2012 Toyota Tundra problems
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Common 2012 Toyota Tundra problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2012 Toyota Tundra, several common problems have been reported:
- Lower Ball Joint Issue:
A recall was issued by Toyota for a lower ball joint issue in the 2012 Tundra. This problem can impact the vehicle's steering and suspension, posing a safety risk to the driver and passengers.
- AIR Injection Pump Failure:
Another common problem reported by owners is the failure of the AIR injection pump. This component is crucial for emissions control, and its malfunction can lead to issues with the vehicle's environmental performance and overall engine health.
- Fuel Leaks:
Owners have experienced fuel leaks in both older and newer models of the Toyota Tundra. These leaks can be caused by various factors such as rust, defective EVAP systems, seal and gasket problems, and poor fuel quality. Fuel leaks pose a serious safety hazard and should be addressed promptly . - Transmission Issues:
The 6-speed AB60 transmission used in the Tundra has been a source of complaints, particularly related to torque converter shutter or general shifting quality. This issue can affect the vehicle's drivability and overall performance . - Potential Engine Fires:
Concerns have been raised by owners regarding engine fires linked to headlight assembly electrical failures. This issue can lead to serious safety risks, prompting Toyota to issue recalls for affected models and replace the necessary parts to prevent such incidents .
- Rust Issues:
Corrosion and rust problems have been reported by many Toyota Tundra owners, especially with older models. Severe rusting, particularly in critical areas like the frame, can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle and lead to safety concerns . - Tire Pressure Monitoring System Issues:
Both older and newer generations of the Toyota Tundra have experienced problems with the tire pressure monitoring system. Issues like the system light staying on can impact the driver's ability to monitor tire pressure accurately, affecting safety and performance . - Fuel Pump Failure:
The fuel pump in the Toyota Tundra is a critical component for engine performance. Owners have reported instances of poor performance, stalling, and jittering due to failed fuel pumps. While not extremely common, these failures can disrupt the vehicle's operation and require immediate attention .
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise to ensure the safety and longevity of the 2012 Toyota Tundra.
Is 2012 a bad year for Toyota Tundra?
The 2012 Toyota Tundra
The top issue reported was the air induction pump, which has a high repair cost. Problems were reported, on average, around 74,000 miles, and the price was over $3,000 to repair. Another critical issue that came out of this year was transmission failure.
Is 2012 Toyota Tundra a good truck?
This is the toughest most versatile and value-laden Full Size pickup ever built by Toyota Under the hood Tundra offers up two torque-heavy fuel-conscious engines a 4.6 liter I-Force V8 and a powerful 5.7 liter I-Force V8 intelligent transmissions and the extra-duty cooling and electrical systems to keep it all running ...
What is the biggest problem with a Toyota Tundra?
And the suspension. Parts this led to one of the biggest lawsuits against Toyota which resulted in a 3.4 billion dollar settlement. But excluded all Tundra generation. Some of which did have rust.
How many miles will a 2012 Toyota Tundra last?
How Long Will the 2012 Toyota Tundra Last? A properly maintained 2012 Tundra should last over 350,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles longer than top competitors including the Ram 1500.
Are 2012 Toyota Tundra's reliable?
It used to be that full-size pickup trucks were primarily judged on no-nonsense qualities like reliability, durability and competence for the job at hand. By these traditional measures, the 2012 Toyota Tundra can go toe to toe with anything Detroit's Big Three automakers have to offer.
What is the biggest problem with a Toyota Tundra?
And the suspension. Parts this led to one of the biggest lawsuits against Toyota which resulted in a 3.4 billion dollar settlement. But excluded all Tundra generation. Some of which did have rust.
Why avoid 2012 Tundra?
The 2012 Toyota Tundra
Problems were reported, on average, around 74,000 miles, and the price was over $3,000 to repair. Another critical issue that came out of this year was transmission failure.
What was the worst year for the 2012 Toyota Tundra?
There are two main reasons why people consider the 2012 Toyota Tundra to be the worst of the truck's almost blemish-free lineup. For one, there was an issue with the air induction pump, which most drivers saw arise around 74,000 miles. This was an expensive fix at an average of $3,100.
