What should you inspect after buying a 2012 Toyota Tacoma with 150k miles? Just got my hands on this 2012 Tacoma with 150k miles – what would you recommend doing to it? I’ve been eyeing a Tacoma for a while, and when I found this one at a ‘reasonable’ price (for CA), I couldn’t pass it up. It’s super clean and mostly stock except for the wheels.
For those familiar with 2nd gen Tacomas with some mileage, what are the first upgrades or mods you’d suggest? I’m open to both performance and cosmetic improvements. Also, this is my first truck, so any advice is appreciated!
Start with maintenance. Replace all fluids, lubricate anything that needs it, and inspect all rubber lines and hoses. After that, take it for a good drive.
Consider new wagon-style wheels, OEM-style headlights, a Fumoto oil drain valve, and general maintenance like greasing, changing the oil, and inspecting belts and hoses. You might also want to replace the spark plugs if you’re unsure when they were last changed.
And also, Make sure to address the secondary air injection recall if it hasn’t been done yet. It’s a hassle when the sponge gets sucked in and triggers limp mode. I had a 2012 Tacoma until last night (unfortunate story) and struggled to get Toyota to cover it back then, before the recall was issued. I ended up paying for labor (only $300 instead of $2,000) and received the recall notice about six months later.
Hey, what are the issues when that component fails? I’ve had the same problem repaired three times now, and the mechanic mentioned it was the air injection valve.
If that component fails, you’ll see the check engine light and traction control light come on. You won’t be able to go past second gear, and your speed will be limited to around 40 mph, making it feel like your truck is crawling. This issue falls under a Toyota recall, so you should have it checked by a dealership as soon as possible. Ideally, you should be within the recall timeframe, but there might be mileage or year limits.
If you don’t have one, consider getting a code reader from Harbor Freight. If you’re taking it to an independent mechanic, make sure Toyota addresses the issue properly.
I found the TSB, but it might be out of their timeframe now, which is unfortunate since the issue persists. Your entire secondary air injection system might need replacement. Have your mechanic review the TSB. I’m surprised they weren’t aware of it, but try contacting Toyota to see if they’ll provide the parts for free so you can have someone install them.
Additionally, this might be a more recent TSB, so check this one too. Toyota may be replacing affected parts regardless of the year. Definitely call Toyota with your VIN to see if it’s impacted. It’s also a good idea to take your vehicle to Toyota for occasional oil changes, as they will check for recalls on your VIN, and the oil change will cost around $60.
It only has 67k miles on it, though. Is there a specific timeframe within which the repair needs to be completed? This would be my first recall experience.
The original TSB mentioned a 10-year limit from the first use, but the second one seems to have no time restriction. Given that 67k miles is relatively low for a 2012, it’s definitely worth contacting Toyota. It sounds like the air filter might have been sucked into the system, leading your mechanic to fix it incrementally. The filter acts like a sponge, causing damage throughout the system when it gets pulled through. While it’s not a crucial system, it’s better to have it fully repaired rather than bypassing it, which could lead to future issues. Contact Toyota with your VIN to get a definitive answer.
If you can’t tell, I’m particularly passionate about this issue and want to help others dealing with it! If you have a newer model and are seeing those codes, make sure to raise a fuss.
Hey, thanks a lot. This is the third time I’ve had to fix this issue—the second repair was free, but the first one cost $2k. Each time, it’s a week without my car while they figure out the problem.
I’m going to get my VIN and call the local Toyota dealer.
Update: I called the dealership with my VIN, and it’s still eligible for the recall.
You’re a lifesaver. I just bought a fixer-upper home, so a $2-3k car repair is totally out of my budget. I’d give you gold if I could. Thanks a million for helping me figure this out.
I’m so glad to hear that it helped. I was living paycheck to paycheck when I faced that issue and couldn’t afford the repair. I’ve always been a Toyota fan, but I considered switching brands until they agreed to cover the cost. Keep the gold for your future fixes your truck should be in and out of the shop quickly. Good luck with the repair, and make sure to spread the word.
Also, if you can, try asking the shop for some money back. It might seem a bit awkward, but given that this is a well-known problem, they should have handled the repair properly for $2k. A large portion of that cost is for parts, and there’s a chance they didn’t get it right the first time.
