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2012 Toyota Tacoma: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationAn average Tacoma year.
295 owner complaints, most about engine. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Tacoma?The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 295 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag uncomfortable seating position and seats, described as sitting too close to the floor.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Toyota Tacoma vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Tacoma years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Tacoma?
Across the 29 Tacoma model years we track, complaint volume runs from 54 (2023) to 882 (2010). With 295 complaints, the 2012 Tacoma sits above the model's median of 239.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Tacoma
structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments
Campaign 17V425000Southeast 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 14V054000Toyota 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 14V475000Toyota 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."
tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Campaign 13V494000Southeast 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.
Show 3 more recalls
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 13V014000Southeast 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:other:labels
Campaign 12V158000GULF 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 13V123000Southeast 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."
What owners report on the 2nd generation Tacoma
Owners of the 2nd generation Tacoma express strong affection for the truck, frequently calling it the "peak Tacoma" and praising the 4.0L V6 engine as solid and reliable.
- Very frequentUncomfortable seating position and seats, described as sitting too close to the floor
- Very frequentPoor fuel economy, typically 16-19 mpg
- RecurrentFrame rust/rot (including on replacement frames from the rust recall)
- RecurrentPoor factory headlights, with no good factory upgrade path
- IsolatedSmog pump failure on 2012 models
Owner insights for the 2nd generation Tacoma. Read the full 2nd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Tacoma listings typically run $23,146–$35,275.
Other Tacoma model years
Compare every Tacoma year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Tacoma against its rivals
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