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2012 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

431 reports with mileage · 158 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

84 crash reports6 fire reports44 injury reports

What owners actually said

589 reports
141,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Electrical System

THE CENTER ELECTRONIC 6 FUNCTION ETUNE CONSOLE, WHICH CONTAINS THE RADIO/CD PLAYER, GPS, CAR AND CELL PHONE OPERATIONS, DIED ON NOV 16, 2020. I MADE APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT TO DAYTONA TOYOTA THE NEXT DAY. THE TECH DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD ME THAT THE RADIO UNIT WAS FRIED. SM SAID A REPLACEMENT UNIT WOULD COST $827. I AGREED. I …

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THE CENTER ELECTRONIC 6 FUNCTION ETUNE CONSOLE, WHICH CONTAINS THE RADIO/CD PLAYER, GPS, CAR AND CELL PHONE OPERATIONS, DIED ON NOV 16, 2020. I MADE APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT TO DAYTONA TOYOTA THE NEXT DAY. THE TECH DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD ME THAT THE RADIO UNIT WAS FRIED. SM SAID A REPLACEMENT UNIT WOULD COST $827. I AGREED. I DROVE MY CAR HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE RADIO HAD REVIVED, BUT THE ONLY THING IN THE LCD PANEL WAS THE STATION # IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF SCREEN. NO OTHER FUNCTION WORKED AND I NOTICED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STEREO/MODE CONTROLS DID NOT WORK. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK 4 DAYS LATER TO HAVE THE RADIO REPLACED AND TOLD THEM THAT THE OLD RADIO AM/FM HAD BEEN WORKING, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. THE TECH DID A 2ND DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BECOME TWISTED AND SOME OF THE CONNECTORS PULLED LOOSE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $650 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ORDERED THE PART AND REPLACED IT TWO DAYS LATER. HAS ANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #11376249

77,000 miles · Nov 12, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI TOYOTA (14612 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395, (760) 241-6484) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #11374266

86,253 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AN…

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I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AND I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW TOYOTA'S AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN CAMRYS.

NHTSA ODI #11372900

148,000 miles · Oct 16, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering

I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE IN FOR THE REPAIR ON MY SWAY BARS AND I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN/NEAR MY STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT REPLACE BUT THE RATTLING NOISE WAS THERE AND WAS GETTING WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINI…

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I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE IN FOR THE REPAIR ON MY SWAY BARS AND I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN/NEAR MY STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT REPLACE BUT THE RATTLING NOISE WAS THERE AND WAS GETTING WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND GET OVERLY ANXIOUS WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET TO AT LEAST 30 MPH IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO COME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID FOR ME TO BRING IT BACK IN BUT THEY HAVE TRIED TO DIAGNOSIS THREE TIMES. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I ALSO HAD THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRUT AND SHOCK, AND MOUNT ASSEMBLY REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11364761

160,000 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Power Train

I I TRIED TO USE MY FOREVER WARRANTY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NO HELP. AT 165000 MY CAR HAS BEGIN TO SHUDDER AT 35, 45, 55 MPH INTERVALS , ANYWHERE THE CAR IS DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI #11364364

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2020
Power Train

20-40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ HESITATION/ACCELERATION VERY RISKY. WENT TO DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY NO HELP. SAD VEHICLE IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #11364230

87,000 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Power Train

FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, SHUDDERS AT 20-40 MPH. SLUGGISH ON GEAR CHANGES FROM 3 TO 4, TOYOTA HAS A WARRENTY EXTENSION FOR 5/20 OR 150000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THIS CAR DIDN'T FAULT UNTIL 9/20 AND 87,000, WELL UNDER MILEAGE, BUT TOYOTA IS IN WILLING TO STAND BY AND REPAIR THIS FAULTY PART

NHTSA ODI #11363439

143,776 miles · Sep 30, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE CITY, IT GETS ABOUT 15.4 MPG INSTEAD OF ~30MPG. I HAVE USED 87 OCTANE GANE FROM DIFFERENT STATION STILL YIELDING THE SAME RESULT. THE AUTOREPAIR SHOP HAS CHECKED FOR EVERYTHING THAT COULD AFFECT GAS MILEAGE, BUT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHAT IS GOING ON? I BOUGHT TOYOTA FOR RELIABILITY AND…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE CITY, IT GETS ABOUT 15.4 MPG INSTEAD OF ~30MPG. I HAVE USED 87 OCTANE GANE FROM DIFFERENT STATION STILL YIELDING THE SAME RESULT. THE AUTOREPAIR SHOP HAS CHECKED FOR EVERYTHING THAT COULD AFFECT GAS MILEAGE, BUT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHAT IS GOING ON? I BOUGHT TOYOTA FOR RELIABILITY AND FUEL EFFICIENCY, NOT TO BEHAVE LIKE A TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11362092

110,000 miles · Sep 29, 2020
Power Train

TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAULTY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. THE RECALL WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA AND ONLY COVERED 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES. I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING IN WRITING ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THERE ARE MANY CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ONLINE. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AN…

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TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAULTY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. THE RECALL WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA AND ONLY COVERED 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES. I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING IN WRITING ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THERE ARE MANY CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ONLINE. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AND NEED THIS REPAIRED BY TOYOTA.

NHTSA ODI #11361685

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2020
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU GO OVER 60MPH . I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT SAYS ITS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA ODI #11360312

Official recalls

2

13V442000 · Air Bags; Electrical System; Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Oct 17, 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Air Bags

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Electrical System

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 16, 2013

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 Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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 Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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 Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota Camry problems