2023 Toyota Tundra: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MS

2023 Toyota Tundra. On July 20, 2026 and again on September 18, 2026, while driving, the truck suddenly lost power and went into limp mode. The dash showed 'Check Engine / Reduced Engine Power / Visit Your Dealer' at about 43,440 miles. The truck had to be towed to the dealer on a flatbed. Losing power without warning in traffic is a serious safety risk. Other ongoing problems: the brakes squeaked for over a year before they were fixed, the driver seat bolster plastic is broken (this would be the third repair), the radio volume knob has failed, and there is excessive wind noise. This VIN still shows open recall 25V767 (engine machining debris causing loss of motive power), which has not been performed despite two dealer visits for this exact failure.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · PA

turbo's have to be replaced because of a wastegate failure. This is a well known issue. My vehicle is at 66700 miles and Toyota has denied a good will claim. Though they admit there is nothing I could have done differently because its a defective part. My safety is put at risk because the truck goes into limp mode and a "reduced power" message is displayed. The dealership has confirmed the issue but because its 7k outside of warranty they are unwilling to do anything even though its a defect. Vehicle has only been inspected by dealership. they also have a diagnostic test for the total engine recall and its very subjective. I don't believe they are keeping safety in mind. I think they are trying to deny as many of those claims as possible.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · UT

The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid’s powertrain design may be insufficient to maintain basic safety maneuvers (specifically "limp mode" or emergency clearing) during an engine failure while operating under high-load conditions in mountainous terrain. This creates a life-threatening hazard for the occupants and other motorists. ​Statement of Fact: As an owner of a 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid, I primarily utilize this vehicle to tow a 9,000 lbs travel trailer through the high-altitude, steep-grade regions of Utah. These routes frequently consist of narrow, two-lane mountain passes with no shoulders and steep drop-offs. ​ ​Failure Under Stress: Engineering logic suggests that engine stress is highest during heavy towing on steep grades. If a primary engine failure occurs in these conditions, the hybrid system’s battery and electric motor capacity are, in my experience, inadequate to move a combined Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) of approximately 15,000+ lbs to a safe location. ​While the hybrid system may allow a light, unladen vehicle to limp to a shoulder under "ideal conditions," it lacks the torque and sustained power to move a heavy trailer on a grade once the internal combustion engine is compromised. ​In the event of a failure, the vehicle would likely become "dead in the water" in the middle of a live, narrow lane on a blind mountain curve. Without the ability to reach a turnout or even a marginal shoulder due to the weight of the load, the vehicle becomes a stationary target for other high-speed mountain traffic, posing a severe risk of rear-end collisions and multi-car accidents. ​ I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate the performance of the Tundra Hybrid’s "fail-safe" modes specifically under maximum towing capacity on grades.

Filed Dec 13, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

While driving under normal conditions, my 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Hybrid experienced a sudden and severe loss of propulsion. The vehicle abruptly entered fail-safe (limp) mode and would not accelerate beyond approximately 5–10 mph. This occurred without warning and created an immediate safety hazard in traffic. Multiple warning messages illuminated simultaneously, including: Hybrid System Malfunction, Check Engine, Smart Stop System Malfunction, and Advanced Ultrasonic Detection Malfunction. The hybrid system effectively shut down and the vehicle could not maintain normal road speed. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership. The dealership performed only ECM and hybrid ECU software updates and cleared codes. No mechanical inspection, oil pressure analysis, particulate inspection, turbo system evaluation, hybrid motor synchronization testing, or engineering-level diagnostics were performed. Toyota Corporate subsequently stated that the software update was the “final” resolution and declined further diagnostics. I was advised to return to the dealership if the issue reoccurs. This failure mode matches the documented loss-of-propulsion behavior described in Toyota’s V35A engine machining-defect recall (sudden power loss, limp mode, cascading system failures). Hybrid models are currently excluded despite using the same engine platform and exhibiting identical symptoms. Sudden loss of propulsion at road speed presents a serious crash risk. This appears to be a safety-related defect that is not being adequately investigated or remedied for hybrid models.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Engine · TX

Throttle body stopped working car went in to limp Mode on high way randomly multiple times till it finally just gave out randomly again on highway. Could no longer drive had to drive at 5mph to nearest dealer

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The engine of my 2023 Toyota Tundra failed at approximately 34,500 miles. The failure involved sudden loss of oil pressure and severe internal damage, with metal shavings found in the oil and oil filter. The oil filter itself detached during the incident and was later recovered with metallic debris inside. The vehicle and the recovered filter are available for inspection upon request. While accelerating from a stop light on a busy morning public road, the engine suddenly lost power, illuminated multiple warning lamps, and entered limp mode with “low oil pressure” and “engine malfunction” messages. The truck rapidly leaked oil, creating a roadway hazard and putting me, my wife & son, and other drivers at risk of accident. I was able to limp the vehicle home .5 miles from the incident at reduced speed, but complete engine seizure was a possibility. Toyota of Fort Walton Beach inspected the vehicle, confirmed metal shavings in the oil pan, documented codes P05202 and P052049 (low oil pressure and oil pressure sensor stuck in range), and noted “oil was very metallic.” The vehicle was inspected by Toyota dealership technicians and corporate representatives. I also have possession of the oil filter and photos/videos from the inspection. At the moment of failure, the dash displayed low oil pressure, check engine light, and a message regarding engine/electronic malfunction. Prior to this event, there were no warning signs — the truck had been serviced two weeks earlier at 33,360 miles, and I drove approximately 1,200 miles without incident until the catastrophic failure. This failure matches the description in Toyota Recall 24V‑381. My vehicle’s build date (February 27, 2023) is less than two weeks outside the published recall production window, yet the symptoms and inspection results are identical. I respectfully request the federal safety agency investigate whether additional 2023 Toyota Tundra vehicles outside the current recall window are affected, as my case demonstrates the same hazards.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Engine · AZ

I have lost engine power while driving highway speeds on more than one occasion. There is no consistency on when this condition occurs. The engine light comes on and the engine goes into limp mode. Under the current circumstances, my Tundra is unsafe and poses a hazard to me and communities at large. This is because there is something faulty with my Tundra that is causing the sudden loss of engine power. Once I pull to the side of the highway, turn off the engine, then restart the Tundra the engine light goes away and the truck operates normally and does not register a fault code.