KnownCarProblems2012 Toyota Tacoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the engine (42% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota Tacoma problems
Engine
124 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Replacement air injection valves and pumps for secondary emissions control system. Toyota wants 2200 for an issue they are aware of and have already released service bulletins for on the tundra and sequoias. Engine codes p2442 and p2446. When the codes are thrown the car is put into limp mode and decelerates to 35…
Check engine and trac off lights came on. Vehicle acceleration became very sluggish. I felt the vehicle became a safety hazard as it had almost no acceleration . Merging into traffic became dangerous because of lack of acceleration. Had local shop check truck and error codes returned were p2440 and p2442 which they…
Fuel system
53 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
Check engine and trac off indicator lights came in, and vehicle went into fail code mode also known as"limp mode" while driving down a town road. Vehicle was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. Managed to get vehicle to dealership, was told the problem was a "secondary air pump and valve". Vehicle has 56,700 miles on…
Vehicle lost power while on the highway, immediately reduced speed to around 40 MPH. The "trac off" indicator light came on and the truck went into "limp mode", so I was able to take the next exit and I took it to the auto part store for a code reader. P2440/ p2442 came up in error, secondary air injection system…
Other or unspecified
43 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
Secondary air injection switching valve failure stuck in open position causing limp mode in the truck. Truck is not able to get to speed above 40 MPH. This happened as I was pulling out of my neighborhood onto a state route with speed limit of 55 MPH and cars going way faster than that. This could pose a danger if…
At 57000 miles check engine and getting p2442 code at start-up. Checked and it is a bad secondary injection pump. Checked on internet and there are many others with the same problem and Toyota says it's not under warranty $1900 to fix
Transmission
35 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I start up the truck and pull out in to the street. Whether at an intersection or making a turn, I push on the accelerator and nothing happens. The rpms don't increase, engine makes no sound - and I am left sitting in the middle of the road. I push the accelerator to the floor and eventually the engine comes to life…
Check engine light and trac off light came on. Truck went into "limp" mode and would only go about 35mph. Checked the error code and it was p2442 which says the secondary air injection system is failing. Truck has only 55k miles on it and has been regularly maintained by Toyota dealerships every 6 months / 5k miles.…
Speed control
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.
Check engine light came on, trac off light is on. My truck has no power and is unsafe to drive. The dtc is p2442. Secondary air injection system switch valve stuck open bank 2. Toyota knows they have a emissions issue. My vehicle is at the dealership now.
Code p2440 and p2442. Air injection system valves are stuck open (related to emissions control unit) which causes the vehicle to go into 'limp' mode abrupbtly. This renders the vehicle undriveable, and can occur in the midst of driving causing serious danger to the driver and fellow drivers on the road. Toyota is…
Brakes
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
Brake failure thinking due to wear and tear-- brakes serviced -- new brake pads on front back pads still good -- brake cylinder had to be replaced on front passenger side -- brakes bled off still no brakes only have brakes if pump them continuously -- at the moment still in shop trying to find a master cylinder to…
On september 20, 2015, the ABS and traction control lights came on and didn't go off. Upon investigation, I discovered that there was in fact a recall on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma; however, it did not include my VIN number. I contacted both our local dealership and Toyota directly and was told that there were not any…
Suspension
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear.
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, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the leaf spring needed to be…
Rear leaf spring is broken and near the gas tank. This is an early 2012 model. There is already an active recall on the 2011 model. Mileage is only 45000.
Electrical
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
The secondary air injection systems seems to fail quite frequently on these 2012 tacomas with little to no help from Toyota to take care of this issue as a recall. These are known to fail right after your out of warranty and to charge it's loyal customers over $1000 for a part that should not fail or a part that…
The check engine light and the trac off light came on as I was merging onto the interstate. I immediately stopped the vehicle, pulled over, and took my 2012 Toyota Tacoma with 78,000 miles to the mechanic where I left it overnight for them to look at it in the morning. Running a diagnostic they found code p2443 -…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls
Equipment
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: 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 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and 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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Seats
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: 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.
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.
Full defect summary
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,âtire selection and rims.â
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (124 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); fuel system (53 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); other or unspecified (43 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2017 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota Tacoma?
- It is 11th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints, with 295 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.