2012 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 4%of 295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, 4% of the 295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,600 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.
“My steering shaft rotted and seized. I took it to a dealer and they repaired it but charged me $536.02 to fix it. When I reseached recalls there was one on 5/12/12. I am asking for my money back for this repair”
NHTSA complaint #11163706, filed 2018-12, 101,673 miles“I own 2012 Tacoma sport from 500miles on it's had a vibration/shake in the steering wheel and sometimes throughout the vehicle cab. Toyota has been unable to resolve this issue with me a even after spending money of my own on re-balancing and alignment and trying to video tape they just have excuses after excuses.they say it's normal called road feedback or they claim they cant see the shake in the videos I have sent them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10536504, filed 2013-08, 12,000 miles“Steering wheel shakes at highway speed, Toyota escondido has been able to duplicate's problem. Wheels have been rotated and balanced and problem still persist, vehicle is now at 9100 miles and I plan having dealer look at issue again , but I'm concerned this could lead to a more serious issue that could affect the safety of the vehicle.I have researched forums and found numerous complaints regarding this issue that seems to plague the Tacoma line.”
NHTSA complaint #10512792, filed 2013-05, 6,200 miles“Recently I have noticed the steering on my 2012 Tacoma is harder that normal and no longer returns to center after turning. Upon investigating online and visually inspecting my truck, the intermediate steering rod lower ball joint has failed! Upon visual inspection it appears that the cups and bearing are destroyed . Toyota considers this a normal wear item!! The truck only has 34,400 miles actually this is a dangerous situation that will someday result in injury or death and should be taken seriously by Toyota. It appears that many Toyota owners are experiencing the same issue for many years.”
NHTSA complaint #11400328, filed 2021-03, 34,200 miles“Within 5 miles of driving after having new lt 265 70 17 terra grappler tires installed truck began to pull from side to side when on uneven pavement .also very hard to control at higher speed as you get on rough pavement.I complained only to be told it is the truck and not tires,hard to believe as the previous set of tires rode very nice.”
NHTSA complaint #10680755, filed 2015-02, 24,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma
122 complaintsFuel system
53 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
17 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsWheels
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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