ToyotaTacoma2012Overview/toyota/tacoma/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Tacoma

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Tacoma.

Body TRUCK

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma is a truck whose 4.8-quart 5W-30 API engine oil specification reflects the straightforward, workhorse character that has long defined the nameplate. This model year carries 294 total owner complaints — with engine issues topping the list — alongside seven recalls, placing it in the middle stretch of a reliability record that spans 1995 through 2026. The historical data tells a clear trajectory: complaints peaked at 782 in 2006, then declined steadily to just 5 by 2026, so the 2012 sits in a transitional period where the platform was still maturing but had clearly moved past its roughest year. For researchers, it represents a useful case study in how a single model year can capture both mid-cycle friction and the longer arc toward the dependability the Tacoma eventually became known for.

Model year202620252024202320222021201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27F · 710 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27F · 710 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnDRLOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1 alt 90915YZZD3
Engine air filter178010C040 alt 178010P010
Fuel filter7702404010
Spark plug9091901191
Front wiper blades8522204030 alt 8521204031
Serpentine belt9091602708 alt 90916A2001
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632576010
Cabin air filter8850801010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length221.3 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase140.6 in
Curb weight4189 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tacoma of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2005 PreRunner V6 Access Cab (5 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011TRD TX Pro V6 Double Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.40 sec15.80 sec236 hp4x4
2013Limited V6 Double Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.80 sec16.10 sec236 hp4x4
2015TRD Pro Series V6 Double Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.30 sec15.90 sec236 hp4x4
2015TRD Pro Series V6 Double Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.70 sec16.10 sec236 hp4x4
2005PreRunner V6 Access Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V66.80 sec15.20 sec245 hpRWD
2005SR5 V6 Double Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V66.90 sec15.60 sec236 hp4x4
2005SR5 V6 Double Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.10 sec15.70 sec236 hp4x4
2005SR5 V6 Double Cab (5 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.40 sec16.10 sec245 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10MM Bolts: 7 ft-lbs, 12MM Bolts: 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts185 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)37.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub173 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance710 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum40.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum41.7 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum40.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum41.7 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle91 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Tacoma sits near the peak of the generation’s complaint and recall activity, with 294 complaints, 7 recalls, and 1 investigation—well above the post‑2014 lows (e.g., 92 complaints in 2014) but below the mid‑2000s surge (e.g., 782 complaints in 2006). Its total service bulletin count (464) is the highest of the entire series, indicating a concentration of manufacturer‑issued fixes that year. The dominant issues are engine‑related (80 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion (28) and suspension (15), while crash‑related complaints are modest (16) and there were no fire reports. Compared with the declining trend after 2012, the data suggest 2012 experienced more frequent problems than later model years, so a buyer should weigh the higher complaint volume against the vehicle’s overall reliability record. Overall, 2012 is a borderline year—acceptable if the specific engine and fuel concerns are verified as resolved, but later years generally present fewer reported issues.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
464
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
294
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 294 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine80
Fuel/Propulsion System28
Unknown Or Other23
Suspension15
Power Train14
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System9
Service Brakes9
Steering8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V425000Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And AttachmentsReported 03/07/2017

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service…

14V054000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 12/02/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 464 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tacoma. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Tacoma take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Tacoma have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.