Used 2012 Toyota Tundra Consumer Reviews
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2012 Tundra defective air valves causing limp mode
CJ, 03/25/2020
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
33 of 35 people found this review helpful
I purchased a truck from Germain Toyota, a 2012 Tundra (4.6L). I recently brought the truck back to this dealership when the check engine light came on, and it began losing acceleration while driving it. The truck received a diagnosis from them for $130. It was diagnosed with a p2440 code. Germain said it can be fixed for a repair cost of $2800-$3000. They said air injection valve bank was stuck, has debris and possible water intrusion. Toyota said the truck can go into limp mode as a result which causes the truck to not shift correctly and loss of acceleration. This nearly caused an accident. I was changing a lane in heavy traffic and suddenly there was no acceleration. It seemed like the truck wasn't shifting into gears correctly. First I thought the transmission was failing. Toyota issued a recall on the 2007-2010 Tundras and Tacomas due to the defective air valves/air pumps, extending the mileage on these years to 10yr/150k. Then extended same in 2011 but stopped there. The valves and pumps are made out of some cheap alloy, causing them to corrode easily and the system allows water to get into them. The repair parts offered for the repair apparently are made of the same metal so replacing then will probably only get you more time before they go bad again. The truck has under 100k miles on it. I've always taken great care of the truck and have taken it into a Toyota dealer for all scheduled maintenance dates. Germain Toyota said it was out of warranty by about 5 months. Germain Toyota was helpless to do anything other than repair it for the insane repair cost. They didn't know why the warranty/recall was not extended to the 2012. Seems there are alot of other 2012 tundra owners with this problem as well so I'm not alone. Toyota should own up to their defective parts and Germain Toyota should have some solutions other than offering to reinstall defective parts for a lot of money. I doubt I will buy another vehicle from Toyota again.
2012 Tundra 4.6 double cab P2440 code / expense
catndahats, 04/07/2019
updated 04/09/2021
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
35 of 39 people found this review helpful
Great truck up until last week. All the good things about Toyota Tundras are true---great ride, pulling power, large dealer base nationwide. This "weak link" however can endanger you and your family, and is a very expensive repair. This is my 4th Toyota since 2002 and 2nd Tundra, and I consider myself a Toyota fan. My complaint is both towards the vehicle, the dealership base, and Toyota corporation. Purchased this 2012 as a CPO from the dealership in 1/2016 with 35k miles. I have always believed it was a good company and product. Felt good knowing it was covered by Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty and had passed an intensive inspection prior to sale. Buyer beware. Secondary Air Pump Failure: At exactly 72,000 miles, the check engine / trac off lights came on and the truck went into limp mode. Just know that this well documented defect in Toyota Tundras still continues. Toyota claims the problem was corrected with the 2010 models, but acknowledges there are plenty of dissatisfied customers posting all over the internet. I've talked to 2 dealers, and many emails and phone calls to Toyota corporate regarding the defect and seeking assistance. They know the defect is common in all Tundras, and will tell you the defect with the AIP continues, but will not help. All dead ends. The Toyota corporation absolutely refuses to assist the customer even though we have the extended 7yr/100,000 mile power train warranty. Buyer beware, not if, but WHEN the repair WILL come, and it will cost you out of pocket anywhere from $2,000 - $4000. If you buy a 2010 Tundra or later, budget for this repair. I expect this defect will have a negative effect on your resale or trade value when you try to get rid of the vehicle. It is a safety issue. The symptoms: Code: P2440 -- The truck now has exactly 72,000 miles, and has gone into "Limp" mode with the Check Engine / Trac Off lights flashing. Limp mode means no acceleration, no ability to drive uphill. Even though they extended the warranty on this weak link in the vehicles built between 2007 - 2010, they do not acknowledge there is a manufacturing defect in later models. Extremely dangerous as the vehicle becomes sluggish and will not drive uphill or accelerate. UPDATE 10-8-20: Since this first AIP breakdown, had the tundra repaired out of pocket. Subsequently made the repair again after 6 months, very expensive twice. I still consider it a safety issue. Now our tundra has 83k miles. We went to our local dealer and their solution was to sell me a new Tundra. We were offered a favorable trade for a new tundra, but declined since I did not want a car payment for another 5 yrs. This year Toyota eliminated the 4.6 motor as an option, so who knows if the defect is fixed. I'm keeping mine and will just budget for additional repairs. Otherwise the 2012 Tundra is a jewel. It rides great on long trips, and overall has held up very well, gets great gas mileage (18-20mpg) and sometimes better on the highway. Update 4/21: Still driving the tundra. Paid for, still rides good, looks good...no further repairs. Toyota still has not addressed the defect on post 2010 models, and has eliminated the 4.6 motor. Still gets 18-21mpg so we are going to keep on driving it.
