10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,636 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota Tacoma brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #20

Dec 012021

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My truck lost drivability while I was going 60 I ran into a ditch to stop. It hads two codes. I took it in they replaced my rack n pinion. Check engine light came on. Mechanic said he could not work on it anymore because of the rust. To much corrosion he would be risking liability for other parts getting damaged because of all the rust. Took it to mike Shaw to have frame tested. It passed they said. But I can-€™t find a mechanic to work on it but mike Shaw and they-€™ll just keep charging for each item they don-€™t care.

- Bayside, TX, USA

problem #19

Jun 012021

Tacoma

  • miles
June 1st 2021 I went to park in a parking space at a local mall. My truck instead of stopping it accelerated out of control jumped two stone curbs, drove though a fence and landed into a swamp. Call Toyota and they have opened a new case # 210602000065. Police report # 21-374-AC. This isn't the first time that this has happen with this truck. It happen in Aug 2019. I contacted Toyota case number 1908060035. They sent out EAA Engineering Analysis Ass. out who did a ACM.CDRX file a month later. Toyota came back said they couldn't find anything wrong and my case was closed. Another incident in winter of 2016 where my truck was stopped and it accelerated on its own and It drove in the 4 way intersection where it caused an accident. lots of damage to cars. Toyota was contacted and they sent me to a dealer for repairs. Dealership has records of my truck coming in since I owned it with complaints of Truck not moving at all to all of sudden to acceleration on its own.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #18

Apr 162021

Tacoma

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 80 mph, while the brake pedal was not being depressed, the brakes locked up which caused the vehicle to start sliding. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V054000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #17

Sep 132020

Tacoma

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Right front wheel suddenly locks for several seconds putting a drag on that wheel, slowing that wheel down. Happens on sharp turns only so far, mostly going down hill, all at reasonable, safe speeds for the curve. Driver is not using the breaks at the times this has happened, and releases the gas and holds tight to the steering wheel. No dash lights appear. It is increasing in frequency and starting to scare us on our deep cliff curve roads. This has been happening just once in awhile 5 years, but is now happening 2-5 times each time we drive the 15 mile river canyon with tight curves and steep cliffs. We only know wheels ans brake system are involved, and the stability of the vehicle.

- Mcfarland, CA, USA

problem #16

Nov 012019

Tacoma

  • 99,000 miles
Brakes actuate abnornmal. Brakes engage approx. 2 seconds after they are applied. Brakes also will come on at full force locking the vehicle up. Master tech diagnostic - faulty brake booster. Toyota has recalls for 2012 Tacoma's however my VIN is not included in recall.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 022018

Tacoma

  • 90,000 miles
The brakes are real touchy after it rains or really high humid days. I found moisture in the license plate maker lights and housings were full of water. After cleaning it out the brakes seem to work normal again. It seems that the lights do not have to operate switched on, for this situation to occur.

- Jenkinsburg, GA, USA

problem #14

Aug 302017

Tacoma

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The ABS actuates prematurely during cornering on freeway on/off ramps and in corners resulting in suspension dive, an under steer condition, and loss of vehicle control. This occurs when the vehicle is in motion at posted speed limits on dry pavement. I have contacted Toyota/been to the dealership several times about this issue with no resolution. They claim that the leveling kit and at tires are to blame. I related that I had this issue with the truck when it was brand new with no modifications.

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #13

Jul 102017

Tacoma

  • 85,000 miles
Driving at high way speed; the ABS light, parking brake light, traction light, lost power to windows, A/C, radio, power steering, engine was running rough, then the check engine light came on. Could be a safety issue of control of vehicle for drivers not paying attention. Toyota dealer said the root cause was a bad cell in battery that caused the ign#2 fuse to be blown. These batteries have known issues to be bad from the factory. Reported earlier about 30000 miles the factory battery would not start vehicle and dealer said they replaced because of a bad cell. I own a 2008 Toyota Tacoma also, same model and make as being reported and that battery has been replaced 2 times for same reason.