2012 Toyota Tundra car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Tundra problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Toyota Tundra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Toyota Tundra
The NHTSA has received 150 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Toyota Tundra. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Toyota Tundra vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-24
- VIN: 5TFUW5F15CX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
- Summary: Temperature Seat switches are not working, fire hazard does to malfunctioning.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-15
- VIN: 5TFHW5F13CX
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle started leaking fuel, and the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the fuel leak stopped. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank valve assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 20,000.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 5TFUM5F18CX
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Wife was driving truck and immediately went into limp mode on the highway. Check engine light came on, no accelerating then died. Had to get it towed. This is the 3rd incident with this issue.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-02
- VIN: 5TFDW5F13CX
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The fuel pump failed on my Tundra. Several dashboard check engine lights suddenly lit up to warn me of the issue. While I was able to safely get it to a mechanic to repair the independent Toyota certified mechanic I use shared they have seen a volume of these where the car stops immediately with the Fuel pump failing completely. I was lucky as the day prior to this I was driving through mountain passes on the highway in Colorado. I have since found out from the feedback from my mechanic that they have repaired a volume of these, and it is a known issue by Toyota who issued a technical service bulletin. The fuel pump needs to be replaced with a different specification - the original pump is not sufficient. My concern is putting driver/passenger safety at risk with a complete fuel pump failure while driving. I consider this a near-miss for me, and would worry about others that are about to have this issue.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-26
- VIN: 5TFJM5F11CX
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: ECM safety recall air injection pump failure
STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-20
- VIN: 5TFBY5F16CX
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My power steering gear blew its seal on the passenger side losing all power steering fluid and almost making me crash into a car next to me, and Toyota refuses to cover it stating that I hadn't had the steering gear replaced prior to whenever their dates were this is clearly faulty equipment and faulty machine work on the steering gear itself. why won't Toyota cover it? I tried contacting One Toyota and Downtown Toyota here in Oakland California and they told me that they wanted $250 to inspect my vehicle and that I would definitely have to pay for it because my vehicle was not under recall it states it is a recall if you look it up.It is worded recall if they're not going to cover it sounds like they're trying to back out of covering it until someone gets seriously hurt or killed like I almost did, I will never buy another Toyota again as long as I live because clearly they don't care about the faulty equipment on their vehicles that's going to hurt or kill someone. All they care about is the mighty dollar and that's just wrong. Safety has gone rite the window and if anyone reading this is thinking about buying a Toyota, I would seriously think twice.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-28
- VIN: 5TFUM5F17CX
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 2012 Tundra faced a lot of problems like air injection pump failures, sticking of secondary air pumps, knock, along with other issues like speed control, engine cooling, and throttle failure. At present, it has been slapped with 136 complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation as recorded on NHTSA site.Sep 2, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-02
- VIN: 5TFUM5F16CX
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while plowing his driveway, there was an abnormal burning odor detected. The vehicle suddenly lost power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that oil was needed. The mechanic became aware that oil was dripping through a small crack on the cam shaft on the right cylinder bank onto the exhaust manifold. The contact was informed that the engine wiring harness was burned. The mechanic recommended that the engine and transfer case be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed after an investigation, that there was no evidence of a defect. The claim was denied. There was no additional assistance provided. The approximate failure mileage 175,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-17
- VIN: 5TFUM5F12CX
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the light stayed illuminated while driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent certified mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the secondary air injectors needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the manufacturer had offered an Extended Warranty Program to cover the failure under "Warranty Enhancement Program ZG6" for "Air Injection Pumps and Air Switching Valves" and that the warranty had expired several months prior. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-03
- VIN: 5TFUM5F18CX
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: My driver's side rear lug studs all broke while driving, causing damage to my when and rear axle of the vehicle.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-01
- VIN: 5TFUM5F18CX
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The horn no longer works on the vehicle. I can no longer alert drivers who do not see me while driving or in parking lots. My auto shop confirmed the horn did not work and estimated the repair. There were no warnings.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-03
- VIN: 5TFUW5F13CX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Computer software issues. Flex full engine.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 5tfuw5f15cx