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Tundra can Tow
deejay8, 08/02/2012
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr CrewMax SB (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
52 of 59 people found this review helpful
We got our Tundra from Cowboy Toyota. Billy Goss and James Smith provided excellent service. We previously owned a Nissan Frontier. There is no comparison between the towing performance of the Tundra compared to the Frontier. We just returned from our trip to New Mexico. The only "problem" was that we kept forgetting we were towing the camper. The 4.6L engine worked great. I'm glad we didn't get the bigger engine because it was not needed.
So Far So Good
thebigv21, 02/25/2013
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Truck now has 11K miles. Had first synthetic oil change at 10K. Averaging 15.2 mpg in combined driving. Truck runs great and has similar MPG as tacomas I have owned in the past. The horsepower and torque on this truck is something else. I see negative reviews on here and I can't understand why. The performance is what impresses me the most. I am 6'4" and have plenty of room. Kids can sit in the back without any problem whatsoever. This is a real truck, not meant for anyone who wants a car..
Had the Rest - Now gotta Tundra
RicheD, 12/28/2016
updated 12/29/2017
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
Just thought I would update my review - I have now owed my Certified Used Tundra for two-years now. I am just as happy as the day I got it. No check engine lights and no problems. I wish I would have switched to Toyota years ago and saved myself some weekends of not working on vehicles and lots of headaches. This truck has made multiple trips to Florida and many to the Midwest and is a joy to drive. Toyotas cost a little more but, they hold their value, and they stand the test of time. I am to the point in my life where owning a quality vehicle that I don't have to worry about is first and foremost. I don't have to worry about my vehicle being labeled as a "rolling sarcophagi", or "disfiguring", or wondering what kind of defect my vehicle has and how it's going to kill me....lol
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Almost Perfect
buzzkiller, 07/31/2012
2012 Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
I have had a 4X4, 17" wheel for six-months now. One must understand Toyota's list of options doesn't mean that they're really available. Toyota installs options based on info they received from previous year's customers. They also put the premium options only on the most expensive model. (Moonroof, full-size opening rear window are on Quad only.) There was only one Tundra with the options I wanted on the West Coast and it came with options I didn't want. Gas mileage is 14.6 to 14.7. Doesn't matter if I'm on the flat interstate, a Sierra dirt road, or city streets. I am 55 and keep vehicles for twenty years. With that in mind, my biggest regret is the crappy interior materials - I get to watch what is now crappy get even worse as time goes on. Other than that, and the freeway beatings, I love the truck and look forward to using it to its fullest towing a rolling mansion when I retire.
Great Realiable Truck
MrW, 02/16/2018
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
This was a city truck for several years. We lived in the burbs and I commuted daily with it. Tires, Oil and Gas are the only thing it needed. I love this truck. Obviously you don't buy a full-sized truck for it's mpg, which is the only negative i can say about it. The acceleration was surprisingly quick for a vehicle it's size. While driving it around in tight city streets, I found it handled its size and weight extremely well. I never felt it wallowing around the lane, drifting lazily. No it stayed on it's line and moved. In snow, it's average until you engage 4WD. With 4WD on, this thing is a freight train and feels like it's on rails. I HAVE recommended the tundra to many people. My only reason for selling is a growing family. But I'll always have the good 'ol days with my tundra.
