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
295 reports, newest first.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2019
'TAKATA RECALL' SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP SECONDARY AIR SWITCHING VALVES LIMP MODE DON'T GO OVER 40 CRUDE CONTROLS DOESN'T WORK
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
THE CODES FOR THE AIR SWITCHING VALVE.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2019
DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. OPEN CIRCUIT.
Steering, Structure, May 21, 2019
WHEEL VIBRATES AND SHUDDERS IN MOTION, STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF, DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING.(SEE ZH@ TOYOTA SUPPORT PROGRAM). PER BOBBY RAHAL, LEWISTOWN PA, UNIVERSAL SHAFT AFFECTED, CORROSION NOTED. CONTACTED TOYOTA, RECALLS ON SAME REPORTED ISSUES ONLY COVERED ON TACOMA'S FROM 2005-2011; THEY WILL NOT COVER THE RECALLED SHAFT ASSEMBLY,UNIVERSAL JOINT AND HANGER FOR 2012 AS IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE LAWSUIT APPARENTLY FOR FAULTY SAFETY ISSUES
Engine, May 18, 2019
WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP I HAD MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO DEFECTIVE SECONDARY INJECTION VALVES BEING STUCK CLOSED/OPEN. THE CODES I HAD FOR THIS ISSUE IS P2440 AND P2442. IN MY CASE THIS ISSUE MADE MY TRUCK GO INTO LIMP MODE WHICH IS OFTEN A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND SOMETIMES A RESTRICTION IN ONE'S ABILITY TO SHIFT THE TRUCK. LUCKILY THE HIGHWAY WAS NOT BUSY AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, BUT IF IT WERE I WOULD BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE A VERY UNSAFE THING TO HAPPEN GOING 70 MPH. THE PARTS DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 2022 IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA IS NOT INTERESTED IN RECALLING THESE PARTS EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS THAT THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND ISSUES WITH THESE PARTS GOING BACK TO 2013.
Power train, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 9, 2019
60,000 MILES. THREE YEARS AGO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT AND PAID FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT NO ANSWERS. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACK OFF ARE LIGHTING (NOT RELATED TO FIRST ISSUE) AND THE TRUCK IS IN SLOWDOWN MODE. WE REPLACED THE GAS-CAP BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT USED TO BE A QUALITY COMPANY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 2, 2019
I WAS ON THE THE HIGHWAY TODAY AND SUDDENLY I LOST POWER AND WON'T PASS SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH VERY DANGEROUS HAVE HEARD THIS HAPPEND TO A LOT OF TACOMAS/ TUNDRAS AND HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE EMISSIONS I THINK I NEED A NEW DIVERTER VALVE WHICH TOYOTA SHOULD COVER
Engine, May 1, 2019
HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY VEHICLES SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM, REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE SUPER EXPENSIVE AND HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, SEEMS LIKE A NON-RELIABLE COMPONENT. ALWAYS GET THE FAULT CODES P2440 AND P2442. I STRONGLY BELEIVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT.
Engine, Apr 29, 2019
CIL AND TRAC ILLUMINATION WITH CODES P2440 AND P2442 CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO TO LIMP MODE WITH LOSS OF POWER
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON. NO POWER. AIR IDOL CONTROL VALVE STUCK OPEN.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 8, 2019
TRAC OFF WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I HAD TURNED CAR ON TO DRIVE DOWN THE HILL ON MY PROPERTY.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 5, 2019
DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY WENT IN TO LIMP-HOME MODE. I HAD IT SCANNED FOR CODES AT THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND IT CAME BACK WITH P2440 AND P2442 WHICH SEEMS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VALVE IN THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM. I QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWED THAT SOME 2012 TACOMA OWNERS ARE GETTING THIS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION, SO I PUTTERED OVER TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXPECTING TO HEAR THE SAME STORY, BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ECM COMPUTER IS BAD. WHICH I AM TRYING TO GET CLARIFICATION ON SINCE I CAN'T FIND ANY ECM FAILURE ISSUES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019
KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE SECONDARY AIR VALVE. THROWS THE CODE P2442 VEHICLE GOES INTO SAFE MODE. DEALERSHIPS WANT ABOUT $2,000 TO FIX IT. RECOMMENDING THE FAN-BLOWER AS WILL TO DOUBLE THE AMOUNT. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM IN VA LAST YEAR DIDN'T MENTION THIS AT ALL OR OFFER ANY KIND OF WARRANTY TO COVER POTENTIAL ISSUES.
Engine, Feb 20, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. TRUCK WILL NOT EXCEED OVER 2500 RPM AND/OR REACH A SPEED OVER 25 MPH. NO TORQUE/POWER WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, ESPESICIALLY WHEN TRAVELING UP STEEP TERRAIN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 10, 2019
DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION. TOYOTA HAS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS ISSUE THROUGH THE 2011 MODEL, BUT THIS IS A 2012 MODEL WITH SAME ISSUE. SITUATION OCCURS DURING ACCELERATION.
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.
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
MY STEERING SHAFT ROTTED AND SEIZED. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED IT BUT CHARGED ME $536.02 TO FIX IT. WHEN I RESEACHED RECALLS THERE WAS ONE ON 5/12/12. I AM ASKING FOR MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS REPAIR
Engine, Dec 9, 2018
THE CHECK ENG & TRAC OFF LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALMOST GOT STRUCK FROM THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. MY TRUCK WENT INTO LIMP MODE & SLOWED DOWN TO 2500 RPMS & WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH!! THIS IS A HAZARD AS I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS, IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO TOYOTA, THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE TUNDRA'S BUT SO FAR AM NOT SHOWING ANY RECALL ON THE TACOMA'S. ERROR P2442 SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR FAILURE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SCARY! PLEASE BEWARE 2012 TACOMA OWNERS! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! $2000 REPAIR!
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2018
TOYOTA HAS A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SWITCHING VALVE THAT IS FAULTY THAT CAUSES THE 2012 TACOMA TO GO INTO "LIMP MODE" EXPECTANTLY. I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TRUCK CUT OUT DOWN TO 25 MPH WHILE TRAFFIC WAS RAPIDLY APPROACHING ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE CODES SHOWN ARE THE TYPICAL P2440 AND P2442 AND HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES. PLEASE PROMPT TOYOTA TO RECALL THIS PART TO AVOID UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTS OR DEATH DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE.
Engine, Nov 16, 2018
83K MILES. ENG LIGHT AND TRAC LIGHTS COMES ON, WHILE DRIVING TRUCK GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL NOT EXCELERATE PAST 2500 RPMS AND WILL NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 35 MPH. ERROR CODE P2442 SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM
Engine, Nov 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A SUBURBAN AREA IT LOST POWER, SLOWING TO 25 MPH MAXIMUM, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. I SWERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS TO AVOID BEING HIT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. IT IS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM. TOYOTA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. SOME OF THE 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA'S HAVE A CUSTOMER SUPPORT / WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS PROBLEM, NOT MINE.
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