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
644 reports, newest first.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2017
DELAY IN SHIFTING ON LOW SPEEDS BETTWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH.THE CAR SHUTTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING OR COMING TO STOP
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!!!
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..
Air bags, Sep 4, 2017, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER ENTERING AN INTERSECTION OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING 5-10 MPH AND SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE IN COLLISION. AFTER BEING HIT BY THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING A MINIMUM OF 40 MPH. MY CAR SPUN 180 DEGREES FROM FORCE OF THE COLLISION. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING OR AFTER THE COLLISION.
Power train, Aug 28, 2017
VEHICLE SHUTTERS DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION AROUND 15MPH-30MPH. IT DEVELOPS A MILD SHAKE AND LASTS A FEW SECONDS UNLESS ACCELERATION IS STOPPED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLONIAL TOYOTA IN MILFORD, 470 BOSTON POST RD, MILFORD, CT 06460, (203) 878-7401 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TIE NEEDED TO BE CUT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO COLONIAL TOYOTA IN MILFORD IN MILFORD, CT 06460, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A ZE5 TORQUE CONVERT AND STATED TO THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 10/05/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER FIXED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT NO COST. *TR
Air bags, Aug 7, 2017
'TAKATA RECALL' FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN DEPLOYED COULD/WILL RELEASE HARMFUL METAL FRAGMENTS RUPTURING THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, STRIKING VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S) AND RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. REPAIR IS NEEDED. WILL CONTACT TOYOTA MANUFACTURER. HAS NOT DEPLOYED YET.
Air bags, Jul 27, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND BECAME AIRBORNE BEFORE LANDING ONTO THE GROUND. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CUTS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND UNSPECIFIED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEFT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,107.
Seat belts, Jul 27, 2017
DRIVERS' SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT COMPLETELY UNLESS "COAXED." THIS LEADS TO IT BEING INADVERTENTLY BLOCKING THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THIS BEGAN AT OR ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THIS IS ABNORMAL FOR A SEATBELT, IN MY EXPERIENCE, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY 1991 GMC S-15 STILL HAS NO PROBLEM RETRACTING BELTS, WITH 243,000 MILES ON IT. GIVEN THIS CONDITION, THE SRS SYSTEM OF THE SEATBELT LOCKING IS QUESTIONABLE!!! DEALER SERVICE WRITER CLAIMED REPAIR/REPLACING DEFECTIVE RETRACTOR IS AT MY EXPENSE.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2017, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING ON A CITY STREET DUE TO THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING, I SLOWED DOWN THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. THE CAR TOOK OFF I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT STILL HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE ABOUT THE VEHICLE STALLING AND ACCELERATING. I HAD FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER AND HOOD. THE VEHICLE I CRASHED INTO BACK BUMPER WAS ALSO DENTED.
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.).
Structure, Jun 30, 2017
THE DOORS OPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ALTHOUGH THEY ARE LOCKED. BY MISTAKE I PULLED THE HANDLE WHEN IT WAS IN MOTION AND THE DOOR OPENED IT T HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. TOYOTA EMPLOYEES SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL, BUT ANY CAR SHOULD OPEN THE DOORS WHEN IT IS MOTION.
Engine, Jun 21, 2017
CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS TIL I REACHED THE 120000 MILE MARK NOW THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE,BURNING OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON
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.
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, May 13, 2017
ACCELERATING UP A PARKING STRUCTURE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE FULLY RELEASED THEN DEPRESSED AGAIN TO REGAIN FUNCTION.
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2017
TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED THEN DEPRESSED AGAIN TO REGAIN FUNCTION EACH TIME.
Exterior lighting, May 12, 2017
THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHT COVERS DEVELOPED A MELTED AREA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL
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?
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2017
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT TWO REPLACED. NOW THE TWO REAR DOORS ARE NOT WORKING APPROPRIATELY. WHEN I GO TO USE THE KEYLESS ENTRY THE LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND AT ALL. I HAVE TO UNLOCK THEM MANUALLY. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING WITH THIS CAR.
Power train, Engine, Mar 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FAILURE HAD BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Power train, Mar 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,250.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2017, crash
I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT TWICE ONE BACK ON OCTOBER 2014 AND RECENT ONE WAS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017. BOTH WAS NOT MY FAULT. I WAS DRIVING ON A GREEN LIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE SUDDENLY CAR TURNED LEFT. I LOST CONTROL. I ENDED UP HITTING OTHER CAR AND THEN THE PROPERTY ON THE CORNER. MY CAR IS TOTALED, THE FRONT IS COMPLETELY CRASHED AND MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.
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.