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 Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while plowing his driveway, there was an abnormal burning odor detected. The vehicle suddenly lost power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that oil was needed. The mechanic became aware that oil was dripping through a small crack on the cam shaft on the right cylinder bank onto the exhaust manifold. The contact was informed that the engine wiring harness was burned. The mechanic recommended that the engine and transfer case be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed after an investigation, that there was no evidence of a defect. The claim was denied. There was no additional assistance provided. The approximate failure mileage 175,000.
My power steering gear blew its seal on the passenger side losing all power steering fluid and almost making me crash into a car next to me, and Toyota refuses to cover it stating that I hadn't had the steering gear replaced prior to whenever their dates were this is clearly faulty equipment and faulty machine work on the steering gear itself. why won't Toyota cover it? I tried contacting One Toyota and Downtown Toyota here in Oakland California and they told me that they wanted $250 to inspect my vehicle and that I would definitely have to pay for it because my vehicle was not under recall it states it is a recall if you look it up.It is worded recall if they're not going to cover it sounds like they're trying to back out of covering it until someone gets seriously hurt or killed like I almost did, I will never buy another Toyota again as long as I live because clearly they don't care …
2012 Tundra faced a lot of problems like air injection pump failures, sticking of secondary air pumps, knock, along with other issues like speed control, engine cooling, and throttle failure. At present, it has been slapped with 136 complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation as recorded on NHTSA site.Sep 2, 2022
2012 Toyota Tundra has a known design flaw in that moisture is allowed to condense, accumulate and corrode in components of the secondary air intake system leading to decrease performance especially in regards to acceleration which is critical to operating a vehicle safely.
The engine leaks oil in front of the faulty designed cam tower seal and leaks on the manifold. This caused smoke to come from the oil burning off.
I see several other complaints here with my exact problem. The secondary air injection system relay and secondary air injection system switching valve. OBD ii codes p0418 and p2442. My experience is the same as other complaints in that my truck is now permanently in limp mode and cannot be driven due to these known defective parts. On pre-2012 model tundras Toyota has extended the repair warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles as this is a widespread problem. For some reason they will not include later year model trucks like my 2012 4.6 liter. This is a safety issue as the truck slowed severely in traffic and will not accelerate or go up any hill. Cars behind me in traffic had to swerve around me. I was stuck dead at the bottom of a hill as these chronically failing parts shut down the vehicle's power. …
On numerous occasions while driving, my 2012 Toyota Tundra suddenly lost acceleration power and experienced the engine failure known as "fail-safe" or "limp-home" mode. As evidenced by Toyota t-sb-0160-11, warranty policy bulletins, and warranty enhancement programs, Toyota is well aware of this serious design flaw and safety issue, yet has chosen to repair or compensate only a select few. The parts that had to be replaced after my vehicle repeatedly went into 'fail-safe / limp-home' mode correspond directly with the part numbers referenced in Toyota warranty policy bulletin pol17-02 which covers this defect in other models, but not in my 2012 model. My out-of-pocket cost to repair this manufacturer's defect was $3034.87. …
Please refer to TSB 0160-11. Toyota recognized that inferior quality parts were used as part of their emissions system and wrote this TSB as a remedy. The problem I have is that they continued to use the faulty parts beyond the 2011 model year cut-off in this TSB. My truck is throwing the same engine and emissions codes associated with this TSB. It also forces the engine into a "low power mode" greatly reducing the ability to accelerate. Lastly, it turns off traction control which affects the stability of the truck. I have filed a ticket with Toyota and from what I have read on the internet, I don't expect much help. The parts to repair this run over $1,000 alone. There are many owners having the same issue with the Tundra, sequoia and some other models (on the 4.6l, 4.7l and 5.7l engines). …
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 vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 6,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired at john harvey Toyota (2901 benton rd, bossier city, la 71111, [phone]). The contact stated that after the vehicle repaired, the transmission failed and the contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer where the transmission was also repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH and was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the secondary air injection system failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Transmission complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Toyota Tundra, 13% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota Tundra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Toyota Tundra, though it has 3 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 Tundra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.