2012 Toyota Tacoma Reliability
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 295 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with other Tacoma model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Tacoma's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
295
NHTSA owner complaints
7
Recall campaigns
16
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Toyota Tacoma complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 122 | 41% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 52 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 43 | 15% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 35 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 7% |
| Speed control / throttle | 22 | 7% |
| Suspension | 21 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 6% |
2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls
7 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V158000 | Apr 10, 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… |
| 13V014000 | Jan 16, 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… |
| 13V123000 | Apr 9, 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… |
| 13V494000 | Oct 17, 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… |
| 14V054000 | Feb 12, 2014 | Service brakes — 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… |
| 14V475000 | Aug 4, 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… |
| 17V425000 | Jul 3, 2017 | Body 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… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Tacoma years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Tacoma analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 294 | 13 | Suspension | Caution |
| 2011 | 186 | 9 | Suspension | Solid |
| 2012 (this page) | 295 | 7 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 125 | 6 | Powertrain / transmission | Solid |
| 2014 | 93 | 4 | Body structure | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Toyota Tacoma
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 7 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Toyota Tacoma can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Toyota Tacoma reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 295 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with other Tacoma model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Tacoma's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma are engine (122), fuel / propulsion system (52), unknown or other (43), powertrain / transmission (35). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, including 12V158000 (equipment — other / labels) and 13V014000 (air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 186 complaints and 9 recalls (solid); the 2013 has 125 complaints and 6 recalls (solid). The 2012 has 295 complaints and 7 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota Tacoma research
Other Toyota Tacoma model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Tacoma, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.