2012 Toyota Tundra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 37%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,120miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Toyota Tundra, 37% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,120 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, multiple dashboard lights came on and my truck went into limp mode, meaning I lost almost all power while driving in heavy traffic. Turns out this is an issue with the air injection pump, which is a known problem in Toyota tundras. I believe this is a safety issue that Toyota needs to address.”
NHTSA complaint #11195714, filed 2019-04, 86,900 miles“Secondary air injection pump and secondary air injection switching value causing check engine and trac control lights to come on. I was told by the dealer that the same piece and design was recalled on the 2011 but not the 2012 Tundra. It comes on and off but when it is on it feels like that there is a limp mode making it difficult to get up to speed on the highway. The steering feels different which I think is the traction control.”
NHTSA complaint #11222498, filed 2019-06, 80,000 miles“I had a sudden jump in my rpms and accelerator malfunction I had to carefully guide the truck to the side of the road. After it died I could not start it. The engine light flashing, the 4lo flashing and traction's all flashing. I still had electrical but no power. I was being followed by another vehicle who almost hit me and my daughter. These trucks are supposed to be know for their life span and safety. This is not what I call safe by any means.”
NHTSA complaint #11173278, filed 2019-01, 130,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10851491, filed 2016-03, 78,000 miles“I was coming off an entrance ramp merging into traffic on to a 4 lane highway when my check engine light, trac off light and blinking 4 loe came on. The engine went into limp mode greatly reducing my power and it felt like my steering control got loose. I had to pull off the road to keep from being run over by faster traffic. I was able to make it to the next off ramp and get to a mechanics shop. They hooked up a analysis computer and came back with maintenance code p2432, secondary air pumps and secondary air pump valves. …”
NHTSA complaint #11234781, filed 2019-07, 79,786 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 11005061Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 10170740Dec 9, 2019TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE December 09, 2019: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0166-19.
- 10170730Dec 6, 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0058-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0058-13 is obsolete and any printed…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10149217Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134117Jun 1, 2016Dealer Letter: LSC Expired on May 31, 2016.
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 22% |
| 2025 | 47 | 33% |
| 2024 | 153 | 44% |
| 2023 | 168 | 41% |
| 2022 | 165 | 38% |
| 2021 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 6 | 13% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 12 | 12% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 6 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 6% |
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 23 | 27% |
| 2012 | 57 | 37% |
| 2011 | 35 | 26% |
| 2010 | 10 | 6% |
| 2009 | 5 | 13% |
| 2008 | 36 | 11% |
| 2007 | 27 | 7% |
| 2006 | 18 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 6 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Tundra
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Tundra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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