2012 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 295 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 16 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hood, hinge and attachmentsJul 3, 2017
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.
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V425000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsAug 4, 2014
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 14V475000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 12, 2014
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.
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireOct 17, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 10, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: suspension
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Jun 2, 2025
My leaf spring(s) is noisy/loosened and to the best of my limited knowledge is at risk for breaking off and puncturing the fuel tank per repair shops. This issue is not covered under Safety Recall E02 (E12) by Toyota for the model year 2012 Tacoma. As a consumer, I don't understand the determination of when the recall is cut off for specific model years. I would like for NHTSA and Toyota to analyze this issue as the model year 2012 Tacoma could be at risk. I have case with Toyota Customer Resolutions that has been closed. Thanks for your attention into this matter.
Suspension, Sep 8, 2021
The passenger leaf spring or right leaf spring has broken and the truck has not hauled any kind of weight, there is a previous recall on similar trucks but they end with 2011 models but looking at the 2012 model it’s build is similar and seems to have a chance of having the same effect as mine already has.
Suspension, Jun 19, 2021
Is there a recall on leaf springs
Suspension, Apr 15, 2021
HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2011 TACOMA'S WITH FAULTY LEAF SPRINGS STARTED AS A SQUEAK SPRAYED WD-40 AND FLUID FILM DIDN'T HELP THEN FEW MONTHS LATER HEARD A CLUNK AND NOW DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING IS BROKE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL!!
Suspension, Sep 23, 2020
FAILURE OF DRIVERS SIDE LEAF SPRING WITH LARGE SECTION(4-6IN) MISSING. GAVE NO NOTICE OF FAILURE PRIOR TO FAILING. FOUND WHEN CHANGING TIRES. DO NOT USE VEHICLE FOR TOWING BEYOND SPECS OR OFF ROADING. TOYOTA RECALLED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS ISSUE UNDER SAFETY RECALL E02(E12) FOR 2005-2011 M.Y. STATING BROKEN LEAF SPRINGS COULD PUNCTURE FUEL TANK PROPAGATING IN A FIRE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN REPAIR OR ADMIT FAULT DESPITE SAFETY RELATED ISSUE.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 18, 2020
I BROUGHT TRUCK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AS PART OF RUSTED FRAME RECALL TO BE VERIFIED. THEY STATED TRUCK WAS NOT RUSTED ENOUGH UNDERNEATH FOR TOYOTA TO APPROVE RECALL. THAT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAVE RECENTLY BROUGHT IT TO A FEW MECHANICS TO DO SOME WORK ON A/C AS THE A/C STOPPED WORKING AND THAT REFUSE TO WORK ON IT AS THE TRUCK IS SO RUSTED UNDERNEATH!! THEY SAID IT WOULD CRUMBLE. NOT EVEN WORTH IT.
Suspension, Power train, Mar 9, 2020
WHEN I'M DRIVING THE TRUCK BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES AN HOUR THE TRUCK FEEL LIKE WANTS TO STOP AND SAUNDS WUIRD I THINK IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS NOT DOING HIS JOB PROPERLY ALSO THAT SUSPENSION IS GETTING RESTLESS SO BAD AND SO QUICKLY AND THE CHATS ARE SO HARD SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT OR IT'S JUST NORMAL IN THE CAR AND SAW THE THINGS I'VE BEEN CHECKING ON IT 2012 TOYOTA AND I HAD IT FOR THREE YEARS ALSO IT TAKES TOO LONG TO HEAT UP IN WINTER TIME
Suspension, Jul 31, 2019
REAR LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN AND NEAR THE GAS TANK. THIS IS AN EARLY 2012 MODEL. THERE IS ALREADY AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THE 2011 MODEL. MILEAGE IS ONLY 45000.
Suspension, Jun 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIME TOYOTA RT 2 (LOCATED AT 700 OLD UNION TURNPIKE, LANCASTER, MA 01523, (978) 353-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAF SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIFED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *BF CONTACT WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER NOT TO DRIVE IT.*JB
Suspension, Jun 24, 2019
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE BACK END CREAKS LOUDLY OVER THE REAR TIRES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS AS THE TRUCK BOUNCES OVER THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND I AM IN THE BED OR ON THE TAILGATE, THE TRUCK BOUNCES EASILY AND CREAKS LOUDLY OVER THE REAR TIRES. I HAD NEW LEAF SPRINGS INSTALLED IN JULY 2018 BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE. NOW, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE SAME ISSUE PERSISTS. THE SOUND IS METAL IS RUBBING ON METAL, AND I SUSPECT ANOTHER PART OF THIS VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION IS BAD.
