1. Toyota Tacoma
  2. Problems
  3. 2012
  4. Engine

2012 Toyota Tacoma Engine Problems

117
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

What owners report

  • secondary injection · 57 records
  • limp mode · 52 records
  • check engine · 50 records
  • engine light · 37 records
  • injection system · 31 records
  • p2440 p2442 · 29 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
30–60k mi49
60–100k mi43
100–150k mi10
1–30k mi9
150–400k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • November 7, 2017

    Engine

    39k miles throws codes relating to secondary air injection pump. $2100 quote to fix. Many other owners with the same problem

    ODI 11052070

  • November 3, 2017 · 69,000 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    Recently i was driving my 2012 toyota tacoma on the highway at a sustained speed of 70 mph. A check engine light came on and my car instantly dropped in speed to less than 40 mph while in fast moving traffic. I was almost rear ended by a large truck and was forced to cross multiple lanes of traffic to get to the berm and ascertain the situation. As i could find no issues upon inspection, i precariously drove the…

    ODI 11043429

  • October 31, 2017 · 60,000 miles

    Engine

    Oem parts failure due to manufacturers defect. This exact issue prompted recall of the toyota tundra. Dealership reports numerous customers with same issue. Repair is over $2,000. This is serious issue. Air injection pumps and switching valves are faulty allowing water into the system and causing the engine to seize up and decrease engine speed. This happened on i-90 in heavy traffic causing other motorists to apply…

    ODI 11044409

  • October 20, 2017 · 64,000 miles

    Engine

    My 2012 tacoma is throwing lights on for a new secondary air injector valve , parts p2440 and p2442. The toyota mechanic said this is a common problem with these over the past few years as the 2012's hold moisture after shut down and the valves break down. I see this is a common problem online and a very expensive fix for us all. This should be covered fix, just because it doesn't cause in imminent health hazard…

    ODI 11036005

  • September 26, 2017 · 48,000 miles

    Engine · Unknown Or Other

    I was pulling out on to the highway and my truck failed to exceed 30 mph with oncoming traffic which nearly caused an accident. Upon inspection by my toyota dealership, they explained that my secondary air injection valves were stuck open (p2440, p2442) which caused the truck to lose all power. I was then told that since i am no longer under warranty (my truck is only 5 years old with 48,000 miles on it) that toyota…

    ODI 11030390

  • September 24, 2017 · 97,300 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    Error code p2442 secondary air injection valve stuck open. Truck immediately goes into "limp' mode and will not accelerate over 20mph. Extremely unsafe to have the vehicle decelerate on a highway for a known issue that has prompted warranty extensions on toyota tundra's.

    ODI 11030179

  • September 12, 2017 · 51,000 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train

    I start up the truck and pull out in to the street. Whether at an intersection or making a turn, i push on the accelerator and nothing happens. The rpms don't increase, engine makes no sound - and i am left sitting in the middle of the road. I push the accelerator to the floor and eventually the engine comes to life and the truck moves forward. Happens more often than not when the vehicle is "cold" - within the…

    ODI 11041373

  • September 9, 2017 · 41,000 miles

    Engine

    Fault codes p2440 and p2442, powertrain - auxiliary emission controls. Air pump failing at 41,000 miles. Dealer repair cost is $1,900. Vehicle goes in to "limp mode" when started, that drastically reduces power.

    ODI 11022476

  • September 2, 2017 · 62,000 miles

    Engine

    Secondary air pump and switching valves failed on the highway with only 62,000 miles. Truck forced into limp mode and i was not able to travel over 20mph. The truck had a check engine light and trac control light appear. Toyota attempted to charge me over $2100 to fix. After reading about the error codes this is a common problem for all 2012 tacoma owners and toyota warranty refuses to cover any of the cost or…

    ODI 11072143

  • August 12, 2017 · 49,000 miles

    Engine

    Secondary air injection switching valve malfunction related to emissions. Code p2440 & p2442,

    ODI 11014957

  • July 26, 2017 · 105,000 miles

    Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control

    While commuting to work the engine light and traction control light came on, causing my truck to slow down, very slow. It would not let me accelerate and disabled my progress to around 2000 rpms. This could have been a very serious or a dangerous situation especially if i was towing a load or in a major traffic situation. Codes - 2440 and 2442 were the causes of this scary account.

    ODI 11021153

  • July 10, 2017 · 49,652 miles

    Electronic Stability Control · Engine

    At start up "check engine" and "trac off" lights were on. Truck had no acceleration and transmission would not shift. I took the car to the dealership and diagnostic codes p2440 and p2442 were detected. Dealer had to replace the air injection system bank 1 and bank 2. During research, i discovered numerous other owners of 2012 tacoma's complaing about the same issue. Some even lost power while driving. Also, the…

    ODI 11013036

  • July 5, 2017 · 45,000 miles

    Engine

    Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota tacoma. After starting the vehicle, the check engine, traction control, and maintinence indicators remained illuminated. While driving, the vehicle would not accelerate past 25 mph. The vehicle was taken to autonation toyota in houston, texas where it was diagnosed that the engine air pump and air valve were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…

    ODI 11003672

  • June 14, 2017 · 33,000 miles

    Engine

    I was leaving work and pulling onto the highway when i noticed my check engine light came on, as well as the trac off light. I went to pull into traffic and immediately realized that whatever was wrong put my truck into limp mode and had a 2500 rpm limit. This was a 60 mph highway and i couldn't go more than 35 mph. The traffic coming was immediately upon me and i had to pull over and put on my hazard lights as…

    ODI 10995268

  • June 9, 2017 · 88,000 miles

    Engine

    Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota tacoma. While driving 62 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle began to lose power. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a limp home setting. The contact stated that he was aes certified. The contact stated that the tow hitch was in use when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (fiore toyota volkswagen [redacted],…

    ODI 10995601

  • June 4, 2017 · 51,700 miles

    Engine

    Secondary air injection system (p2442). This hardware defect has been a recall for tundra but not for tacoma. The part is defective on most 2012 tacoma and very expensive to replace. There are safety issue as the vehicle unable to accelerate, but only able to limp. There are many discussions about this issue but toyota has not done anything about this.

    ODI 10993736

  • May 31, 2017 · 99,000 miles

    Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Unknown Or Other

    Vehicle was in motion on rainy, wet highway when check engine light went on and traction control was shut off. The secondary air injection switching valve is apparently stuck closed, which for some reason shuts off the traction control. It is my understanding from speaking with other tacoma and tundra owners that had the valves gotten stuck open, the vehicle goes into "limp mode" which automatically decreases speed…

    ODI 10992726

  • May 27, 2017 · 47,800 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    Failure of the secondary air injection pump and valve emission system prompted engine to run in a reduced power mode, and this occurred on a on a relatively new vehicle with below average mileage. While setting may protect engine, this created an unsafe driving environment for vehicle within fast moving traffic. My compliant is not related to the reduced driving mode that may have protected the engine, but rather…

    ODI 10992580

  • May 23, 2017 · 72,952 miles

    Engine

    My truck's check engine light and trac off light came on and i took it to my local repair shop. The manager told me that after the level 1 diagnostic, a p2442 error code appeared (switching valve stuck). The valves, and air pump are part of the secondary air injection system which diverts some exhaust back into the engine to reduce emissions output. As part of the truck's emergency system, the truck limited the…

    ODI 10992077

  • May 22, 2017 · 29,800 miles

    Engine

    As i went from side road to main road, truck would not accelerate to full speed even with foot on the pedal, indicators trac off and check engine were lit. Went to mechanic and error codes p2440 and p2442 indicated malfunction in secondary air injection system. Was told new air pump and diverter valve required at cost of $2k. Truck has less than 30k on it,but is 5 years old. Going into limp mode is dangerous as the…

    ODI 10991879

  • May 19, 2017 · 133,472 miles

    Engine · Vehicle Speed Control

    Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power and then immediately regained power. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The contact coasted the vehicle to a service station, restarted it, and was able to drive. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate past 25 mph. The vehicle was taken to…

    ODI 11066080

  • May 17, 2017 · 58,000 miles

    Engine

    Secondary air injection valve quit working and put my truck into a 'limp mode.' during this time my speed was cut no more than 40 m.p.h. I was merging onto the highway at the time and it created a very unsafe condition. I started researching the issue and saw a ton of other people had the exact same issue. I'm sure toyota knew about it as well, because the mechanic at the dealership did. Why didn't they put out an…

    ODI 10991068

  • May 17, 2017 · 47,391 miles

    Engine

    2012 toyota tacoma. The vehicle has codes p2440, p2441, p2442 relating to the secondary air injection system (sais) valves being stuck open/closed. This appears to be a common problem with 2012 tacoma vehicles and several years for tundra vehicles. For the tundra, toyota instituted a customer support program and extended the warranty coverage for the sais. With the vehicle having only 47,391 miles, it is outrageous…

    ODI 10986305

  • May 8, 2017 · 24,000 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    2012 tacoma with 24k miles. Check engine light and trc light came on with truck in limp mode when i started it to go to work. Codes p0412 p2433 p2438 p2442. Toyota wont cover this and its a defect in many many 2012 tacomas.

    ODI 10984597

  • May 3, 2017 · 60,200 miles

    Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    Emissions air pump valve went out with 60,200 miles on the truck. The truck is bone stock and has been very well maintained. After research its seems that numerous people are having issues with this same exact part on the 2012 tacomas. Toyota extended a recall on the tundra's because of this part, but not the tacomas. The truck is currently in limp mode and will not go past 40mph, and the dealer wants $1,075 to fix…

    ODI 10983601