Used Truck Guide: 2014+ Toyota Tundra

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With decades of baked-in experience with trucks and 4x4s, the Toyota Tundra hit model-year 2014 with a significant update which featured revised looks, enhanced features, and a new interior treatment.

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Though much of the underpinnings of the Tundra were carried over, the 2014 model-year updates served to keep Toyota’s popular pickup relevant and appealing in a highly competitive segment, which also included models like the RAM 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Nissan Titan.

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Offering shoppers a time-tested and familiar platform and drivelines, the 2014+ Toyota Tundra is popular among shoppers who prefer to drive a pickup with proven and familiar tech.

Look for standard V8 power throughout the line, with options including two V8 engines – a 4.6-litre, 310 horsepower unit, or a 5.7-litre unit with 381 ponies. Look for automatic transmissions all around, as well as no shortage of trim grades, body configurations, and special edition models to cater to a wide range of needs and tastes.

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If you’ll use your Tundra for towing, consider a 2016 or newer unit if it’s in your budget: for this year, an upgraded towing package was fitted, complete with a transmission cooler.

Here are 5 important things to know, before you buy a used Toyota Tundra.

Cam tower oil leak

Some Tundra owners have reported oil leakage from the cam towers on the 5.7 litre V8 engine. Many have a not. Leaky cam tower seals, or leaky camshaft seals, can cause visible oil leakage from the engine, which may or may not result in a visible oil leak beneath the vehicle. On your test drive, carefully check the oil level, and carefully inspect the engine for signs of this leak—seeking professional assistance if you’re not sure how.

Though this issue didn’t affect most units, it could result in an expensive repair outside of warranty, which could cost you money. For best results, have the specific unit you’re considering checked over by a technician before you buy.

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Slow starting

Once you’ve returned from your test drive, the Tundra’s engine will be nice and warm. Turn it off for 5 minutes or so, and then, restart it. Some owners say they’ve experienced difficulty re-starting a warm engine after a few minutes, in this situation. Most have not.

If the engine struggles to re-start while warm, or takes too long to fire back up, there may be a problem with its fuel system, caused by a bad calculation within the engine computer. Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to help dealers correct this problem, via a simple software update.

Braking system check

Having the Tundra’s braking system checked out before you buy can save you money and headaches, while improving safety on the road. A braking system check is relatively quick and easy, and can provide plenty of peace of mind.

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In addition to general braking system condition and wear, a technician will also check the parking brake during a pre-purchase inspection (PPI), which has been identified as a problem area by some owners who say the parking brake may become weak over time.

If that’s the case, the parking brake may not hold the Tundra in place when in use, and this may prevent the truck you’re considering from passing its safety inspection. Fixing a weak parking brake is typically a quick and inexpensive process that can prevent headaches down the line.

Maintenance is key

Even the most reliable vehicles on the road can become a problem waiting to happen if not cared for properly by past owners. As vehicles age, ongoing maintenance and care are more important predictors of reliability and dependability than the badge on the vehicle’s hood.

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Translation? The Toyota badge doesn’t make a second-hand Tundra reliable – the way its past owners cared for it does. Always seek out a used unit with full servicing records for maximum peace of mind, remembering that a warranty claim (if required), can be denied if you can’t prove that none of the vehicle’s servicing and inspections have been skipped.

The most reliable used Toyota Tundra for you will tend to be the unit that’s been the best cared for by its past owners. If full service records aren’t available, consider a full fluid-change and tune-up as a first step after your purchase, for maximum peace of mind.

Driveline and suspension check

On your test drive of a used Tundra, a few exercises can coax telltale warning sounds from the vehicle driveline and suspension, which can give potential issues away.

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Be sure to drive over a rough surface after quieting the vehicle’s cabin, listening for unwanted popping or clunking sounds from beneath the vehicle, which could indicate suspension wear or the need for replacement parts.

While parked, turn the steering wheel fully from one side to the other, several times and at several different speeds. If anything sounds or feels unusual in the process, have the steering rack and front-end checked for signs of wear.

Lock the vehicle into first or second gear at a low speed and prod the throttle repeatedly to rapidly load and unload the Tundra’s driveline. This  might be uncomfortable from the driver’s seat, but any clunking or banging sounds you hear in the process, especially from the rear of the truck, can be taken as a sign that further investigation of the driveshaft, differential carrier, and motor mounts is required.

Note that the use of some non-factory suspension or driveline parts can negatively impact the Tundra’s performance, durability and warranty.

Final thought

These tips are designed to help test-driving shoppers more easily identify possible trouble areas reported by some owners. An attentive test-drive and shopping process that focuses on the areas above can help you find a first-class example of a second-hand Toyota Tundra.