2012 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Toyota Tundra has a Complaint Index of 55 and ranks 10th out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 155 complaints, 3 recalls, and no deaths, with Engine problems being the top concern at 41% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Tundra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 155
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 14 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2012 Toyota Tundra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine63 (41%)
- Fuel System27 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (14%)
- Electrical System18 (12%)
- Other17 (11%)
- Structure & Body16 (10%)
- Brakes14 (9%)
- Steering12 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (6%)
- Airbags9 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report tire grinding and vibration while towing, with traction control triggering and the tires seizing, in at least one case leading the vehicle to spin.
- Side impact airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a severe side-impact crash, with the onboard computer failing to recognize the airbags afterward.
- Some owners describe doors that would not open after a crash into water while the alarm system stayed activated.
- Steering wheel shaking and corrosion has been reported, in one case leading to a crash during a dealer test drive.
- Brake-related failures have been described, including a parked truck that rolled away and a separate incident where brakes and steering reportedly stopped working while driving.
- Driver seat frame fractures and airbag cover splitting along the seam have also been reported by owners.
2012 Toyota Tundra recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering22,462 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
- NHTSA 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Other7,525 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles
Seats
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, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: 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.
2012 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Tundra a Complaint Index of 55, ranking 10th out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Tundra years. Engine complaints make up 41% of the 155 total complaints filed.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tundra?
- Engine problems lead at 41% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 78,000 miles overall, followed by Fuel System issues at 17% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 14%.
- Does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Tundra, covering steering gear assembly, a labeling issue, and occupant detection sensor testing. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Tundra compare to other Tundra years?
- The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 55 is worse than years like 2013, 2015, and 2017, which carry Best verdicts with indexes as low as 0, but better than years such as 2006, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes up to 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Tundra?
- EPA rates the 2012 Tundra at 15.5 mpg combined (14 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175.