Recall Alert: Toyota Tundra Digital Gauge Clusters Are Going Dead
Toyota released the third generation of its full-size Tundra pickup truck for the 2022 model year. Considering Tundras can go a decade between redesigns, it’s unsurprising that Toyota tried to future-proof this truck by packing it with technology. This included replacing the old V8 with a turbocharged V6, offering a hybrid version, and installing a segment-leading number of digital displays. The only problem is that when the new LCD displaying some Tundras’ gauges failed, Toyota was forced to recall and reprogram thousands of trucks.
Toyota offers certain 2022 and 2023 Tundras with digital gauges
One high-tech feature available on certain trims of the third-generation Tundra is a driver’s “Multi-Information Display” (MID). This 12.3-inch wide dashboard LCD is a fully digital gauge cluster.
While the truck’s vertical 14-inch touchscreen offers multimedia functions, the MID is more driver-focused. In different modes it offers navigation, off-road features, towing functions, safety information, audio controls, fuel mileage, trip information, and warning messages.
Reviewers have said it is usually a crisp, quick display barely distinguishable from analog gauges. That is, if it is working.
Some Toyota’s digital gauge clusters went dead
The NHTSA received the first complaints of dead Tundra gauge clusters in October of 2022. Owners reported that this gauge cluster, along with important information such as the truck’s speed, began to intermittently go blank.
A supposed Toyota Tundra owner gave a detailed account of the problem on the Tundras.com forum:
“Twice now, the digital instrument cluster has gone black. The brightness setting adjustment doesn’t work. Truck drives fine and infotainment screen is fine. Both times, I’ve turned off the truck and after 15-30 min, everything works as it should. If it’s a quick off/start, it won’t work.”
jsyjsyjsy via Tundras.com
According to the NHTSA, the number of reports of blank Tundra digital gauge clusters increased exponentially in November. The Administration and Toyota investigated and concluded the following:
“A software error in the combination meter’s electronic control unit (ECU) may cause the Instrument Panel LCD display to go blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, ‘Control and Displays.'”
NHTSA Campaign Number 23V111000
With its failing Tundras not up to federal motor vehicle safety standards, Toyota had no choice but to issue a recall in February 2023.
Toyota is recalling 8,989 Tundras for failing digital gauge clusters
The good news is that Toyota was able to engineer a software update for affected Tundras. A Toyota dealer can simply update the software on recalled trucks, then send them back on their way.
There are five other recalls for 2022 Toyota Tundras, none only affecting 8,989 trucks. It is interesting that this issue did not appear until October of 2022, but affects both third-generation model years. Perhaps an over-the-air software update actually caused the issue, so the number of affected trucks is low.
You can see all the current recalls for third-generation Tundras in the table below:
| Recall | 2022 Toyota Tundra | 2023 Toyota Tundra |
| Electric Parking Brake Doesn’t Engage | Yes | No |
| Axle Shaft Separates from Housing | Yes | No |
| Displays Front Camera While Reversing | Yes | No |
| Weight Capacity Label Inaccurate | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Panel Display Goes Blank | Yes | Yes |
| Factory Tonneau Cover Unlatches | Yes | Yes |
If you drive a Tundra with a digital gauge cluster, you can contact your local dealer or call Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331 to see if you your truck has an open recall. Toyota’s internal reference number for this recall is 23TA02.
Next, read up on more 2022 and 2023 Toyota Tundra problems or see the difference between the Tundra’s analog gauges (with built-in LCD screen) or fully digital gauge cluster (at risk of a recall) in the video below:
