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…
2012 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 32 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2012 tacoma with 37,00 miles: while leaving a parking lot and trying to accelerate on to a busy highway, (60mph speeds), truck would not accelerate and "check engine" and "trac off" lights illuminated. Vehicle went into "limp mode" and would not go faster than 35 MPH. I had to quickly pull off the road as to not cause an accident. If this had this occurred while traveling at normal highway speed…
My 2012 tacoma is not shifting properly. It is shifting very hard and a bit erratic when driving, and when I am completely stopped at a light, the truck will sometimes violently surge forward making it feel like another vehicle has hit me from behind. It does not happen all the time, but it seems to happen more when it is cold. I took it to the dealership only to be told they could not replicate…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 37,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.