Is the 2012 Toyota TACOMA reliable?

The 2012 Toyota TACOMA has 406 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Toyota TACOMA?

Top problems: ENGINE (124 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (52 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (46 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Toyota TACOMA?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Toyota TACOMA?

The 2012 Toyota TACOMA gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Toyota TACOMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Toyota TACOMA is approximately $1,632/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Toyota TACOMA

Q: Is the 2012 Toyota TACOMA often stolen?

The Toyota TACOMA was the #25 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 3,900 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Toyota TACOMA has 406 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 182. The most common issue is engine problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: the truck started to make a rattling noise under the hood on the drivers side when reaching 15mph. took it to dealer to have it examined. they said to try different gas not cheap gas. "i was already using shell gas" but i did what they said. still making the noise now from 20-40mph. take it back to . There are 7 recalls issued for this model year.

14 crash reports 5 injuries

406

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

124 complaints

31%

• THE TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN REACHING 15MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. THEY SAID TO TRY DIFFERENT GAS NOT CHEAP GAS. "I WAS ALREADY USING SHELL GAS" BUT I DID WHAT THEY SAID. STILL MAKING THE NOISE NOW FROM 20-40MPH. TAKE IT BACK TO
• AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65) MPH I EXITED THE HIGHWAY TO A INTERSECTION WITH A RED LIGHT. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP A COLLISION BY PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL . I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE AS DIRECTED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL BUT THE ENGINE OVERFLOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERFILLED BY 19.2 OZ. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INFORMATION LISTED IN TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN REACHING 15MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. THEY SAID TO TRY DIFFERENT GAS NOT CHEAP GAS. "I WAS ALREADY USING SHELL GAS" BUT I DID WHAT THEY SAID. STILL MAKING THE NOISE NOW FROM 20-40MPH. TAKE IT BACK TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Toyota TACOMA

Based on 362 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 57K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

124

60-100K

121

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 51K mi · 33 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 73K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 39K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS03/07/2017

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.

Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Above-average theft risk

#25 most stolen in 2025

The Toyota TACOMA was the #25 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 3,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Midsize truck; catalytic converters + wheels

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Toyota TACOMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Toyota TACOMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,632

Full coverage / month

$136

Liability only / year

$617

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1632

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota TACOMA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2012 TACOMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 406 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THE TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN REACHING 15MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. THEY SAID TO TRY DIFFERENT GAS NOT CHEAP GAS. "I WAS ALREADY USING SHELL GAS" BUT I DID WHAT THEY SAID. STILL MAKING THE NOISE NOW FROM 20-40MPH. TAKE IT BACK TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: MY TACOMA TENDS TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN IT IS STOPPED. I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING ON. IF SOMEONE ISN'T ON THE BRAKE FIRMLY THEY MAY TAP THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE AS DIRECTED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL BUT THE ENGINE OVERFLOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERFILLED BY 19.2 OZ. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INFORMATION LISTED IN TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: AT 300 MILES I NOTICED UPON DOWNSHIFTING ( I BELIEVE 3-2 OR 2-1) A RUMBLESTRIP VIBRATION FEELING. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. IT STILL OCCURS EVERYTIME I DOWNSHIFT (SOMETIMES STRONGER FEELING THEN OTHER TIMES) I RESEARCHED PREVIOUS YEARS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.. IT C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)