If your Toyota Tundra engine is knocking, first separate a brief light ping under load from a deep RPM-linked mechanical knock or a one-time startup clunk. A deep, rhythmic knock, an oil-pressure warning, a flashing check-engine light, rough running, stalling, no-start, overheating, or power loss means shut the engine down and arrange a tow. Mild load-only pinging can come from fuel quality, insufficient octane, a lean mixture, or ignition and combustion-control faults, although Toyota owner guidance notes that an occasional brief light knock during acceleration or uphill driving can occur without indicating a problem. If the truck is a 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundra, check its VIN for the V35A engine-debris recalls before approving major paid repairs; those campaigns do not cover every truck from those model years.
By: [VERIFY: add the real author name and relevant automotive credentials before publishing] · Last updated: September 16, 2026
Quick Answer
A Toyota Tundra engine knock is urgent when it is deep, rhythmic, linked to RPM, present at idle, or accompanied by low oil pressure, rough running, stalling, no-start, overheating, power loss, or warning lights. Stop driving and tow the truck in those conditions. For mild load-only pinging, check oil level, the required fuel octane, stored codes, and ignition or air/fuel data. A brief light knock only during acceleration or uphill driving can occur without indicating a fault, but persistent, heavy, or steady knock needs diagnosis. If you have a 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundra, check the VIN for NHTSA recalls 24V-381, 25V-767, or 26V-320; the applicable remedy depends on the exact campaign and VIN.
Key Takeaways
- A persistent sharp ping under acceleration can point toward combustion, fuel, or mixture control. A deep lower-engine knock is more serious.
- Certain 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundras are covered by three related federal engine-debris campaigns, with later campaigns expanding to additional production groups. Model year alone does not confirm coverage, so check the VIN.
- Some 2022–2023 Tundras can have a separate loud pop/clunk immediately after initial startup that Toyota addresses in T-SB-0110-22 with a TCM calibration procedure; this is not the same diagnosis as a repetitive internal-engine knock.
- Low oil level or pressure, degraded oil, worn internal parts, bad fuel, lean mixtures, ignition faults, exhaust leaks, and accessory-drive parts can cause or mimic knocking.
- Do not erase diagnostic codes, repeatedly rev the engine, add thick oil to hide the noise, or reproduce the symptom by towing.
- Stop driving and tow the truck if the knock is loud, deep, worsening, RPM-linked, or paired with warning lights, rough running, stalling, no-start, overheating, or power loss.
Generation check: The three engine-debris recalls discussed here apply to certain 2022–2024 conventional-gas V35A Tundras. If you have an older Tundra or an i-FORCE MAX hybrid, these three campaigns do not by themselves establish engine-debris recall coverage. A separate Toyota bulletin, T-SB-0110-22, applies to some 2022–2023 Tundras with a loud pop/clunk from under the vehicle immediately after initial engine start. Use the same safety triage, then diagnose oil, fuel, ignition, exhaust or accessory, drivetrain, and internal-engine causes. Always confirm open recalls by VIN.
Warning: Do not keep driving a Tundra with a deep lower-engine knock, an oil-pressure warning, a flashing check-engine light, rough running, stalling, a no-start condition, overheating, or loss of power. Shut the engine down when it is safe and arrange a tow.
Is Toyota Tundra Engine Knock Dangerous? Quick Triage
Use the sound, timing, model year, and accompanying symptoms to judge urgency. Sound alone cannot identify the failed part, but it can tell you whether to continue basic checks or stop the engine.
