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: power train
146 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Mar 11, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AROUND 20MPH WHEN CHANGING GEARS
Power train, Mar 6, 2021
I HAVE MY CAR AT THE TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS LOCKING UP THEY CHARGING ME $3,000 I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY
Power train, Feb 24, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FLUTTER. THE CONTACT STATED THIS PERSISTED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA (11020 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED RECALL EXPIRATION AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,359.
Power train, Feb 5, 2021
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS FROM 4TH TO 5TH.
Power train, Jan 25, 2021
INTERNAL TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE SHUDDERING IN 2ND GEAR. THIS IS A RECALL FOR MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE WHICH A TOYOTA REPERSENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED ON THE 11TH OF JANUARY 2021... MY VEHICLE STOPPED AND VIBRATED AND UNABLE TO MOVE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE LIGHT SHOWS GREEN
Power train, Jan 19, 2021
AS I AM PULLING OFF, THE CAR HESITATES WHEN I GET TO ABOUT 20 MPH. TOYOTA TOLD ME IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THAT IT HAD EXPIRED IN OCTOBER 2020. I DID NOT START HAVING ISSUE UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER 2020 AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF LETTER OR NOTICE THAT THIS WOULD BE AN ISSUE I NEEDED TO GET TAKEN CARE OF BY OCTOBER 2020. I DON'T HAVE $1900.00+ JUST LAYING AROUND. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AT THAT. I NEED THIS TAKEN CARE ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS BEYOND MY CONTROL AND TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 17, 2021
2012 TOYOTA U760E TRANSMISSION SHUDDER CAR: 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, 2.5-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINE, U760E SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MILEAGE: 95,850 AGE: 8.5 YEARS (I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2012) PROBLEM: 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY TRANSMISSION SHUDDER (DIAGNOSED AT PRINCIPLE TOYOTA BY THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT)(THEY ALSO RAN A GLYCOL TEST WHICH WAS NEGATIVE). SOLUTIONS: TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AT TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT $2310.25 INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 1YR 12K MILES). TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT (REMANUFACTURED) AT TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT $7116.09 INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 1YR 12K MILES). REBUILD EXISTING TRANSMISSION AT LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP $3800 (ONLY CALLED ON PHONE AND GOT APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE) INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 2YR 24K MILES). HOW TOYOTA IS GETTING AROUND REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER: TOYOTA ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BY ISSUING IN OCTOBER 2014 LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN E03 TO ONLY UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. THEN THE NEXT MONTH IN NOVEMBER 2014 START MAILING LETTERS TO THE CUSTOMER SAYING WE HAVE JUST ISSUED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZE5 TO DO THREE THINGS, PUT IN A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION PAN MAGNETS, AND UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. THIS PUTS BOTH LSC E03 AND WEN ZE5 IN PLAY AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I RECEIVED MY LETTER FOR WEN ZE5 IN THE MAIL. I CALL AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR WEN ZE5 AND IN GOOD FAITH WALK INTO MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT PRINCIPAL TOYOTA MEMPHIS, TN IN MARCH OF 2015 WITH MY WEN ZE5 LETTER IN MY HAND AND SAY I AM HERE TO GET WEN ZE5 TAKEN CARE OF. IN GOOD FAITH I PICK UP MY CAR THINKING THAT WEN ZE5 HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT WHAT WAS DONE WAS LSC E03 AND NOT WEN ZE5(REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER). RECENT SERVICE REPORT ATTACHED: CAR NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Nov 12, 2020
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.
Power train, Oct 14, 2020
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.
Power train, Oct 13, 2020
20-40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ HESITATION/ACCELERATION VERY RISKY. WENT TO DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY NO HELP. SAD VEHICLE IN MOTION
Power train, Oct 8, 2020
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
Power train, Sep 29, 2020
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.
Power train, Aug 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WHILE CHANGING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOW DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE WARRANTY REPAIR WAS GOOD FOR 8 YEARS OR 160,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Aug 15, 2020
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEMS BETWEEN 35 MPH -45 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A SHUDDER ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AFTER A PAUSE, THE CAR THEN PICKS UP TO NORMAL SPEED. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM 25 MPH
Power train, Aug 2, 2020
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEMS BETWEEN 35 MPH -45 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A JITTER ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AFTER A PAUSE, THE CAR THEN PICKS UP TO NORMAL SPEED. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM 25 MPH
Power train, Jul 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH, 3RD AND 4TH SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND WHILE PRESSING THE GAS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES. SOMETIMES IT IS SOMEWHAT CLEAR TO ACCELERATE, OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE FIGHTING A WALL THAT WILL NOT MOVE. I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECU AND A POSSIBLE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE NHTSA PROACTIVELY, AND NOT LEFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER TO SEE IF THE ISSUE RESOLVES ITSELF. IF THE CAR FAILS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, SOMEONE COULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND. AT THIS TIME, I AM HAVING TO GO FROM 2ND SPEED TO 4TH SPEED BY 40 MPH TO GO AROUND 3RD GEAR ALTOGETHER. THIS IS NOT THE WAY THE CAR SHOULD OPERATE. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON ANY ROAD AT ANY TIME.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2020
CAR WAS TAKEN FOR BUSINESS AND DAMAGE TO THE CLIP OF MY FRONT BUMPER AND PASSENGER BOTTOM FRONT AIR DEFLECTOR AND BEEN NEEDING REPAIR FOR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2020
WHILE ACCELERATING THE TRANS SHUTTERS BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH. AND HAS BEEN DOIN SO FOR ABOUT 15,000 MILES. JUST RECENTLY NOW IT HESITATES THE SHIFT UP BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. WITH ONLY 99,600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THERE SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY FROM TOYOTA.
