2012 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 644 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 95 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 80 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 8, 2014
DEAR SIR/MADAM, TOYOTA 2012 CAR REMOTE KEY CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF OTHER TOYOTA CARS. FOR INSTANCE, A REMOTE KEY OF A TOYOTA COROLLA CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF A TOYOTA CAMRY. THIS CREATES A BIG SAFE/SECURITY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS MADE IN 2011-2012 TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, May 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Equipment, May 20, 2014
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL APPOINTMENT CANCELLED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. *SMD
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 19, 2014
NO MATTER WHERE I PARK RODENTS ARE FINDING WAYS TO GET INTO MY CAR. I DO NOT KEEP FOOD IN THE CAR AND I HAVE DONE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO PREVENT THEM GETTING IN. INCLUDING MOVING MY CAR AROUND TO PLACES OTHER THAN MY DESIGNATED COVERED PARKING SPOT. MY DEALER HAS TOLD ME TO PISS OFF. AS HAS TOYOTA, BUT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT TOYOTA SWITCHED OVER TO MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INSULATION MATERIALS IN RECENT YEARS. I PURCHASED THIS 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY BRAND NEW. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND IT WOULD APPEAR I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS AS IS APPARENT FROM THE LINKS BELOW. I HAVE EXTENSIVE PICTURES OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THIS ALSO HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES IN MY PARKING LOT AND MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR YEARS WITHOUT ISSUE (A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER). I ALSO PARK OUR OLDER TOYOTA MATRIX (2003) AND TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER (2000) IN THAT SPOT AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH EITHER VEHICLE. I BELIEVE OUR OLDER TOYOTA MODELS HAVE VERY DIFFERENT MATERIALS THAT AREN'T AS ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS HAS TO DO WITH TOYOTA'S MOVE TO MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS. JUST TONIGHT I FINALLY HAVE HAD ENOUGH BECAUSE THESE CREATURES CHEWED INTO MY TRUNK AND WERE CHEWING UP THE MATERIALS IN MY TRUNK NEAR THE HYBRID BATTERY. I'M PARKED IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AREA AND IT'S STILL HAPPENING. THIS ISN'T A COINCIDE! I HAVE SOME SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS HERE. I WAS READING ABOUT ANOTHER OWNER THAT HAD RODENTS GET INTO THEIR NEW TOYOTA PRIUS THAT ATE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DID OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGES! THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ASAP. HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/152-VENZA-FORUM/359615-RODENT-PATROL-AGAINST-DAMAGE.HTML HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/TOYOTA-CLAIMS-NOT-AWARE-OF-MOUSE-PROBLEM.113690/PAGE-2#IXZZ32AWYYLOL *JS
Steering, Electrical system, May 12, 2014
THE CAR WANDERS: IT WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, I WILL CORRECT WITH A LITTLE TURN TO THE LEFT. IT THEN DRIFTS TO THE LEFT AND I NEED TO CORRECT BY STEERING TO THE RIGHT. AT NO TIME CAN I GET THE CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT'S LIKE DRIVING IN A VIDEO GAME WITH ONLY VISUAL FEEDBACK.. THIS MAKES DRIVING TIRING AND DANGEROUS. IF I TAKE A SECOND TO LOOK IN THE MIRRORS, WHEN I LOOK BACK TO THE ROAD I'M EITHER DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER 3 HOURS ALL THEY COULD FIND WAS THE TIRE PRESSURE BEING 2 LBS LOW AND THE TOE ALIGNMENT WAS A LITTLE OFF. THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I SHOULD JUST GET USED TO IT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 28, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SENSOR WAS RESET BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED UNTIL THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE AS THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES, AS WELL AS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18000.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 11, 2014
RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED TWO EVENTS WHICH STARTED ME THINKING ABOUT ONE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE NEW AUTOMOBILE IGNITION SYSTEMS. I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH HAS AN IGNITION KEY (?) WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE INSERTED INTO AN IGNITION KEYHOLE FOR STARTING THE ENGINE. ONE HAS TO PUSH THE START/STOP BUTTON WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE ENGINE, AND JUST HAVE TO PUSH THE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. (THIS IS NOW STANDARD FOR MOST NEW VEHICLES.). ON TWO RECENT OCCASIONS I PARKED MY CAR AND WALKED AWAY WITHOUT PUSHING THE START/STOP BUTTON. I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT I DID FOR TWO REASONS: (1) THE ENGINE RUNS EXTREMELY QUIETLY, (2) MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEY WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING ALMOST SUBCONSCIOUSLY. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I DID NOT COME BACK UNTIL ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER TO DISCOVER THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT TURNED OFF. THE SAFETY ISSUE ARISES FROM THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO. SUPPOSE I CAME BACK HOME AT NIGHT, PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE UNDER THE HOUSE, GONE INSIDE THE HOUSE AND RETIRED FOR THE NIGHT. THE PRESENCE OF THE KEY IN MY POCKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE CAR IS NOT IDLING. THIS IS THE BIG CHANGE BROUGHT ON BY THE NEW IGNITION KEYS. THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE GARAGE CAN CREATE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING SITUATION FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE HOUSE. A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THIS POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE BUILD-UP PROBLEM WOULD BE TO INSTALL AN AUTOMATIC ENGINE SHUT-OFF FEATURE IN THE CAR AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME (~20-30 MINUTES) THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IDLING. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY SAID THAT SUCH A FEATURE DOES NOT EXIST IN MY MODEL OF THE CAR. I HOPE YOU WILL STUDY THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A FEASIBLE SOLUTION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 13, 2014
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HVAC ASSEMBLY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND VERIFIED MY VIN AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON 1/2/2014. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE ASST SVC MGR [XXX] TOLD ME HE WOULD GET THE PART AND CALL ME. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM AND WHEN I CALL HE IS ON VACATION. I CALLED THE SERVICE MGR AND LEFT MY INFO AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. I NEED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AS IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND I NEED THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL. THE DEALERSHIP IS TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD, 1841 N STATE RD 7, HOLLYWOOD, FL 33021. PHONE 954-893-4667. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN TWO MAJOR INTERSECTIONS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF DECORA, IA ON A FOUR LANE ROAD WITH MY LIGHTS ON DIM. I WAS ALONE IN MY LANE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT NOR BEHIND THOUGH THERE WAS MAYBE ONE OR TWO CARS IN THE LANES COMING TOWARD ME. SUDDENLY I SAW WHITE ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. AT THIS POINT I REALIZED THE WHITE WERE DEER FEET, THE DEER RAN OFF THE ROAD TO MY RIGHT. I ONLY SAW THE FEET MOVE, I NEVER SAW THE DEER IN FULL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE CAMRY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ALLOW ENOUGH LIGHT TO SHINE ABOVE THE PAVEMENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE A THREAT THAT IS NOT RIGHT ON THE ROAD. IF YOU BRING THE CAMRY AGAINST A WALL YOU WILL SEE THERE IS A LINE IN THE HEADLIGHT SHINE, ABOVE WHICH THERE IS VERY LITTLE LIGHT, IT IS BLACK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT SEEMS TO SHINE ABOVE IS THAT WHICH BOUNCES UP FROM THE PAVEMENT. THE HEADLIGHTS DO A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING LIGHT ON THE PAVEMENT BUT DO NOT PUT ENOUGH LIGHT ABOVE THE PAVEMENT TO SEE ANYTHING THAT IS NOT FLAT ON THE PAVEMENT. THE BRAKES AND TIRES WORKED WELL, THEY SAVED ME FROM HITTING THE DEER. THIS WAS A VERY CLOSE CALL. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 28, 2013, crash
TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET INTO READY MODE ,CHECKED BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ON WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED.WHEN I USED SHIFT OVERRIDE,VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS STRIKING PERSON,WHILE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *TR
Electrical system, May 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED A SHOCK OF STATIC ELECTRICITY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER INVOLVED BECAUSE BOTH HE AND HIS WIFE USED PACEMAKERS. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO WIPE THE SEATS DOWN WITH DRYER SHEETS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,005. UPDATED 6/14/13 *CN
Electrical system, May 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED POWERED ON FOR SIX HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH A FUNCTION THAT WOULD SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER BEING POWERED OFF FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ON AND OFF BUTTON FEATURE FOR IGNITION WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ UPDATED 07/11/2013*JS
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2013