| What You Hear or Feel | Likely Direction | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Brief, light ping only during acceleration or uphill driving | Can occur normally for a short time; persistent pinging can involve fuel quality, octane, deposits, mixture, temperature, or timing control | Confirm the required fuel and monitor it. Diagnose the truck if the ping is heavy, steady, persistent, worsening, or paired with another symptom |
| Ticking at cold start that fades | Oil drain-back, valvetrain noise, injector noise, or an exhaust leak | Check oil level and service history; arrange inspection if the sound grows louder or lasts longer |
| Single loud pop/clunk from under a 2022–2023 Tundra immediately after initial startup | Toyota T-SB-0110-22 may apply; the bulletin addresses a startup pop/clunk through TCM calibration logic | Ask a Toyota dealer to check the bulletin, VIN applicability, and current TCM calibration instead of assuming the engine itself is knocking |
| Tinny rattle or chirp near belts or the exhaust | Belt, tensioner, idler pulley, heat shield, or exhaust component | Inspect the accessory drive and exhaust; do not assume the sound comes from inside the engine |
| Deep knock that rises with RPM | Possible rod bearing, main bearing, piston, or other internal damage | Stop driving and tow the truck for diagnosis |
| Knock plus rough running, stalling, no-start, CEL, or power loss | Serious mechanical, ignition, fuel, or recall-related issue | Shut down, tow it, save codes, and check recall status before approving paid engine work |
| 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundra with knock, rough running, no-start, or power loss | Possible V35A engine-debris recall condition | Check the VIN through Toyota and NHTSA, then contact a Toyota dealer for the current campaign procedure |
At a Glance
| Time Required | A few minutes for oil, code, VIN, and recording checks; professional diagnosis varies by test |
| Difficulty | Easy for oil, fuel, code, recall, and recording checks; advanced for oil-pressure or internal-engine testing |
| Tools Needed | Dipstick, flashlight, OBD-II scanner, phone recording, and service records |
| Possible Cost | From fuel or ignition service to major engine repair; eligible recall work is performed without charge under the applicable campaign |
Verification note: This guide was rechecked September 16, 2026 against Toyota owner information, Toyota and NHTSA recall records including the amended 25V-767 and 26V-320 Part 573 reports, Toyota T-SB-0110-22, and current RepairPal estimator data. It cannot diagnose an individual truck by sound alone, so VIN-specific recall information and test results should control repair decisions.
Is Your 2022–2024 Gas Tundra Covered by an Engine Recall?
Certain 2022–2024 conventional-gas Toyota Tundras are included in three related federal recalls involving specific V35A engines that may contain manufacturing debris. Toyota and NHTSA state that the condition can lead to engine knocking, rough running, a no-start condition, an engine stall, and loss of motive power. These recalls apply to defined VIN and production groups, not every Tundra from those model years.
Recall 24V-381 covers certain 2022–2023 Tundras and calls for free engine-assembly replacement. The current amended NHTSA report for 25V-767 and amended NHTSA report for 26V-320 say dealers evaluate the #1 main bearing using inspection software and collect available vehicle drive data. If the software cannot confirm that the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear caused by this issue, the dealer replaces the engine. The recall remedy is provided free of charge. Enter the VIN in Toyota’s and NHTSA’s recall tools, then ask the dealer to identify the exact campaign and current procedure for that truck.
Source update: Toyota’s original November 2025 announcement for the later recall and its May 2026 announcement for the additional 2024 group were published while remedies were still being developed. Amended NHTSA Part 573 reports now describe the #1 main-bearing inspection and engine-replacement process for 25V-767 and 26V-320. If an older article or PDF still says “remedy under development,” use the current VIN lookup and the latest campaign documents.
| NHTSA Recall | Tundra Coverage | Owner Action |
|---|---|---|
| 24V-381 | Certain 2022–2023 conventional-gas Tundras | Toyota’s published remedy calls for engine-assembly replacement free of charge. Confirm eligibility by VIN. |
| 25V-767 | Certain additional 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundras | Check the VIN. The amended NHTSA report calls for #1 main-bearing evaluation using inspection software and available drive data, with engine replacement when the software cannot confirm the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear from this issue. Repairs are free. |
| 26V-320 | Certain additional 2024 non-hybrid Tundras | Check the VIN. The amended NHTSA report calls for #1 main-bearing evaluation using inspection software and available drive data, with engine replacement when the software cannot confirm the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear from this issue. Repairs are free. |
Note: These related engine-debris campaigns apply to specific conventional-gas V35A engines and production periods. Do not assume that every 2022–2024 Tundra is included or that every covered truck receives the same repair path. A current VIN lookup and campaign-specific dealer procedure control.
Use these steps:
- Find the 17-digit VIN on the driver-side dash, door jamb, registration, or insurance card.
- Search it on the Toyota recall lookup and the NHTSA recall lookup.
- If an engine recall appears, call a Toyota dealer and describe the knock, rough running, stalling, no-start, warning lights, or power loss.
