2012 Toyota Tacoma: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Steering · MA

Sudden and total loss of power steering while backing up to park. There were/are no warning lights or messages displayed on the dashboard. With great difficulty, I was able to drive the car to my local mechanic. Steering was extremely difficult. The power steering unit has been ordered by my mechanic.

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 May 11, 2020 · Engine · 91,000 miles · CA

My 2012 tacoma warning light 1) engine and 2 trac off warning light came on and lost power going 65 MPH on freeway and would not go over 25 MPH (dangerous!). Obd-ii scanner displayed error code check p2442 indicating faulty air injection pumps and/or air switching valves.

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 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 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 86,000 miles · CA

I was on the the highway today and suddenly I lost power and won't pass speeds over 40 MPH very dangerous have heard this happend to a lot of tacomas/ tundras and has to do something with the emissions I think I need a new diverter valve which toyota should cover

Filed Apr 29, 2019 · Engine · 103,000 miles · MS

Cil and trac illumination with codes p2440 and p2442 caused the engine to go to limp mode with loss of power

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Engine · 115,200 miles · TX

While driving the vehicle in a suburban area it lost power, slowing to 25 MPH maximum, I was almost rear ended. I swerved off the road into the grass to avoid being hit. There is a problem with the emission system. It is the secondary air injection system. Toyota has been aware of this problem for some time. Some of the 2012 toyota tacoma's have a customer support / warranty extension for this problem, not mine.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Engine · 65,000 miles · TN

Went on vacation to texas, stopped to gas up and when I went back on interstate I had a dramatic loss of power. Could not keep up enough speed to go speed limit. Air conditioner did not work. At destination a local told me about a repair shop. Cost me a hundred dollars to reset to factory specs. This has happened again four other times. I disconnected battery and reset myself. Now it`s a daily thing.

Filed Jun 28, 2018 · Engine · 102,000 miles · VT

Air injector pump causing engine light and trac light to come on and sudden loss of power. Vehicle in motion when occurring.

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Engine · 123,500 miles · AZ

Secondary air injection problems (valves and/or pump) causes a check engine light to come on, and puts the engine in "limp home" mode, without warning, which limits top speed to ~40mph. This is not only ridiculous, but dangerous, especially if it happens while on a freeway. The "limp home" mode persists until the code is cleared, by using an odb tool, or clearing the ecu by other means. This has happened to me 3 times where, with no warning, the truck suddenly lost power, and I had to find the nearest "safe spot" to get out of traffic and pull over. Toyota has acknowledged this issue in a tsb, but provides no recall, despite this being a potentially dangerous situation when it happens.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Engine · 98,000 miles · GA

Vehicle was in motion and check engine light came on. Car immeditely lost power. Computer codes p2440 and p2442 indicated issues that would not effect normal operation of the vehicle- just emmision control issues. 98,000 mi. On vehicle when it occurred. Vehicle would not go over 40 MPH.