2012 Toyota Tundra: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
3 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2012 Toyota Tundra
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2012 Toyota Tundra recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Tundra. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Steering
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 21V920000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
- Airbags
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.
Details 13V014000
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
- Equipment
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
Details 13V123000
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
1 aftermarket-part notice (parts sold for this model, not the car)
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. 21E103000
2012 Toyota Tundra safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Doors and locks: Region Email: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the outside door handles on certain 2008 ?
- Warranty extension: The second owner letter will advise the customer the program has been extended with no expiration date.
- Fuel system: 2014 Model Year Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles equipped with a 5.7 Liter gasoline or 5.7 Liter-Flex Fuel engines, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may set a…
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2012 Toyota Tundra safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
155 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Toyota Tundra years
2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
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