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
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2018
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK AND UNLOCK STOPS WORKING. MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED 60K WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR LOCK BY PRESSING THE KEY FOB. AFTER COUPLE MONTH ALL 4 DOORS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL 4 DOORS BY MANUALLY UNLOCKING USING THE KEY. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED ON ALL 4 DOORS AND MULTIPLE TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2018
OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED AS WE WHERE DRIVEING IN HANNIBAL,MO.WE HAD TOO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST STOP BECAUSE OF LIGHT. ON 11/1/2016. IT WAS A COLD DAY .WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TILL MY HUSBAND OPEN UP THE SUNROOF COVER AND ALL THE GLASS STARTED TOO FALL DOWN ON US. WE WHERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS HAPPENED TOO OTHERS. WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR WITH A SUNROOF.WE HAD TOO PUT TAPE ON IT TOO TRY KEEP FROM FLYING OFF IN ANOTHER PERSON CAR.WE WANT TOO INFORM YOU SO MAYBE YOU CAN GET CAR DEALERSHIP OR THE SUNROOF FACTORY TOO REPLACE OR WARN PEOPLE OF THIS DEFECT.IN THERE PRODUCT.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2017
I HAVE 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS A VIBRATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS LIKE A THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE ROAD. I SEARCH IT ONLINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE ALMOST EVERYONE THAT HAS A 2012 TO 2014 CAMRY HAS THE SAME ISSUES. PLEASE HELP.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD ( HIGHWAY, CITY STREET, ECT.) AT BETWEEN 25 AND 45 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION SHUDERS. THIS FROM MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE TOURQUE CONVERTER AS WELL AS THE ECU. THIS COULD AND WILL CAUSE MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE A MANDATORY RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2017
VEHICLE SHUTTERS AT 30-45 MPH WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE GAS. IF YOU HIT THE GAS AND SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN ENOUGH, IT STOPS, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. STARTED AT JUST 45MPH, NOW HAPPENS AT 30 AND 35 MPH AS WELL. IN READING OTHER FORUMS, THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FIX FOR THIS. SOME HAVE BEEN TOLD A COMPUTER UPGRADE, BUT THAT WAS ONLY TEMPORARY AND IT CAME BACK WORSE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2017
GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD UNDER CERTAIN SUN ANGLES COMPLETELY OBSCURES VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. AT TIMES WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE AT A CRAWL. IN ONE INSTANCE, WE ALMOST RAN INTO A FLAGPERSON WHO WAS STANDING IN THE ROAD DIRECTING TRAFFIC AROUND A WORK CREW.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2017
I BOUGHT MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND IT'S WAS GREAT UNTIL THE COLD WEATHER HIT YES ANTIFREEZE PROBLEM STARTED SLOWLY LOOSING ANTIFREEZE AND NOW INSIDE OF CAR STINKS ANTIFREEZE. I REAL LISE MUST BE A HEATER CORE PROBLEM. DID ANYBODY ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THE WARRANTY IS DONE. SO MUCH ON AVERAGE DOES IS COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2017
SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM ABOVE. WE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD DROPPED FROM THE SKY AND FELL ON OUR CAR. THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND GLASS WAS FALLING ONTO US AS I WAS DRIVING. I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES(GOING ABOUT 40 MPH) UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. UPON OBSERVATION THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF WITH GLASS CONTINUING TO FALL AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2017
TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA TO DIAGNOSE, IT FELT AS IF IT WAS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN I WAS DRIVING! THEY SAID THEY DID A TEST DRIVE AS WELL AS DIAGNOSTIC ON IT! EVERYTHING IS GOOD THEY SAID! I DRIVE OFF THE LOT AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED! I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHEN THE PROBLEM WASN'T GETTING BETTER, WORRIED BECAUSE I DRIVE MY 2 LITTLE GIRLS EVERYWHERE! AND LO AND BEHOLD IT'S THE TRANSMISSION! WHICH I THEN DROVE BACK TO MOUNTAIN STATES TOYOTA AND THEN THEY CONFIRMED! ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS IT'S A FAULT IN THE TOYOTA TRANSMISSION THAT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT TO! OF COARSE! TOYOTA PERSISTING TO GET US OUT WHEN CONFRONTED, MANAGERS CUSSING, SO ON AND SO FORTH! THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO LIE TO ME AND TELL ME I HAVEN'T BEEN IN SENSE 95,000 LOL WHEN I WAS JUST IN WITHIN THAT MONTH WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM! MORE LIES! NOW I AM ALMOST POSITIVE THEY HAVE POURED SOMETHING DOWN MY TRANSMISSION TO THICKEN THE FLUID AS A TEMPORARY FIX! THEY HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 HOURS ME THINKING THEY WERE JUST DOING A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT! THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY WILL JUST NOT ADMIT IT, AND ARE PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER! THIS IS NOT RIGHT! THERE ARE MACANICS WORKING FOR TOYOTA KNOWING THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO LOSE THEIR JOB! I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF MY VEHICLE, AND HAVE MAINTAIND IT SENSE I DROVE IT OFF THAT LOT! ONLY THE BEST LOVE AND CARE THINKING THIS TOYOTA CAMRY WILL BE SAFE AND LAST AS LONG AS THO OLD ONE THAT MY PARENTS GOT FROM THE AUCTION THAT JUST RECENTLY FINALLY HIT THE BED! STAND UP AND FIGHT IF IT'S NOT RIGHT! AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING! PLEASE GO TO A MECHANIC ASAP! TOYOTA WILL LIE AND TELL YOU IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER FIRST BUT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY KNOW IT, THEY WILL MAKE THEIR MONEY WHILE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE DRIVING AROUND IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS A FAULT IN THE TRANSMISSION!!!
