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2012 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 DC SB 5AT

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 DC SB 5AT is a 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 pickup truck with a 5-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $27,585 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.

It makes 236 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).

The Tacoma measures 208.1 inches long on a 127.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,185 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypePickup
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,585 ($39,047 *)
MSRP with Destination$28,395 ($40,193 *)
Destination Charge$810
Engine
Engine Type4.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 with VVT-i (aluminum block, aluminum alloy head)
Displacement4 L
Horsepower236 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Torque266 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve VVT-i
Bore and Stroke94.0 x 95.0 mm
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeElectronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypePart-time 4WD (front engine, part-time four-wheel drive)
Differential TypeAutomatic Limited Slip Differential (Auto LSD)
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic (ECT)
1st Gear3.52
2nd Gear2.04
3rd Gear1.4
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.72
Reverse3.22
Final Drive3.727
Fuel Economy
City16 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Combined18 MPG
Recommended Fuel87 octane (regular)
Tank Capacity21.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionCoil spring independent double wishbone with gas-filled shock absorbers (high mount)
Rear SuspensionLeaf spring rigid suspension
Front Stabilizer Bar1.18 in.
Turning Diameter40.6 ft
Brakes
Front Brake CalipersVentilated disc
Front Brake Disc12.56 in. ventilated
Rear Brake Disc10.0 in. drum (leading-trailing)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in.
Wheels Rear16 in.
Tires FrontP245/75R16
Tires RearP245/75R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length208.1 in
Width74.6 in
Height70.1 in
Wheelbase127.4 in
Front Track63 in
Rear Track63.4 in
Ground Clearance9.1 in
Approach Angle35°
Departure Angle26°
Curb Weight4,185 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40.2 in
Headroom Rear38.4 in
Legroom Front41.7 in
Legroom Rear32.7 in
Shoulder Room Front57.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.7 in
Hip Room Front53.5 in
Hip Room Rear54.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (19.1 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD
Other tested variants (5)
  • 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD: overall not rated
  • 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 4WD: overall not rated
  • 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD: 4 ★ overall
  • 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD: overall not rated
  • 2012 Toyota Tacoma PU/RC 2WD: overall not rated

Recalls

7 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota TACOMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jul 3, 2017 · STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

NHTSA campaign 17V425000

Aug 4, 2014 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 14V475000

Feb 12, 2014 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 14V054000

Oct 17, 2013 · TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.

Consequence: If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) Install a Warning Label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an Owner's Manual Addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.

NHTSA campaign 13V494000

Apr 9, 2013 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Jan 16, 2013 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

Consequence: 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. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V014000

Apr 10, 2012 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

GULF STATES TOYOTA (GST) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TACOMA TRUCKS. THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION PLACARD ON EACH VEHICLE CONTAINS INACCURATE SPARE TIRE SIZE AND COLD INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110,”TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”

Consequence: AN INCORRECT PLACARD COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER SPARE TIRE USE OR REPLACEMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GST WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND SEND EACH OWNER A CORRECTED PLACARD, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. AT 1-713-744-3465.

NHTSA campaign 12V158000

295 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota TACOMA

Owner Complaints

295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota TACOMA (16 mention a crash, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine122
Fuel/Propulsion System52
Unknown Or Other43
Power Train35
Service Brakes22
Vehicle Speed Control22
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 31, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Tacoma VIN: [XXX] Toyota Special Service Campaign 20TC01 was performed on September 19, 2024, at approximately 103,417 miles. The campaign addressed the secondary air injection…”
Jan 30, 2026 · Seats Crash 1 injury
“- Driver’s seat back recliner mechanism / seatback locking mechanism. During a rear-end interstate collision while stopped in traffic, the driver’s seat suddenly reclined backward unexpectedly. After…”
Jan 22, 2026 · Electrical System
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was…”
Jan 14, 2026 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, coming up on fog, the driver, attempting to slow down, traveled over a slush patch in the roadway, and an…”
Jul 30, 2025 · Power Train, Structure, Tires
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was significantly rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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