The 2012 Toyota Tacoma has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 297,072 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 406 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT17V4250002017-07-033,547 affected
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.
EQUIPMENT14V4750002014-08-0420,000 affected
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…
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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)14V0540002014-02-12261,114 affected
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…
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.
TIRES13V4940002013-10-17979 affected
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…
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.
EQUIPMENT13V1230002013-04-097,525 affected
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,…
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.
SEATS13V0140002013-01-163,235 affected
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,…
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.
EQUIPMENT12V1580002012-04-10672 affected
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.…
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
122
1crashes1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
51
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
43
3crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
22
2crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
21
6crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION
21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
17
2crashes
STEERING
12
Total complaints406
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“- 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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“The contact owned a 2012 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while his son was driving 40 mph, the rear driver-sideâ 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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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