2012 Toyota Tacoma

2012 Toyota Tacoma

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck that comes with three engine options: a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder with 159 horsepower, a 4.0-liter V6 with 236 horsepower, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower. Each engine is paired with either a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. The Tacoma also offers two different transmission options: a 4-wheel drive and a rear-wheel drive.

Owners of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma generally praise the vehicle’s reliability, off-road capabilities, and towing capacity. However, some owners have reported issues with the vehicle’s engine, transmission, suspension, electrical system, exterior, and interior.

Engine

2.7-liter 4-cylinder

• Valve Seat Recession:
  • Description/Symptoms: Premature wear of the valve seats can cause a loss of compression, leading to decreased engine performance and fuel efficiency.
  • Solution: Replacing the cylinder head.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $3,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

4.0-liter V6

• Timing Chain Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: The timing chain can stretch or break, causing the engine to lose timing and potentially catastrophically fail.
  • Solution: Replacing the timing chain and related components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Intake Manifold Gasket Leak:
  • Description/Symptoms: A leak in the intake manifold gasket can cause a loss of vacuum, leading to rough idling, poor acceleration, and increased emissions.
  • Solution: Replacing the intake manifold gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

3.5-liter V6

• Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves:
  • Description/Symptoms: Carbon buildup on the intake valves can restrict airflow, leading to decreased engine performance and fuel efficiency.
  • Solution: Cleaning the intake valves.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

5-speed Automatic

• Transmission Fluid Leaks:
  • Description/Symptoms: Leaks in the transmission fluid lines or seals can cause a loss of fluid, leading to transmission overheating and failure.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

6-speed Manual

• Clutch Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: The clutch can wear out prematurely, leading to difficulty shifting gears or a loss of power.
  • Solution: Replacing the clutch.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Leaf Spring Breakage:
  • Description/Symptoms: The leaf springs can break, leading to a loss of suspension support and potential damage to other components.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaf springs.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain:
  • Description/Symptoms: A parasitic draw on the battery can drain it prematurely, leading to difficulty starting the vehicle.
  • Solution: Identifying and eliminating the source of the parasitic draw.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Tailgate Latch Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: The tailgate latch can fail to engage, allowing the tailgate to open unexpectedly.
  • Solution: Replacing the tailgate latch.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• HVAC Fan Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: The HVAC fan can fail to operate, leading to a lack of heating or cooling in the cabin.
  • Solution: Replacing the HVAC fan motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma is a generally reliable vehicle, but some owners have reported issues with its engine, transmission, suspension, electrical system, exterior, and interior. The severity of these issues varies, with some being minor and others being more serious. The cost to fix these issues can also vary widely, depending on the specific problem and the parts that need to be replaced.