2012 Toyota Tacoma: Check engine light on, engine very weak
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Tacoma report: check engine light on, engine very weak. CarComplaints.com lists 8 owner complaints, average mileage 59,350 miles.
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints for the 2012 Tacoma in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11482001 (filed 08/30/2022): “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 w…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11419346 (filed 06/02/2021): “June 1st 2021 i went to park in a parking space at a local mall. my truck instead of stopping it accelerated out of control jumped two stone curbs, drove though a fence and landed into a swamp. call toyota and they have opened a new case # 210602000065. polic…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: secondary air injector pump/valve replaced (6 reports) replaced air switching valve (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,640 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Check engine light on, engine very weak (2012 Tacoma)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2012 Tacoma
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