10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,985 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #17

Jan 012021

Tacoma

  • 85,500 miles
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.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 132020

Tacoma

  • 88,000 miles
Right front wheel suddenly locks for several seconds putting a drag on that wheel, slowing that wheel down. Happens on sharp turns only so far, mostly going down hill, all at reasonable, safe speeds for the curve. Driver is not using the breaks at the times this has happened, and releases the gas and holds tight to the steering wheel. No dash lights appear. It is increasing in frequency and starting to scare us on our deep cliff curve roads. This has been happening just once in awhile 5 years, but is now happening 2-5 times each time we drive the 15 mile river canyon with tight curves and steep cliffs. We only know wheels ans brake system are involved, and the stability of the vehicle.

- Mcfarland, CA, USA

problem #15

Nov 012019

Tacoma

  • 99,000 miles
Brakes actuate abnornmal. Brakes engage approx. 2 seconds after they are applied. Brakes also will come on at full force locking the vehicle up. Master tech diagnostic - faulty brake booster. Toyota has recalls for 2012 Tacoma's however my VIN is not included in recall.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #14

May 012019

Tacoma

  • miles
60,000 miles. Three years ago the airbag light came on. We brought it and paid for diagnostics but no answers. Now the check engine light and track off are lighting (not related to first issue) and the truck is in slowdown mode. We replaced the gas-cap but it didn't fix the issue. Disappointed in what used to be a quality company.

- Claremont, NH, USA

problem #13

Apr 072019

Tacoma

  • 47,584 miles
Trac off warning light came on automatically. The vehicle was stationary. I had turned car on to drive down the hill on my property.

- Paauilo, HI, USA

problem #12

Feb 082018

Tacoma

  • 164,000 miles
The secondary air injection system went out

- Potts Camp, MS, USA

problem #11

Aug 302017

Tacoma

  • 77,000 miles
The ABS actuates prematurely during cornering on freeway on/off ramps and in corners resulting in suspension dive, an under steer condition, and loss of vehicle control. This occurs when the vehicle is in motion at posted speed limits on dry pavement. I have contacted Toyota/been to the dealership several times about this issue with no resolution. They claim that the leveling kit and at tires are to blame. I related that I had this issue with the truck when it was brand new with no modifications.

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 102017

Tacoma

  • 49,652 miles
At start up "check engine" and "trac off" lights were on. Truck had no acceleration and transmission would not shift. I took the car to the dealership and diagnostic codes P2440 and P2442 were detected. Dealer had to replace the air injection system bank 1 and bank 2. during research, I discovered numerous other owners of 2012 Tacoma's complaing about the same issue. Some even lost power while driving. Also, the Tundra apparently had a similar issue being reported

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #9

Jun 132017

Tacoma

  • miles
I have check engine light on and the trac off light on. This common problem wiyhe Tundra model. Alot of Tacoma owner have same problem but Tacoma doe not have exdended warranty like tha Tundra. My truck only have 59K miles it's only 5years and 3 months old they said won't cover the problem. Problem 1 seconndary injection system valve I have to code P2440 P2442.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #8

May 312017

Tacoma

  • 99,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion on rainy, wet highway when check engine light went on and traction control was shut off. The secondary air injection switching valve is apparently stuck closed, which for some reason shuts off the traction control. It is my understanding from speaking with other Tacoma and Tundra owners that had the valves gotten stuck open, the vehicle goes into "limp mode" which automatically decreases speed to 20mph. Obviously, either of these occurrences are particularly unsafe in rainy and wet conditions, and the decrease in speed is unsafe during any highway traveling. This is apparently a big enough issue on the Tundra models for Toyota to extend the warranty to 150,000mi, yet they have done nothing for the Tacoma which have an identical system and parts.