- Ask the service adviser to write down the NHTSA campaign number, Toyota campaign number, remedy status, and current procedure for your VIN.
- Do not approve paid teardown or engine replacement until the dealer documents whether recall or warranty coverage applies.
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Detonation vs. Mechanical Knock: How Can You Tell the Difference?
The first split is combustion knock versus mechanical knock. Combustion knock is a sharp ping or rattle caused by abnormal combustion. Mechanical knock is physical impact or excessive movement between engine parts.
What Does Each Type of Knock Sound Like?
Detonation or pinging usually sounds sharp, light, and metallic. It often appears during acceleration, climbing, towing, or hot-weather load. Fuel below the required octane, poor-quality fuel, carbon deposits, lean air/fuel mixtures, overheating, or ignition-control faults can make it worse. Toyota specifies unleaded gasoline rated 87 octane or higher for the 2024 Tundra and warns that persistent knocking needs attention. Toyota’s Tundra owner guidance also notes that a brief, occasional light knock during acceleration or uphill driving can occur without indicating a problem. Persistent, heavy, or steady knock is different and should be diagnosed. The dedicated Toyota Tundra octane guide explains fuel requirements in more detail.
Mechanical knock is usually deeper, more rhythmic, and closely tied to engine speed. If it is loud at idle, gets faster with RPM, or sounds strongest near the lower engine or oil-pan area, treat it as serious until a technician rules out bearing or other internal damage.
How Does the Noise Respond to Throttle?
Do not floor the accelerator to test a knock. Instead, note when it happens:
- At idle
- Only during the first cold start
- After the engine warms fully
- During light acceleration
- During heavy acceleration, towing, or climbing
- During deceleration
- When shifting into Drive or Reverse
A brief light ping during acceleration or uphill driving is not the same as a persistent heavy ping. Persistent load-related pinging points toward combustion, fuel, temperature, or mixture control. A deep knock that continues at idle or follows RPM is more concerning.
Where Does the Sound Seem to Come From?
Use your ears carefully, but keep hands, clothing, hair, and tools away from moving belts and fans. A top-end tick may come from injectors, valvetrain parts, or exhaust leaks. A front-engine rattle may come from a belt tensioner, idler pulley, heat shield, or accessory. A deep thud near the lower engine can point toward crankshaft, connecting-rod, or main-bearing problems.
Pro Tip: Record the sound from inside the cab, near the front grille, and from each side of the engine bay. State the engine temperature, approximate RPM, gear, fuel used, and whether the truck is under load. This helps a shop reproduce the symptom.
Could a 2022–2023 Tundra Startup Pop/Clunk Be a TCM Issue?
Yes. Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0110-22 covers some 2022–2023 Tundras that may produce a loud pop or clunk from under the vehicle immediately after initial engine start, typically after the truck has not been started for an extended period. Toyota’s bulletin addresses this condition with modified Transmission Control Module logic and instructs technicians to verify the applicable calibration before reprogramming the TCM.
This startup condition is different from a deep, repetitive knock that continues while the engine runs and speeds up with RPM. A TSB also is not the same as a safety recall, so ask the dealer to confirm bulletin applicability, calibration status, warranty coverage, and any charge before authorizing work.
What Should You Avoid While Diagnosing the Noise?
- Do not repeatedly rev a loud or deep knock.
- Do not tow, haul, or climb a grade just to reproduce the sound.
- Do not erase codes or disconnect the battery before saving codes and freeze-frame data.
- Do not add thick oil or an additive simply to quiet the noise.
- Do not reach near belts, fans, pulleys, or hot exhaust parts.
What Causes a Toyota Tundra Engine to Knock?
Several faults can create a knock, ping, tick, rattle, or clunk. Start with safety-critical and easy-to-confirm checks before assuming the engine needs replacement.
- Low oil level or low oil pressure: Insufficient lubrication can make bearings, valvetrain parts, chains, and other moving components noisy. Shut the engine off if the oil-pressure warning appears.
- Degraded, contaminated, or incorrect oil: Oil that is overdue, diluted, sludged, or outside Toyota’s specification may affect lubrication and startup noise. Use the specification listed for your model year.
- Fuel quality or insufficient octane: Poor fuel or fuel below the required octane can cause persistent or heavy pinging. Use the fuel specified by Toyota and note whether the symptom began after a fill-up.