- Jenkinsburg, GA, USA

problem #12

Oct 302012

Tacoma

  • 1,000 miles
Shortly after buying my Tacoma new I noticed that my anti-lock brakes were sensitive and would lock up without warning and the stopping distance can vary every time I apply the brakes. I brought this up to my dealer's service department during routine oil changes and was told that this is normal. The varied stopping distance causes problems since the truck could suddenly stop shorter than normal and catch traffic behind me off guard and cause an accident. Other times it feels like the brakes aren't working even though I am pressing firmly and wondering if I'm going to stop in time to avoid hitting a car in front of me. On emergency quick stops my brakes will lock up and with the varied stopping distances I'm surprised I haven't been in a position where the stopping distance in an emergency was more than normal causing me to crash. I would say that my only complaint so far on this truck is the brakes and much better than the truck that I traded in because of several problems with it's electrical, braking (it's brakes were poor but at least you could stop when you wanted), build quality, and other issues. This clearly isn't normal and if the dealer says it is, how can someone get it fixed without trading it in. This is the only issue I have with this truck but it's big enough to trade it in. I spent $30K for this truck and would rather keep it but it has gotten to the point that I don't feel safe driving it.

- South Ogden, UT, USA

problem #11

Mar 152016

Tacoma

  • 48,000 miles
ABS goes off unexpectedly in low speeds/high speeds...dry/wet conditions...usually on winding roads with grade fluctuations causing vehicle to slide into oncoming traffic. This has been going on since my purchase in 2012. Thankfully I have not been in an accident due to this but lots of close calls. Toyota refuses to resolve this issue, and denys that it happens.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #10

Jan 282016

Tacoma

  • 23,875 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Breaking hard, especially on wet roads, the front wheels lock up causing lack of steering. Noticed this after purchasing the vehicle new in 2012. Has happened multiple times with normal braking and emergency stopping.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 242015

Tacoma

  • 82,000 miles
Brakes on vehicle lock-up and are overly sensitive. On many occasions when driving on wet pavement at slows speeds the ABS engaged and locked the brakes with only very light pressure on the brake pedal. On one occasion when driving at 10-15 mph in a parking lot in snow, a light touch to the brake locked up the brakes causing the vehicle to become unstable and crash. I have had four other Toyota trucks, three of them Tacoma and none of them had this braking issue. Barely pressing the brakes shouldn't cause them to lock up which causes the vehicle to become very unstable. Luckily it does it more often at low speeds. It's a major safety concern as the vehicle becomes undrivable.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #8

Sep 202015

Tacoma

  • 59,000 miles
On September 20, 2015, the ABS and traction control lights came on and didn't go off. Upon investigation, I discovered that there was in fact a recall on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma; however, it did not include my VIN number. I contacted both our local dealership and Toyota directly and was told that there were not any plans at this time to expand the recall to include my vehicle. I can not tell if these components are working or not as I have not driven in ice, snow, etc and had a need for them to engage. But at the same time, I don't want to wait until a time in which I do need them and they be inoperable.

- Kansas, OK, USA

problem #7

May 292015

Tacoma

  • 55,000 miles
Brake failure thinking due to wear and tear-- brakes serviced -- new brake pads on front back pads still good -- brake cylinder had to be replaced on front passenger side -- brakes bled off still no brakes only have brakes if pump them continuously -- at the moment still in shop trying to find a master cylinder to replace the one in it to see if that will fix the problem

- Oceana, WV, USA

problem #6

Jun 252014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 24,500 miles
Constant squeal/yelp when coming to a complete stop coming from rear brakes.

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #5

Nov 122013

Tacoma

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph and applying the brakes for an approaching stop sign, the brakes would not respond and the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floor board. The vehicle did not stop and proceeded to crash into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle as towed from the scene and was not repaired. The failure was recurring. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #4

Nov 052012

Tacoma

  • 1,500 miles
My Tacoma tends to surge forward when it is stopped. I do not think it has anything to do with the air conditioner being on.I had the A/C off the first time. If someone isn't on the brake firmly they may tap the vehicle in front of them.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 082012

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 50 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and it began to pulsate excessively. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where both the rear rotors and brake drums were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000......updated 01/14/13 updated 1/18/2013

- Laplata, MD, USA

problem #2

Nov 282012

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 15,148 miles
Plastic foot-rest under parking brake pedal falls off easily & slides around floor of driver's side. In this incident, the block flipped up on it's side as it slipped under brake pedal, partially blocking the brake pedal operation, allowing vehicle to creep forward while stopped in traffic, while it felt like brake was fully depressed, resulting in very low speed impact with vehicle stopped in front. Previously reported to dealer who re-attached it at a routine new vehicle service, but it has fallen off a couple times since that repair, and was snapped back onto mounting clip each time.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 112012

Tacoma

  • 4,700 miles
When coming to almost a complete stop my rear drum brakes which sounds like squeaking to me but the dealership says howling. When coming to a full stop my brakes get real spongy and make a very high pitched howling sounds. I am afraid one day that I might not be able to stop and crash into someone.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

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