyota Canada has no manual online for a pre-2008 Tundra, and most NHTSA records for these years are one-line summaries with no document. Owners filed 74 light complaints out of 3,704. The codes Toyota did file:
| Code | Toyota record | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| P0135, P0155 (oxygen sensor heater circuit) | 01902 | 2000–2002 |
| P0770 | 02402 | 2002 |
| P0705, with odd instrument cluster behavior | 00504 | 2003–2004 |
| P0441, P0442, P0446; fuel filler fixes | 02003, 01903, SB-0003-11 | 2003–2004 |
| P2742 | 04805 | 2004–2005 |
| P0171, P0174, P2195, P2197 | 06005 | 2005–2006 |
| P0412, P0418, P2440, P2441, P2445 and more (air injection, 4.7L) | T-SB-0230-12 Rev, 02707 | 2005–2006 |
Record 04006 (April 23, 2004) is a customer support program NHTSA lists for 2000 to 2002 Tundras: a warranty coverage enhancement on two oxygen sensors. Its terms are not in NHTSA’s file. About a dozen 2000 to 2003 light complaints name an oxygen or air-fuel ratio sensor.
For 2005 and 2006 trucks with the 4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE), T-SB-0230-12 Rev blames “debris passing through the air injection pump assembly and contaminating various components in the system.” Nine light complaints from those years name the air injection system, and a 2005 owner says the failed pump put the engine in limp mode (ODI 10380475). Bring the record number matching your code when a dealer runs the VIN.
2007–2013: the air injection years
Toyota issued three air injection programs for these years:
| Program | Trucks | Terms in Toyota’s letters |
|---|---|---|
| ZTQ, Customer Support Program | 2007–2010 Tundra | Pump and valve repairs, 10 years or 150,000 miles from first use, whichever comes first |
| ZG6, Warranty Enhancement Program | 2011 Tundra with the 1GR-FE V6, 1UR-FE, 3UR-FE or 3UR-FBE | Ten years or 150,000 miles; not every vehicle is covered |
| F0A, service campaign | 2012–2014 Tundra with the 5.7L gas or flex-fuel V8, about 247,000 trucks | Free ECM calibration update |
ZTQ and ZG6 give the same reason: “illumination of the check engine light (Malfunction Indicator Light) due to moisture/water in the Air Injection Pumps and/or Air Switching Valves.”
F0A is a software fix, not a parts warranty. Toyota’s January 2015 dealer letter says the engine control module “may set a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) if debris/ice becomes lodged in the air switching valve.” The check engine light can then come on and the truck can drop into limp-home mode, where “the vehicle’s power and speed will be reduced.” An April 2016 update replaced the original February 28, 2016 end date: “Limited Service Campaign turned into Special Service Campaign with NO Expiration Date.” None of the three is a safety recall, whatever forum posts say.
T-SB-0029-08 (2007) lists P0412, P0415, P0418, P0419, P2445 and P2447 and points at the air injection control driver. TSB-0329-08 (2007 and 2008) links P0418 and P0419 to water in the air injection pump. For 2012 and 2013 trucks with the 5.7L, T-SB-0033-12 covers P2440 and P2442 “under freezing ambient conditions” with an ECM reprogram.
Of 135 light complaints from these years (out of 1,293), 90 name the secondary air injection system by code or part. By model year the 90 records split 21 from 2007, 18 from 2008, 1 from 2010, 18 from 2011, 27 from 2012 and 5 from 2013. Four pairs are word-for-word repeats, so they hold 86 separate accounts. Seventy of the 90 describe lost power, a speed cap or weak acceleration. A 2011 owner: “Engine light, 4Lo light, and ASC light on with code P2442. Vehicle in limp mode.” (ODI 11492632).
Coverage is where owners get stuck. A 2008 owner writes of being 64 days past Toyota’s extended warranty (ODI 11207274), and 2011 and 2012 owners say they were told their VIN wasn’t covered (ODI 11343890, 11342387). Ask the dealer to check your VIN against ZTQ, ZG6 or F0A, and get the answer in writing. If you already paid, the ZTQ owner letter (TCS-11-027) includes reimbursement instructions; under ZG6, owners can mail the repair order, proof of payment and proof of ownership to Toyota for “reimbursement consideration.”
Other Toyota documents for these years:
- T-SB-0170-09 (2007–2009): slipping or harsh shifts with the light and codes such as P2714 or P0751, from C1 clutch damage.
- T-SB-0166-19 Rev (2009–2019, 5.7L flex fuel 3UR-FBE): hard starting or the light with P0171/P0174, P0172/P0175 or P1604, with Toyota’s scan data showing “an elevated alcohol density estimate relative to the vehicle’s actual fuel alcohol content.”
- T-SB-0206-12 (2012–2013, flex fuel): P0461 for the fuel level sensor “after a recent fuel refill,” fixed by ECM recalibration.
2014–2021: fewer complaints, specific bulletins
Owners filed 19 light complaints for these years, out of 586, with no pattern big enough to call one: seven mention the fuel pump, three air injection.
T-SB-0079-16 (July 14, 2016) covers 2014 to 2016 trucks with the 4.6L V8 (1UR-FE): the light with P2440 or P2442, and a truck that “under some conditions may enter limp mode (limited throttle input ~ 25mph).” It adds that this “can be triggered by sub-freezing ambient temperatures.” The fix is an ECM reprogram for trucks built before a production-change VIN. ZTQ, ZG6 and F0A don’t cover these 4.6L trucks.
