2012 Toyota Tundra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Toyota Tundra: 3 recalls, 156 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #13V014000 · 2013 · 3,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V123000 · 2013 · 7,525 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Steering, Steering Vehicle recall #21V920000 · 2021 · 22,462 vehicles
What's wrong: The power steering gear assembly May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak May cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering, Steering Equipment recall #21E103000 · 2021 · 151 vehicles
What's wrong: The power steering gear assembly May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak May cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (57): the most common themes are warning light on (24), leaks (8), electrical failure (6).
- Fuel & propulsion (25): the most common themes are warning light on (9), electrical failure (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (21): the most common themes are warning light on (7), noise or vibration (3).
- Electrical (19): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), warning light on (2).
The 2012 Toyota Tundra has 156 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 28 Tundra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 247). Complaints peaked in 2020 (27 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,893 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (134 complaints, 10 recalls), 2013 (85 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Toyota Tundra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Toyota Tundra, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Tundra problems?
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (57), fuel & propulsion (25), transmission & drivetrain (21).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Tundra get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic (S5)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Toyota Tundra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.