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: The engine leaks oil in front of the faulty designed cam tower seal and leaks on the manifold. This caused smoke to come from the oil burning off.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-18
- VIN: 5TFUM5F18CX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: Secondary air injection pump has high rate of failure, recalls in older models. Has caused truck to go into limp mode. Could cause serious accident/fatality if vehicle suddenly goes into limp mode on highway. This has happened on multiple occasions in forums I’ve read. Known problem by Toyota that isn’t being addressed.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-30
- VIN: 5tfdw5f14cx
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The truck has paint peeling from it. There is currently a recall out for other models of Toyota with the same paint type as mine. Toyota says that the Tundra is not affected by this recall. I took the truck to Toyota they took down a report and told me to call the cooperate office to report it as well.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-02-24
- VIN: 5TFDW5F13CX
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle experienced steering failure with abnormal popping sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E103000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 156,485.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-03
- VIN: 5TFDY5F14CX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My horn stopped working. I have two new drivers and this is a huge safety concern of mine. The dealer is telling me that this is a $800 job. Online I'm finding that this is a very common issue that is occurring ... effecting the safety or our vehicle.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-17
- VIN: 5TFUM5F11CX
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Secondary air injection system failed May 2019. ALL dash warning lights came on. Researched on-line and found truck would not have accelerated past “limp mode” (25-30 mph). Had to have vehicle towed to local Toyota dealer as I was over 40 miles from home (all highway). Toyota dealer diagnosed secondary air injection system failure. Cost to repair OVER $3000. Toyota has acknowledged this is a KNOWN design problem on the Tundra “big” V8s but refuses to recognize this is a design problem on the 2012 4.6L V8 models. Local dealer stated “we have lots of these lying around the shop so no problem getting the part.” Indicating this is a common problem/repair. Spoke directly with Toyota Corporate office who refused to acknowledge design fault or reimburse for repair. This is a HUGE safety issue caused by a known Toyota design problem that needs to be investigated by NHTSA. Toyota MUST be help accountable for this problem and made to correct the problem with a "recall".
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-01
- VIN: 5TFDW5F13CX
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The horn can not be operated by the steering wheel. The horn still works when the panic alarm is pressed. According to several forums that I have visited, it’s a common issue with the steering column rubbing the insulation off of the wire. I believe that if this is that common of an issue, it should be reported, and hope that it will be addressed by a recall.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-12
- VIN: 5TFRM5F12CX
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Secondary air injection system failed June 2018. Vehicle went into limp mode on highway, a dangerous situation as you go from 70 to 30 MPH rather suddenly. Alamo Toyota dealership in San Antonio stated code PO418 and needs to have air pumps and valves replaced. Cost estimate of $3362.57. Toyota has acknowledged this is a design problem on certain Toyota Tundras but fails to recognize this is an issue on the 2012 4.6L V8 models. Toyota needs to take responsibility that this is still an issue with the 2012 4.6L V8 models.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-24
- VIN: 5TFUW5F12CX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Started my truck and the 4lo, check engine and trac off lights came on. The 4lo was blinking.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-15
- VIN: 5tfrm5f17cx
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Check engine light which when checked revealed Air pump and air control valve failures. This is a known problem with 2006-2011 Tundras that Toyota issued an extended warranty for 10 years or 150,000 to replace these parts. There was additional extended warranty for 2012 with 5.7 Liter engine but not the 4.6 liter engine. Safety issue is when total failure occurs vehicle goes into limp mode with max speed of 25MPH which would be bad at highway speeds. Code was run by repair facility and copy is enclosed. Email was sent to Toyota corporate and upon phone call follow up, Toyota refused to do anything towards the defect.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-04-04
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 2012 Toyota Tundra Cam Carrier seal/cam tower leak on Passenger side. THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE THE OIL PRESSURE BECOMES HIGHER THAN THE BOND HOLDING THE SEAL ELEMENT, IT BEGINS TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-05
- VIN: 5TFUM5F16CX
- Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
- Summary: have noticed rust holes on frame-frame rust is flaking-falling off--rust on brake system and wheel rims
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-28
- VIN: 5TFRM5F16CX
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, he heard an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the secondary air injection system to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,899.
2012 Toyota Tundra recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2012 Toyota Tundra.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
- Consequence: 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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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."
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
- Summary: 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.
- 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.
