2012 Toyota Tacoma Owner Complaints

- 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 tow/salvage yard and may be available for inspection upon request. - Because the seat reclined unexpectedly during impact, the driver’s body position changed suddenly and the front airbag did not appear to make protective contact. The driver briefly lost consciousness and is experiencing significant neck stiffness and pain following the crash. The seat movement may have reduced the effectiveness of the airbag and seatbelt system and increased risk of head and neck injury. - No. The vehicle has not been evaluated by a dealer or independent service center at this time due to collision damage. - The vehicle has been inspected by police at the accident scene and is pending inspection by insurance. The seat mechanism has not yet been specifically evaluated by the manufacturer. - No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms related to the seat or restraint system were observed before the accident.

NHTSA ID

11714538

Incident

Jan 28, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11712767

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

Mileage

212,400 mi

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 vehicle flipped and rolled over onto the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she sustained a concussion, hematoma, and pain on the left side of her neck and head, and the next day, there was pain on the right side of her neck and shoulder. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where medical attention was provided. The side curtain on the driver's and passenger's sides deployed. The front airbags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent auto center. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. Previously, while turning around in a parking lot, the contact crashed into a cement barrier. The airbags did not deploy. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11710917

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

Mileage

240,000 mi

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 rear bumper and brackets were rusted, and there was no recall or warranty coverage. The contact stated upon pulling into the driveway of the residence, the contact noticed a trail of fluid leak on the street. The contact stated that the transmission lines were fractured due to rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was significantly rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11677221

Incident

Oct 21, 2021

Mileage

71,000 mi

My leaf spring(s) is noisy/loosened and to the best of my limited knowledge is at risk for breaking off and puncturing the fuel tank per repair shops. This issue is not covered under Safety Recall E02 (E12) by Toyota for the model year 2012 Tacoma. As a consumer, I don't understand the determination of when the recall is cut off for specific model years. I would like for NHTSA and Toyota to analyze this issue as the model year 2012 Tacoma could be at risk. I have case with Toyota Customer Resolutions that has been closed. Thanks for your attention into this matter.

NHTSA ID

11664317

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

While driving on the road truck locks up occassionally in a curve. i know of mulitple trucks its happening to and only in curves- will end up hurting someone if a fix for it isnt found - no one seems to know what is going on

NHTSA ID

11662570

Incident

May 21, 2025

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while his son was driving 40 MPH, the rear driver-side wheel rim detached. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle veered to the right, accelerated independently, and went up the embankment, hit a tree, and accelerated independently down the embankment when the vehicle flipped on the passenger side, where it came to a stop.  The driver-side and passenger-side air bags deployed, and the side curtain air bags deployed. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company was contacted, and pending results. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11661159

Incident

May 13, 2025

My truck started having a vibration when driving around 45-55 mph. This problem first became noticeable when it had about 115,000 miles on it. Over time the speed that the vibration became noticeable at gradually increased. By 125,000 miles on the truck, it was vibrating hard between 60 and 70 mph. The dealership determined that the problem was that the drive shaft was out of balance and that it had to be replaced. They replaced the drive shaft, but this doesn't seem like a problem that should creep up with that relatively few miles on the vehicle, and I have read that if the drive shaft actually fails, it can severely damage the vehicle and potentially cause injury.

NHTSA ID

11632871

Incident

Sep 18, 2023

Under the bottom of my truck, there is tons of rust. I know a lot of the trucks my year, make, and model has been recalled for rust on the body and other parts of the truck. I was told that a Toyota dealership should replace it with the amount it has, and now a hole has appeared but they only told me a price to fix everything that is rusted. Just puts my vehicle at risk driving it back and forth to work.

NHTSA ID

11560610

Incident

Oct 20, 2023

Will not fix the frame. my husband has a 2005 and it looks new compared to my 2012. The last mechanic I used told me not to bring it back to him to much rust. Toyota said it passed their inspection. There is no way. They’ve had my truck almost a yr. I thought they was fixing it. No they just been chilling. They never called me to tell me it was they wouldn’t honor the recall. Nothing. I keep reading on here cold climate states are the only complaints. Someone is lying on here because I know at least 20 Toyota Tacoma owners from Texas who have filed incident reports.

NHTSA ID

11546237

Incident

Sep 9, 2023

The check engine light on the dashboard of my 2012 Tacoma turned on and will no longer accelerate appropriately and especially while driving uphill, posing a danger to myself and other drivers. I was on a two-lane highway with a cliffside drop on one side and a wall of steep rock on the other and absolutely no where to go as there was only one lane going in each direction and my truck would not accelerate over 20mph in an area where you’re expected to keep a pace above 40mph and as such ended up with a long row of impatient and increasingly frustrated drivers behind me, only more incited by my having to turn on my hazard lights as a result of a crawling speed I was forced to deal with and with nowhere to pull over and get out of the way. How can I possibly rely on this vehicle to be safe for me or anyone else, especially on a fast-moving highway in this condition? I have taken the vehicle to an auto shop and I as told the air injection system is bad and that this is a typical problem for Toyota Tacomas and the cost would be just shy of $3,000! I was recommended by a mechanic to reach out to Toyota directly because this is obviously an issue the manufacturer should readily respond to and repair. Please advise.

