carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $17,920–$21,234 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Toyota Tacoma at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.9/10, while Technology at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.9/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $17,920–$21,234, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Toyota Tacoma is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma ranks #381 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $17,920 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 49%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $25k →
Across the Tacoma model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $32,445 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $32,445 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $31,500 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $30,555 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $29,610 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $28,665 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $27,720 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $26,775 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $25,830 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $24,885 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $23,940 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $22,995 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Structure / Body / Hood / Hinge and attachments 03/07/2017 · 17V425000 | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 12/02/2014 · 14V054000 | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each… |
| Equipment / Other / Labels 04/08/2014 · 14V475000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may… |
| Tires / Temporary/emergency spare tire 17/10/2013 · 13V494000 | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Sensor/control module-inactive 16/01/2013 · 13V014000 | 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 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and… |
Showing 5 of 7 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2012 Toyota Tacoma's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
7 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #381 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 26% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma starts at $17,920 and ranges up to $21,234 across trims (MSRP when new). At 10 MPG, expect roughly $5,250/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