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Better Than Average
jmlabs, 11/17/2014
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
Prior to purchasing 2012 Tundra 5.7L LB, I did extensive research on Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. I felt like the U.S. mfg trucks used excessively thin sheet metal and were about $10K - $15K overpriced and in my opinion that was due to unions. I found thin sheet metal in the Tundra too, but I wasn't paying a union add-on for the Toyota. What sold me on the Tundra is the large pinion gear, quality wrapped wire bundles in the engine bay, the quality interior, and transmission cooler. I've owned the truck for 2 years 7 months now and have had no problems at all. The body style is attractive - I prefer it over the new 2015 body style. I'd repurchase a Tundra mfg prior to the new body style.
Nice But Bouncy
Chuck, 09/05/2015
updated 03/08/2018
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I love it, but it has some challenges. I bought used but got a great price and great deal. No complaints. Interior is super comfortable and bigger than expected. I'm 5'8" so getting up into it was a challenge until I added Westin side steps. Power is incredible. Set up nicely to tow, but is limited to about 6700 lbs. I use it to haul my motorcycle and enclosed trailer, does fine at their combined weight, Like the hook up for brake lights to the trailer with options on types of plugs. I just notice on the road it sucks gas and seems to bounce along when not towing--maybe it needs a significant payload to smooth it out on the road. Mine has a rail system and bed carpet type thing, but I added a three piece tonneau of hard shell plastic like stuff, and covers it nicely. May also add an OEM bedliner....Anyway, this sucker has new aggressive tires on the 18 inch wheels, and I'm looking forward to winter this year....UPDATE--March, 2016-- Did great in the snow! 33 inches in snowfall and this beast just rolled on out and through in 4x4. Payload in the back leveled it out and helped with traction. I added a backup camera and proximity sensors on the back, so even better now backing and parking. Nice truck. 9/8/16-- Added a cold air intake and Interceptor tech adjuster and now get 333 hp where I got 310 before. Also, better fuel economy now and very fast acceleration. By the way, this is an 8 cylinder model with 4.6L engine. UPDATE: March, 2018– truck was totaled when a young woman ran me off the road. No injuries. Front end took the impact. Airbags didn’t fire but like I said, no injuries. Looked to replace it with the same, but the prices were high. Great truck while it lasted.
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Do your research first!!
New Chevy Owner, 11/17/2016
2012 Toyota Tundra Tundra 4dr Double Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
22 of 31 people found this review helpful
I purchased my brand new Toyota Tundra SR5 double cab 4.6L in 2012 from a local dealership. Two weeks ago my check engine and TRC OFF lights came on so I rushed to a nearby Toyota dealership an hour later the service tech approached me to explain that my secondary air injection valves were closed reason why my truck would only get up to 40mph and felt bogged down. He then informed me it could be a matter of resetting the computer and the valves could reset themselves and I will just be out $100.00 for the computer testing. Or my air injection valve assembly could be bad. Another hour later he returns to tell me resetting the computer did not work and I would need to replace the air injection valves if I got it repaired there and right away it would be $2,500.00 if not $2,800.00. Between all of this fiasco they are trying to sell me a new truck I need to mention. So after me asking a million questions he then says its nothing I did NO NEGLECT on my part to my truck it's a manufacturer issue but unfortunately my truck is not covered under the recall/warranty. The recall/warranty is only on the 5.7L Tundras so after lots of research I have found Toyota has had many issues with this valve system since early 2000. I went to the dealership where I bought the truck and was told unfortunately I just have really bad luck and I could be 1 out of 10,000 people this happens to then of course they kept me their trying to sell me a new truck. I do need to mention my truck is still at the dealership that diagnosed my truck originally. Then I'm told we can not help you at dealership level you have to call corporate. I call corporate and they made a case but then of course pointed the finger at the dealership. Bottom line Toyota YOU bought a faulty manufactured part YOU need to take ownership of it, it is not my fault your vehicles have rust issues, break issues, airbag issues and air injection valve issues. I have never been so rudely mistreated like this by a company that supposedly has great customer service...NOT TRUE at all. They care about one thing and one thing only their bottom line and profit. This was the first Toyota I have ever owned and needless to say it will be my last. My truck had 130k miles on it and I owe 5k on it, now I have to put 3k into it....BS!
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