NHTSA ID

11544660

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

Sudden and total loss of power steering while backing up to park. There were/are no warning lights or messages displayed on the dashboard. With great difficulty, I was able to drive the car to my local mechanic. Steering was extremely difficult. The power steering unit has been ordered by my mechanic.

NHTSA ID

11537242

Incident

Jul 28, 2023

My truck lost drivability while I was going 60 I ran into a ditch to stop. It hads two codes . I took it in they replaced my rack n pinion. Check engine light came on . Mechanic said he could not work on it anymore because of the rust. To much corrosion he would be risking liability for other parts getting damaged because of all the rust. Took it to mike Shaw to have frame tested. It passed they said. But I can’t find a mechanic to work on it but mike Shaw and they’ll just keep charging for each item they don’t care.

NHTSA ID

11498183

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

Drivetrain vibration and cricket chripping noise; likly coming from propeller shaft

NHTSA ID

11493240

Incident

Oct 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him about a Special Service Campaign: 20TC01. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air injection pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed him that the Special Service Campaign: 20TC01 had expired. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11482001

Incident

Aug 24, 2022

Mileage

85,000 mi

The frame has rusted through in several spots.

NHTSA ID

11434134

Incident

Sep 23, 2021

The passenger leaf spring or right leaf spring has broken and the truck has not hauled any kind of weight, there is a previous recall on similar trucks but they end with 2011 models but looking at the 2012 model it’s build is similar and seems to have a chance of having the same effect as mine already has.

NHTSA ID

11432167

Incident

Jun 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in areas with low traction, several unknown warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and the vehicle would begin to drift independently. Once the contact regained control of the vehicle, the warning lights would disappear, and the vehicle would resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer for repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) which he linked to the failure. Upon speaking with the dealer, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was directed to the website for assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,500.

NHTSA ID

11431502

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

85,500 mi

I was attempting to park in a parking space to return items at a department store at a mall. All of a sudden my truck accelerator on its own. The truck traveled over two cements curbs crossed a road before traveling through a chain-link fence down the front of retaining wall into a wooded area swamp. It took three tow trucks to remove the truck. Police report 21-374-AC. Truck wasn't repairable so my insurance company totalled the truck. I filed a complaint with Toyota in Case number 210602000065 but no outcome. This is the second time this truck has had accelerator issues. My first complaint was Aug 2019 with Toyota case number 1908060035. Toyota pulled the black box and came back stating they couldn't find anything.

NHTSA ID

11423411

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Is there a recall on leaf springs

NHTSA ID

11421480

Incident

Jun 11, 2021

Switching valve stuck open bank 1 and 2. Truck is in limp mode. Air pump is full of water.

NHTSA ID

11420726

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

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. Call Toyota and they have opened a new case # 210602000065. Police report # 21-374-AC. This isn't the first time that this has happen with this truck. It happen in Aug 2019. I contacted Toyota case number 1908060035. They sent out EAA Engineering Analysis Ass. out who did a ACM.CDRX file a month later. Toyota came back said they couldn't find anything wrong and my case was closed. Another incident in winter of 2016 where my truck was stopped and it accelerated on its own and It drove in the 4 way intersection where it caused an accident. lots of damage to cars. Toyota was contacted and they sent me to a dealer for repairs. Dealership has records of my truck coming in since I owned it with complaints of Truck not moving at all to all of sudden to acceleration on its own.

NHTSA ID

11419346

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO START SLIDING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

NHTSA ID

11413111

Incident

Apr 16, 2021

Mileage

76,000 mi

HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2011 TACOMA'S WITH FAULTY LEAF SPRINGS STARTED AS A SQUEAK SPRAYED WD-40 AND FLUID FILM DIDN'T HELP THEN FEW MONTHS LATER HEARD A CLUNK AND NOW DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING IS BROKE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL!!

NHTSA ID

11408264

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THE STEERING ON MY 2012 TACOMA IS HARDER THAT NORMAL AND NO LONGER RETURNS TO CENTER AFTER TURNING. UPON INVESTIGATING ONLINE AND VISUALLY INSPECTING MY TRUCK, THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD LOWER BALL JOINT HAS FAILED! UPON VISUAL INSPECTION IT APPEARS THAT THE CUPS AND BEARING ARE DESTROYED . TOYOTA CONSIDERS THIS A NORMAL WEAR ITEM!! THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 34,400 MILES ACTUALLY THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WILL SOMEDAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY TOYOTA. IT APPEARS THAT MANY TOYOTA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11400328

Incident

Feb 20, 2021

Mileage

34,200 mi