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2017
DOOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING FAILING. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, AS AN EXAMPLE, WHERE YOU NEED TO GET YOUR CHILD OUT OF THE CAR, THE LOCKS COULD FAIL.
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2017, crash
MY SON WAS TURNING A CORNER AND HIS CAMRY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING HIM TO GO OVER A MEDIAN, DAMAGING THE CAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON 2/18/17. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA THAT SAME DAY. TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED ON MONDAY 2/20/17. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT SHOWS THE ACCELERATION. THIS REPORT WAS RECEIVED 3/24/17. TODAY IS 5/3/17 AND WE STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM TOYOTA AS TO THE INVESTIGATION OR SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PARENT CORPORATION TELLS THEM IT IS OK. WE ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND. EVERY TIME I CALL THEY SAY IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL OR YOU WILL RECEIVE SOMETHING IN THE MAIL. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 3 MONTHS WITH NO RESOLUTION. WE DON'T WANT TO GET ATTORNEY'S INVOLVED BUT WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO? WE HAVE CONSULTED WITH AN ATTORNEY BUT WOULD PREFER FOR TOYOTA TO JUST DO THE RIGHT THING. CAN YOU ASSIST?
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2017
SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, MY WIFE AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM ABOVE. WE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD DROPPED FROM THE SKY AND FELL ON OUR CAR. THEN I NOTICED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OF GLASS FALLING OFF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. THE SUV FOLLOWING BEHIND ME WAS CHANGING LANES TO AVOID THE GLASS. THEN I OPENED THE SUNROOF VISOR AND GLASS WAS FALLING ONTO US. WE EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW A GAPING HOLE IN THE SUNROOF. THE HOLE WAS GAPING OUTWARD AS IF THE EXPLOSION COME FROM INSIDE.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2016
DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR FELL DOWN, IT HITS YOUR FOREHEAD WHILE YOU DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS, HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE VIN NUMBERS THAT ARE BEING RECALLED. *TR
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2016
SEVERAL LUG NUTS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM. AT LEAST ONE LUG NUT HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS. CRACKS WERE NOTED DURING TIRE ROTATION.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 11, 2016
VERY BSD HESITATION ON ACCELERATION VERY DANGEROUS
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
MOON ROOF EXPLOIT WHILE DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2016
ONCE MY CAR APPROACH 40 TO 45 MPH REGARDLESS IF IM ON THE CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY IT HAS A VIBRATION. NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED BUT I KNOW IT WAS LIKE IN BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2015 TO CURRENT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2016
THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE SUNROOF ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE CAR WHEN HIT ANY BUMPS OR UNEVEN ROAD SOUNDS LIKE POPPING OR KNOCKING NOISE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2015
AT 39,000 MILES, MY DRIVER DOOR STOPPED LOCKING/UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE. A MONTH LATER THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED AND A MONTH LATER THE RIGHT BACK SEAT LOCK FAILED, AND THEN THE LEFT BACK SEAT LOCK FAILED. ALL SECURITY HAS TO BE DONE MANUALLY, USING THE EMERGENCY KEY LOCATED IN THE REMOTE. BATTERIES IN REMOTE CHANGED. DEALER (JOE MYERS) DECLINED REPAIR SINCE OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY (BUT NOT YET 3 YEARS OWNED). SEEMS ODD THAT 4 ACTUATORS ALL FAILED SINCE THEY ARE DIFFERENT PARTS. REPAIR ESTIMATE $2,200.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2015
THE CAR SEAT IS PERFECT BUT THE CAR SEAT BASE IS HORRIBLE IT MOVES AROUND EVERY TIME I TURN AND I KNOW IS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT WITH THE BABY. NOW THE MODEL I HAVE IT'S NOT EVEN LISTED ON THE HIGHWAY SAFETY ..SO I FONT KNOW IF IS ON RECALL OR NOT.
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2015
STRONG MOLD SMELL FROM AIR VENTS. ESPECIALLY STRONG FOR FIRST 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2015
I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.AFTER I SIGNED PAPERS AND WANTED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME I HAVE NOTICED A STICKER CLOSED TO THE DRIVERS DOOR, IT SAYS TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, AUTHORIZED MODIFICATION, THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS HAS BEEN MADE (AND THEN WITH A RED MARKER IT IS WRITTEN DOT RECALL) AND UNDERNEATH OF IT CONTINUE, THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED AS APPROPRIATE BY EPA AND CARB. DEALER CODE 09231. DATE 3/19/14. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS, WAS CAR ON RECALL BY DOT AND WAS/WERE THE ISSUE/ISSUES RESOLVED OR NOT. CAN YOU HELP. CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2015
THE REAR DOOR CHILD'S LOCK IS FROZEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I SUSPECT THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM. WE ARE BOTH 74 AND NEVER HAD REAR PASSENGERS SO WE ONLY DISCOVERED THIS IN JULY,2015. AUTONATION AGREED ON THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $1091.49. THE REAR DOOR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE REAR PASSENGER COULD NOT EXIT THROUGH THIS DOOR.