repaired · 2019 Q2
Equipment
Risk. If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 Toyota TacomaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 295 owner complaints about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the engine. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-475 the manufacturer reports only 33% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 31, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Toyota Tacoma has problems
295 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
122Engine1 crash/fire/injury
52Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
35Power train
22Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
21Service brakes
21Suspension
19Electrical system
17Electronic stability control (ESC)
12Steering
4112 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 122 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 52 | 1 |
| Power train | 35 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 6 |
| Suspension | 21 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 17 | 2 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 41 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Other: labels
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…
repaired · 2015 Q2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
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…
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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…
no report yet
Other: labels
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
60kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 116 engine complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.
8under 30k miles102under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
32 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,496 – $2,000
Fuel/propulsion system
10 owners mentioned a cost$2,062median
Middle half: $2,000 – $2,490
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Tacoma year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tacoma median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Toyota Tacoma safety ratings
2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, and the recalls they led to.
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
In owners' words
What Tacoma owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
MY 2012 TACOMA WARNING LIGHT 1) ENGINE AND 2 TRAC OFF WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 25 MPH (DANGEROUS!). OBD-II SCANNER DISPLAYED ERROR CODE CHECK P2442 INDICATING FAULTY AIR INJECTION PUMPS AND/OR AIR SWITCHING VALVES. *TR
Own a 2012 Tacoma?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.