MYRModel Year Report

2012 Toyota Tacoma

◆ Worse than typical
2012 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
295
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2012: 295 complaints 2012 295 2013: 125 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1997 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2012: 295 complaints 2012 295 2013: 125 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1997 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2012: 295 complaints 2012 295 2013: 125 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints

2012: 295 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003360
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008445
2009519
2010293
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015101
2016323
2017239
2018206
2019216
202088
202179
202259
202353
2024151
2025100
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

41% · 122 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

June 1st 2021 I went to park in a parking space at a local mall. My truck instead of stopping it accelerated out of control jumped two stone curbs, drove though a fence and landed into a swamp.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-06-02

Also filed under Vehicle speed control and service brakes

Fuel/propulsion system

18% · 52 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Tacoma VIN: 3TMJU4GN9CM135304 Toyota Special Service Campaign 20TC01 was performed on September 19, 2024, at approximately 103,417 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-31

Power train

12% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing cooling unit and lines and automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

At 300 miles I noticed upon downshifting ( I believe 3-2 or 2-1) a rumblestrip vibration feeling. I took the truck to the dealer and they said it was normal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-06

Also filed under Suspension

Vehicle speed control

7% · 22 reports
CRASHINJURY

Suspension

7% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing rear.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 295 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-06-05Equipment12V158000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-05-28Equipment13V123000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-01-23Tires13V494000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-03-28Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic14V054000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-10-02Equipment14V475000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2017-09-01Equipment, structure17V425000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 122 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 36 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V158000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 13V123000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V494000 · Tires
  • Recall 14V054000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V475000 · Equipment
  • Recall 17V425000 · Equipment, structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.