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Exterior lightingPart report

2012 Toyota Tacoma Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 295 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, 1% of the 295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11119857, filed 2018-08, 90,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight failed to illuminate properly and the light was distorted. The vehicle was taken the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that there was no defect with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10.”

NHTSA complaint #10583121, filed 2014-04, 10 miles

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202324%
202011%
201910%
201821%
201783%
2016175%
201511%
201332%
201231%
20113217%
2010259%
200910520%
2008153%
2007102%
200641%
200530%
200410%
200321%
200210%
200042%
199921%
199862%
199711%
199610%
199532%

Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma

Engine
122 complaints
Fuel system
53 complaints
Other or unknown
45 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
35 complaints
Brakes
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
22 complaints
Suspension
21 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Electronic stability control
17 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology