Makes›Toyota›Tundra›2012

2012 Toyota Tundra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Toyota Tundra
Pictured: 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax Short Bed 4x4 with TRD Off-Road Package, front left, 11-01-2022. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Limited, Double Cab L/Box 2WD Sr5, Double Cab L/Box 4WD, Double Cab M/Box 2WD Sr5
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 20 hwy
Length
226–244.9 in
Curb weight
5,009–5,646 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Toyota Tundra is a standard pickup truck offered with 3 engines (4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 226 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 146-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,624 lb (Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Limited).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 20 highway), 6% better than the 2012 standard pickup truck average of 17 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2012

  • Lightest version 227 lb lighter

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Tundra →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Limited226 in79.9 in76.4 in145.7 in67.3 / 67.7 in5,624 lb58/42
Double Cab L/Box 2WD Sr5244.9 in79.9 in76 in164.6 in67.3 / 67.7 in5,357 lb58/42
Double Cab L/Box 4WD244.9 in79.9 in76.4 in164.6 in67.3 / 67.7 in5,646 lb58/42
Double Cab M/Box 2WD Sr5226 in79.9 in76 in145.7 in67.3 / 67.7 in5,084 lb58/42
Double Cab M/Box 4WD Base/Sr5/Limited226 in79.9 in76.4 in145.7 in67.3 / 67.7 in5,386 lb58/42
Reg Cab L/Box 2WD226 in79.9 in76 in145.7 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,009 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18+6%$3,700494
Tundra 2WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 170%$3,950523
Tundra 4WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16+1%$4,200555
Tundra 2WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-12%$4,450592
Tundra 4WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-6%$4,450592
Tundra 4WD FFV FFV5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-6%$4,450592
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17 MPG2012 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota Tundra.

Similar 2012 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Toyota Tundra (this car)18 MPGNot rated3
2012 Chevrolet Silverado21 MPGNot rated6
2012 Toyota Tacoma22 MPGNot rated7
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup16 MPGNot rated6
2012 GMC Sierra21 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (3)

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System · Nov 23, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V920000 · 22,462 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 9, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles

Problem
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 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
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 1-800-301-6859.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles

Problem
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 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Toyota Tundra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

135Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
87,130 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine51
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Unknown Or Other16
Power Train15
Steering12
Electrical System12
Structure › Body9
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 121/10: 122/02: 222/03: 122/05: 222/07: 122/09: 122/10: 122/12: 323/01: 123/05: 123/06: 123/07: 123/12: 124/02: 124/08: 124/09: 124/10: 125/04: 126/01: 126/04: 126/07: 126/08: 126/09: 121/0922/0322/0923/0123/0724/0825/0426/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Toyota Tundra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 51 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 19 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Power Train — 15 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 87,130 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Tundra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tundra years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Tundra22245.7 inNot rated237
2025 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★5142
2024 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★10353
2023 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13414
2022 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13434
2021 Tundra15226 in★★★★★224
2020 Tundra15226 in★★★★★447
2019 Tundra16226 in★★★★★974
2018 Tundra16226 in★★★★★8100
2017 Tundra16226 in★★★★★578
2016 Tundra17226 inNot rated5120
2015 Tundra17226 inNot rated451

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →