2012 Toyota Tacoma: check engine light

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Fuel system · HI

The check engine light on the dashboard of my 2012 Tacoma turned on and will no longer accelerate appropriately and especially while driving uphill, posing a danger to myself and other drivers. I was on a two-lane highway with a cliffside drop on one side and a wall of steep rock on the other and absolutely no where to go as there was only one lane going in each direction and my truck would not accelerate over 20mph in an area where you’re expected to keep a pace above 40mph and as such ended up with a long row of impatient and increasingly frustrated drivers behind me, only more incited by my having to turn on my hazard lights as a result of a crawling speed I was forced to deal with and with nowhere to pull over and get out of the way. How can I possibly rely on this vehicle to be safe for me or anyone else, especially on a fast-moving highway in this condition? I have taken the vehicle to an auto shop and I as told the air injection system is bad and that this is a typical problem for Toyota Tacomas and the cost would be just shy of $3,000! I was recommended by a mechanic to reach out to Toyota directly because this is obviously an issue the manufacturer should readily respond to and repair. Please advise.

Filed Dec 20, 2022 · Brakes, Fuel system · TX · crash

My truck lost drivability while I was going 60 I ran into a ditch to stop. It hads two codes . I took it in they replaced my rack n pinion. Check engine light came on . Mechanic said he could not work on it anymore because of the rust. To much corrosion he would be risking liability for other parts getting damaged because of all the rust. Took it to mike Shaw to have frame tested. It passed they said. But I can’t find a mechanic to work on it but mike Shaw and they’ll just keep charging for each item they don’t care.

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Engine · 85,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him about a Special Service Campaign: 20TC01. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air injection pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed him that the Special Service Campaign: 20TC01 had expired. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MI

When accelerating the truck lost all power and acceleration. Engine light is on. Engine will not increase RPM when accelerator is pressed. Truck will slowly drive but is unsafe to be on the road as it slowly accelerates up to 20-30mph max. Vehicle was merging into traffic from parking lot access.

Filed Sep 7, 2020 · Fuel system · LA

Trac off and cel on, truck goes into 'limp mode' and decelerates when gas allpied. Loud whining noise when first starting.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Engine · 68,381 miles · NJ

Two dashboard lights illuminated at the same time: the check engine light and the trac off light. At first I really didn't notice much of a difference but after 2 days I experienced significant power loss. I would pull out into traffic ok until about 20mph then have no power. It crawled while trying to get up to speed. I read on the internet that if you disconnect the battery and open the gas cap the lights would go out and the problem would go away. I did this and it worked; or so I thought. I then left for an hour trip (I know dumb) and within 15 mins the lights came back on and I couldn't get the truck over 60mph on a major highway. I actually stopped at a rest stop and disconnected the battery and removed the gas cap. Again this shut off the lights but only for about 5 mins. Then the power loss was back. Took to my local mechanic who I trust and he said it was a known problem that was something called a technical service bulletin but not yet a recall. Apparently the tundra and sequoia are recalled for this problem but not the tacoma. I don't get it. I was told to keep my receipts ($1,870.68) right after christmas thank you, and hopefully one day get reimbursed if it becomes a recall. I can only hope this is a no interest investment into my future.

Filed Dec 31, 2019 · Engine · 91,500 miles · KY

Failure of the secondary air injection system p2440 and p2442, while the vehicle was moving onto a city street from a parking lot. When accelerating immediately there was a decrease in power and the check engine light along with the "trac off" light illuminating simultaneously. The vehicle has a now maximum speed of around 55 MPH and extremely slow to accelerate being almost dangerous on busier roads. After being check out by a the dealer it was found to be the secondary air injection system which is covered by an extended warranty but parts are on back-order.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Fuel system · 112,500 miles · CO

My check engine light came on and I had no acceleration beyond 20 MPH. I took it for a diagnosis at auto zone and they told me it was codes ,2450 and 2442, secondary air valves stuck open. I am stuck in an unfamiliar city and no mechanics with time to fix it, to say nothing of me not having the funds to pay for the repair. The light came on when I was turning a corner on a hill. I understand this has become a very common problem for toyotas and I would have expected a recall notice so that toyota would fix the problem! I have no way of getting home as part of my drive is thru a very steep and treacherous canyon.

Filed Jul 28, 2019 · Fuel system · 77,500 miles · PR

About 2 weeks ago my truck was hesitating and my check engine/off trac light was on. The car would not go above 40mph on city streets or highway. I went to a toyota dealer in puerto rico, they said the codes were p0052, p0456, p2140, p2442 secondary air injection system is bad and would cost $2,458.08 for repairs. I don't know if it is covered by any warranty. It is a 2012 toyota tacoma pre-runner.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Fuel system · 40 miles · PR

I'm a owner of tacoma pre-runner 2012. I recently took my car to scan since I had the check engine light on. Attached I send you the codes and I also include the fact sheet delivered to me at the service center. I want to know if this is covered by any warranty.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Engine · 46,000 miles · NM

While on a road trip I had my check engine light come on while on the highway due to defective secondary injection valves being stuck closed/open. The codes I had for this issue is p2440 and p2442. In my case this issue made my truck go into limp mode which is often a loss of power in the engine and sometimes a restriction in one's ability to shift the truck. Luckily the highway was not busy at the time this happened, but if it were I would believe that it would be a very unsafe thing to happen going 70 MPH. The parts do have an extended warranty until 2022 if I remember right, but it seems like toyota is not interested in recalling these parts even after they have known for many years that these parts are defective. I have done quite a bit of research and found issues with these parts going back to 2013.

Filed May 9, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · NH

60,000 miles. Three years ago the airbag light came on. We brought it and paid for diagnostics but no answers. Now the check engine light and track off are lighting (not related to first issue) and the truck is in slowdown mode. We replaced the gas-cap but it didn't fix the issue. Disappointed in what used to be a quality company.