ToyotaTundra2012Overview/toyota/tundra/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Tundra

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

Body TRUCK

The 2012 Toyota Tundra is a truck that takes 6.4 quarts of 0W-20 or 5W-20 API oil. Across the model’s 1999–2026 complaint history, the 2012 model year drew 154 owner complaints, placing it far below the 2000 series high of 1,032 and well above the 1999 low of one. With engine problems ranking as the top complaint area and four recalls on file, the 2012 model sits roughly in the middle of the nameplate’s historical range, indicating a year that avoided both the line’s earliest and most troubled periods.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque154 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 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. 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 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010S010
Spark plug9091901191
Front wiper blades852120C030 alt 852220C030
Serpentine belt90916A2033 alt 90916A2001
Thermostat1632670020 alt 1632631050
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase145.7 in
Curb weight5624 lb
Track (front / rear)67.3 / 67.7 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 Tundra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2008 Limited 5.7L Double Cab (6.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010SR5 4.6L Double Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 4.6L V87.40 sec15.90 sec310 hp4x4
2014Limited CrewMax Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.40 sec15.10 sec381 hp4x4
20141794 Edition CrewMax Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.70 sec15.20 sec381 hp4x4
2014Platinum CrewMax Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.70 sec15.30 sec381 hp4x4
2009Limited CrewMax Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.50 sec15.10 sec381 hp4x4
2015TRD Pro CrewMax Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.60 sec15.20 sec381 hp4x4
2008Limited 5.7L Double Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.00 sec14.70 sec381 hp4x4
2007Limited 5.7L Double Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.00 sec14.60 sec381 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 0W-20 / 5W-20 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 154 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 Pints
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity8 Pints
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity9.7 Pints
Engine Oil0W-20 · API · 5W-20

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 Bolts221 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts221 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket77.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle77.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket77.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts154 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub249 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27F

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum46.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum47.4 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle73 ft-lbs / 70 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.14 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 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 10,000 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) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
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 Toyota Tundra represents a mid-cycle point in its generation, with federal complaint data showing a notable decline from the first-generation peak (e.g., 1,032 complaints in 2000) and stabilization in the second generation. Complaints dropped to 154 in 2012—higher than the 84 in 2013 but far below the 389 in 2007—while recalls fell to 4, the lowest since 2009, signaling improved build quality or fewer systemic issues. The 2012 model’s top complaint areas (engine, fuel/propulsion system) mirror broader trends, though crash-related complaints (7) and fire reports (2) remain minimal. Compared to adjacent years, 2012’s recall count is favorable, and its single investigation suggests no unresolved safety concerns. The data implies this year benefits from early second-generation refinements without the higher complaint volumes of later years. **Takeaway: The 2012 Tundra is a strong used buy, offering a balance of lower recalls and complaints relative to its peers.**

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
316
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
154
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 154 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine33
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Electrical System9
Unknown Or Other9
Structure8
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System7
Steering7
Power Train6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V014000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 16/01/2013

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… Remedy: 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…

13V123000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 09/04/2013

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 316 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 Tundra. 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 Tundra take?

6.4 qt of 0W-20 API, 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Tundra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.