# Toyota Tundra brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 47 - **Most complaints:** 2023 (10) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 47 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Toyota Tundra (2015-2026 models), most for the **2023** model year (10). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Toyota Tundra brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 1 | 120 | 1% | | 2017 | 3 | 78 | 4% | | 2018 | 9 | 100 | 9% | | 2019 | 4 | 74 | 5% | | 2022 | 6 | 432 | 1% | | 2023 | 10 | 412 | 2% | | 2024 | 7 | 351 | 2% | | 2025 | 7 | 141 | 5% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Toyota Tundra recalls related to the brake warning light **[22V661000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V661000)** (2022 models, reported 2022-09-01): An electronic parking brake that cannot be engaged while in "park," may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will reprogram the Skid Control ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota Tundra owners report - "And the traffic was pretty heavy, but if I really put on the grass, I'd be able to get into my lane no problem and as I was going to get into the lane and merge in the traffic, the gas shut off the brake warning went on because cars were coming at me to my left. I believe it's the Toyota safety sense that stopped..." -- owner of a 2025 Toyota Tundra, complaint filed 2025 - "During the failure the "brake" waring message had also displayed. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent and had only occurred while towing the boat. The local dealer was notified of the problem but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 1,000." -- owner of a 2024 Toyota Tundra, complaint filed 2026 - "I did explain that I had the "Reduced Engine Power" and "Brake System Malfunction" warning light that, through my research, have been experienced with other Tundra owners when they had "engine failures."" -- owner of a 2023 Toyota Tundra, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Toyota Tundra brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (22V661000) covering 2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota Tundra years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2018, 2023 and 2024 Tundra model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 10 for 2023. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Tundra with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Toyota Tundra has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Toyota Tundra warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-tundra): 7 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-tundra): 74 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-tundra): 13 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/toyota-tundra): 11 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-tundra): 28 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-tundra): 14 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Toyota Tundra - [Toyota Tundra specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-tundra) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-tundra Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.