- Lean air/fuel mixture: Intake leaks, weak fuel delivery, incorrect airflow data, exhaust leaks ahead of a sensor, or injector faults can raise combustion temperature. P0171 or P0174 may appear.
- Spark-plug or ignition faults: Worn plugs, an incorrect plug, damaged insulation, coil faults, or wiring problems can produce misfires and rough noises. See the dedicated Tundra misfire guide for deeper testing.
- Knock-sensor or control-circuit fault: Knock-related DTCs vary by engine and model year. Examples can include P0324, P0325, P0326 and additional bank- or sensor-specific codes. A code does not prove that the sensor itself has failed, so verify the exact Toyota definition and inspect wiring and engine operation before replacing parts.
- Timing-chain, valvetrain, or oiling noise: A startup rattle or top-end tick may require timing, lubrication, or valvetrain inspection.
- Exhaust leak or loose heat shield: A sharp tick that changes as the engine warms, or a tinny rattle at a narrow RPM range, may come from the exhaust rather than inside the engine.
- Rod bearing, main bearing, piston, or internal wear: A deep rhythmic knock that follows RPM requires prompt professional diagnosis.
- Accessory pulleys and belt tensioners: A chirp, rattle, or fast metallic sound from the front of the engine may come from the accessory drive.
- 2022–2023 startup pop/clunk covered by Toyota T-SB-0110-22: A single loud clunk from under the vehicle immediately after initial startup may require a TCM calibration check rather than internal-engine repair.
- Recall-related engine debris on certain 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundras: If the VIN is included, follow the campaign-specific Toyota dealer procedure before major paid work. Recall 24V-381 uses engine-assembly replacement; amended reports for 25V-767 and 26V-320 use a #1 main-bearing inspection process with engine replacement when the software cannot confirm the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear from this issue.
What Can You Safely Check Now?
These checks are suitable for many owners when the truck is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and the engine does not have severe symptoms. Do not keep a loud knocking engine running simply to complete the list.
Check Engine Oil
Start with the oil level. Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, and check it again. Then look for a burnt smell, metallic particles, thick sludge, foam, or a milky appearance. Oil color alone does not confirm a problem.
- Top up only with the correct specification for your model year.
- Do not overfill the engine.
- If the oil-pressure warning is on, shut the engine off and tow the truck.
- If you see metal on the dipstick or in the drained oil or filter, ask the shop to document it with photographs.
- Do not use thicker oil or an additive to hide a mechanical knock.
Inspect Ignition Symptoms and Battery Connections
A weak battery is not a normal cause of true engine knock. However, loose terminals or low voltage can contribute to hard starts and unstable operation. Check for loose or corroded battery connections, then focus on ignition symptoms.
If you are trained and comfortable removing spark plugs, inspect them for oil fouling, heavy deposits, blistered tips, cracked insulation, or the wrong part type. Otherwise, ask a shop to inspect the plugs and coils while reviewing cylinder-specific misfire data.
Scan Codes Before Clearing Anything
Use an OBD-II scanner and save every stored, pending, and permanent code. Save freeze-frame data when the scanner supports it. Useful directions include:
- Knock-related DTCs: definitions vary by Tundra engine and model year. P0324, P0325, and P0326 are examples of generic knock-control or knock-sensor directions, while other Tundra engines use additional bank- and sensor-specific codes. Confirm every definition against service information for the exact engine.
- P0171, P0174: lean air/fuel mixture direction
- P0300 and cylinder-specific P030x codes: random, multiple-cylinder, or cylinder-specific misfire direction; the available cylinder range depends on the engine
- Oil-pressure, camshaft, or crankshaft correlation faults: possible lubrication, timing, sensor, or mechanical direction
Do not replace a sensor based on the code name alone. A code identifies the system that detected a fault, not automatically the failed part.
Verify Fuel Quality
If the knock began immediately after a fill-up, note the station, fuel grade, date, and amount added. Toyota specifies unleaded gasoline rated 87 octane or higher for the 2024 Tundra. A brief light knock during acceleration or uphill driving can occur, but persistent, heavy, or steady knock on the correct fuel warrants diagnosis. Avoid heavy load and tell the technician exactly when the symptom began.
