10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,157 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 Tundra engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Sep 172018

Tundra

  • 137,000 miles

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

Check engine light with error code P2433 0160-11 failure of air injection pumps I was getting on the highway, the engine light comes on, then the truck goes into "limp mode." The lane I was in merged to the left. I needed to accelerate to avoid a vehicle coming up on my left, but there was no power due to being in "limp mode." The vehicle coming up behind me had to slam on his brakes and I swerved off the shoulder. This could have been a very bad accident if there was a concrete barrier in front of me. This is a known malfunction and should be a recall item. Toyota has publically said this is a warrantable repair up to 150,000 miles on 2011 model year Tundra. I have the exact same problem on my 2012 (which was built in 2011) but Toyota is not willing to cover the repair. I will now be out of pocket $3400 if I want to keep driving my truck.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 032018

Tundra

  • 92,500 miles
I see several other complaints here with my exact problem. The secondary air injection system relay and secondary air injection system switching valve. Obd II codes P0418 and P2442. My experience is the same as other complaints in that my truck is now permanently in limp mode and cannot be driven due to these known defective parts. On pre-2012 model Tundra Toyota has extended the repair warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles as this is a widespread problem. For some reason they will not include later year model trucks like my 2012 4.6 liter. This is a safety issue as the truck slowed severely in traffic and will not accelerate or go up any hill. Cars behind me in traffic had to swerve around me. I was stuck dead at the bottom of a hill as these chronically failing parts shut down the vehicle's power. Toyota customer care has denied my attempt to seek compensation or repair of these parts that they know are defective. The fix needs to be extended to all year model and engine size Tundra as these defective parts exist on models past 2011. A side note, somehow these defects are reported to be affecting the vehicle skid control as that warning light comes on when these parts fail on most of the affected Tundra.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #14

Jun 062017

Tundra

  • 77,000 miles
Air injection relay and pump failure. This condition eventually leads to "limp" mode causing traffic safety issues. This has been a manufacturer recall/extended warranty item on all Tundra trucks, up to and including some 2012 models but not all of the 2012's. by the numbers of failures present, it's obvious that what ever design changes Toyota did to say they fixed the issue and exclude some of the 2012's were insufficient. This recall/extended warranty should include all 2012 models. Toyota/dealers claim the pumps are part of emissions so they are not covered under the manufacturers warranties. Repair cost was quoted at $3800. Other filed complaints: NHTSA id number: 11075528 NHTSA id number: 11002406 NHTSA id number: 10994136

- Midland, VA, USA

problem #13

Feb 232018

Tundra

  • 111,414 miles

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

In evening hours December 2017 I started my truck and the traction control light, check engine light, and flashing 4 lol was on. Drove home and had corrodied battery terminal. Reset lott and went away. On February 23th, 2018 my wife started truck and all three lifts were on again. Made a appointment with Toyota dealership and they stated had weak air injection pump and closed switch valve. They wrote cause of high water. Drove off the lot and the logs came on again. I've not even own D my truck for two years and never had it through high water. Toyota told me it was not under warranty for the air system, because my truck is a 2012. The cost to fix this was $3,000 dollars. On way home my truck was in limp mode and I barely was able to make it up a hill. Now I'm out of a truck for work and can barely drive across town. There is numerous reports of the air injection system failing and no one has opened a investigation.

- Linton, IN, USA

problem #12

Jan 182018

Tundra

  • 109,000 miles
Monday, January 15th I drove at 65 mph to work at and home on the freeway with no problems. Tuesday and Wednesday the truck was stationary due to cold weather conditions in houston, Texas. Thursday morning the 18th, I drove at 65 mph to work via freeway with no problems. After lunch I drove at 45 mph back to work on a street and noticed the check engine and traction light came on and simultaneously the truck then starting driving extremely sluggish and and far below the speed limit obstructing the flow of traffic. I carefully got over and drove the truck only allowed at 30 mph back to the office. After carefully driving home via street at the end of the day I got home and removed the negative wire from battery and re-connected it to see if this would resolve the issue. After doing so, the results were the lights in the dash were now off and the truck drove proper with no hindrance. This would last until Wednesday 24th. Both lights came back on and the truck started again driving sluggishly. Its seem that when the light is off the truck drives fine, but when it is triggered the truck is drives extremely sluggish. Could the be a defective part? any help would be useful.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 172017