T-SB-0092-15 covers P0101 on 2014 and 2015 trucks with the 5.7L and a supercharger, and T-SB-0146-16 covers P2610 (ECM/PCM engine off timer performance) on 2014 to 2016 trucks with an ECM reprogram.
On the 2018 Tundra, Special Service Campaign K0A (March 14, 2019), about 103,630 trucks, says of the rear oxygen sensor monitor: “Under a specific condition, this software may not detect a malfunctioning sensor due to an error in the software.” The fix is a free engine ECU update. Until it’s done, a failing rear sensor may not turn the light on under that condition.
On 2018 to 2020 trucks, watch the low-pressure fuel pump. T-SB-0009-23 lists hard starting and the light with P0171/P0174 and P0087, and replaces the pump under the 60-month, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Recalls 20V-012 (2018 to 2019) and 20V-682 (2019 to 2020) warn that “the engine can stall while driving” and replace the pump free. A class action settlement then added two customer support programs for 2018 to 2020 Tundras. 23TE04, for trucks whose pump was replaced in a recall, runs until July 15, 2036 or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. 23TE05, for trucks never in a pump recall or campaign, runs 15 years from first use, regardless of mileage. Toyota says neither is a recall or a service campaign. Have the VIN checked.
2022–2026: the V35A trucks
The 2022 manual lists the V35A-FTS, a turbocharged V6 of 3445 cm3, and several bulletins below also cover the Tundra Hybrid. Owners filed 57 light complaints out of 1,334 for 2022 to 2025; 2026 has none yet. Toyota’s bulletins name these codes:
| Codes | What Toyota’s document says | Document (years) |
|---|---|---|
| P059A71 | Active grille air shutter A actuator stuck | T-SB-0011-22 (2022) |
| P162B87, P15AD87 | Battery monitor module message lost; grille shutter A missing | T-SB-0050-24 Rev2 (2022–2024) |
| P017400, P117B00, P043000 | Lean bank 2, direct injector fuel performance, catalyst efficiency bank 2 | T-SB-0030-23 Rev2 (2022–2024) |
| P030000, P030027, P030085 | Random or multiple misfire | T-SB-0085-24 (2022–2024) |
| P024300, P024700, P25B372, P25B473, P25B572, P25B673, P02351C | Wastegate faults, boost sensor A circuit | T-TT-0681-22 Rev (2022) |
| P060694, P060647 | Control module processor fault | T-SB-0046-23 Rev1 (2022–2023 Hybrid) |
| P1C8449, P300449 | Hybrid system warning below 32°F | T-SB-0085-23 Rev1 (Tundra Hybrid) |
For the bank 2 lean codes, tech tip T-TT-0718-22 names “Debris In Bank 2 Fuel Delivery Pipe” and warns that “A lean condition may cause damage to the internal catalyst in the catalytic converter.” On the turbo codes, Toyota says the “Turbocharger sub-assembly is not a serviceable part.”
The bigger issue is the engine, and it may not light anything first. Recalls 24V-381 (2022 to 2023), 25V-767 (2022 to 2024) and 26V-320 (2024) cover the same condition: “Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail,” which can mean an engine stall and loss of drive power. Under 24V-381, “Dealers will replace the engine assembly, free of charge.” The later two start with an inspection of the #1 main bearing and replace the engine if necessary.
About 18 of the 57 light complaints describe engine failure, knocking or metal debris, and four say no light came on first. “No check engine or other lights were illuminated before or after this,” a 2024 owner wrote (ODI 11708715). Another, with a 2022, says the dealer made a knocking truck wait “because there was no engine light on” (ODI 11592906). On a 2022 to 2024 V35A truck, a knock or sudden power loss matters even with a dark dash. Check the VIN for the engine recalls.
Recall 23V-111 (2022 to 2023) adds one more: a meter software error can blank the instrument panel, and “A blank display will not show critical information such as the speedometer or warning lights.” The fix is a free software update.
TRAC OFF or VSC with the check engine light
Among the 90 air injection complaints from 2007 to 2013, 34 also name the VSC or TRAC light. Toyota’s TSB-0325-08 (2007–2008) describes another multi-light case: ABS, brake, 4WD and check engine lights with U0129 and P0500, fixed with a new brake actuator assembly. None of the Tundra documents we read explains why VSC or TRAC drops out next to an engine code, so start from the code. See TRAC OFF with the check engine light and TRAC OFF and VSC together.
Reading and clearing the code
Any OBD2 scan tool reads the stored code (scanner picks). Write it down before anyone clears it; the code is what ties your truck to a Toyota document.
The 2014 manual calls a loose cap a “temporary malfunction,” and the light goes off after several driving trips. The code lasts longer: it “will not be cleared unless the vehicle is driven 40 or more times,” per the 2012, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 manuals. The 2008 manual adds that readiness codes “are automatically set during ordinary driving” and are erased when the battery is disconnected or run down, so a truck can fail an I/M test with the light off. Don’t clear codes or pull the battery right before an inspection. General steps are in the reset guide.
Is it safe to drive?
From 2014 on, the manuals say: “Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.” The 2008 and 2018 manuals, for a light that stays on after the tank and cap checks, say to contact a dealer “as soon as possible.” Two Tundra risks come on top: limp-home mode from air injection faults on some 2012 to 2016 trucks, and the engine stall the V35A recalls describe.
Related: check engine light by model, the Tacoma with its own separate air injection programs, the code list and the Toyota overview.