Negative 2012 Toyota Tundra car reviews
Positive 2012 Toyota Tundra car reviews
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This is my third Toyota truck and it is by far the best. I briefly looked at other brands when it was time to trade, but I easily came back to Toyota. The Tundra has everything you could want in a truck - capacity, comfort, durability, and great looks. The 5.7L V-8 engine offers plenty of power for even the most demanding tasks. There is plenty of room in the front, back, and bed, and the leather interior is top-notch. The navigation system with JBL sound is superior to other systems I have owned, including Bose. When we take the truck to our vacation home, we find the ride to be pleasant and relaxing. There is also lots of storage space to keep things organized. If you are in the market for a full-sized pickup truck, I highly recommend giving the Tundra a close look. You won't be disappointed!
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Overall, I found the truck to be quite good. The only issue I encountered was with the alcohol sensor in the fuel system. According to the technician, if the truck is left in very cold weather for a few days, the sensor may think it's running on flex fuel. This can make it difficult to start, but once it does start, it runs fine. Unfortunately, this problem is not covered by the warranty, and I had to take it to the dealership to have the sensor reset. The dealership was not very helpful, so I eventually decided to trade the truck in.
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Before purchasing my 2012 Tundra 5.7L LB, I conducted extensive research on Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. In my opinion, the U.S. manufactured trucks used excessively thin sheet metal and were overpriced by $10K - $15K, which I felt was due to unions. Although I found thin sheet metal in the Tundra too, I was pleased that I wasn't paying a union add-on for the Toyota. What really sold me on the Tundra was the large pinion gear, quality wrapped wire bundles in the engine bay, the high-quality interior, and transmission cooler. I have owned the truck for 2 years and 7 months now and have not experienced any problems at all. The body style is attractive, and I personally prefer it over the new 2015 body style. I would definitely repurchase a Tundra manufactured prior to the new body style.
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I purchased my Tundra brand new in 2012. While the buying experience at the Toyota dealership was challenging, the dealership did offer a package that included free lifetime car washes and oil changes. Although this benefit was not relevant to me as I prefer to do my own maintenance, it may be of interest to others. Since owning the truck, I have not encountered any mechanical issues and the engine and transmission are running smoothly at 77K miles. The interior has held up well, with no issues with the fabric seats or plastics. However, the radio plastic cover is prone to scratches, which can make it difficult to read the display. On the exterior, I have noticed some rust on the frame, but I plan to address this by applying undercoating. While there have been a few minor defects, such as the rubber strip on the roof coming off and the rubber part around the gas tank neck being broken, overall my ownership experience has been decent.It wasn't a big enough issue for me to take it back to the dealership. Lastly, the passenger side map light wouldn't extinguish when the vehicle went into sleep mode. It would happen intermittently and left me stranded a couple of times before I finally and accidentally figured it out. I came back to the vehicle and noticed the passenger side map light was still on while the rest of the vehicle had gone into sleep mode. I fixed the problem by removing the bulb. Since then, I've had absolutely no problems with the electrical.
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Just thought I would update my review - I have now owed my Certified Used Tundra for two-years now. I am just as happy as the day I got it. No check engine lights and no problems. I wish I would have switched to Toyota years ago and saved myself some weekends of not working on vehicles and lots of headaches. This truck has made multiple trips to Florida and many to the Midwest and is a joy to drive. Toyotas cost a little more but, they hold their value, and they stand the test of time. I am to the point in my life where owning a quality vehicle that I don't have to worry about is first and foremost. I don't have to worry about my vehicle being labeled as a "rolling sarcophagi", or "disfiguring", or wondering what kind of defect my vehicle has and how it's going to kill me....lol
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Toyota Tundra problems:
2012 Tundra issues : r/tundra
Dec 12, 2021 ... ... 2012 Tundra was the LEAST reliable Tundra ever made. that makes me think I should trade in on another Toyota while prices are high. ? Upvote
2012 Tundra | Toyota Nation Forum
Mar 29, 2021 ... The 2012 Toyota Tundra has 239 problems & defects reported by Tundra owners. The worst complaints are exhaust system, engine, and accessories - ...
2012 Toyota Tundra Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Paint And Trim · Fuel System/Emissions · Brakes · Exhaust · Transmission Minor · Engine Cooling · In-car Electronics · Climate ...
2012 Toyota Tundra Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Mar 29, 2022 ... The 2012 Tundra can last over 350,000 miles with some exhaust and rare engine issues. Prices are high at $13,813 – 26,537, but worth it for the ...
Shudder problems and Air Pump problems 2012 4.6L Tundra ...
Mar 22, 2022 ... About a year or two ago I had my first issue with the Secondary Air Injection System. At that time I was not aware of the common issues nor was ...
