Recall 12V542 affects 150,000 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma trucks because spare tire carrier corrosion can detach the tire. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 150,000 2001-2004 Tacoma light trucks sold or registered in cold-climate states because the spare tire carrier lift plate can corrode after road-salt exposure. If the plate breaks, the spare tire can detach and create a road hazard that increases crash risk; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The spare tire on 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma trucks sits under the rear of the truck, not inside the bed. A spare tire carrier holds it there, and a lift plate in that carrier helps raise, lower, and keep the tire secured against the underside of the truck.
On affected Tacomas, the lift plate was not sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion material during manufacturing. In cold-climate areas where road salt is used, salty road spray reaches the carrier assembly. That exposure can corrode the lift plate. As corrosion advances, the plate loses strength and the spare tire is no longer held the way Toyota designed it.
There is no warning sign before failure. Check whether your VIN is included before assuming the carrier is sound, especially if the truck has spent time in a road-salt state.
Who's affected?
Covers four Tacoma model years, all tied to the temporary spare tire.
| 2004 Toyota Tacoma | tire |
|---|---|
| 2001 Toyota Tacoma | tire |
| 2002 Toyota Tacoma | tire |
| 2003 Toyota Tacoma | tire |
| Units affected | 150,000 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Corrosion can break the spare tire carrier lift plate, causing the spare tire to detach from the Tacoma and become a road hazard. That road hazard increases crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before failure, so schedule the inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma is included in this recall.
- Watch for Toyota's owner notice if you have not received one, then contact a franchised Toyota dealer for the next repair step.
- Ask the dealer about the free spare tire carrier lift-plate inspection and replacement that addresses lift-plate corrosion and spare tire detachment.
- Reference recall number 12V542 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete. A detached spare tire creates a road hazard and increases crash risk.
What happens at the repair
The Toyota recall instructions call for a dealer inspection of the spare tire carrier lift plate. A Toyota technician checks the lift plate on the carrier under the rear of the truck, then replaces the spare tire carrier lift plate as needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Toyota said owner notification began in February 2013.
Timeline
| November 23, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 15, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V542?
Recall 12V542 covers 150,000 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma light trucks in cold climate states with high road salt use. Corrosion can weaken the spare tire carrier lift plate, letting the spare tire detach and create a road hazard. Toyota dealers inspect the carrier and replace the lift plate as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tacoma is included in recall 12V542. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the spare tire carrier inspection. Reference recall 12V542 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota says dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V542?
The risk is that the spare tire can detach from underneath the Tacoma. If the corroded lift plate breaks, the loose spare tire can become a road hazard and increase crash risk for your vehicle or other drivers.
What if I bought my Toyota Tacoma used?
The free repair still applies to an included VIN, even if you bought the Tacoma used. This recall depends on the vehicle's VIN, model year, and cold climate sale or registration history, so check your VIN before calling a Toyota dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V542000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V542 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V542000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →