IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1500–25K
9325–50K
6150–75K
4875–100K
60100–150K
19150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER THE MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE ECU MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT INDEPENDENTLY DECE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER THE MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE ECU MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,148.
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WENT ABOUT 30 FOOT OR LESS THAN HESITATES. THE TRUCK THAT WAS BEHIND ME DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING THE CAR WAS NOT GOING TO MOVE AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF MY BUMPER. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY WIFE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND A BIG RI…
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ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WENT ABOUT 30 FOOT OR LESS THAN HESITATES. THE TRUCK THAT WAS BEHIND ME DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING THE CAR WAS NOT GOING TO MOVE AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF MY BUMPER. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY WIFE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND A BIG RIG LAID ON HIS HORN BECAUSE HE HE MAY HAVE THOUGHT SHE HAD JUST TAKEN HER FOOT OFF THE GAS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON TO GIVE A WARNING THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS GETTING TO BE A BAD SITUATION FOR ALL TOYOTA CARS. I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE PLACE REGISTERED 124 OCCURRENCES ANOTHER 98. THAT IS JUST THE PEOPLE THAT REGISTERED A COMPLAINT. SOMEONE MAY GET KILLED BEFORE THIS IS CORRECTED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON MY CAR WHEN THE FACTORY INSTALLED A UPGRADE TO THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. WE DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM BEFORE THAT. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TODAY AND THE MAN LAUGHED ABOUT IT AND SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. WHEN I RETURNED TO GET THE CAR I SHOWED HIM A COPY OF THE 124 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HOW DO YOU THINK I KNEW WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU MENTIONED IT. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
WHEN I START TO DRIVE MY CAR FROM A REST POSITION IT STARTS TO DRAG FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-50 FEET BEFORE IT STARTS THE DRIVE NORMAL.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 CAMRY 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…
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TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 CAMRY 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. A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISABLED OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V014000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V014000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM BARON AUTO OUTLET (185 E SUNRISE HWY) FREEPORT, NY. THIS CAR WAS PAID IN CASH TOTAL ($14,995). THE DEALER SENT THE TITLE OF THE CAR AND THE RETAIL CERTIFICATE OF SALE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DMV TO REGISTER THE CAR THE DMV SEND ME BACK SAYING THAT THE PAPERWORK WAS NOT CORRECT AND I NEEDED TO TAKE THE PAPE…
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I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM BARON AUTO OUTLET (185 E SUNRISE HWY) FREEPORT, NY. THIS CAR WAS PAID IN CASH TOTAL ($14,995). THE DEALER SENT THE TITLE OF THE CAR AND THE RETAIL CERTIFICATE OF SALE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DMV TO REGISTER THE CAR THE DMV SEND ME BACK SAYING THAT THE PAPERWORK WAS NOT CORRECT AND I NEEDED TO TAKE THE PAPERS BACK TO THE DEALER SO THEY CAN CORRECT IT AND GIVE ME THE RIGHT ONE. WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE PAPERS THEY SAID THE DEALER SHOULD KNOW. I HAVE TRIED OVER AND OVER TO GET THE NEW PAPERS FROM THE DEALER SHIP, BUT NO ONE IS WILLING TO HELP ME ON THIS ISSUE.
WHEN I USE THE RECIRCULATE ON MY AIR CONDITION THE SYSTEM DEVELOPS A HORRIBLE MOLDY SMELL. THIS WILL HAPPEN AFTER I DRIVE USING THIS AND COME BACK TO THE CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF - THE SMELL WILL NOT GO AWAY UNLESS I STOP USING THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON - THIS WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO USE THE A/C ON THE COLDEST SETTING B…
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WHEN I USE THE RECIRCULATE ON MY AIR CONDITION THE SYSTEM DEVELOPS A HORRIBLE MOLDY SMELL. THIS WILL HAPPEN AFTER I DRIVE USING THIS AND COME BACK TO THE CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF - THE SMELL WILL NOT GO AWAY UNLESS I STOP USING THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON - THIS WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO USE THE A/C ON THE COLDEST SETTING BECAUSE THAT SETTING TURNS THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON ON. RECENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT APPROVED AGAINST TOYOTA FOR THIS. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT MY HEALTH WITH THE POSSIBLE GROWTH OF MOLD.
THE STEERING WHEEL JUST GOT HARD DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR REPORT
THE TIRE PRESSURE TENDS TO FLUCTUATE OFTEN REQUIRING WEEKLY AIR CHECK TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER PSI. THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE PSI COLD WILL READ 36 , FRONT PASS 34 , REAR DRIVE R35, REAR PASS AT 36, WHEN THE TIRES HEAT UP AFTER APPX. 38 MILE OUT AND YOU CHECK THE PSI IT WILL READ 39, 39. 36,37, OR AT TIME YOU MAY GET 39,37.39.F YOU …
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THE TIRE PRESSURE TENDS TO FLUCTUATE OFTEN REQUIRING WEEKLY AIR CHECK TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER PSI. THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE PSI COLD WILL READ 36 , FRONT PASS 34 , REAR DRIVE R35, REAR PASS AT 36, WHEN THE TIRES HEAT UP AFTER APPX. 38 MILE OUT AND YOU CHECK THE PSI IT WILL READ 39, 39. 36,37, OR AT TIME YOU MAY GET 39,37.39.F YOU HAVE TO COME TO A STOP LIGHT, SUDDEN STOP, OR A STOP AT NIGHT ON A NON FAMILIAR ROAD LIKE I HAD TO IN THE RAIN ON A UNEVEN ROAD THE VEHICLES TAIL END TENDS TO SLIDE TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT END FEELS AS IF YOU HIT A POT HOLE DO TO SLIGHT WEAR AND TEAR GROVES IN THE ROAD THAT DON'T BECOME APPARENT UNTIL YOUR ON THAT 1 TO 2 FEET SECTION IN THE ROAD. IS THIS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH ANY OTHERS OR AM I OVER BEING OVER CONCERNED WITH THE DRIVE PERFORMANCE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR ROADS. MY CONCERN IS THE ABUSE ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS, THE STEERING , THE TIRES , FUEL CONSUMPTION AND KEEPING CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE . IS IT A COMPUTER PROBLEM, WHEEL COMPONENT, TIRES, OR ME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA FOR DURABILITY, EFFICACY, AND MY FAMILY SAFETY ON THE ROAD .
Official recalls
213V442000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.