Other years of Toyota Tundra
Are you having problems with your 2012 Toyota Tundra?
Giovanny Gutmann 2025-04-27
I recently purchased a 2012 Tundra (4.6L) from Germain Toyota. Unfortunately, the check engine light came on and the truck began losing acceleration while driving it. I brought it back to the dealership and they diagnosed it with a p2440 code for $130. Germain Toyota informed me that the air injection valve bank was stuck, had debris and possible water intrusion, and that it could be fixed for a repair cost of $2800-$3000. This was concerning as the truck can go into limp mode, causing it to not shift correctly and lose acceleration, which nearly caused an accident. Toyota issued a recall on the 2007-2010 Tundras and Tacomas due to the defective air valves/air pumps, extending the mileage on these years to 10yr/150k. However, the recall was not extended to the 2012 model. It seems that there are many other 2012 Tundra owners with this problem as well. Despite the truck being out of warranty by about 5 months, I have always taken great care of it and have taken it into a Toyota dealer for all scheduled maintenance dates. Germain Toyota was unable to do anything other than repair it for the high cost. It would be great if Toyota could own up to their defective parts and Germain Toyota could offer some solutions other than reinstalling defective parts for a lot of money. I hope that Toyota will take responsibility for this issue, as I doubt I will buy another vehicle from them again.
Donald Ondricka 2025-04-11
The Toyota Tundra is a great truck with a lot of positive features such as a great ride, pulling power, and a large dealer base nationwide. However, there is a well-documented defect in Toyota Tundras that can endanger you and your family and is a very expensive repair. Despite this, Toyota claims that the problem was corrected with the 2010 models, but acknowledges there are plenty of dissatisfied customers posting all over the internet. As a Toyota fan and a loyal customer, I am disappointed with the secondary air pump failure in my 2012 Toyota Tundra, which occurred at exactly 72,000 miles. I have talked to 2 dealers and many emails and phone calls to Toyota corporate regarding the defect and seeking assistance. Although they know the defect is common in all Tundras, they refuse to help. However, I am confident that this defect will not affect the resale or trade value of the vehicle. It is important to budget for this repair if you buy a 2010 Tundra or later. Despite this issue, I still believe that Toyota is a good company and produces quality products.Although Toyota extended the warranty on the weak link in vehicles built between 2007-2010, they have not acknowledged any manufacturing defect in later models. It is important to note that this issue can be extremely dangerous, causing the vehicle to become sluggish and unable to drive uphill or accelerate. Despite the lack of action from Toyota, I have taken the initiative to repair my Tundra out of pocket twice, as I consider it a safety issue. While Toyota has eliminated the 4.6 motor as an option, I have decided to keep my Tundra and budget for any additional repairs. It is worth noting that the 2012 Tundra is an excellent vehicle that rides well on long trips, has held up very well, and gets great gas mileage (18-20mpg) and sometimes better on the highway. As of the latest update in April 2021, I am still driving the Tundra, and it continues to ride and look good with no further repairs.
Vladimir Erdman 2025-04-06
Hello! If you're considering purchasing a flex fuel vehicle, it's important to be aware of potential issues. In temperatures of 50 degrees or less, there may be some difficulty starting the vehicle after 7-8 fill ups, which can be frustrating. While there is no permanent fix yet, there are some steps you can take to avoid the problem. For example, try not to run the vehicle with less than a quarter tank of gas, and never run it for less than 5 minutes. Additionally, it's best to use only flex fuel (if available) and consider moving to a warmer climate if possible. It's important to note that these issues have been reported with a $50k truck from Toyota, and some customers have had difficulty getting the support they need. However, we encourage you to explore all options before pursuing legal action. Thank you for considering this information before making your purchase.
Vicente Towne 2024-11-28
I recently purchased a 2012 Tundra, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. While I am not a car salesman and do not need to worry about resale value, I would caution anyone who values reliability and resale to consider other options. In my opinion, the Tundra's design is unappealing and the interior finish is of poor quality. The seats are uncomfortable and the gauges are small and difficult to read. Additionally, the air control knobs are not user-friendly. However, these are just my personal observations and others may have a different experience.
Jayden Lockman 2024-09-28
Hello! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to let you know that I have an expensive paperweight sitting in my driveway.