This page covers 3 recalls, 294 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma.
17–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.8 L/100km
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2012 Tacoma center heavily on the engine and fuel/propulsion system. Owners frequently report excessive oil consumption, with many describing the need to add oil between regular intervals, often a quart or more every few hundred to few thousand miles. Related engine concerns include rough running, stalling, and loss of power. On the fuel and propulsion side, owners describe hesitation on acceleration, stumbling at low speeds, and inconsistent throttle response. Powertrain complaints, the third most-reported category, tend to involve the automatic transmission slipping or hunting between gears, and some owners report clunking or shuddering during shifts. A smaller but recurring thread involves undercarriage rust, with owners noting significant corrosion on frame components and associated issues including tire pressure monitoring faults tied to corroded sensors.
294
Total Complaints
16
Crash-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 3 recalls, the most serious affecting trucks with 18-inch Maverick Alloy Wheels, where the spare tire requires a different style of lug nut that was not included with the vehicle, and using the wrong lug nuts can damage the wheel and eventually cause it to come loose.
On certain trucks where a dealer-installed hood scoop was added, the adhesive holding it in place can weaken and allow the scoop to detach at speed, becoming a road hazard. There is also a labeling issue on some trucks where the tire and loading information placard shows incorrect spare tire size and inflation pressure, which could lead to improper spare tire use and raise the risk of a tire failure.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding certain aftermarket hood scoops to the hood may weaken over time, causing the scoop to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will mechanically fasten the hood scoop to the hood using mechanical fasteners instead of adhesive.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire uses a different lug nut style than the other wheels, and the correct lug nuts were not included with the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a warning label on the spare tire, provide the correct lug nuts, and add documentation to the glove box.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire and loading information placard lists incorrect spare tire size and cold inflation pressure specifications.
What the fix does
Gulf States Toyota will mail owners a corrected placard at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
