Toyota Tundra Engine Replacement Cost: A Complete 2026 Breakdown

How Much Does a Toyota Tundra Engine Replacement Cost?

Quick answer: A Toyota Tundra engine replacement costs about $4,000–$9,000 installed for the older V8s using a used engine, and $8,000–$14,000 with a remanufactured unit. The 2022+ 3.4L twin-turbo V35A runs $15,000–$25,000 out of warranty, so check the recall first.

Figures are approximate 2026 US market ranges. Labor assumes a $150/hr independent shop rate; dealer rates of $180–$220/hr push totals higher. Add $300–$1,000 for fluids, gaskets, a water pump, spark plugs and a flush, which any good shop will quote alongside the engine.

Check The V35A Recall Before You Pay Anything

If you own a 2022–2024 Tundra with the twin-turbo V6, a failed engine may cost you nothing. Toyota has filed three recalls on the V35A since 2024, and the free remedy in every case is either an inspection or a new engine.

Which Tundras are affected

The recalls cover 2022–2024 Tundra, 2022–2024 Lexus LX and 2024 Lexus GX models with the V35A. They were issued in three waves:

With the May 2026 expansion, more than 270,000 vehicles have now been recalled.

What goes wrong: machining debris on the #1 main bearing

During manufacturing at Toyota's Alabama engine plant, metal machining debris (swarf) could be left inside the engine. That debris sticks to the #1 main bearing at the front of the crankshaft and wears it out. Symptoms are a knock, rough running, a no-start, or a stall while driving. If you hear a knock, stop driving as soon as it is safe and call a dealer; driving on a failing bearing can turn a free repair into a fight about "owner damage."

Inspection vs guaranteed replacement: who gets a new engine

This is the part many owners miss. Only trucks in the first recall (24V-381) are guaranteed a new engine, and Toyota says more than 70,000 have already been swapped.

Trucks in the 2025 and 2026 recalls get a software inspection first. The dealer measures the resonant frequency at the front of the crankshaft and reviews the truck's drive data. If the software cannot confirm the bearing is healthy, or there isn't enough drive data, the engine is replaced free.

That answers the common worry: "My truck passed the inspection, what if it blows after warranty?" Toyota's official line is that owners with a later failure should contact their dealer. A recall remedy does not expire with the factory warranty, so a bearing failure traced to this defect should still be a recall repair. Keep the inspection paperwork; it is your evidence.

How to check your VIN and what paperwork to keep

Enter your 17-digit VIN on Toyota's owner site or at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call Toyota on 800-331-4331. Then keep a folder with:

• The recall notice letter and campaign number (for example 25TA14/25TB14 for the November 2025 recall)
• The dealer repair order showing the inspection result or engine swap
• The replacement engine's serial number, if you got one
• Oil change receipts, which prove maintenance if a claim is disputed

Engines built after the July 2024 #1 main bearing redesign, and every replacement engine, use the updated bearing and are not part of any recall.

Which Engine Is In Your Tundra?

The engine decides the bill more than anything else. Check the 8th character of your VIN or the sticker under the hood, then find your engine below.

4.7L 2UZ-FE V8 (2000–2009)

The first-generation Tundra's iron-block V8 is one of Toyota's toughest engines, and 300,000-mile examples are common. It uses a timing belt, so a snapped belt on this interference engine is a frequent reason owners need a replacement. Used engines are plentiful and cheap, which makes it the least expensive Tundra engine to replace.

5.7L 3UR-FE V8 (2007–2021)

The 5.7 i-Force powered most second-generation Tundras and is widely rated as the most durable modern Toyota V8. Failures are rare and usually come from overheating, oil starvation or neglected maintenance rather than a design flaw. Because Toyota built so many, used and remanufactured units are easy to find.

4.6L 1UR-FE V8 (2010–2019)

The 4.6 was the smaller V8 option in second-generation trucks. It shares its basic design and timing chain with the 5.7, and parts are affordable. Fewer trucks carried it, so used engines are a little harder to source than a 5.7.

3.4L twin-turbo V35A and i-Force Max hybrid (2022 onward)

Every third-generation Tundra uses the 3.4L (Toyota's marketing figure for 3,445 cc) V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6. The i-Force is the standard version; the i-Force Max adds a motor-generator between engine and transmission. It is the most expensive Tundra engine to replace by a wide margin, and the only one with an active recall.

Tundra Engine Replacement Cost By Model Year

Older V8 trucks are the cheapest to re-engine; 2022–2024 trucks are the most expensive but the most likely to be covered by Toyota. Prices below are for a used engine with a 90-day to 1-year warranty, installed at an independent shop.

Where two engines are listed, the lower end of each range is usually the smaller V8. Some 2007–2014 trucks also had the 4.0L 1GR-FE V6, which costs roughly the same as a 4.6 to replace. All prices are approximate and vary with mileage, region and warranty length.

Buying a Used 2022–2024 Tundra? Ask for the Engine Replacement Record

A used 2022 Tundra can be a safe buy, and one that already has a replacement engine is often the safest of all. Replacement V35A engines carry the redesigned #1 main bearing, and Toyota says those trucks don't need the new inspection.

Before you buy, ask the seller or dealer for three things:

1. A VIN recall check showing each campaign as "remedy complete" or "no open recalls"
2. The dealer repair order for the engine swap or the inspection result
3. The service history, including oil changes at Toyota's recommended interval

An open recall isn't a deal-breaker, but price it in. Some trucks have open V35A recalls, which pushes down private-sale values and gives you room to negotiate.

