2005 Toyota Tundra SR 5 4.6L V8 from North America

Summary:

Extremely well thought out vehicle.

Faults:

A tire on the rear blew. Replaced almost immediately by dealer. Pressure warning system didn't come on until tire let go.

General Comments:

This is THE most comfortable, quiet and most reliable vehicle I've ever owned and I've owned quite a few.

The only negative is the 6.5 ft. bed, (it's a true 4 door truck) it needs to be longer to accommodate building supplies.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st December, 2005

30th Jan 2007, 03:15

My 05 SR5 4X4 Tundra Quad Cab was fine until I finally needed the 4WD this winter. (it has 22,000 KM, 1 year on the road). The front drive shaft separated and spun as I accelerated across and intersection on snow and ice patches. Luckily I was only going about 20 KPH, but it still resulted in a new drive shaft, new O2 sensor (s?) and a new transfer case having to be installed. Time in shop 2+ weeks. Got it back on the road and complained of a vibration/drone at certain speeds (not even in 4WD, the dealer said it was nothing. A week later, when I did need 4WD again it made a heck of a racket engaging. Off to dealer again, they put in new front differential, still made the racket. They put in a 3rd transfer case, now it is fixed? Time will tell. Time in dealer, 2 weeks.

Not sure I am as confident with this truck as I was with my old, Japanese built Previa. I got 600,000 plus Klicks on that before I gave it away! One year of ownership and one month in the shop... this is a statistic that I hope will not get worse!

2005 Toyota Tundra 4 door V8 from North America

Summary:

The tailgate needs to be stronger

Faults:

When loading a motorcycle in the bed, the entire tail gate caved in,actually where the tire rolled over. I have never seen this happen before on any truck. It seems the material is weak or it may need more bracing.

General Comments:

I would like this fixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th September, 2005

2005 Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7L from North America

Summary:

By far, the best pickup I have ever owned

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

This pickup is phenomenal. It is comfortable, nicely appointed, great fun to drive, and has features that aren't really even promoted.

I drive in a mountainous area a lot and am in the habit of turning off the overdrive on downhill grades on most cars that I drive. The "intelligent" transmission in the Tundra does that for you. After you have had your foot off the accelerator going down hill, a gentle touch of the brakes once or twice causes the transmission to shift out of overdrive and provide engine braking. If the traffic speed slows more, another touch of the brake at about 45 mph results in it shifting down yet another gear. Wonderful drive-ability.

And, Oh, that 282 horsepower! This truck runs like a sports car, whenever I have the opportunity to "play" with that kind of power.

There is only one complaint. The Cruise Control feature is very badly programmed.

I drive the same roads that I have driven for 46 years and am a great advocate of Cruise Control. So much so that I have installed several after-market units on vehicles which did not have factory installed units. My opinion is qualified.

The Cruise Control on the Tundra works perfectly on level or near-level roads, but hunts-and-seeks over a range of about 3 mph on hills. It causes two-gear down-shifts, racing to catch back up, then overrunning the set speed, causing a shift into the highest gear, backing off to slow back down to the set speed and starting the sequence all over again.

Toyota's official answer to me is "don't use the cruise control on hills". Funny thing, Toyota, every other car I have ever owned, including our 2003 Sienna (my wife's favorite) and the Avalon that I traded on the Tundra after 211,000 excellent miles, all performed just fine on the exact same hills. I am still going through the mediation process. It is a real shame that Toyota ignores this and is unwilling to correct the problem, because it is an awesome ride otherwise.

This is a real issue because the truck is so powerful, quiet, and handles so well that it is very easy to unknowingly exceed speed limits. Just one of the reasons that I use cruise control a lot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2005

14th Jul 2005, 10:20

Sounds like a really nice vehicle my buddy has one too, but however is it is a 2004 there is 245 horsepower not 282 that was a change in 2005.

24th Nov 2006, 07:41

I have a 2004 SR 5 Tundra and the cruise control acts the same. When going up a small incline the cruise control will accelerate so much that the overdrive will kick in. A really gas waster! My Mom's old Chrysler under the same conditions will gradually accelerate until it hits the cruise control set speed. Maybe I should get a Chrysler?

22nd Jan 2009, 16:54

Best pickup you've ever owned?? I assume it must be the ONLY pickup you've ever owned. Either that or you are one very lucky owner who has somehow avoided the myriad problems the Tundras have had.

In reply to 22nd Jan 2009, 16:54

11th Jan 2016, 01:36

190,000 trouble free miles on my Tundra so far. It's my second Toyota, and not my last. I grew up believing domestic cars were better due to my uncle's trash talking of imports. All I ever drove was Fords growing up, so I just assumed cars were supposed to break down on a regular basis.

In reply to 11th Jan 2016, 01:36

11th Jan 2016, 21:29

I was on the phone with my Dad the other day and his '02 Tundra just crossed over the 325,000 mile mark, which is pretty amazing for any vehicle. His doesn't even use any oil!

In reply to 11th Jan 2016, 01:36

11th Jan 2016, 22:47

Most trucks, the last few years especially, are all pretty good.