The Lemon Index2012 Toyota Tundra.
The 2012 Toyota Tundra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 22, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 156 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Tundra year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 100K miles on the car (120 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 73K–106K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 13K–97K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 31K–103K miles
Recalls 4
- steering 2021
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- steering 2021
The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
- equipment 2013
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight ad.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 316 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- See document search button for owner letter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tundra PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tundra PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tundra PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Toyota Tundra PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Toyota Tundra PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Electrical buzzing noise from dash area when pressing gas pedal. Dealer says not a warranty item. After researching online many people experience same issue with several Toyota models.
2012 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 10574300
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 22; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), fuel or ev drive system (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have?
4 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Tundra get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Toyota Tundra safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,900 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,900 miles, from 120 complaints.
Does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works