2012 Toyota Tacoma problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (85) · Fuel/Propulsion System (41) · Vehicle Speed Control (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Tacoma model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
261 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Equipment 2017-07-03 · campaign 17V425000 · 3,547 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2014-08-04 · campaign 14V475000 · 20,000 vehicles
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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2014-02-12 · campaign 14V054000 · 261,114 vehicles
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)
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire 2013-10-17 · campaign 13V494000 · 979 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2013-04-09 · campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
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 vehicl
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seats 2013-01-16 · campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2012-04-10 · campaign 12V158000 · 672 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (464)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 464 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System“vehicle: 2012 toyota tacoma vin: [xxx] toyota special service campaign 20tc01 was performed on september 19, 2024, at approximately 103,417 miles. the campaign addressed the secondary air injection system, including the air injection pump and air switching valves. according to toyota's repair records, the dealer installed an air switching valve k…”
2026-01-30 · Seats · 💥 crash“- driver’s seat back recliner mechanism / seatback locking mechanism. during a rear-end interstate collision while stopped in traffic, the driver’s seat suddenly reclined backward unexpectedly. after the accident, the recliner adjustment knob/handle was found detached at the tow yard. the vehicle is currently at a tow/salvage yard and may be availa…”
2026-01-22 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 212,400 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 toyota tacoma. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 51,350 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,400. the vin was not available…”
2026-01-14 · Air Bags · 240,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2012 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while driving at 35-40 mph, coming up on fog, the driver, attempting to slow down, traveled over a slush patch in the roadway, and an approaching vehicle was in view. she lost control of the vehicle, spun around, and went face-first into a ditch, and the vehicle flipped and rolled over…”
2025-07-30 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 71,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was significantly rusted. the tpms warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was repaired under the warranty; however, the failure recurred. the dealer informed the contact that the rear bumper and brackets were r…”
2025-06-02 · Suspension“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 …”
2025-05-22 · Steering“while driving on the road truck locks up occassionally in a curve. i know of mulitple trucks its happening to and only in curves- will end up hurting someone if a fix for it isnt found - no one seems to know what is going on …”
2025-05-15 · Wheels:rim · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2012 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while his son was driving 40 mph, the rear driver-side wheel rim detached. the traction control and abs warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle veered to the right, accelerated independently, and went up the embankment, hit a tree, and accelerated independently down the embankment…”
2024-12-28 · Power Train“my truck started having a vibration when driving around 45-55 mph. this problem first became noticeable when it had about 115,000 miles on it. over time the speed that the vibration became noticeable at gradually increased. by 125,000 miles on the truck, it was vibrating hard between 60 and 70 mph. the dealership determined that the problem was…”
2023-12-18 · Structure:body“under the bottom of my truck, there is tons of rust. i know a lot of the trucks my year, make, and model has been recalled for rust on the body and other parts of the truck. i was told that a toyota dealership should replace it with the amount it has, and now a hole has appeared but they only told me a price to fix everything that is rusted. just p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.