Tundra

  • 100,000 miles
I bought a certified used 2012 platinum Tundra with 32K miles and 2 years later with regular maintenance and a cam seal leak fixed by the dealer, I have found a very hard rod knock from the engine. I took my truck back to the dealership to have the oil and filter changed with 114.8K miles on it at this time and was told I will need to replace the engine. I believe something isn't smelling right. Does anyone know any issues with the connection of the cam seal leak and the rod ready to blow. The dealership said it would be approx. $14K to replace the engine with 40K miles on it.. really " again, I'm smelling "not my problem" from the people involved. Who can I reach out to assist me in researching the cause of possible mis repair maintenance " I appreciate anyone's help. Best regards,

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #10

Jun 172017

Tundra

  • miles

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

Air injection relay and pump failure. This has been an extended warranty item on all trucks except the model I have with the same parts as the larger engine truck. This is a corporate game of not enough complaints on a less popular model engine even though the parts are the same as what is being replaced on same year models with the larger engine. Repair is estimated at $2600

- Eagle River, AK, USA

problem #9

Dec 152016

Tundra

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tundra. While driving approximately 45 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air injection pump and switching valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a manufacturer recall. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 102016

Tundra

  • 15,000 miles
My 4X4 Toyota Tundra crewmax with the 5.7L engine was diagnosed with a cam tower leak with only 15,000 miles on it. Fortunately the vehicle was still under the factory power train warranty. Toyota made the repair and provided a rental car for me. I have heard this is a common problem with the 2012-2013 5.7L engine and I want this issue to be more public. I worry owners of this vehicle will be stuck with the $2,300-$3,000 bill to fix their own vehicle if their vehicle's power train warranty has expired. I also worry the engines could leak oil onto the exhaust manifold and catch fire.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #7

Mar 242016

Tundra

  • 78,000 miles
After starting the engine, the engine raised past red line RPM for several seconds. After slowing, I started to back out drive when engine raised again into red line RPM. Before I got it pulled back into drive, it raised 3 more times. Each time I managed to get to neutral.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #6

Dec 242012

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

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 night in order to make the final leg to anchorage, ak for christmas day. To my surprise, a moose tiptoed from the woods on my right about 20 feet ahead of me as I intended to press on pass it. But all of a sudden it got spooked and darted into my path. I struck the animal broad side with the front end of the truck knocking it into the engine bay. Initially I thought the contact was not severe but inspection proved otherwise. The hood was crumpled up unto the windshield, and the radiator and motor was pushed so far back that it was no longer drivable. I believe my speed was around 30mph upon impact which surprised me that the animal was dead. The truck was towed to a local body shop for an insurance estimate as a total loss. I was concerned as to why the airbags did not deploy since the damages was so great. The tech explained that the sensors for the airbags are located behind the bumper of the truck where impact was minimal. Because the contact to the moose knocked him off his legs the large body fell into the engine compartment and could have been fatal had it a full rack of antlers. Thank god he did not! though we have purchased a 2013 replacement of the same truck, the airbags not deploying is still a concern as a design flaw and need to be addressed.

