2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma recall: temporary/emergency spare tire

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing reported this safety recall on November 23, 2012. It covers about 150,000 vehicles.

vehicles affected: 150,000
reported: Nov 23, 2012
owners notified: Feb 15, 2013
related complaints: 60

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

What is wrong: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Risk: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 12V542000

Affected vehicles

Toyota Tacoma 2001-2004 2001 2002 2003 2004

Owner complaints about the same problem

Owners of these vehicles have filed 60 complaints about tires problems.

2001 Toyota Tacoma 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2003 Toyota Tacoma 2004 Toyota Tacoma

Questions about recall 12V542000

Is there a recall on the 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma temporary/emergency spare tire?

Yes. Recall 12V542000, reported on November 23, 2012, covers about 150,000 vehicles.

What is the fix for recall 12V542000?

Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Is the recall repair free?

Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. A dealer can confirm with the VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has already been done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Toyota Tacoma?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history