Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was significantly rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was repaired under the warranty; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the rear bumper and brackets were rusted, and there was no recall or warranty coverage. The contact stated upon pulling into the driveway of the residence, the contact noticed a trail of fluid leak on the street. The contact stated that the transmission lines were fractured due to rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was significantly rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
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 it had to be replaced. They replaced the drive shaft, but this doesn't seem like a problem that should creep up with that relatively few miles on the vehicle, and I have read that if the drive shaft actually fails, it can severely damage the vehicle and potentially cause injury.
I start up the truck and pull out in to the street. Whether at an intersection or making a turn, I push on the accelerator and nothing happens. The rpms don't increase, engine makes no sound - and I am left sitting in the middle of the road. I push the accelerator to the floor and eventually the engine comes to life and the truck moves forward. Happens more often than not when the vehicle is "cold" - within the first 20-30 minutes of operation. The accelerator is not linked directly to the engine through a cable but is a drive by wire. I have maintained my Tacoma meticulously since purchase including tune ups, oil changes, etc. I have cleaned the mass air flow sensor with no change. The problem still persists. It is very dangerous to be in the middle of an intersection with a vehicle that has lost power.
During normal driving, the check engine light and traction control off light came on and truck immediately went in to limp-home mode. I had it scanned for codes at the local auto parts store and it came back with p2440 and p2442 which seems like a common issue with a valve in the secondary air injection system. I quick google search showed that some 2012 Tacoma owners are getting this covered under a special warranty extension, so I puttered over to the Toyota dealership expecting to hear the same story, but they are telling me the ECM computer is bad. Which I am trying to get clarification on since I can't find any ECM failure issues for this make and model year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dayton Toyota (2291 us-130, dayton, nj 08810, [phone]), but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure recurred several times and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The technician diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered to cover the cost of the parts while the contact covered the labor cost. The failure mileage was 33,000.
My 2012 Tacoma with 45,000 miles got a check engine light and "trac off" light when I started it to go home. I was merging onto the interstate and unable to go above 40 MPH. This was obviously not safe so I exited and took it to a dealer. They cited trouble codes p2440 and p2442 and said they needed to replace secondary air injection valve (pn 25710-31022) for a total cost of $940! According to forums and the NHTSA.gov site, this is a very common complaint with this year and model. I just bought this last July and I never expected to have to replace parts anytime soon.
Code p2440 and p2442. Air injection system valves are stuck open (related to emissions control unit) which causes the vehicle to go into 'limp' mode abrupbtly. This renders the vehicle undriveable, and can occur in the midst of driving causing serious danger to the driver and fellow drivers on the road. Toyota is unwilling to cover under any powertrain or emissions warranty. This issue is pervasive among 2012 Tacoma owners and Toyota redesigned the system as early as 2013 which implicates their knowledge of such a defect.
Secondary air injection switching valve failure stuck in open position causing limp mode in the truck. Truck is not able to get to speed above 40 MPH. This happened as I was pulling out of my neighborhood onto a state route with speed limit of 55 MPH and cars going way faster than that. This could pose a danger if situations where speed it required to get out of the way of another car. Truck only has 57K miles on it. This is a supplemental emissions system and should not cause the truck to be useless if fail.
When I'm driving the truck between 30 and 40 miles an hour the truck feel like wants to stop and saunds wuird I think is the torque converter is not doing his job properly also that suspension is getting restless so bad and so quickly and the chats are so hard so I don't know if it is something wrong with it or it's just normal in the car and saw the things I've been checking on it 2012 Toyota and I had it for three years also it takes too long to heat up in winter time
Check engine light and trac off light came on. Truck went into "limp" mode and would only go about 35mph. Checked the error code and it was p2442 which says the secondary air injection system is failing. Truck has only 55K miles on it and has been regularly maintained by Toyota dealerships every 6 months / 5K miles. Dealership has said it will be $2023 to replace the system. There should be a recall or extended warranty on this injection system
Transmission complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, 12% of the model year's 295 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota Tacoma transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota Tacoma transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.