ProblemsToyota › 2012 Tundra

2012 Toyota Tundra Problems & Owner Complaints

154 NHTSA owner complaints
7 crash 2 fire 5 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~10.3 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 11 Toyota Tundra years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

Thinking about buying a specific Toyota Tundra?

This page shows problems reported across all 2012 Toyota Tundras. Before you buy that one car, enter its VIN: get a free open-recall check, then unlock the full $19 safety report: every complaint, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for that exact vehicle.

Checking a specific 2012 Toyota Tundra? Enter its VIN

Free recall check · optional $19 full safety report before you buy

What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Toyota Tundra, cited in 57 of 154 filed complaints (37%).

Fuel/Propulsion System is next (25 complaints, 16%), followed by Power Train (21), Electrical System (17), Steering (12).

Across all complaints, 7 report a crash, 2 report a fire, 5 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Steering: 2 crash, 5 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota Tundra, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 154.

Engine 57 1 crash 1 fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11487908, 2022 · fire

“ON 12/24/2012 AROUND 04:00HRS I STRUCK AN ADULT MOOSE IN BEAR LAKE, CANADA WITH THE FRONT END OF MY WIFE'S 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREWMAX ON THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HIGHWAY. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS SNOW AND ICE BUT WE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED AFTERMARKET RIMS AND TIRES ON 12/18/2012 IN CALIFORNIA; 18IN MB VOTEX RIMS WITH BFG ALL TERRAIN TIRES. THE TRACTION OF THESE TIRES BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE IN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30-40MPH AT NIGHT. WE HAD TRAVELED ALL THE WAY FROM GEORGIA WITHOUT SEEING ANY ANIMALS AT NIGHT. THE HID HEAD LAMPS GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY NAVIGATING THROUGH THE NIGH…”
NHTSA complaint #10572518, 2012 · crash

“Wife was driving truck and immediately went into limp mode on the highway. Check engine light came on, no accelerating then died. Had to get it towed. This is the 3rd incident with this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11607293, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 25

“Wife was driving truck and immediately went into limp mode on the highway. Check engine light came on, no accelerating then died. Had to get it towed. This is the 3rd incident with this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11607293, 2024

“The fuel pump failed on my Tundra. Several dashboard check engine lights suddenly lit up to warn me of the issue. While I was able to safely get it to a mechanic to repair the independent Toyota certified mechanic I use shared they have seen a volume of these where the car stops immediately with the Fuel pump failing completely. I was lucky as the day prior to this I was driving through mountain passes on the highway in Colorado. I have since found out from the feedback from my mechanic that they have repaired a volume of these, and it is a known issue by Toyota who issued a technical serv…”
NHTSA complaint #11571836, 2024

“ECM safety recall air injection pump failure”
NHTSA complaint #11560105, 2023

Power Train 21 1 crash 1 fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11487908, 2022 · fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10489297, 2012 · crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11534487, 2023

Electrical System 17

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 137,355. The contact stated that while inspecting the glove box, the contact found three receipts that showed three different odometer readings. The contact then ordered a Carfax report and discovered that the mileage on the Title on October 4, 2025, was 252,307.”
NHTSA complaint #11710493, 2026

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tundra. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 149,000. The vehicle was a dealer sale. An independent mechanic checked the vehicle history report and discovered a mileage discrepancy. The Carfax report indicated that the mileage was 379,000 in May 2025. The contact reported the odometer fraud to Wisconsin's Department of Transportation - Field Investigation Unit, which informed him that the odometer fraud was outside of their jurisdiction because the vehicle was purchased in Kentucky. The contact stated that the current approximate mile…”
NHTSA complaint #11747896, 2025

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 161,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 260,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11657369, 2025

Unknown Or Other 17 1 fire

“Product almost set my car on fire, luckily I was stop at a car wash when one the cleaning crew members noticed smoke coming out from under my hood my hood , I opened the hood and the actual light bulb was on fire, it burnt my original hardness of my vehicle and the housing of my head light”
NHTSA complaint #11728960, 2026 · fire

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11529370, 2023

“My horn stopped working. I have two new drivers and this is a huge safety concern of mine. The dealer is telling me that this is a $800 job. Online I'm finding that this is a very common issue that is occurring ... effecting the safety or our vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11463169, 2022

Steering 12 2 crash 5 injury

“I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BREAKS AND STEERING NOT WORKING. I WAS WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK.”
NHTSA complaint #11165814, 2017 · crash · 5 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND THE TECHNICIAN CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10760251, 2013 · crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11534487, 2023

Before you buy this car, see its exact open recalls + full $19 report Enter the VIN of the 2012 Toyota Tundra you're looking at, free recall check first

