2012 Toyota Tundra Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tundra. Part of Generation 2 — 2007–2021.

20112013
Complaints
214
per 10K Sold
21.1
US Sales
101,621
Crashes
11
Fires
3
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2012 Toyota Tundra Problems

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

#157 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:81,084 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#225 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:61,487 mi
#320 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:72,253 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Toyota Tundra.

Engine Problems
57
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,084
Fuel System
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,487
Transmission / Drivetrain
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,253
Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,466
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
95,753
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
36,514
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
30,223
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,973
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,921
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
52,200
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,767
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

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

Recalls for 2012 Toyota Tundra

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~33,222 vehicles.

21V920000Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System · Steering:rack And Pinion
~22,462 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

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.

Other Toyota Tundra Years

2012 Toyota Tundra — FAQ

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

Is the 2012 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Toyota Tundra has 214 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 57 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tundra?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (57 complaints, avg 81,084 mi); Fuel System (25 complaints, avg 61,487 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (20 complaints, avg 72,253 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 Tundra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,174 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 Tundra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tundra include 11 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 10 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 Tundra have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 33,222 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 Tundra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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

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

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