2005 Toyota Tundra

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

A 4.0L V6 with a 6-speed manual, more power for the V8, new lamps, new gauges and optional navigation. Side and curtain airbags are offered on the Double Cab.¹

What it came with

4.0L V6^1,2

245 hp by Edmunds, 236 hp by Wikipedia · 2005–2006
4.7L V8^3,1

245 hp, 282 hp from 2005

Transmissions: 6-speed manual (2005–2006)¹, 5-speed automatic (2005–2006)¹
Drivetrains: 2WD^3,4, 4WD^3,4
Trims: Base¹, SR5^3,1, Limited^3,1
Packages: TRD Off-Road Package^5,1, StepSide⁶, Sport suspension package^6,1, Towing and cold-weather packages¹

Colors

Natural White 2000–2006 ^7,8,9,10
Black Onyx 2000–2006 ^7,8,9,10
Imperial Jade Mica ^7,8,9
Phantom Gray Pearl ^8,9,10
Desert Sand Mica ^8,9,10
Salsa Red Pearl ^8,9,10
Silver Sky Metallic ^9,10
Golden Sand Metallic ⁷
Stellar Blue Pearl ⁷
Sunfire Red Pearl ⁷
Autumn Red Mica ⁷
Blue Marlin Pearl ⁹
Stratosphere Mica ⁹
Timberland Mica ¹⁰
Bluesteel Metallic ¹⁰
Spectra Blue Mica ¹⁰

Interiors

Bench seat Cloth, Base ¹
Captain's chairs Leather, optional, Limited ^3,4,1
Pebble Beige ^7,8,9
Graphite ⁸
Grey ⁸

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Timing belt with no proof it was changed All years

What to check: Look for a replacement label on the timing cover or engine, and ask for the receipt.

Eight members across two forum threads tell buyers to check the timing belt. The 4.7L is an interference engine, so a broken belt can ruin it. One owner changes it every 100,000 miles, another about every 80,000.

Sources ^11,12
Lower ball joints All years

What to check: Ask whether the lower ball joint recall was done, and have the ball joints checked.

Three members across two forum threads name the lower ball joints. One says they separate, and another points to Toyota's recall.

Sources ^11,12
Cracked exhaust manifolds All years

What to check: Look for cracks or leaks at the exhaust manifolds.

Three owners across two forum threads name cracked or leaking exhaust manifolds.

Sources ^11,12
Warped front brakes All years

What to check: Brake firmly from speed and feel for a shudder.

Three members across two forum threads name the front brakes. One says they warp, and one owner has had recurring front brake trouble and new calipers under a Toyota service bulletin.

Sources ^11,12
Automatic failing in fourth gear 2000–2005

What to check: Drive it in fourth gear at highway speed, and ask how hard it has towed.

Three members across two forum threads name fourth gear or overdrive. One says trucks through 2005 have a fourth-gear part that can fail under hard use or towing, often by 150,000 miles. Another says the overdrive failed before 100,000 miles on some 2001s.

Sources ^11,12

Recalls

05V123000 2004–2005
The exhaust can touch and damage a rear brake line. The exhaust and line are checked and replaced.^13,14
05V254000 2003–2005
A passenger airbag switch was fitted without child seat anchors, against the federal standard. The switch is removed.^15,13,14
05V328000 2005
The airbag status light lens was built wrongly. It is fixed.¹⁴
07V013000 2004–2006
Front lower ball joints can wear early and, in extreme cases, separate. They are replaced.^13,14,16
15V286000 2003–2006
The passenger front airbag inflator can rupture in a crash. The airbag is replaced.^15,13,14,16
15V285000 2003–2006
The passenger front airbag inflator can build too much pressure and rupture. The airbag is replaced.^15,13,14,16
16V065000 2005–2006
The airbag control module was programmed wrongly, so the side curtain airbags may go off unexpectedly. The module is replaced.^14,16
18V883000 2003–2005
The passenger airbag inflator can explode. The inflator or airbag is replaced.^15,13,14
19V741000 2003–2006
A replacement passenger airbag inflator can explode. The inflator or airbag is replaced.^15,13,14,16

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: The 4.7L V8 at high miles All years

Three owners of V8 trucks in two forum threads speak well of them. One calls a 2002 rock solid from 110,000 to 205,000 miles, one calls a 2006 reliable at about 140,000, and one calls theirs a great reliable truck past 200,000.^11,17,12

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.