- Matawan, NJ, USA

problem #7

Dec 212016

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
2012 Tacoma with 37,00 miles: While leaving a parking lot and trying to accelerate on to a busy highway, (60mph speeds), truck would not accelerate and "check engine" and "trac off" lights illuminated. Vehicle went into "limp mode" and would not go faster than 35 mph. I had to quickly pull off the road as to not cause an accident. If this had this occurred while traveling at normal highway speed (60 mph+), would definitely be in a wreck due to the sudden downshift and deceleration. I took vehicle to local auto parts store and received the code P2442: Secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open bank 2. from researching, this is a known problem with 2012 Tacoma, and had previously been an issue with older Tundra, which Toyota issued a tsb for. Toyota refuses to repair this under warranty (either powertrain or federal emissions) even though the failed part is directly tied to the emissions system! the system is used to pump additional air into the exhaust manifold upon startup to dilute the over-rich conditions that lead to increased pollution. (how is that not an emissions related part?) the failure or warping of the one-way check valve causes hot exhaust gases to backflow into the solenoid, and melting the gaskets. This ends up blocking the sealing plate and causing it to remain in the open position. The danger is that the hot exhaust is then fed into a plastic air pump causing it to potentially melt or catch fire! the fact that this forces the vehicle into "limp mode" is also a huge safety concern as it will not allow the vehicle to travel above 35 mph and could lead to serious accidents if traveling at high speed on the interstate or highway due to the unexpected, sudden deceleration. Failed assembly is Toyota part number : 25710-31020. This part number has been superseded by P/N: 25710-31022 and Toyota charges between $1500-$3200 to replace.

- Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA

problem #6

Jul 162016

Tacoma

  • 54,640 miles
My 2012 Toyota Tacoma prerunner 2wd has 54,640 miles. I just got a check engine light and "trac off" light yesterday. My truck would accelerate to just 25 mph when merging onto the interstate and top speed was around 50 mph. This is a serious safety issue and Toyota will not cover this known problem under the standard 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. Autozone ran the diagnostic scan and came up with trouble codes P2440 and P2442. These are tied to the secondary air injection system and switching valves. The Toyota dealership said this would cost me close to $2000 to repair. I paid $30,000 for this vehicle brand new just 4 years ago. This needs to become a class action lawsuit so that a safety recall is issued for Toyota to repair this known defect for free.

- Arlington, TN, USA

problem #5

Jun 032016

Tacoma

  • 65,000 miles
As I've read from numerous other 2012 Tacoma owners on tacomaworld.com, my secondary air injection switching valve has failed at 65K miles. This seems to be a recurring issue with all 2012 similar Tacoma models and should absolutely be recalled and replaced for free! until fixed, my truck is undrivable, meaning the cel light is on and the truck won't go faster than 30 mph.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #4

May 042016

Tacoma

  • 2 miles
Check engine light came on and vehicle was not going past 2K RPM and over 20mph. Connected to an onboard diagnostic reader which gave me codes P2440 and P2442- secondary air injection valve stuck open bank 1 & 2. vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and only 4 years old and Toyota does not cover faulty equipment under any warranty (powertrain or federal emissions) although they have issued Canada tsb 3861 acknowledging the deficiency, but leaving the owner to pay $645 for the replacement part from Toyota dealer. This is unsatisfactory- they must be held accountable for a vehicle still within powertrain (60,000mi) or federal emission (80,000mi) warranty.

- Belmont, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 152016

Tacoma

  • 48,000 miles
ABS goes off unexpectedly in low speeds/high speeds...dry/wet conditions...usually on winding roads with grade fluctuations causing vehicle to slide into oncoming traffic. This has been going on since my purchase in 2012. Thankfully I have not been in an accident due to this but lots of close calls. Toyota refuses to resolve this issue, and denys that it happens.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #2

Dec 242015

Tacoma

  • 82,000 miles
Brakes on vehicle lock-up and are overly sensitive. On many occasions when driving on wet pavement at slows speeds the ABS engaged and locked the brakes with only very light pressure on the brake pedal. On one occasion when driving at 10-15 mph in a parking lot in snow, a light touch to the brake locked up the brakes causing the vehicle to become unstable and crash. I have had four other Toyota trucks, three of them Tacoma and none of them had this braking issue. Barely pressing the brakes shouldn't cause them to lock up which causes the vehicle to become very unstable. Luckily it does it more often at low speeds. It's a major safety concern as the vehicle becomes undrivable.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #1

Apr 052014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 57,365 miles
I was driving on the freeway, in light rain. My car randomly engaged a system that slowed my vehicle down. This resulted in my losing traction with the road, my truck began to hydroplane. My truck spun and moved towards the highway median. The median had a V-ditch, my front passenger tire impacted the V-ditch and flipped my vehicle. If it weren't for my seat belt locking and side airbags deploying it may have been a fatal accident. It was a life threatening accident.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA