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: other or unspecified
88 reports, newest first. Show all
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, Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2019
AIR CONDITIONING AND TRANSMISSION THAT HAVE 2 PROBLEMS
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2019
THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND DISPLAY CONTROLS IN THE RADIO CONSOLE FOR THE TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 SE AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY TOYOTA. THE BUTTONS ON THE CONSOLE STOPPED WORKING AROUND 2 YEARS AGO THUS DISABELING ACCESS TO NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. DUE TO LACK OF ON SCREEN NAVIGATION I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RESORT TO USING A MOBILE WHICH IS DISTRACTING TO A DRIVER AND MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS ESPECIALLY IN UNFAMILIAR AREAS AND ON MULTILANE HIGHWAY NEAR EXITS. ALSO AS CONNECTIVITY TO THE PHONE VIA BLUETOOTH HAS BEEN DISABLED CALLS CANNOT BE RECIEVED USING THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. ON RESEARCHING MORE ON THIS TOPIC I HAVE REALIZED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE VEHICLE OWNERS FACING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE SAME PART OF THE VEHICLE FOR VARIOUS VEHICLES THAT TOYOTA PRODUCES. THE SOLUTION PROVIDED BY TOYOTA NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY CONSOLE WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $800 TO $1000. MULTIPLE VIDEOS AND COMMENTS REQUESTING A CHEAP SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE CAN BE SEEN ON THE INTERNET. SOME SUGGESTIONS INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF A PART CALLED COMMUNICATION EXTENSION MODULE MANUFACTURED BY "HARMAN AUTOMOTIVE PART NUMBER 86100-YY050". I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH ONLY TO HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS DUE TO DISTRACTIONS BUT THIS MAY BE A CONCERN AND TOYOYA SHOULD COME UP WITH A CHEAPER SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE RATHER THAN SIMPLY SAYING " YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A $1000 FIR REPLACING THE ENTIRE CONSOLE THAT TOO WHEN ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE WORKING"
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2019
PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN SHOOTING ICE FROM THE VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SOMETIMES THE DRIVER SIDE. ALSO, WHEN THE GREEN ECO LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR STARTS SHAKING. I'VE HAVE SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO CODES APPEARING. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IF THE AC WAS ON BEFORE I BRIEFLY TURN IT OFF. AS FAR AS THE SHAKING IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN THE ECO LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE LIGHT WILL FLICKER AND TURN OFF AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR WILL STOP VIBRATING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2019
AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING WATER TO DRIP INSIDE THE CABIN UNDER THE FRONT SEATS. AS A RESULT, THE CARPET UNDER THE FRONT SEATS GETS WET AND MOLDY, CREATING A FOUL SMELL IN THE CABIN AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE NORMALLY. THE FAULT IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS. THIS IS A KNOWN AND LONG-STANDING DEFECT AND IS MENTIONED ON DISCUSSION WEBSITES, SUCH AS CAR.COMPLAINTS.COM. TOYOTA STATES THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2013 FOR AN AIR-CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A CONSUMER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW, WHETHER THIS CURRENT ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE SAME MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT THEY REPAIRED IN 2013. BUT AS IT IS NOW, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY LONG-TERM HEALTH.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAMRY IN AUTOMATIC THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO DOWNSHIFT SLOWLY AND DRAG
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION FILLS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN I GET BETWEEN 25 -50 MPH. AND IT IS GETTING WORSE
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AND RUNNING MY VEHICLE AC, I BEGAN HEARING A "LIQUID SWISHING" NOISE, OFTEN WHEN TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP. LATER, WHEN PARKED, I NOTICED THE MAT/CARPET UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS WET. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MAT WAS STILL SOAKED AND THERE WAS STANDING WATER THERE, AS WELL SOAKED CARPET BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. FROM RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MORE COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2012 CAMRY IF THE AC COMES LOOSE OR BECOMES CLOGGED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER DOOR IS NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED ON THE REMOTE OR ANY BUTTONS IN THE CAR AT ANY TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK IS TO USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR OR TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ACTUAL LOCK. IT'S NOT SAFE AS THE CAR SOUNDS AS IF IT'S LOCKING BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR IS NOT AND GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO GET IN MY CAR THAT IS NOT TO BE IN MY CAR. HAS BEEN ON AND OFF SINCE ABOUT JANUARY 2019 BUT STOPPED WORKING 6/3/2019.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2019
