2012 Toyota Tacoma

◆ Worse than typical
2012 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Tacoma Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 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: 359 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 540 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 518 complaints 2010: 290 complaints 2011: 183 complaints 2011 2012: 294 complaints 2012 2013: 124 complaints 2014: 92 complaints 2015: 100 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 237 complaints 2018: 199 complaints 2019: 209 complaints 2019 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 76 complaints 2022: 55 complaints 2023: 48 complaints 2023 2024: 138 complaints 2025: 69 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2012: 294 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003359
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007540
2008445
2009518
2010290
2011183
2012294
2013124
201492
2015100
2016323
2017237
2018199
2019209
202085
202176
202255
202348
2024138
202569
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 41%

41% of complaints: engine — 122 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20210602

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 34 distinct reports on file.

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, 20120306

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20210602

SUSPENSION 7%

7% of complaints: suspension — 21 distinct reports on file.

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, 20120306

SAFETY TIMELINE

2012 — complaint volume: 294
R 20120605 — equipment

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 IN

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.

Campaign 12V158000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130321 — air bags, seats

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, an

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 contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130528 — equipment

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 Toy

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 be

Campaign 13V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140123 — tires

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 o

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 the

Campaign 13V494000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140328 — electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 14V054000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141002 — equipment

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.

Campaign 14V475000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170901 — equipment, structure

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.

Campaign 17V425000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (122 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V158000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V123000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V494000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V054000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V475000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V425000 (equipment, structure) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2005 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.