- Dutch Harbor , AK, USA

problem #5

Jan 102013

Tundra

  • 6,000 miles
My issue is related to the issue I am facing with Toyota company. I purchased my truck within 2012 and since I have purchased the truck I took this truck to the dealership for several issues. Within few months of purchase the air injection pump stop working, truck was at the dealership for over a month. Toyota installed trd updated for my "inconvenience" I took my truck back to have looked at over 10times. On Friday I start having the same issues, so I dropped of my truck at the szott dealership on Saturday evening March 1st. Monday morning service manager called and informed that air injection pump is bad and it may take over 4 weeks to have the part replaced, about 4 weeks ago truck stop running so I took it to the dealership close by in canton, Toyota of canton replace the fuel pump, truck was at the dealership for a week. I try reaching out to Toyota and see if they could help me resolve the issue, but Toyota don't care. See below email I sent to Toyota on 12-13. I was assign "case manager" was no help at all. All I am asking Toyota to replace/resolve my truck issues. I am tired of taking my truck for repairs. I will file the complaint to the attorney general's office as well. Issues with cabin is being loud air comes from the windshield and form the left and right doors/windows. Truck was at the dealership last year for over 3 weeks due to the air intake pump issue. I am still facing the same issues while driving truck lose power and while I am pulling over some time I get the power back some time I have to wait to make sure I can drive over 25miles per hour. All the brakes have been replaced due to vibration, navigation system goes in and out while driving, dealership was informed. Whole dash lights electric in the dash flicker while driving. Last month battery died and electric issues are still there.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #4

Dec 192012

Tundra

  • 13,533 miles
I purchased my flex fuel Tundra 5.7 in November of 2011. I started to experience issues with cold starts in December of 2012. I had an extended crank time, and it would take multiple attempts to start the truck. I took it to the dealership for the first time in January of 2013. The dealership reset my computer. The issue seems to be resolved. The following winter, in December of 2013, I started to experience the same issue with cold starts. The dealer apparently reset my computer again. Just a month later, January 2014, the extended crank on cold starts began again. This time, they told me my alcohol density was reading 49%. they said it should be at 85%, however, I am not using straight ethanol gas, which I told them numerous times, so my reading should not be 85%. I was told the computer should reset to 0 when I fill up, but my truck is not. It's just building up, which results in an inaccurate alcohol density reading. The dealership told me that the only current solution is if my tank drops below 1/4 tank, I should only fill it half way, drive it gently, and then go back to fill it the rest of the way. After filling it, I was told to let it idle, and drive it gently when I pull out of the gas station. This is unacceptable. Following my last visit to the dealership, when I refilled my truck for the first time after the last reset, the 'miles to empty' was reading 425! my truck usually ranges between 300 and 320. The 426 miles to empty reading only happened once, but again, the inconsistency and inaccurate readings are nonsense, especially on a $35K+ vehicle. Since then, I have researched the issue, and I'm not the only Tundra owner with this issue. Other flex fuel Tundra owners are having the same issue.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #3

Jan 122013

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Flex fuel models sold by gulf states Toyota have an issue where the engine's computer thinks there is E85 fuel (or an alcohol concentration that is much higher than actual) in the system when there is normal 10% or less gasoline actually present. This can cause rough cold starts/idle, power loss, sudden RPM/power dropout, missing, and lessened fuel economy, etc. (different symptoms for different trucks). At this time there is no final fix and no available service bulletin. The only guidance at this time is to have your dealer see what alcohol concentration your truck is running and re-flash the computer if the readout is incorrect. Dealer also states to not accelerate aggressively. I have service schedule on 3/9/13 to address the problem for the third time. I purchased the vehicle new on 11/23/12.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #2

Jan 012013

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Flex fuel models sold by gulf states Toyota have an issue where the engine's computer thinks there is E85 fuel (or an alcohol concentration that is much higher than actual) in the system when there is normal 10% or less gasoline actualy present. This can cause rough cold starts/idle, power loss, sudden RPM/power dropout, missing, and lessened fuel economy, etc. (different symptoms for different trucks). At this time there is no final fix and no available service bulletin. The only guidance at this time (3/5/13) is to have your dealer see what alcohol concentration your truck is running and re-flash the computer if the readout is incorrect. The issue occasionally returns for some users.

- Batesville, AR, USA

problem #1

Nov 262012

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 2,880 miles
Check engine light illuminated as I departed my driveway. I called Toyota service to schedule an appointment which occurred three days later. Toyota service department determined that the air pump, which is part of the emissions system, failed. I was advised the truck could not be driven. As of today (12/17/12) the part has still not arrived at boch Toyota South. Will the defective air pump cause premature failure of the catalytic converter?

- Norton, MA, USA

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