CUANDO EL VEHCULO EST EN MOVIMIENTO TIENE UN RUIDO DENTRO DEL PANEL DE INSTRUMENTO COMO SI UN METAL ESTUVIERA GOLPEANDO OTRO METAL NO SE LO QUE ES
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2019
THE AUDIO SYSTEM WHEN CONNECTED TO USB DON'T RESPOND SOME TIMES. TOUCH SCREEN IS SOO CHEAP. IN BUILT GPS RESPONDS VERY SLOWLY.EX: WHILE TAKING EXIT IT SAYS JUST BEFORE THE EXIT COMES. THE SCREEN SOME TIMES FLICKERS WHEN WE CHANGE TO REVERSE WHEN THE REVERSE CAMERA DISPLAYS. TOTALLY NOT SATISFIED WITH AUDIO AND GPS SYSTEM. IT'S EVEN MORE COSTLY. 90% COSTUMES DON'T USE THE GPS IN THE CAR FOR REAL DUE TO BAD MAPS AND SOFTWARE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2018
MY 2012 CAMRY WITH ONLY 60,123 MILES IS FAILING THE TORQUE CONVERTER SO THAT IS MEAN LIKE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2018
TRUNK FALL ON YOUR HEAD.
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2018
I JUST PURCHASED MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 77,000 MILES ON THE SPEDOMETER. ABOUT A WEEK LATER AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I NOTICE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT UNTIL YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE, THESE LIGHTS COME ON AND IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS VEHICLE ALSO FEELS LIKE YOU ABOUT TO HYDROPLANE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 25 MPH, WHICH FEELS UNSAFE. I'VE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BAKE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE A BRAKE ASSEMBLY SWITCH. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS SAME VEHICLE, AND FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS CHANGE AND THEY STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEED.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2018
CAR HESITATES AND LOOSES POWER WHILE MOVING FORWARD AND WHILE EXITING AND OR STARTING UP FROM AN INTERSECTION. REAR CARS AND MYSELF ARE IN DANGER. THIS PROBLEM IS FROM A DEAD STOP AS WELL AS FROM SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AND LEAVING AN INTERSECTION.THIS CAMERY WAS PURCHASED IN 2015, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM SINCE FIRST REPORTED, WHICH WAS IN 2015. OVER 300 TOYOTA CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 5-7 YEARS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 3 LANE ROAD AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT COMPONENTS OF THE CAR CAUSED IT TO CUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WAVED TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO ALERT THEM THAT THE CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ALMOST KILLED, AND WORST YET, OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY KILLED OR INJURED AS WELL. A YOUNG MAN STOPPED AND PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO WORK BUT NEEDLESS TO SAY MY NERVES ARE RATTLED. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2018
AS I CRUISE ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE HYBRID TRACTION BATTERY STARTS TO MAKE MINI RAPID PROGRESSIVELY LOUD EXPLOSIONS LIKE THE BACK OF MY REAR SEAT IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. TO ALLEVIATE THIS I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIPS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE. THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2018
AT NIGHT ON HILLS AND CURVY ROADS THE TOP THIRD OF THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES VERY DARK AND IT IS HARD TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED USING MY BRIGHTS WHICH HELPS A LITTLE,BUT WHEN ONCOMING CARS ARE NEAR I HAVE TO SWITCH BACK TO THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST 2012.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2018, fire
DRIVING CAR AND I WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION ON A FOGGY MORNING ABOUT 6:15 AM. WENT TO TURN RIGHT AT INTERSECTION AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DENSE AMOUNT OF FOG FLOW ACROSS THE FRONT OF MY CAR. AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SAW SOME SMOKE FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. AN ALARM WENT OF AND MY DASH DISPLAYED THE WARNING HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THEN FIRE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND UP ALONG THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I WAS JUST PASSING A GAS STATION AT THE TIME SO I CONTINUE TO DRIVE DOWN PASS THE GAS STATION AND THEN PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXISTED THE CAR. THE NEAREST FIRE COMPANY WAS OUT ON A CALL, SO THE CAR CONTINUED TO BURN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. AS A RESULT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETING BURNT. HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS FIRE. IN FACT, I DROVE IT 176 MILES THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FIRE. LEARNED AFTER I EXISTED THE CAR WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE, THAT A DRIVER COMING UP THE ROAD BEHIND ME AFTER I TURNED AT THE INTERSECTION, NOTICED SPARKS AND/OR FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. SHE WAS FLASHING HER HEADLIGHTS AT ME, BUT I DID NOT NOTICE HER.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2018, crash
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY FAST, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ACCELERATION HESITATES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. IT DOES NOT DO IT WHEN SLOWING AND THEN ACCELERATING. UNSAFE FOR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
TOYOTA FAILS TO DISCLOSE THAT SUNROOF HAS DRAINS DESIGNED TO DISCHARGE WATER FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. IF ONE OF THESE DRAINS GET CLOGGED (AND COULD HAPPEN VERY EASY) WATER GETS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WATER INFILTRATION CAN START WITH A VERY SLOW AMOUNT SO THE ISSUE IS NOT DISCOVERED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET IS A MATERIAL THAT ABSORBS THIS WATER. MOLD CAN BE DEVELOPED, AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS DURING DRIVING. MY SPOUSE ACCUSED BREATHING ISSUES AND PSORIASIS AND WE DISCOVERED THAT OUR VEHICLE IS GETTING RAIN WATER INSIDE.COULD BE FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS, AS WELL AS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT - THERE IS NOT WAY TO ASSUME OR TO NOTICE HOW MUCH WATER YOU HAVE IN WHICH TIME BECAUSE YOU DISCOVER IT WHEN IS TOO LATE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE, CLAIMING THAT ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. BUT IN THE TOYOTA OWNER MANUAL THIS DRAIN IS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CUSTOMER, SO IT COULD TAKE A PERIODIC CHECK.ALSO LUSTINE TOYOTA FROM WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE WE SERVICE THE CAR AT EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, DOES NOT HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATION, WRITTEN OR NOT, ABOUT THESE DRAINS BUT INSTEAD CAN DIAGNOSE VERY QUICK THAT THE WATER IN THE CARPET COMES FROM CLOGGED DRAINS. HOW COME THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT IS NOT RAISING ANY AWARENESS ABOUT IT, SO THE CUSTOMER CAN BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE VEHICLE FULL WITH WATER AND TO POSE DANGERS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE FOR HIMSELF AND OTHERS AROUND? TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE LIKE ANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS ARE (SEE WW, CHRYSLER, VOLVO) FOR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE IMPORTANT CAR FEATURES. WE WILL NEED TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ISSUE TO BE CORRECTED ON THEIR EXPENSE BUT THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE, REPRESENTED BY MRS. KRISTEN, REFUSES. OUR CASE NUMBER WAS 1802171412 PLEASE HELP
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2018
MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 SE HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED TO DO A HARD SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR THAT RESULTED IN ME NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. I SEE ONLINE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THEIR 2012 CAMRY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED ALREADY?!?! I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED OWNING A TOYOTA BUT NOW I HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE QUALITY OF THE BRAND. IF TOYOTA DOESN'T FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I THEN I AM DONE WITH TOYOTA.
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2018
MY TOYOTA WHEN I GO 40 MILES TO 60 BETWEEN IT STARTS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN I PUSH THE GAS NOT STOPS SO IF I HAD TO GUESS JUST A LITTLE BIT STARTS TO SHUTTER MORE STARTS TO SHAKE AND THEN SHE JUST PISSES ME OFF I OWE $13,000 ON THIS CAR RIGHT NOW I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE IT BACK AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON BUT BY READING ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE AND YOU GUYS WIN BIG AND NOBODY FIXED IT I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY CAR THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL I'M DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA I USUALLY LOVE TOYOTA REPORT ABUSE