Power train, Mar 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL *LN *DT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUTTER AND VIBRATE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT CAUSING THE SPEED TO ABRUPTLY REDUCE AND THE VEHICLE TO SHUTTER AND VIBRATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER THOMPSON TOYOTA (122 WEST SWAMP RD, DOYLESTOWN PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *JB CONSUMER STATED DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO CONSUMER.*JB
Power train, Feb 28, 2020
CAR STARTS TO SHUTTER AND ACCELERATION DECREASED BETWEEN 15-45 MPH, THE SHUDDER CAUSES THE CAR TO LAG AT THIS TIME. WE BEGAN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 30,000 MILES FOR THE ISSUE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A SERVICE ORDER TO CARS SOFTWARE BUT THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT PROBLEM WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT INSTEAD OF RECALLING THIS TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE ORDER, BUT NO NOTICE EVER CAME AND THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED WHEN CAR WAS TOOK IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. TOYOTA SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE CAR AND THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FOR THIS CAR, COMPLAINTS FROM NUMEROUS CUSTOMER SHOW THAT HALF OF THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE NEEDED REPLACED EVEN AFTER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. TOYOTA HAS HAD TO RECALL OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT STILL HAVE NOT RECALLED THE 2012-2014 CAMRY. THE LAG AND POTENTIAL MOTOR MOUNT BREAKS ARE A DANGER WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THE LAG ON THIS CAR.
Power train, Feb 21, 2020
IS SHUDDERING WHILE DRIVING UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE CONDITIONS BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 25-50 MPH
Power train, Feb 20, 2020
AT 95,000 MILES A DAILY SHUDDER STARTED HAPPENING WHEN YOU FIRST PULL OUT OF SOMEWHERE AND START ACCELERATING USUALLY BETWEEN 15-45 MPH, THE SHUDDER CAUSES THE CAR TO LAG AT THIS TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING AND TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION , IT IS ACTUALLY SOFTWARE AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. INSTEAD OF RECALLING THIS TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE ORDER, BUT NO NOTICE EVER CAME AND THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED WHEN CAR WAS TOOK IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS UP SAME MONTH I RECEIVED THE CAR FROM MY MOTHER IN LAW WHO IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. I CALLED TOYOTA WHO INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME SINCE THE EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED. I HAVE READ THAT HALF OF THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE NEEDED REPLACED EVEN AFTER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. TOYOTA HAS HAD TO RECALL OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM SO WHY HAVE THEY NOT RECALLED 2012-2014 CAMRY? THE ESTIMATES TO FIX COST ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE CAR IS WORTH. THE LAG AND POTENTIAL MOTOR MOUNT BREAKS ARE A DANGER WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO THEIR MANY CONSUMERS AS NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LAYING AROUND TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THEY SURVIVE BEING REAR ENDED DUE TO THE LAG AND OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES THIS MAY CAUSE. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE TOYOTA FIX THIS WITH US CAMRY OWNERS? THERE IS INFORMATION ON CARS.COM ABOUT THE SERVICE ORDER THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED.
Power train, Dec 10, 2019
I THOUGHT THAT BUYING A TOYOTA CAMRY WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE THE HIGHEST QUALITY. WELL I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS - TOYOTA HAS EXTENDED THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT, ONLY FOR UNDER 150,000 MILES. I HAVE 155,000 MILES ON MY CAMRY XLE. SO I CALLED TOYOTA AND WANTED TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THEM. THEY WERE NICE BUT IN THE END THEY WERE UNWILLING TO WORK ANYTHING OUT. LONG STORY SHORT I NEED TO SPEND $2500 IF I WANT TO FIX THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THE CAR IS NOW JUNK!
Power train, Dec 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUTTER AND SPUTTER WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROBINSON TOYOTA (1453 VANN DR, JACKSON, TN 38305, (731) 668-1234) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE MISSED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BY TWO DAYS. ON DECEMBER 3, 2019, THE CONTACT PAID $1,600 FOR THE REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSES SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,790.
Power train, Dec 6, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS OR VIBRATES EVER TIME YOU GO TO TAKE OFF OR SLOW DOWN, BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 20MPH AND 50 MPH