2012 Toyota Tacoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 124 of 295 complaints (42%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 186 in 2011 to 295 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–4,150 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,650 | 2,700–3,650 | 2,850–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–22 | 16–22 | 17–22 | 17–23 | 17–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–20 / 18–26 | 14–21 / 18–25 | 15–21 / 19–25 | 16–21 / 19–25 | 16–21 / 19–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–592 | 404–555 | 404–523 | 390–516 | 391–516 | |
| Complaints filed | 293 | 186 | 295 | 125 | 93 | |
| Recalls issued | 13 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 8 | 16 | 11 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Engine: 124 of 295 NHTSA complaints (42%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA rates it 17–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 18 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 124 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 34 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 44 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS; EQUIPMENT · Campaign 17V425000 · Jul 6, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 14V475000 · Aug 4, 2014
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · Campaign 14V054000 · Feb 12, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · Campaign 13V494000 · Oct 31, 2013
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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 vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 13V123000 · Apr 9, 2013
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
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 being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; SEATS · Campaign 13V014000 · Jan 17, 2013
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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 contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 12V158000 · Apr 10, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.