2021 Toyota Tundra maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

5.7L iForce V8 (3UR-FE, 381 hp) + 6-speed automatic, RWD or 4WDSRSR5LimitedMSRP $34,025

⚠ 3 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.

Why it matters: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.

Reported 02/09/2021 · Campaign #21V688000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Why it matters: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

Reported 23/11/2021 · Campaign #21V920000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Why it matters: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

Reported 23/12/2021 · Campaign #21E103000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic — per Toyota's official 2021 Tundra Warranty & Maintenance Guide, the Normal-schedule interval is every 10,000 mi / 12 months when 0W-20 full synthetic is used (the 2021 Tundra has no oil-life monitor, so this is a fixed-mileage interval, not a monitored one). The Severe/Special Operating Conditions schedule — towing, dusty roads, extensive idling, or repeated short trips under 32°F — tightens this to every 5,000 mi / 6 months. This timeline uses the conservative 5,000-mile checkpoint cadence throughout since most Tundras see at least some towing or severe-duty use; if your use is confirmed Normal-only, oil only needs changing at every other checkpoint (10,000 mi) Inspect tire pressure and adjust to door-placard spec (verify separately for unloaded vs. towing/loaded) Rotate tires Inspect all exterior lights and wiper blades Inspect brake pads and rotors
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Inspect brake pads, rotors, and calipers front and rear Inspect all fluid levels: coolant (Toyota Super Long Life Coolant), brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect cabin air filter — replace if dusty or restricted Inspect front differential and transfer case for leaks (4WD models)
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium; factory replacement interval is 120,000 mi, no action needed at 30k Inspect rear differential fluid and front differential/transfer case fluid (4WD) — Toyota calls for change sooner under severe use (towing, off-road, frequent water crossings) Inspect timing chain and tensioners (maintenance-free — inspect only, no scheduled replacement) Inspect drive belt and engine mounts	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace rear differential fluid and front differential/transfer case fluid (4WD) — required sooner than 60k if towing or off-road use is frequent (Toyota's severe schedule calls for change around 30k under those conditions) Inspect automatic transmission fluid (6-speed) — Toyota WS fluid; long-life fill, inspect condition Inspect coolant condition — Toyota SLLC, first scheduled change is 100,000 mi / 10 years under normal use Inspect brake fluid — replace if moisture-contaminated Inspect drive belt, hoses, and engine mounts Inspect suspension: ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar links (leaf springs rear, coil/leaf per trim)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Replace rear differential fluid and front differential/transfer case fluid (4WD), second change Inspect automatic transmission fluid Inspect suspension components and steering linkage Inspect wheel bearings and u-joints (4WD models)	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium, factory interval 120,000 mi Replace coolant — Toyota SLLC, flush and refill Replace automatic transmission fluid (6-speed) — preventive change if towing history is significant Replace rear differential fluid and front differential/transfer case fluid (4WD), third change Replace drive belt Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, brake lines, master cylinder Inspect frame and undercarriage for corrosion (known area of concern on earlier Tundra generations; inspect on this generation as standard preventive practice, especially in road-salt regions)	View →

Upgrading your Tundra's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Toyota Tundra — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Tundra fitments at AlloyHaus →

AlloyHaus is our sister site — built by the same maker as eli5cars.

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.