Problems · by component

2012 Toyota Tacoma power train problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma cite power train, 12% of all 295 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
35
12% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Power train, Structure, TiresODI 11677221
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2024Power trainODI 11632871
“WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRUCK LOST ALL POWER AND ACCELERATION. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ENGINE WILL NOT INCREASE RPM WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. TRUCK WILL SLOWLY DRIVE BUT IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AS IT SLOWLY ACCELERATES UP TO 20-30MPH MAX. VEHICLE WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM PARKING LOT ACCESS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11389313
“WHEN I'M DRIVING THE TRUCK BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES AN HOUR THE TRUCK FEEL LIKE WANTS TO STOP AND SAUNDS WUIRD I THINK IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS NOT DOING HIS JOB PROPERLY ALSO THAT SUSPENSION IS GETTING RESTLESS SO BAD AND SO QUICKLY AND THE CHATS ARE SO HARD SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT OR IT'S JUST NORMAL IN THE CAR AND SAW THE THINGS I'VE BEEN CHECKING ON IT 2012 TOYOTA AND I HAD IT FOR THREE YEARS ALSO IT TAKES TOO LONG TO HEAT UP IN WINTER TIME”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2020Suspension, Power trainODI 11316975
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2019Power train, Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11206390
“DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY WENT IN TO LIMP-HOME MODE. I HAD IT SCANNED FOR CODES AT THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND IT CAME BACK WITH P2440 AND P2442 WHICH SEEMS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VALVE IN THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM. I QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWED THAT SOME 2012 TACOMA OWNERS ARE GETTING THIS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION, SO I PUTTERED OVER TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXPECTING TO HEAR THE SAME STORY, BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ECM COMPUTER IS BAD. WHICH I AM TRYING TO GET CLARIFICATION ON SINCE I CAN'T FIND ANY ECM FAILURE ISSUES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2019Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11194082

Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2012 Tacoma problem areas