2012 Toyota Tacoma: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 294 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 7 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
294
Complaints
7
Recalls
16
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
6
Injuries
38.1
Severity index
Severity index 38.1 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 129 2012 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma ranks 99 of 129 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 23% of its model-year peers. See the full 2012 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 122 | 41.5% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 51 | 17.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 43 | 14.6% |
| POWER TRAIN | 35 | 11.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 22 | 7.5% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 22 | 7.5% |
| SUSPENSION | 21 | 7.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 19 | 6.5% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 122 of 294 complaints (41.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 98 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 3 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V425000 | 03/07/2017 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 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. |
| 14V054000 | 12/02/2014 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 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 electric |
| 14V475000 | 04/08/2014 | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 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 ti |
| 13V494000 | 17/10/2013 | TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 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 |
| 13V014000 | 16/01/2013 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE | 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 ye |
| 12V158000 | 10/04/2012 | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 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 |
| 13V123000 | 09/04/2013 | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 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 L |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.