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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-TOYOTA-TUNDRA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Toyota Tundra owner complaints

153 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 4 complaints shown

43 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/29/2018 91,000 mi ODI #11163969.0

Truck went into limp mode because of secondary air injection valve and air pump due to stuck valve. The exact same parts that Toyota has extended the warranty on for 2007 thru 2011 4.6 and 5.7 v-8's. Do they wait on the. 2012 models so most will go past the 150,000 mile extension. Very disappointed since I bought this truck 3 months ago. And now they want $2800 for a 4 hour job and about $600 in parts

12/25/2019 80,000 mi ODI #11291204.0

When driving my check engine and "trac off" light comes on and the engineer will not accelerate above thirty miles an hours. If you disconnect the battery and reset the computer it will work for about three mile then the check engine and "trac off" light comes on. This is the same indication earlier tundra models have with secondary air injectors recall. An it is widely documented online as a problem for 2012 tundra's. Yet Toyota continues to denies it's a problem and is not covered under the recall.

12/17/2012 2,880 mi ODI #10489030.0

Check engine light illuminated as I departed my driveway. I called Toyota service to schedule an appointment which occurred three days later. Toyota service department determined that the air pump, which is part of the emissions system, failed. I was advised the truck could not be driven. As of today (12/17/12) the part has still not arrived at boch Toyota south. Will the defective air pump cause premature failure of the catalytic converter? *tr

11/15/2019 50,000 mi ODI #11280445.0

Driving in highway traffic and engine reduces power significantly causing the vehicle to rapidly slow down and become a hazard in traffic. Took it to dealership and they said the secondary air injection system needs to be replaced for $3300. This is a known defect for the previous model year. I contacted Toyota hq and they refused to cover repairs for this know design defect.

other 4 complaints shown

12/16/2022 ODI #11497764.0

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.

12/14/2023 ODI #11560105.0

ECM safety recall air injection pump failure

11/15/2016 ODI #10926200.0

I experienced an extreme power loss which made it very dangerous to drive. When bringing to the dealership they informed me that the secondary air intake system needed to be replaced at a cost of $4,000. Upon researching I found that this problem has occurred on similar vehicles dating back to 2007. A recall and replacement was issued for all effected vehicles from 2007-2010. It appears that the problem continues after that date but not enough customers have complained or experienced the problem yet.

11/08/2017 ODI #11035069.0

2012 Toyota tundra. Consumer writes in regards to door handles sticking open on vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the door opened while driving. Updated 11/08/2017*js

powertrain 3 complaints shown

19 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/19/2014 85,000 mi ODI #10667344.0

Driveing 30 miles east of dickinsen noth dakata front drivers tire blew cruise set at 76 MPH speed limit 75mph bought new tires in duluth minnisota michelin tires to replace toyo open country bought from les schwab tires battle ground wa.. The whole side wall seperated completely from the tire looking at the other three they determained there was still 60% tread life at time of incident. They credited us for 2- tires thx [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

12/19/2012 6,000 mi Crash ODI #10489297.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota tundra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and towing a trailer, the vehicle started to vibrate as the front passenger side tire exhibited an abnormal grinding noise. The contact mentioned that the traction control warning light was illuminated, causing the tires to seize. As a result of the tire failure, the vehicle began spinning and crashed into a ditch. The contact was not injured. The police were contacted and arrived to the scene to file a police report of the incident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that they were not allowed to touch the vehicle until the engineer had first inspected it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that they would send an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The veh

11/29/2018 97,000 mi ODI #11154810.0

A grinding noise began to develop in the rear end of the truck. The noise was most noticeable between 30 and 60 MPH. I took the truck to a Toyota dealership for diagnosis and they determined the rear wheel bearings had failed. These bearings are sealed, require no maintenance, and should be designed to last the lifetime of the truck. This is a safety concern because a bearing failure could lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident. I have found a number of similar incidents reported on internet tundra forums, which indicates this is not an isolated problem.

body 2 complaints shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/10/2018 ODI #11157263.0

The bottom corners of both doors come to a very sharp point. Both of us have sustained nasty cuts on our shins when getting in and out of the truck several times. There should be a different design to remove the sharp points you can't avoid it at least put durable protection over the sharp edge.

11/14/2018 ODI #11151614.0

My 2012 tundra crew cab has severe rust at the rear axle mounting plates of the bed. The rust is corroding from the underside through the bed. Toyota indicates my VIN is not part of the recall series despite the bed rust being in the exact location of a prior recall.

suspension 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
12/25/2013 20,253 mi ODI #10557225.0

The 2012 tundra pickup has an uncontrolled and violent rear end bounce. I have taken it to mountain states Toyota (dealership purchased from) and they refuse to admit there is a problem with the truck as well as refused to ride along to experience the problem. I have seen numerous other complaints of the same problem on different web sites that describe exactly what my truck is experiencing. I believe this is a safety issue and due to the violent shaking I refuse to allow children to ride in the vehicle due to safety and health issues. I am concerned for my safety as well as others due to this issue. I have been to every avenue possible to resolve this problem. This vehicle is my only means of transportation. This vehicle is under warranty. This is a design issue with the Toyota

steering 1 complaint shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/19/2018 95,000 mi ODI #11162594.0

Horn stopped working before 100,000 miles and dealership won't replace it. Wants to charge over $600 to fix. Vehicle was not in any wreck to cause horn damage. It is due to faulty equipment from Toyota. Seatbelt latch doesn't connect seatbelt sometimes and also won't release at times when attached.

wheels 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $400 · see wheels cluster analysis →
12/16/2022 ODI #11497762.0

My driver's side rear lug studs all broke while driving, causing damage to my when and rear axle of the vehicle.

seatbelts 1 complaint shown

12/13/2019 50,000 mi ODI #11288883.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota tundra. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt buckle failed to latch on several occasions. The contact stated that the seat belt tongue was not able to enter the buckle to be latched. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. *bf*jb

electrical 1 complaint shown

16 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/03/2022 ODI #11495869.0

Computer software issues. Flex full engine.

airbags 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
11/13/2012 14,500 mi ODI #10484468.0

While using to horn the cover of the airbag split along the seam where the airbag deploys. The vehicle was brought into get scheduled service and Toyota's position is that it is not a warranty issue or safety issue. I placed 3 calls to Toyota customer experience center starting 10/26/2012 (case#[xxx]) with the problem and have not received a response! I am concerned that it may affect the way and if the airbag deploys. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Showing 300 of 153 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/Tundra#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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