Not sure what's in your truck? Send us your VIN and we'll tell you what's in it: engine code, recall status, whether the engine has been replaced, and a price range for replacement if you ever need one. Call 1-800-606-1107.

Replace, Rebuild or Swap: Which Is Cheaper?

For most Tundras, a used engine is the cheapest fix, a rebuild is the best value if the block is sound, and a reman is the safest long-term bet. If you're comparing replacement options, explore our Toyota used engines to find an engine matched to your vehicle.

A rebuild only makes sense when a machinist confirms the block and crank can be saved. On a V35A with a destroyed main bearing, debris often scores the crank and block, so rebuilding is rarely cheaper than replacing.

Engine swaps between generations (for example, a 5.7 V8 into a 2022+ truck) are covered in the FAQ; the short version is that they are not a cost-saving option.

How Much of the Bill Is Labor, and How Long Is the Truck Off the Road?

Labor is usually 25–40% of the bill on a V8 Tundra and 15–25% on a V35A, where the engine itself costs more. The engine comes out from the top on most trucks, but the V35A's turbos, intercooler plumbing and tighter packaging add hours.

Downtime is driven more by parts than by the wrench time. A used 5.7 can arrive in two or three days; a new V35A long block has at times taken weeks during the recall. Ask the shop for a written parts ETA and whether they will cover a rental.

Used, Remanufactured or New: Three Routes Priced Side by Side

Used is cheapest, reman gives the best warranty per dollar, and new makes sense mainly on late-model trucks or when Toyota is paying.

For the V35A, a used engine carries an extra risk: it may be a pre-redesign unit with the original #1 main bearing. Ask for the donor VIN and check it against the recall before you buy.

Is It Worth Replacing the Engine, or Selling the Truck?

For most Tundras, replacing the engine wins, because the trucks hold their value so well. The usual rule of thumb is to walk away when the repair costs more than half the truck's running value, and a Tundra rarely hits that line.

Work it through with three numbers:

1. Value with a good engine. Check Kelley Blue Book or local listings for your year, trim and mileage.
2. Value with a dead engine. Non-running trucks usually sell for 30–50% of the running value.
3. Repair cost. Use the tables above.

If value-with-good-engine minus repair cost is higher than the dead-engine value, replace. Example: a 2016 Tundra 5.7 worth $24,000 running sells for about $9,000 with a blown engine. A $7,500 used-engine swap leaves you with a $24,000 truck for a total outlay of $7,500, so replacing wins by roughly $7,500.

The answer can flip to "sell" when the frame has serious rust (common on 2000–2010 trucks), the transmission is also worn, or the truck is past 300,000 miles with other big repairs looming.

Buying a Used Tundra Engine: 7 Things to Confirm First

A cheap used engine can become an expensive mistake. Confirm these seven points before any money changes hands. Not sure which engine matches your Tundra? Contact our team for help finding the right engine before placing your order.

1. Exact engine code and year match

Match the engine code (2UZ-FE, 1UR-FE, 3UR-FE, V35A-FTS) and the model-year range. Sensors, harness connectors and emissions parts can change between years.

2. Verified mileage and donor VIN

Ask for the donor vehicle's VIN and odometer reading. A reputable seller provides both, and the VIN lets you check the donor's recall and accident history.

3. Compression or leak-down test results

Request a compression test on all cylinders, or a video of the engine running before it was pulled. Readings should be even across cylinders.

4. Warranty length and what it covers

Look for at least 90 days, ideally 6–12 months. Check whether the warranty pays labor on a second swap, or only the part.

5. Signs of overheating or oil starvation

Inspect for milky oil, discolored metal, sludge under the valve covers or a scored oil pickup. These point to a hard life.

6. What's included

Confirm whether you're getting a long block, or an engine with intake, accessories, turbos (on a V35A) and wiring. Missing pieces add hundreds or thousands.

7. Shipping, core charge and return terms

Freight on an engine often runs $200–$500, and many sellers charge a core deposit refunded when your old engine is returned.

Is a hybrid V35A interchangeable with the non-hybrid?

Not directly. The i-Force Max hybrid uses the same V35A family, but it bolts to a motor-generator and clutch assembly between engine and transmission, with different calibration and accessories. Treat the hybrid and non-hybrid engines as separate part numbers and buy the one that matches your truck.

What Else Fails Around the Engine

Not every no-start or check-engine light means a dead engine. Looking at common issues across Toyota models? Read our guide to Toyota Prius problems for a closer look at common Prius issues and symptoms. These three parts fail often on Tundras and cost a fraction of an engine:

• Secondary air injection pump (2012+ 5.7L): a common limp-mode trigger on cold starts, often misread as an engine fault.
• Water pump: a weeping pump leads to overheating, which is one of the main killers of 5.7 V8s.
• Starter: a clicking no-start on 2007–2021 trucks is usually the starter, which sits under the intake manifold.

Get a proper diagnosis, including an oil analysis or cylinder leak-down test, before agreeing to an engine replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Replacing a Toyota Tundra engine in 2026 can cost $4,000 to $25,000, depending on your engine and whether you go used, remanufactured or new. If you drive a 2022–2024 Tundra, check your VIN for the V35A recall first, because Toyota might cover a new engine for you. For V8 owners, a quality used engine is usually the smartest way to save, and Premium Used Auto Parts can help you find the right match. Get a proper diagnosis first, because a smaller part can sometimes mimic engine failure.