Record the Noise and Create a Symptom Log
Record a short video while the truck is parked safely. Capture idle, a single gentle rise toward 1,500–2,000 RPM only if the sound is mild, and the engine bay from a safe distance. Do not repeatedly rev a deep or loud knock. If the noise appears only under load, describe the condition instead of recreating it.
| Symptom Detail | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Engine temperature | Cold start, warming up, or fully warm |
| RPM and load | Idle RPM, noise RPM, Park or Drive, level road or hill |
| Warning indicators | Oil pressure, flashing or steady CEL, temperature warning, reduced-power message |
| Fuel | Octane, station, fill date, and whether the noise began afterward |
| Oil | Level, last service, smell, sludge, milkiness, or metallic particles |
| Diagnostic data | Stored, pending, permanent codes and freeze-frame data |
When Should You Stop Driving and Tow the Tundra?
Stop driving and tow the Tundra if any of these conditions apply:
- The knock is deep, loud, and rhythmic. This can point to lower-engine or bearing damage.
- The knock follows engine RPM. A sound that speeds up with the engine is more concerning than a random trim or shield rattle.
- The oil-pressure warning is on. Continued running can cause rapid lubrication damage.
- The check-engine light is flashing. A severe active misfire can quickly overheat and damage the catalytic converter.
- The truck loses power, runs rough, stalls, or will not restart. These are serious symptoms and also appear in Toyota’s engine-debris recall descriptions.
- You find metal in the oil or filter. Do not continue driving while bearing or other internal wear is possible.
- The knock began after overheating. Excess heat can damage pistons, bearings, cylinder sealing, and other engine parts.
If low oil pressure, severe misfire, internal bearing damage, or a recall-related engine failure is possible, towing avoids adding engine load before the cause is diagnosed.
What Should a Dealer or Mechanic Test?
Describe the sound clearly and ask for a written diagnostic plan. For a 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundra, ask the Toyota dealer to identify the exact recall campaign and campaign-specific repair path before any paid teardown. For a qualifying 2022–2023 startup pop/clunk, also ask whether T-SB-0110-22 applies and whether the truck has the current TCM calibration.
Ask the shop to inspect or document:
- Recall and warranty status: VIN lookup, NHTSA and Toyota campaign numbers, current remedy status, and whether the symptoms match the campaign description.
- 2022–2023 startup pop/clunk: if the noise occurs immediately after initial startup from under the vehicle, ask whether T-SB-0110-22 applies and whether the TCM calibration is current.
- Stored, pending, and permanent codes: request the scan report and freeze-frame data.
- Oil level, mechanical oil pressure, and oil condition: include filter inspection for metal when internal damage is suspected.
- Fuel trims and live data: short-term and long-term fuel trims can help identify mixture faults.
- Ignition and misfire data: plugs, coils, cylinder contribution, and misfire counters.
- Knock-sensor data and wiring: especially when a knock-control or knock-sensor DTC appears.
- Accessory drive and exhaust: belt, pulleys, tensioner, accessories, heat shields, and exhaust leaks.
- Compression or leakdown testing: useful when rough running, repeated misfires, or mechanical damage is suspected.
- Borescope inspection: useful for piston, cylinder-wall, or foreign-object concerns.
- Engine teardown authorization: do not approve teardown until recall, warranty, diagnostic coverage, and financial responsibility are clear.
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What Can Toyota Tundra Knock Repairs Cost?
Costs vary by model year, engine, labor rate, location, taxes, fees, and related damage. The RepairPal figures below were checked September 16, 2026 and are listed by RepairPal as last updated September 3, 2026. They are planning figures, not diagnoses or guaranteed quotes. Confirm the cause before authorizing a replacement part.
