Model year guide

2012 Toyota Tundra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Toyota Tundra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 204 on record.

2012 Toyota Tundra — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Toyota Tundra at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints153
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$25,404

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Toyota Tundra recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #13V014000 · 16/01/2013

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…

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:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #13V123000 · 09/04/2013

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 Sc…

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…

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #21V920000 · 23/11/2021

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.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #21E103000 · 23/12/2021

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. 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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Toyota Tundra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2012 Toyota Tundra safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Toyota Tundra MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,858

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Toyota Tundra worth?

Low
$17,500
Typical price
$25,404
High
$33,800

From 202 comparable 2012 Toyota Tundra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Toyota Tundra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,290
Depreciation (5 yrs)$9,800
Total$29,090
Per mile$0.39

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($25,404) with the same model 5 model-years older ($15,608), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Toyota Tundra trims & engines on record

Trims
Tundra · Limited · Tundra FFV · SR5 · Limited FFV
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl 381 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 310 hp · 4.0L 6-cyl 270 hp

2012 Toyota Tundra vehicles on record

Other Toyota Tundra model years

2012 Toyota Tundra — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Toyota Tundra have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Tundra. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Tundra?

Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2012 Toyota Tundra safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Toyota Tundra an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 3★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Tundra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Tundra at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2012 Toyota Tundra worth?

Comparable 2012 Toyota Tundra listings run roughly $17,500–$33,800, typically around $25,404 (from 202 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.