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2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls & problems

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 7 safety recalls and 295 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (122 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints295filed by owners
Crashes · fires16 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2012 Toyota Tacoma in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentJul 3, 2017

Equipment

Recall 17V4250003,547 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Equipment; Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments

EquipmentAug 4, 2014

Other › Labels

Recall 14V47500020,000 vehicles

Problem
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."
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.
Electronic stability control (esc)Feb 12, 2014

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall 14V054000261,114 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Electronic stability control (esc); Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

TiresOct 17, 2013

Temporary/emergency spare tire

Recall 13V494000979 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
EquipmentApr 9, 2013

Other › Labels

Recall 13V1230007,525 vehicles

Problem
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."
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.
SeatsJan 16, 2013

Seats

Recall 13V0140003,235 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Seats; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

EquipmentApr 10, 2012

Other › Labels

Recall 12V158000672 vehicles

Problem
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.”
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.1%

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.1%

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 4WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.1%

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.7%

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.7%

2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 2WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.7%
2012 Toyota Tacoma NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2012 Toyota Tacoma NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Tacoma 2WD

22mpg combined
City / highway21 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

19mpg combined
City / highway18 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

19mpg combined
City / highway18 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine12210160,100 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5210058,900 mi
Unknown or other4330158,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines3600051,000 mi
SuspensionRear2200052,500 mi
Vehicle speed control2220273,000 mi
Service brakes2160151,500 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer1910070,650 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)1720065,000 mi
Steering1200038,600 mi
Air bags950228,500 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields920051,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations