VehicleVerdict

2012 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma sits mid-pack among Tacoma years: 406 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 301, with 7 recalls and one closed investigation.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 124 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

406

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Tacoma years?

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine12431%
Fuel System5213%
Other4411%
Electrical System389%
Transmission369%
Speed Control225%
Brakes225%
Suspension225%
Steering123%
Airbags92%
Body & Structure92%
Tires & Wheels92%
Lighting31%
Seat Belts20%
Seats20%

Does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V425000OtherJuly 3, 2017 · 3,547 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

14V475000OtherAugust 4, 2014 · 20,000 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

14V054000Electrical SystemFebruary 12, 2014 · 261,114 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Consequence

If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

13V494000Tires & WheelsOctober 17, 2013 · 979 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.

Consequence

If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) Install a Warning Label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an Owner's Manual Addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.

13V123000OtherApril 9, 2013 · 7,525 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

13V014000SeatsJanuary 16, 2013 · 3,235 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

12V158000OtherApril 10, 2012 · 672 units

Defect

GULF STATES TOYOTA (GST) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TACOMA TRUCKS. THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION PLACARD ON EACH VEHICLE CONTAINS INACCURATE SPARE TIRE SIZE AND COLD INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110,”TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”

Consequence

AN INCORRECT PLACARD COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER SPARE TIRE USE OR REPLACEMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

GST WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND SEND EACH OWNER A CORRECTED PLACARD, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. AT 1-713-744-3465.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

June 1st 2021 I went to park in a parking space at a local mall. My truck instead of stopping it accelerated out of control jumped two stone curbs, drove though a fence and landed into a swamp. Call Toyota and they have opened a new case # 210602000065. Police report # 21-374-AC. This isn't the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2021 · crash

My truck lost drivability while I was going 60 I ran into a ditch to stop. It hads two codes . I took it in they replaced my rack n pinion. Check engine light came on . Mechanic said he could not work on it anymore because of the rust. To much corrosion he would be risking liability for other parts…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 1, 2021 · crash

My truck lost drivability while I was going 60 I ran into a ditch to stop. It hads two codes . I took it in they replaced my rack n pinion. Check engine light came on . Mechanic said he could not work on it anymore because of the rust. To much corrosion he would be risking liability for other parts…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 1, 2021 · crash

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, IN LIGHT RAIN. MY CAR RANDOMLY ENGAGED A SYSTEM THAT SLOWED MY VEHICLE DOWN. THIS RESULTED IN MY LOSING TRACTION WITH THE ROAD, MY TRUCK BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. MY TRUCK SPUN AND MOVED TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE MEDIAN HAD A V-DITCH, MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE IMPACTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 5, 2014 · crash

THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE SYSTEM GOES OUT FAIRLY QUICKLY. MY VEHICLE IS AT 72,500 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE WHICH MAKES THE CAR GO A MAXIMUM OF 40MPH. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT WERE TO KICK IN WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. IT IS AN EMISSIONS ITEM, BUT TOYOTA IS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 26, 2017

2012 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tacoma: 406 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2012 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (124 complaints), fuel system (52 complaints), other (44 complaints).

Does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.