| Likely Cause | Confirmation and Repair Direction | Planning Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bad fuel or insufficient octane | Confirm the required fuel, record the fill-up, avoid heavy load, and test further if persistent or heavy pinging remains | Fuel cost only unless diagnosis or fuel-system service is required |
| Spark plugs or ignition issue | Inspect plug condition and type, review misfire data, and test coils before replacement | RepairPal’s September 3, 2026 estimate is $279–$410 overall. Its 2025–2026 estimate is $432–$557, while 2022–2024 is $478–$603. |
| Lean mixture | Smoke-test the intake, verify fuel delivery, inspect airflow data, fuel trims, exhaust leaks, and injector operation; do not assume an oxygen sensor is the cause | No single repair range applies because the cause can be an intake leak, fuel-delivery fault, airflow issue, injector problem, exhaust leak, sensor fault, or another condition |
| Confirmed oxygen-sensor failure | Confirm sensor operation and rule out intake, exhaust, wiring, contamination, and mixture faults before replacement | RepairPal’s September 3, 2026 oxygen-sensor estimate is $458–$525 overall. Its 2022–2026 estimate is $565–$611. |
| Knock sensor or knock-control fault | Test the sensor circuit, wiring, and engine operation instead of replacing the sensor from the code name alone | RepairPal’s September 3, 2026 estimate is $574–$916 overall. Its 2026 estimate is $1,091–$1,656, while 2022–2025 is $1,091–$1,867. |
| Accessory pulley, tensioner, exhaust rattle, or startup clunk | Isolate the accessory drive, inspect heat shields and exhaust joints, and check T-SB-0110-22 where applicable before replacing parts | Varies by the confirmed cause and coverage; obtain a written, repair-specific estimate |
| Rod bearing, main bearing, or internal engine damage | Mechanical oil-pressure testing, filter inspection, borescope work, teardown, rebuild, short block, or engine replacement | No single national range is reliable across generations and damage levels; obtain a written quote after the failure is confirmed and check recall or warranty coverage first |
| Recall-related machining debris | Toyota dealer verification and the current remedy for the exact VIN and campaign | Eligible recall work is performed without charge under the applicable campaign |
Note: If a shop recommends an engine, oxygen sensor, knock sensor, or other expensive part, ask which test confirmed that component. A code or noise description alone is not a complete diagnosis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Toyota Tundra engine knocking?
Possible causes include low oil level or pressure, degraded or incorrect oil, poor fuel, abnormal combustion, a lean air/fuel mixture, ignition faults, knock-control faults, exhaust or accessory noise, and worn internal engine parts. Certain 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundras should also be checked for an engine-debris recall by VIN.
How do I get my Tundra engine to stop knocking?
Check oil level, warning lights, fuel quality, stored codes, and recall status first. Then diagnose the confirmed fuel, ignition, mixture, sensor, accessory, exhaust, oil-pressure, drivetrain, or mechanical cause. Do not use thick oil or additives to hide a deep knock.
Can I drive a Tundra with engine knock?
Do not drive when the sound is deep, loud, persistent, worsening, or linked to RPM, or when low oil pressure, a flashing check-engine light, rough running, stalling, no-start, overheating, or power loss appears. A direct low-load trip for diagnosis may be reasonable only when the sound is clearly mild load-only pinging, the oil level is safe, and no warning or drivability symptom is present.
Is a brief light knock under acceleration always a problem?
Not necessarily. Toyota’s Tundra owner guidance notes that an occasional light knock for a short time during acceleration or uphill driving can occur without indicating a problem. Persistent, heavy, steady, worsening, or RPM-linked knock is different and should be diagnosed, especially when warning lights, rough running, overheating, stalling, or power loss are present.
What does rod or main-bearing knock sound like in a Tundra?
Bearing knock is commonly described as a deep, rhythmic metallic thud that follows engine RPM and may remain audible at idle. Sound alone cannot confirm a bearing failure, so stop driving and request oil-pressure testing, oil-filter inspection, and professional mechanical diagnosis.
Can bad gasoline cause a Tundra to knock?
Yes. Fuel below the required octane, contaminated fuel, or poor-quality fuel can contribute to persistent or heavy metallic pinging under load. Use the fuel specified for your model year, avoid heavy acceleration, and arrange diagnosis if the sound continues after the fuel concern is addressed.
What is the 2022–2023 Tundra startup pop/clunk TSB?
Toyota T-SB-0110-22 addresses some 2022–2023 Tundras that produce a loud pop or clunk from under the vehicle immediately after initial engine start, typically after the truck has sat for an extended period. Toyota’s bulletin uses a TCM calibration procedure. This is a technical service bulletin rather than an engine-debris safety recall, so ask a dealer to confirm applicability and calibration status for the truck.