Structure 11 3 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO THE WATER. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE ALARMED ACTIVATED AND THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND, WHEN THE ALARM DEACTIVATED, HE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS AND EXIT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN W…”
NHTSA complaint #10652088, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND THE TECHNICIAN CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10760251, 2013 · crash

“THE 9/8/13 ACCIDENT INVOLVED A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT. BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE IMPACTED AND THE CENTER FRAME POST REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP AS OF 9/25/13 BECAUSE THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE ONBOARD COMPUTER RECOGNIZING THE SIDE AIR BAGS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *LN UPDATED 1/6/2013 *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10545396, 2013 · crash

Air Bags 9 2 crash

“THE 9/8/13 ACCIDENT INVOLVED A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT. BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE IMPACTED AND THE CENTER FRAME POST REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP AS OF 9/25/13 BECAUSE THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE ONBOARD COMPUTER RECOGNIZING THE SIDE AIR BAGS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *LN UPDATED 1/6/2013 *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10545396, 2013 · crash

“ON 12/24/2012 AROUND 04:00HRS I STRUCK AN ADULT MOOSE IN BEAR LAKE, CANADA WITH THE FRONT END OF MY WIFE'S 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREWMAX ON THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HIGHWAY. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS SNOW AND ICE BUT WE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED AFTERMARKET RIMS AND TIRES ON 12/18/2012 IN CALIFORNIA; 18IN MB VOTEX RIMS WITH BFG ALL TERRAIN TIRES. THE TRACTION OF THESE TIRES BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE IN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30-40MPH AT NIGHT. WE HAD TRAVELED ALL THE WAY FROM GEORGIA WITHOUT SEEING ANY ANIMALS AT NIGHT. THE HID HEAD LAMPS GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY NAVIGATING THROUGH THE NIGH…”
NHTSA complaint #10572518, 2012 · crash

“My horn stopped working. I have two new drivers and this is a huge safety concern of mine. The dealer is telling me that this is a $800 job. Online I'm finding that this is a very common issue that is occurring ... effecting the safety or our vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11463169, 2022

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 7

“I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON TO MASS 93 HIGHWAY WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND BLINKING 4 LOE CAME ON. THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE GREATLY REDUCING MY POWER AND I LOST CONTROL AND. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE LANE. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GET TO A MECHANICS SHOP. THEY HOOKED UP A ANALYSIS COMPUTER AND CAME BACK WITH MAINTENANCE CODE P2432, SECONDARY AIR PUMPS AND SECONDARY AIR PUMP VALVES. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH TOYOTA TUNDRAS GOING BACK TO 2007 MODELS. THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED ON 2007 - 2010 MODELS BUT NOT NEWER MODELS WHIC…”
NHTSA complaint #11365413, 2020

“I WAS COMING OFF AN ENTRANCE RAMP MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON TO A 4 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND BLINKING 4 LOE CAME ON. THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE GREATLY REDUCING MY POWER AND IT FELT LIKE MY STEERING CONTROL GOT LOOSE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM BEING RUN OVER BY FASTER TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT OFF RAMP AND GET TO A MECHANICS SHOP. THEY HOOKED UP A ANALYSIS COMPUTER AND CAME BACK WITH MAINTENANCE CODE P2432, SECONDARY AIR PUMPS AND SECONDARY AIR PUMP VALVES. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN…”
NHTSA complaint #11234781, 2019

“SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP AND SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SWITCHING VALUE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS TO COME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SAME PIECE AND DESIGN WAS RECALLED ON THE 2011 BUT NOT THE 2012 TUNDRA. IT COMES ON AND OFF BUT WHEN IT IS ON IT FEELS LIKE THAT THERE IS A LIMP MODE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET UP TO SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING FEELS DIFFERENT WHICH I THINK IS THE TRACTION CONTROL.”
NHTSA complaint #11222498, 2018

Service Brakes 7 2 crash 5 injury

“I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BREAKS AND STEERING NOT WORKING. I WAS WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK.”
NHTSA complaint #11165814, 2017 · crash · 5 injury(ies)

“MY TUNDRA WAS PARKED AND IT STARTED TO ROW DOWN THE ROAD NO BODY INSIDE END IT UP ON NEIGHBORS DRIVE WAY HITTING A TREE TOTAL LOSS I BELIEVE IS BRAKE RELATED ISSUE”
NHTSA complaint #10872766, 2016 · crash

“WHEN BRAKING THE SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND IF MY FOOT IS PLACE TO THE RIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THUS CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ACCELERATE WHEN I'M WANTING TO STOP. VERY DANGEROUS”
NHTSA complaint #11343469, 2020