Suspension, Jan 2, 2019
MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL IN THE 2005-2011 TACOMA RECALL FROM TOYOTA. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTAINS LEAF SPRINGS THAT ARE CONSTRUCTED OF EITHER 3 OR 4 LEAF SPRINGS. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A LEAF COULD FRACTURE DUE TO STRESS AND CORROSION. THIS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK OR OTHER COMPONENTS. MY VEHICLE HAS THE DAMAGED LEAF AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2012, AND I DISCOVERED IT RECENTLY HEARING A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
Suspension, Oct 22, 2018
IN MAY OF 2017 THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE I PROXIMITY TO THE GAS TANK. I WAS TOLD BY HERITAGE TOYOTA THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE FOR 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UPS ALTHOUGH A RECALL WAS IN PLACE THAT STOPPED AT 2011 VEHICLES. I HAD BOTH SETS OF REAR SPRINGS REPLACED AS A PRECAUTION IN MAY OF 2017 AT MY EXPENSE. AS OF LAST WEEK. A LEFT REAR SPRING HAS AGAIN BROKE IN THE VICINITY OF THE GAS TANK AND I AM AGAIN BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE FOR 2012 TACOMA'S. THIS TRUCK DOES NOT GET HEAVY USE OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS ALTHOUGH I DO LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THIS REPEATED PROBLEM IS NOT A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT WITH A REAL SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THE PROXIMITY OF THE BROKEN SPRING TO THE GAS TANK. THE DEFECT WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
Suspension, Oct 1, 2018
MECHANIC SAYS LEAF SPRINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED,SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN 2011 RECALL.ONLY 55,000 MILES ON TRUCK
Steering, Suspension, Sep 5, 2018
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT GOES BAD ON BOTH SIDE CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE.
Suspension, Mar 19, 2018
I BOUGHT A USED 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP WITH THE "TOYOTA CERTIFICATION." AT 86,400 MILES, THE TRUCK BED STARTED SAGGING, AND EVERYTIME I ACCELERATED, THE SUSPENSION WOULD MAKE A LOUD THUMPING NOISE, & THE BACK END WOULD WIGGLE & VIBRATE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID BOTH LEAFSPRINGS (UNDER THE TRUCK BED) CRACKED (AT THE SAME TIME), BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY 2012 WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SUSPENSION RECALL, WHICH COVERED ONLY UNTIL THE 2011 MODEL YEAR. OTHERWISE THE RECALL WOULD'VE PAID FOR THE FIX. IT APPEARS FAULTY STEEL WAS STILL USED IN THE LEAFSPRINGS MANUFACTURE WELL INTO THE 2012 MODEL YEARS. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAD TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED, AND SPENT ROUGHLY $1,100 AT A NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THERE ARE OTHER TRUCKS IN THIS SAME PREDICAMENT.
Suspension, Mar 9, 2018
LEAF SPRINGS
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Apr 22, 2014
I WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I WAS GOING APPROX. 15PMH WHEN IT STARTED AND IT DIDN'T STOP SHAKING UNTIL I GOT DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY GOT THE VEHICLE TO REPRODUCE THE VIBRATIONS AND I HAVE PAPERWORK STATING THIS. IT HAS BEEN A FULL YEAR LATER AND THEY HAVEN'T REPAIRED IT YET. THEY CONTINUALLY TELL ME PARTS ARE BEING DESIGNED. JUST WAIT. THAT'S ALL THEY KEEP SAYING. I FOUND OUT THAT THEY MADE A FIX FOR THE V6 MODEL WITHIN 7 MONTHS, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE 4 CYLINDER MODEL TO WARRANT REDESIGNING PARTS. I WAS TOLD THIS BY THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, May 20, 2013
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TOYOTA ESCONDIDO HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE'S PROBLEM. WHEELS HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND BALANCED AND PROBLEM STILL PERSIST, VEHICLE IS NOW AT 9100 MILES AND I PLAN HAVING DEALER LOOK AT ISSUE AGAIN , BUT I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD LEAD TO A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.I HAVE RESEARCHED FORUMS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO PLAGUE THE TACOMA LINE. *TR
Suspension, Oct 17, 2012
MY 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD OFF-ROAD DOES NOT MEET MAXIMUM PAYLOAD CAPACITY. VEHICLE STARTS TO BOTTOM OUT AT 30% OF IT'S MAXIMUM CAPACITY EITHER WHEN TOWING OR CARRYING CARGO. RIDE ON THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARSH WHEN LOADED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS 2005-2011 WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARSH RIDE WHEN LOADED WITH ANY CARGO IN THE BACK (I.E. TSB# SU006-07). THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND SEVERAL DOZEN REPORTS BEING ADDRESSED TO TOYOTA AND THE CURRENT SERVICE BULLETIN HAS NOT BEEN APPLIED TO THIS YEAR MODEL. *TR
Suspension, Aug 1, 2012
MY 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD OFF ROAD DOES NOT MEET ITS PAYLOAD CAPACITY. IT HAS A LIMIT OF 1240 LBS AND ROUTINELY BOTTOMS OUT WITH 300-500 LBS IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE HAS ISSUED TSBS ON THE LEAF SPRINGS BUT REFUSES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE ON THE NEW 2012 TRUCKS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 6, 2012
AT 300 MILES I NOTICED UPON DOWNSHIFTING ( I BELIEVE 3-2 OR 2-1) A RUMBLESTRIP VIBRATION FEELING. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. IT STILL OCCURS EVERYTIME I DOWNSHIFT (SOMETIMES STRONGER FEELING THEN OTHER TIMES) I RESEARCHED PREVIOUS YEARS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.. IT CANT BE HEALTHY FOR THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES. I NOW HAVE 1300 MILES...STILL HAPPENING...ANY THOUGHTS? *TR