Shopping Tacos - 2012 or 2015 - which do you prefer and why? Updated: the '15 is gone.

OP - I'm a new owner, but I went with 2015 just because of the age, I can take care of the paint and components it's whole lifetime that way. I like knowing I'm in control of the maintenance; that way it gets done the right way the first time.

Sorry to quick threadjack - newbie question. Is that what I hear vacuuming/clicking each time the key goes off? Can you give me a quick one-liner to it's purpose and if I should look into mine? 2015 w/ 20k miles.

 

As far as I know the shark fin is for XM radio.

 

Search "smog pump". You'll probably find that it's normal. You might also want to look into removing the foam filter that's inside the housing and can disintegrate and break the pump vanes. (External filters are like $15.)

 

Yep, comes from the passenger side of the engine compartment.

It is an emissions device that helps the catalytic converter run in a limited set of situations that was added to the Tacoma V6 in 2012. Some would call it borderline useless. The problem is that when it breaks the ECU puts the truck into limp mode. The main failure mode are two valves that connect the pump to the exhaust. They fail because of corrosion induced by condensation forming on them. Has been a massive problem for multiple Toyota vehicles. The biggest problem has been on Tundras where they actually have issued a TSB for the problem. The Tundras got the pumps/valves many model years earlier than the Tacoma so they failed sooner and thus the TSB. For the Tacomas the failures are just now becoming a common thing and Toyota has still not issued a TSB.

The Tundra situation was coming to a head around 2012/2013. So Toyota applied an ECU fix to the 2013+ Tacoma that is similar to what they did for the Tundra. That is running the pump on shutdown to purge any moist air and prevent or reduce condensation and corrosion. The 2012 doesn't have that ECU change and for whatever reason Toyota has still not bothered to issue a TSB to update the ECU. So there are people who own 2012s that get the parts replaced and then have the same failure happen again.

You likely don't need to do anything for your 2015. That said, there have been a few reported failures in which a cheap foam filter in the pump disintegrates and then jams and breaks the pump. Some folks have thus been replacing that filter with a higher quality external filter in hope of preventing that problem. The disintegrating filter problem is a much, much rarer event than the 2012 pump/valve failure from condensation. It does only take a few minutes to do though so a number of folks are doing it.

 

Smog pump going off

 

I had a 2012 prerunner dcsb, and now have a 2015 4x4 dclb.

The only thing I like better in the '15 is the 4wd.

Get whichever is in better shape.

 

A MASSIVE problem, exaggerate much? How exactly do you substantiate this?

A few tacoma guys on here, and by a few, I mean three at most ,have had an issue with the pump. That doesnt speak to any issue other then one that is being completely blown out of proportion.

 

He did say toyota vehicles, and I know Tundra's 07-10 have a full blown recall on it. My dad had his done on his tundra a few weeks ago, fully covered and he's got 91K miles.

I'm pretty sure in the thread someone mentioned their's like 90 something cases on file, although it seems like almost everyone with the problem has a 2012.

 

Here is a thought: why don't you try a quick search?

As to the "three at most" try these threads right here on TW:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secondary-air-injection-switching-valve.381997/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secondary-air-injection-system-p2440-and-p2442.370792/

I'll leave it to you to start counting the users, but as a hint there are three in just the last week.

As to other Toyota vehicles with the same problem:

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/tundra-sequoia-air-injection-induction-pump/
http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/toyota-warranties-air-injection-pump/

As to "massive" well that's relative. The fact that we have two threads right here on TW with new failures reported on a pace of a few a week and that the bill to repair is usually over $2K that is to my mind a "massive" problem compared to the usual reliability of a Toyota. And these are happening to vehicles with less than 50K miles.

 

I have a 12 as well, what is the vibration issue? is it the hood? I noticed mine does it on the highway. but I am wondering if there is something else? what about the engine knocking how do you fix that?

 

I have a 2012 with 37k and no issues so far, in this case if you can get a 2015 for the same price as the 12 I will do that but is up to you. At the end of the day is a Tacoma 2nd Gen, so it should run forever with the appropriate maintenance in your part.

 

The 2015 is still under warranty, the 2012 isn't.

 

Bunch of great info herein - great Forum!

 

13+ personally id stay away from 2012s as their ecu does not do the shutdown purge of the air injection pump which has caused issues with that system. 13+ have the shutdown purge.

Also 13's have a proper rear view mirror, with backup cam in mirror, true outside temp, auto dimming and compass... 14 and 15s do not.

That stated id buy the 2015 over the 2012

 

I had a vibration upon acceleration, dealer changed something in the steering column but didn't help then they installed 4 leaves instead of the original 3 and calibrated the drive shaft and the vibration went away. Also engine was knocking at around 1800 rpm, they perform an ECU flash and it went away.
These were really famous issues

 

Half way there today to test drive and I am thinking take home the 2015 - the guy texted me - it sold last night! Confirmed my thoughts that it hit the sweet spot miles condition price - the search continues......

 

not surprised at that price for a 15 it seem like a steal. I live in Indiana, the prices here are crazy any 15 no matter the miles lowest I have seen in price is like 29k to 30k

 

A critical thing to do when shopping used is to know what you want, what you might be willing to compronise on, and what a fair price is for your market. Have cash in hand or your financing preapproved.

And be ready to hustle when you get wind of a prospect

Good ones don't last.