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: service brakes
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 27, 2025, crash
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while her [XXX] daughter was driving at 35 MPH during traffic, the vehicle suddenly accelerated while attempting to depress the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's daughter kept on depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued increasing its speed up to 39 MPH and the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle rear-ended a vehicle that was in front, then that vehicle crashed into another vehicle that was in front of her. The contact's daughter suffered from whiplash, but no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, where an appraiser deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 21, 2023, crash
I WAS GOING TO PARK MY CAR SO I WAS SLOWING HEADING TOWARD THE PARKING SPOT. I SLOWED DOWN AND TRIED TO PARK MY CAR; HOWEVER, AS I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELARATED ON ITS OWN AND JUMPED THE CURB. MY CAR HIT THE BUILDING BREAKING SEVERAL WINDOWS. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELARATION DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF MY CAR.
Service brakes, Dec 9, 2022
Brake, ABS, Traction control lights came on at the same time. Toyota replaced the brake light switch. The light still came on they said it is the brake actuator. The vehicle had 148-152k miles on it at the time. The brake actuator repair is really expensive and other Toyota Camry (non hybrid) have reported the same issue online forums.
Service brakes, Mar 14, 2022, crash
brake booster brake failed to stop car and cause accident yes accident on Nov. 12, 2016
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 3, 2020, crash
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.
Service brakes, Mar 21, 2020
I HAD 3 INSTANCES WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND ANOTHER INSTANCE WHEN THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT DID THE SAME. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT I DIDN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE THE LIGHT HAS TO STAY ON. IF I WANTED IT CHECKED OUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE OF $130 AND EVEN THEN IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY TOYOTA . THESE INSTANCES HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. ABS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 17, 2020, crash
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 OR 2 MINUTES, LEADING TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING. THEN IT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED BACK ON, AND I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20KMS PER HOUR, AND I WAS MAKING A TURN. ON THE 2ND OCCASION, THE CAR WENT UPONTO THE SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO A TALL STEP THAT PROECTED THE CAR FROM GOING THROUGH THE DISPLAY WINDOW. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AGENCY IN CUERNAVACA, MEXICO AND THEY RAN A SCAN THAT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD IN FACT TURNED OFF WHILE GOING 19KMS PER HOUR, BUT THEY KEPT THE REPORT AND REFUSED TO TURN IT OVER TO ME. THIS IS THE ONLY 'PROOF' OR SUPPORTING INFORMATION THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD.
Service brakes, Feb 18, 2020
BREAK BOOSTER IS APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE AND NOT WORKING AS DESCRIBED. INTERMITTENT MASTER WARNING LIGHT COMES UP. BECAUSE THE CORRECT FAILURE CODE DOESN'T COME UP TOYOTA SAYS I DON'T QUALIFY FOR ITS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART . PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL SO OWNERS DON'T DIE FROM AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 13, 2019
AS I WAS DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS (OIL, BRAKE, ABS, CHECK ENGINE) ALL OF IT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND MADE A NOISE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN , WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A COMMUTE, AND THANK GOD I WAS NEAR A NEIGHBORHOOD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. I TRIED WAITING 10 MINUTE TO RESTART, AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN START BECAUSE THE WHOLE THING WAS DEAD AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON. THIS NEARLY KILLED ME.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2019
TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 AND 2013 WHICH I HAVE WHEN THERE IS AN ELEVATION AND THERE IS A SIGNAL.IMMEDIATLY WHEN YOU TAKE YOU LEG OUT OF BRAKE . THE CAR IMMEDIATELY START ROLLING BACK SOO FAST. I MISSED HITTING THE CAR BEHIND NUMBER OF OCCASIONS BY PRESSING GAS QUICKLY. I HAVE SHOWED THIS PROBLUM TO DEALER THEY SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLUM. THE CAR SHOULD NOT GO TOO FAST BACK IN A SMALL ALIVATION WHICH IS NOT SAFE .
Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 7, 2018
DEFECT PART SAFETY RECALL
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Oct 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE VERY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO- TOYOTA (4101 W 12TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, DE 57106, 605-309-0979) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 210160578. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,250. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE IS FRICTION ON BRAKE PADS. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 4, 2018
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOCKED CALIPER BREAKING BRAKE PADS AND IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY FOR THE MODEL. *AS *TR
Service brakes, Aug 2, 2018
OUR 2012 CAMRY SE HAD APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES WHEN THE BRAKE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WAS THE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ON 7/30/18 GOING 55 MPH WHEN I HEARD AN WHISTLING SOUND FOR 2-3 MINUTES. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION 10 MILES FROM MY HOME I SMELT A BURNING SMELL WHICH SEEMED TO COME FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. WHEN I TOUCHED THE WHEEL IT WAS VERY HOT AND WOULD HAVE BURNED MY HAND IF I LEFT IT THERE. I DROVE HOME LATER AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I THREW SOME WATER ON IT AND A CLOUD OF STEAM AROSE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A STUCK DISC BRAKE CALIBER AND THAT HE HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE ON 2012 & 2013 CAMRYS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A SEIZED CALIBER PISTON WHICH REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LEFT REAR CALIBER, PADS AND ROTOR FOR OVER $500.00. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD A SAFETY PROBLEM LIKE THIS OCCUR IN ANY VEHICLE NEVER MIND A FAIRLY NEW CAMRY WHICH PASSED A SAFETY INSPECTION AT TOYOTA AS PART OF AN OIL CHANGE ON 2/20/18 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 63,253 MILES. IN MY OPINION THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR IN THE QUALITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BRAKE SYSTEM FIRE OR BRAKE FAILURE.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 28, 2018, crash
ON 5/24/18 AT 1435 IN CHICAGO IL, MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FULLY ACCELERATED THROUGH ONGOING TRAFFIC AFTER LIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTO A GRASS AREA ACROSS THE STREET TO SLOW DOWN BUT COMING DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. CHICAGO POLICE DEPT REPORT #JB-282363
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 27, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SPRAINED HER RIGHT ANKLE FROM THE PRESSURE OF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUALLY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA TO HAVE THE DAMAGES ASSESSED. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CLAIM NUMBER: 180-427-0700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 31, 2017, crash
DECEMBER 29TH AT 3:00 A.M MY WIFE AND I WAS GOING TO THE ATM IN GRANGER TX. AS I APPROACHED A SHARP CURVE I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND THE CAR SPEEDED UP HIT THE CULVERT AND WENT AIRBORNE. WE CAME DOWN ON A BOULDER AND SOMEHOW WE MANAGED TO DRIVE BACK TO MY BROTHER IN LAWS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I HAVE SEVERE WHIPLASH, I CRACKED MY L1 AND INJURED MY SIDE AND BACK. MY WIFE'S HEAD HIT THE SIDE WINDOW SO HARD SHE HAD A CONCUSSION KNOTS AND BRUISES ON HER HEAD. SHE HAS BRUISES ON HER RIGHT SHOULDER, HIT HER KNEE AND LEG. IF WE HAD NOT BEEN WEARING SEAT BELTS WE WOULD HAVE DIED. IF OUR AIRBAGS HAD WORKED WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HURT AS BAD AS WE ARE. MY WIFE'S GLASSES ARE BENT AND MY WATCH IS BROKE. I AM SENDING PICTURES TO PROVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK. NOT SUR WHAT THE ODOMETER READING IS BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO TURN THE CAR ON SINCE THERE IS NO LONGER NO OIL OR ANTIFREEZE.
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2017
SHIFT LEVER LOCKS IN PLACE.. BREAK LIGHT , TRACTION LIGHT, ABS LIGHT ALL ARE ON... HAVE TO PUMP THE BREAK PEDAL TO RELEASE THE SHIFT LEVER. .. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON SOMETIMES WILL RESET THE LIGHTS..
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 5, 2017
WHEN DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, THE ABS, SLIP AND WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON SUDDENLY. I WOULD EXPERIENCE A SEVERE DECREASE IN BRAKE FUNCTION (I WOULD NEED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO APPLY PROPERLY). THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE SERVICE CENTER WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILED ABS ACTUATOR. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE CAMRY HYBRIDS, AS TOYOTA ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2006-2011 CAMRY HYBRIDS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. (UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE A 2012 HYBRID AND THE SERVICE CENTER WOULD LIKE TO CHARGE ME OVER $3K (!) TO FIX THIS ISSUE.).
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 13, 2017
SHIFT LEVER LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. SHIFT LEVER RELEASE BUTTON HAD TO BE PRESSED TO RELEASE LEVER AND REVERSE OUT OF PARKING STALL. ONCE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 13, 2017
SHIFT LEVER LOCKED IN PARK POSITION, COULD NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE OUT OF PARKING STALL. HAD TO PRESS SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON TO SHIFT TO REVERSE. THEN ONCE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS​ REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT DAY. THE RELEASE BUTTON HAD TO BE PRESSED EVERY TIME. THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS RUNNING.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 13, 2016, crash
I WAS IN MY GYM'S PARKING LOT AND HAD JUST TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP AS IT MOVED FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPACE. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND. INSTEAD, THE CAR CONTINUED DRIVING FORWARD ON ITS OWN, AND THEN I HEARD A SOUND OF ACCELERATION, AS IF THE CAR WAS REVVING ITSELF UP TO A HIGHER SPEED. THINKING THAT THE BRAKE HAD NOT ENGAGED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND PLACED IT BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, STEPPING HARDER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. AT THIS POINT, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR JUMPED UP ONTO THE CURB WHILE STILL ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, RAN OVER THE SIDEWALK. ROLLED UP AND OVER A TWO-FOOT HEDGE THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE SIDEWALK, THEN CRASHED INTO THE BRICK ENFORCED CONCRETE COLUMN AT THE CORNER OF THE GYM BUILDING. THE BRICK COLUMN STOPPED THE FORWARD MOMENTUM OF THE CAR, BUT LEFT A LARGE DENT IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR'S BUMPER THAT WAS EMBEDDED WITH CHUNKS OF CONCRETE. IT ALSO DENTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR, PUSHING IT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HAVE REPORTED MY ACCIDENT TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. I AUTHORIZED THEIR REVIEW OF MY CAR'S EVENT DATA RECORDER AND AM AWAITING THEIR INVESTIGATION REPORT. THIS FRIGHTENING ACCIDENT LEFT ME VERY SHAKEN. IT FELT AS IF I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT ALL. IT SEEMED AS IF SOMETHING HAD TAKEN CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR AND MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE CAR'S FORWARD MOMENTUM BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE HAD ZERO IMPACT. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS ON THE SIDEWALK OR I WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY MALFUNCTION. THEY ARE LETHAL WEAPONS ON OUR CITY STREETS!
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 16, 2016
ABS, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2016
THIS SITUATION HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH. WHEN I HAVE SITTING AT A LIGHT OR ON IDLE. MY TRAC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUE TO COME ON EVERY OTHER WEEK OR SO. I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE FROM OTHER CAMRY'S OWNER ONLINE. WHEN THEY GO TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TELL THEM IT IS A SENSOR. BUT IT IS NEVER RESOLVED. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CAR? I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR. THIS IS SCARY FOR ME DUE TO ME HAVING 2 KIDS.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 15, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED, BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE FOR THE COMPUTER AND PROVIDED A USB WITH TECHNICAL DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.