2012 Toyota Tacoma problems and recalls

Owners have filed 295 complaints on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, and NHTSA has issued 7 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (122 complaints).

295
Complaints
7
Recalls
16
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
6
Injuries
43.8
Severity index

Severity index 43.8 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 43.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 113 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 13% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 122 complaints (41.4%)122 41%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 52 complaints (17.6%)52 18%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 43 complaints (14.6%)43 15%Power TrainPower Train: 35 complaints (11.9%)35 12%Service BrakesService Brakes: 22 complaints (7.5%)22 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 22 complaints (7.5%)22 7%SuspensionSuspension: 21 complaints (7.1%)21 7%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 19 complaints (6.4%)19 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE12241.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5217.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4314.6%
POWER TRAIN3511.9%
SERVICE BRAKES227.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL227.5%
SUSPENSION217.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM196.4%

Complaints filed per year

049982011: 12012: 122013: 92014: 142015: 162016: 472017: 982018: 302019: 262020: 132021: 132022: 32023: 42024: 12025: 42026: 4 (partial year)1112131415161798181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20111
201212
20139
201414
201516
201647
201798
201830
201926
202013
202113
20223
20234
20241
20254
2026 (year to date)4
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (9 against 29).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V42500003/07/2017STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSSoutheast 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.
14V05400012/02/2014SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEToyota 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 electric
14V47500004/08/2014EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSToyota 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 ti
13V49400017/10/2013TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRESoutheast 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
13V01400016/01/2013AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVESoutheast 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 ye
12V15800010/04/2012EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSGULF 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
13V12300009/04/2013EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSoutheast 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 L

Other Toyota Tacoma model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.