Vehicle Speed Control 7

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11529370, 2023

“Secondary air injection pump has high rate of failure, recalls in older models. Has caused truck to go into limp mode. Could cause serious accident/fatality if vehicle suddenly goes into limp mode on highway. This has happened on multiple occasions in forums I’ve read. Known problem by Toyota that isn’t being addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #11487089, 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11419400, 2020

Wheels 6

“My driver's side rear lug studs all broke while driving, causing damage to my when and rear axle of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11497762, 2022

“have noticed rust holes on frame-frame rust is flaking-falling off--rust on brake system and wheel rims”
NHTSA complaint #11421005, 2021

“WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS. SUMMARY: I HAVE PROBLEM WITH LUG NUT RIGHT REAR SIDE OF TRUCK WON'T COME LOOSE NUT KEEP SPINNING HAS A FACTORY DEFECT POSSIBLE THIS YEAR OF VEHICLES SHOULD BE LISTED IN 2013&2014 RECALL I HOPE THIS AND THE TIME GONE BY DOES NOT EFFECT ME AND MY SAFETY THIS SHOULD BE DEALER RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX”
NHTSA complaint #11386708, 2021

Seats 4

“Temperature Seat switches are not working, fire hazard does to malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11621690, 2023

“DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME (BASE) BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY POPPING WHICH PROGRESSED TO A CONSISTENT POPPING FELT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE CORNERED AT SPEED OR WEIGHT SHIFTED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP AND AN ADJUSTMENT MADE TO THE SEAT RAIL ALIGNMENT PIN. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM ULTIMATELY RETURNED WITH A SIMILAR POPPING NOISE. I ALLOWED IT TO PROGRESS UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP COULD REPRODUCE THE POPPING NOISE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME (BASE). THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED THE SECOND TIME AS A CRACKED WELD IN THE FRAME NEAR…”
NHTSA complaint #10579312, 2012

“THERE IS RUST RAPIDLY FORMING UNDER SEATS ESPECIALLY MAIN STRUCTURE THAT SECURES TO FLOOR . *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10491515, 2012

Suspension 4

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11534487, 2023

“have noticed rust holes on frame-frame rust is flaking-falling off--rust on brake system and wheel rims”
NHTSA complaint #11421005, 2021

“THE REAR LEAF SPRING BREAKING IN HALF FOR BOTH SIDES WITHOUT ANY EXTRA WEIGHT ON EXCEPT THE PASSENGERS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS, BOTH HIGHWAY AND STREET.”
NHTSA complaint #11265884, 2019

Engine And Engine Cooling 3

“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 veh…”
NHTSA complaint #11522694, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWLY ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR INJECTION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…”
NHTSA complaint #11104774, 2018

“AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE TRUCK ALMOST EVERY MORNING WHEN I TRY TO START THE TRUCK IT TOOK AT LEAST 2 CRANKING CYCLES TO START. IT'S BEEN A ON GOING THING AND NOW THE THROTTLE ACTS UP WHEN I FIRST PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY CODE AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 36322 MILES ON IT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10567502, 2012

Fuel System 2

“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle started leaking fuel, and the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the fuel leak stopped. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank valve assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11613738, 2023

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.THE CODE SHOES P0418 AIR INJECTION VALVE/PUMP. 76,000 MI ON ENGINE. CRUISING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST POWER. TOYOTA EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 2011 MODELS.KNOWN PROBLEM”
NHTSA complaint #11202842, 2012

Seat Belts 2

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11288883, 2019

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11162594, 2017

Tires 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT TIRES, SIZE: 255/70/18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRES WOBBLED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRES, (LOCATED AT 5332 W GENESEE ST, CAMILLUS, NY 13031) WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE RE-BALANCED. THE SHOP STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT GOODYEAR, BUT THEY NEVER DID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GOODYEAR MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE TIRES BACK TO MAVIS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,769 AND TIRE FAILUR…”
NHTSA complaint #11012821, 2016

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10667344, 2014

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11035069, 2017

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 Toyota Tundra draws about 10.3 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 11 among the Toyota Tundra model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

Before you buy this Toyota Tundra

Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.

Related

Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

SaveVIN

Free vehicle recall & safety reports using public U.S. NHTSA data.

Uses public U.S. NHTSA data SaveVIN is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NHTSA, the U.S. government, or any vehicle manufacturer.
For official recall notices, check nhtsa.gov/recalls and register your vehicle with its manufacturer. SaveVIN alerts are best-effort and do not replace official notices.