2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls and problems

7 recalls and 295 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma.

7
recalls
295
owner complaints
16
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Toyota Tacoma recalls

Equipment · Structure: body, hood, hinge and attachments

NHTSA campaign 17V425000 · reported July 3, 2017 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 3,547 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 14V475000 · reported August 4, 2014 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 20,000 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The 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.
The 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) · Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 14V054000 · reported February 12, 2014 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 261,114 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

NHTSA campaign 13V494000 · reported October 17, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 979 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · reported April 9, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 7,525 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The 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.
The 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.

Seats · Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · reported January 16, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 3,235 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 12V158000 · reported April 10, 2012 · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. · 672 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.”
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 31, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Tacoma VIN: […] Toyota Special Service Campaign 20TC01 was performed on September 19, 2024, at approximately 103,417 miles. The campaign addressed the secondary air injection system, including the air injection pump and air switching valves. According to Toyota's repair records, the dealer…

Jan 30, 2026 · Seats · crash reported

- Driver’s seat back recliner mechanism / seatback locking mechanism. During a rear-end interstate collision while stopped in traffic, the driver’s seat suddenly reclined backward unexpectedly. After the accident, the recliner adjustment knob/handle was found detached at the tow yard. The vehicle is currently at a…

Jan 22, 2026 · Electrical system · 212,400 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 51,350 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,400. The VIN was not available

Jan 14, 2026 · Air bags · 240,000 miles · crash reported

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, coming up on fog, the driver, attempting to slow down, traveled over a slush patch in the roadway, and an approaching vehicle was in view. She lost control of the vehicle, spun around, and went face-first into a ditch, and the…

Jul 30, 2025 · Power train · 71,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was significantly rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was repaired under the warranty; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the…

Tacoma model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 135192518
2010 13294107
2011 918686
2012 7295160
2013 6125116
2014 493101
2015 4101152

Across all years, the 2006 Tacoma has the most complaints (782). All Toyota Tacoma years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent reported on July 3, 2017 (Equipment, Structure: body, hood, hinge and attachments). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (122 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (52).
How many 2012 Toyota Tacoma complaints mention a crash or fire?
16 of 295 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 31, 2026.