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: other or unspecified
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2017
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRAC OFF APPEARED AND TRUCK ENTERED LIMP MODE. CODES P2440/P2442 ON DIAGNOSTICS. SECONDARY AIR INVERTER FAILED ALONG WITH AIR PUMP. EMISSIONS CONTROL PROBLEMS. TOYOTA DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2017
A PROBLEM COMMON TO TOYOTA'S OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE. THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP FAILED. THE TACOMA DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT POWER AND WOULD NOT REACH CERTAIN RPM'S. THE BILL IS $2,500. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN WITH TOYOTAS. THEY HAVE SAID THIS IS NOT PART OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2017
AT 57000 MILES CHECK ENGINE AND GETTING P2442 CODE AT START-UP. CHECKED AND IT IS A BAD SECONDARY INJECTION PUMP. CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA SAYS IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY $1900 TO FIX
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - TOOK TO DEALER - WAS TOLD SECONDARY AIR FLOW AND PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 29, 2016
HEADED TO WORK TO FIND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 41,000 MILES. WENT TO AUTOZONE, CODE READER PROVIDED P2442 AND P2440 ERRORS RELATED TO THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM VALVES. FOLLOWED UP WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM VALVES STUCK OPEN IN BANKS 1 AND 2. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE PARTS 17600-0P040: PUMP ASSEMBLY; 25710-31022: VALVE ASSEMBLY; AND THE 4 RELATED GASKETS, PART 17377-31010. QUOTE WAS FOR ALMOST $2400. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE IS 2012, LESS THAN 41K MILES! RESEARCHING THE TACOMA FORUMS ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION MODEL AND MORE EVEN MORE SO WITH 2012'S. ONE OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISORS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TUNDRAS. FURTHERMORE, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN AND OUT OF "LIMP MODE" AND I HAD NO WARNING AS TO WHEN IT WOULD OR WOULD NOT BE IN THIS MODE, OTHER THAN BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS HANDLING. LIMP MODE WOULD ONLY ALLOW TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO 2ND OR 3RD AND NO MORE THAN 30 MPH, LESS IF CLIMBING AN INCLINE. AT OTHER TIMES, VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY. THE SWITCHING IN AND OUT OF THIS PROTECTIVE MODE SEEMS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2016
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION FAILURE AT 58K MILES. DEALER QUOTED $2200 TO REPLACE VALVES AND PUMP. SEVERAL FAILURES WITH 2012 REPORTED
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2016
THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP'S VALVES WENT BAD WITH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVING 30K MILES. THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND DID NOT ALLOW FOR ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ASPECT WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE, IT JUST STARTED UP ONE DAY AND WAS BAD.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 7, 2016
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SWITCHING VALVE FAILURE STUCK IN OPEN POSITION CAUSING LIMP MODE IN THE TRUCK. TRUCK IS NOT ABLE TO GET TO SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD ONTO A STATE ROUTE WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH AND CARS GOING WAY FASTER THAN THAT. THIS COULD POSE A DANGER IF SITUATIONS WHERE SPEED IT REQUIRED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ANOTHER CAR. TRUCK ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENTAL EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE TRUCK TO BE USELESS IF FAIL.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I STOPPED THE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ION CITY STREET WITHOUT RAIN. I JUST STARTED DRIVING, WHEN LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, THERE WAS NO STEERING FEELING AT ALL FOR A FEW SECOND. THE CAR WAVED SIDE BY SIDE TWICE WITHOUT MY CONTROLLING. THEN I DROVE SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY, IT'S OK. I BOUGHT CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER THE NEXT DAY, THEY SAID STEERING SYSTEM IS OK, MAY BE BECAUSE OF WET BELT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2016
THERE IS A PLASTIC FOOT REST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD THAT COMES LOOSE AND GETS TANGLED UP IN THE DRIVER'S FEET WHILE DRIVING. THIS CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2016
SECONDARY PUMP DOES NOT WORK WHEN IS COLD TURNING TRAC AND ING LIGHT ON CAUSING LOOSE OF POWER AND HIGHT GAS CONSUMING. DEALER SAYS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2016
I STARTED MY TACOMA, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRK OFF LIGHTS WERE ON AND AFTER TAKING THEM TO THE DEALER LEARNED THAT THE VECHILE WAS IN LIMP MODE. THE TRUCK WILL NOT EASILY ACCELERATE BEYOND 30MPH. THIS IS CAUSED BY ERROR CODE P2442 AND P2440, FROM A KNOWN FAULTY PART THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 7, 2016
AS I'VE READ FROM NUMEROUS OTHER 2012 TACOMA OWNERS ON TACOMAWORLD.COM, MY SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SWITCHING VALVE HAS FAILED AT 65K MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH ALL 2012 SIMILAR TACOMA MODELS AND SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE RECALLED AND REPLACED FOR FREE! UNTIL FIXED, MY TRUCK IS UNDRIVABLE, MEANING THE CEL LIGHT IS ON AND THE TRUCK WON'T GO FASTER THAN 30 MPH.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2016
THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEMS SEEMS TO FAIL QUITE FREQUENTLY ON THESE 2012 TACOMAS WITH LITTLE TO NO HELP FROM TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL. THESE ARE KNOWN TO FAIL RIGHT AFTER YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY AND TO CHARGE IT'S LOYAL CUSTOMERS OVER $1000 FOR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL OR A PART THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IS ABSURD. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER MY WHOLE LIFE BUT THE ISSUES OF THE TACOMA ARE MAKING ME RETHINK MY DECISIONS AS AN AUTOMOTIVE CONSUMER
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2016
THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE PUMP AND SWITCHING VALVE STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY 28,000 MILES. CAR WENT DIRECTLY IN LIMP MODE MAKING IT UNDRIVABLE. DEALER WANTED $2,100.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR AND SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 17, 2016
AFTER STARTING TACOMA, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND "TRAC OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, COULD ONLY GO 30MPH. TACOMA JUST HIT 34,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATED SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE STUCK CLOSED BANK 1 (CODE P2441). WAS TOLD PUMP AND VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $2100, INCLUDING LABOR. CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN OR EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE ACTUALLY FIRST OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. PULLED INTO A FIRESTONE AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALSO CODE P2441. THEY RESET IT AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO. THIS TIME THE CODE WOULD NOT RESET, WARNING LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF AND REMAINS IN LIMP MODE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 11, 2016
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE FAILURE AT 53K MILES, TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER UNDER MY POWER TRAIN OR EMISSION WARRANTY. TRUCK WAS PUT INTO LIMP MODE WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENNED AND WAS UNDRIVABLE.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 4, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING PAST 2K RPM AND OVER 20MPH. CONNECTED TO AN ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC READER WHICH GAVE ME CODES P2440 AND P2442- SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE STUCK OPEN BANK 1 & 2. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER FAULTY EQUIPMENT UNDER ANY WARRANTY (POWERTRAIN OR FEDERAL EMISSIONS) ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED CANADA TSB 3861 ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFICIENCY, BUT LEAVING THE OWNER TO PAY $645.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM TOYOTA DEALER. THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY- THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A VEHICLE STILL WITHIN POWERTRAIN (60,000MI) OR FEDERAL EMISSION (80,000MI) WARRANTY.