2012 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Part of Generation 2 — 2005–2015.

20112013
Complaints
406
per 10K Sold
30.8
US Sales
131,753
Crashes
25
Fires
0
Injuries
8
Fatalities
Recalls
7

Worst 2012 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1122 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:65,136 mi
Crash-related:1
#251 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:63,512 mi
Crash-related:1
#334 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:52,942 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma.

Engine Problems
122
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
65,136
Fuel System
51
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,512
Transmission / Drivetrain
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,942
Unintended Acceleration
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
64,449
Brakes
21
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
47,374
Suspension Failures
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,316
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
66,611
Electronic Stability Control
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
70,250
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,258
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
55,085
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
43,034
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
43,505
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Rim
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Toyota Tacoma

7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~297,072 vehicles.

17V425000Other Equipment · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
~3,547 affected

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.

14V475000Equipment:other:labels
~20,000 affected

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."

14V054000Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~261,114 affected

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.

13V494000Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
~979 affected

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.

13V123000Equipment:other:labels
~7,525 affected

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."

13V014000Seats · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~3,235 affected

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.

12V158000Equipment:other:labels
~672 affected

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.”

Other Toyota Tacoma Years

2012 Toyota Tacoma — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 406 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 122 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (122 complaints, avg 65,136 mi); Fuel System (51 complaints, avg 63,512 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (34 complaints, avg 52,942 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 60,808 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma include 25 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 297,072 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Tacoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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