CAR SURGING WHILE DRIVING AND RADIO WOULD CUT OUT AND THE TOYOTA EMBLEM AND WORD TOYOTA APPEARS ON SCREEN. 1ST VISIT DEALER STATED A COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED UPDATE. THIS FIXED THE SURGING WHILE DRIVING BUT DID NOT FIX THE RADIO FROM CUTTING OUT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE RADIO SHUT DOWN. SECOND VISIT BACK TO DEALER, HAD THE CAR 10 DAYS AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE RADIO SHUTTING OFF. DEALER REPLACED THE EXTENSION MODULE. CAR RETURNED AND STILL RADIO WAS CUTTING OUT. 3RD TIME DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE RADIO UNIT, WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE RADIO WAS DOING IT AGAIN.FOURTH VISIT BACK TO DEALER. DEALER DISCONNECTED EXTENSION MODULE, RADIO STILL CUT OUT, REPLACED RADIO AND AMPLIFIER FROM NEW CAR SITTING ON THE LOT, RADIO STILL CUT OUT. SERVICE MANAGER DROVE CAR HOME FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND RADIO WAS STILL CUTTING OUT. TRAVELING SERVICE REP WAS CALLED IN ON 2 OCCASIONS TO DIAGNOSE. TRAVELING SERVICE REP IS DRIVING A TOYOTA TACOMA THAT DOES THE SAME THING BUT IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER RETURNED THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR ISSUE AND IT IS A HD RADIO SIGNAL BEING SENT OUT BY 98.9, A ENTERCOM BROADCASTING COMPANY AND THAT THEIR EQUIPMENT WAS WORKING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE INSTALLED EQUIPMENT. TALKING WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I CONTACTED 5 TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HEARD OF THIS ISSUE OR HAD A CUSTOMER BRING THEIR CAR IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TALKING WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY STATED THEY WERE ONLY DEALING WITH MY CAR AND NOT CONCERNED WITH OTHER CARS HAVING THIS ISSUE. I AM HAVING TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT SEE A HD RADIO SIGNAL SHUTTING THE ENTIRE RADIO DOWN AND THEN RESTARTING. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURS IT CAUSES THE LIGHTS ON THE SIDE DISPLAY BUTTONS OF THE RADIO TO ALSO GO OUT AND COME BACK ON. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Mar 3, 2013, crash
THE TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BEEN REAR ENDED BY A FORD EXPLORER 2002 BETWEEN 40-50MPH, DAMAGING THE TRUNK, BUMPER TAIL LIGHTS, RIGHT REAR SIDE, LEFT SIDE BODY AND SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. AT THE MOMENT OF THE ACCIDENT, WERE THE DRIVER AND THREE MORE ADULT PASSENGERS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SEATS WEARING PROPERLY THE SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER FROM THE FORD EXPLORER WAS DISTRACTED LOOKING FOR A RADIO REMOTE CONTROL WITHOUT NOTICE THE TRAFFIC ALMOST STOP WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE FORD EXPLORER BACK HIS ATTENTION TO THE TRAFFIC WAS TOO LATE EVEN AS HE MANIFEST HE HAS NO TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER WE INSPECT THE DAMAGES I NOTICE THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ARE ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION BUT NO AIR BAG HAS BEEN DEPLOY THERE IS A PICTURES AND VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR ANY FUTURE INVESTIGATION UPON REQUEST. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Oct 12, 2012
THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH STARTED SMOKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON 6/18/12. AT THE TIME, I WASN'T AWARE OF ANY ISSUES WITH THE POWER SWITCHES. SO MY FAMILY AND I JUMPED OUT THE CAR AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA. THE POWER SWITCH HAD BURNED UP AND SOME OF THE DOOR PANEL WAS BURNED AS WELL. WENT BACK TO GET MY CAR, AND THE BATTERY WENT OUT AS WELL. TODAY, 10/12/12, MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AT TOYOTA. IT HAS BEEN A LONG, DRAWN OUT PROCESS, BUT I'LL BE GLAD WHEN I RECEIVE MY REIMBURSEMENT AND CAR. I AM A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND THIS IS MY FIRST INCIDENT WITH THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jun 28, 2012
I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A CONCERN THAT IS PRIMARILY ONE OF SAFETY BUT WHICH ALSO INVOLVES POOR AND MISLEADING INFORMATION BY TOYOTA RELATED TO THE BLU-LOGIC CELL-PHONE CONNECTION SYSTEM INCLUDED AS A FEATURE ON MY NEW 2012 CAMRY HYBRID. MY CONCERN STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT THE BLU-LOGIC SYSTEM, OBVIOUSLY COINED TO SOUND LIKE BLUETOOTH, AND EVEN LISTED ON SOME DEALER WEBSITES AS A BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, IS MISLEADINGLY DESCRIBED AS HANDSFREE COMMUNICATION AND A HANDSFREE SOLUTION IN THE SEPARATE BROCHURE PROVIDED BY TOYOTA. IN ACTUALITY, THE SYSTEM AS SUCH IS AT BEST ONLY 50% ?HANDSFREE. ONLY INCOMING CALLS MAY BE ENGAGED IN WITHOUT CELL PHONE IN HAND. OUTGOING CALLS MAY BE INITIATED HANDSFREE ONLY IF ONES CELL PHONE ITSELF IS EQUIPPED WITH VOICE-ACTIVATED DIALING, A 4G-TYPE FEATURE I WOULD ESTIMATE ONLY A FAIRLY SMALL MINORITY CURRENTLY POSSESS. SO THE DE-FACTO REALITY OF THE BLU-LOGIC SYSTEM IS THAT IT FORCES MOST DRIVERS INTO THE UNSAFE PRACTICE OF MANUALLY INITIATING OUTGOING CALLS BY MANUALLY DIALING WITH CELL PHONES IN HAND. BUT IN A DECEPTIVE OMISSION, THE TOYOTA GUIDES DO NOT EVEN MENTION THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING CALLS IN THIS MANNER. INDEED, THE PHONE-BANK REP I SPOKE TO TOLD ME, PRESUMABLY WITH A STRAIGHT FACE, THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO SO, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS HARD NOT TO SEE THIS OMISSION OF BOTH SERVICE AND INFORMATION AS A CYNICAL EVASION BY TOYOTA, PART OF A COST-CUTTING EFFORT TO APPEAR TO OFFER HANDSFREE IN-CAR CELL-PHONE SERVICE, A LA BLUETOOTH, WHILE ACTUALLY PROVIDING AN UNSAFE SYSTEM WHICH FORCES A DRIVER TO USE HANDS TO MAKE CALLS. AND PART OF THIS EVASION APPEARS TO INCLUDE A COVER-UP WHEN A CUSTOMER RAISES THE ISSUE. *TR