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…
2012 Toyota Tundra powertrain problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 19 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Tundra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Toyota Tundra?
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 Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 18,000 and 97,000 miles, with the median around 87,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 97,000. 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/Tundra.
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.