Is a Tundra knock sensor expensive to replace?
It can be. RepairPal’s September 3, 2026 estimate lists $574–$916 overall. Its 2026 estimate is $1,091–$1,656, while 2022–2025 is $1,091–$1,867. Diagnose the sensor circuit, wiring, and engine condition before replacing the sensor.
Do Toyota Tundra engine recalls cover knocking?
Toyota and NHTSA engine-debris recall notices for certain conventional-gas Tundras mention possible knocking, rough running, no-start, stalling, and loss of motive power. Coverage and the repair path depend on the exact VIN and campaign, so check Toyota and NHTSA recall records before approving major engine work.
Does every 2022–2024 Tundra in an engine-debris recall get a new engine?
No. Recall coverage is VIN-specific, and the repair path differs by campaign. Recall 24V-381 calls for free engine-assembly replacement. The amended NHTSA reports for 25V-767 and 26V-320 call for #1 main-bearing evaluation using inspection software and available drive data, with engine replacement when the software cannot confirm that the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear from this issue. Confirm the active procedure for your VIN with Toyota.
What Should You Do Next?
If the Tundra has a deep RPM-linked knock, an oil-pressure warning, a flashing check-engine light, rough running, stalling, no-start, overheating, or power loss, shut it down and arrange a tow. Do not continue testing it by revving, towing, or driving under load.
If it is a 2022–2024 conventional-gas truck, check the VIN for NHTSA recalls 24V-381, 25V-767, and 26V-320. Do not assume that every covered truck follows the same repair path: 24V-381 calls for engine-assembly replacement, while amended 25V-767 and 26V-320 reports use #1 main-bearing evaluation and replace the engine when the inspection software cannot confirm the bearing will remain free from abnormal wear from this issue. If a 2022–2023 truck instead makes a single loud pop or clunk immediately after initial startup, ask whether Toyota T-SB-0110-22 applies. Save all codes and freeze-frame data, record the sound, document the oil level and fuel history, and ask the shop to confirm the failed system before replacing a sensor or opening the engine.
Safety disclaimer: This article provides general troubleshooting information. It does not replace Toyota service information, recall instructions, or diagnosis by a qualified automotive technician.
Sources
- Toyota Owners — 2024 Tundra Fuel Information — supports the unleaded 87-octane-or-higher guidance, persistent-knock warning, and distinction for brief light knock.
- Toyota Recall Lookup — supports VIN and license-plate recall checks.
- NHTSA Part 573 Report — Recall 24V-381 — supports the original 2022–2023 Tundra engine-debris recall, V35A context, and listed symptoms.
- Toyota/NHTSA Remedy Notice — Recall 24V-381 — supports the free engine-assembly replacement remedy.
- Toyota USA Newsroom — November 6, 2025 Engine Recall — supports the later 2022–2024 conventional-gas Tundra recall and listed symptoms; the announcement predates the finalized remedy language in the amended NHTSA report.
- NHTSA Amended Part 573 Report — Recall 25V-767 — supports affected model years, V35A context, bearing risk, symptoms, and the current #1 main-bearing inspection/engine-replacement remedy.
- Toyota USA Newsroom — May 20, 2026 Engine Recall — supports the additional 2024 non-hybrid Tundra recall, debris condition, #1 main-bearing context, and listed symptoms.
- NHTSA Amended Part 573 Report — Recall 26V-320 — supports the additional 2024 Tundra group, main-bearing risk, symptoms, and the current #1 main-bearing inspection/engine-replacement remedy.
- Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0110-22 — supports the 2022–2023 Tundra initial-start pop/clunk condition and TCM calibration procedure.
- RepairPal — Toyota Tundra Engine Knocking — supports common diagnostic directions including oil level or pressure, degraded oil, and internal wear.
- RepairPal — Toyota Tundra Spark-Plug Replacement Cost — supports the September 3, 2026 spark-plug estimates.
- RepairPal — Toyota Tundra Oxygen-Sensor Replacement Cost — supports the September 3, 2026 oxygen-sensor estimates and the need to rule out leaks and other causes before sensor replacement.
- RepairPal — Toyota Tundra Knock-Sensor Replacement Cost — supports the September 3, 2026 knock-sensor estimates and diagnostic cautions.
