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.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2017
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN), THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE ABOUT 20 FEET OR 20 MPH AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. . THIS HAPPENED AT THOSE INTERVAL. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED.
Steering, Feb 14, 2017
I WAS DRIVING 2012 CAMRY LE AT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND FOUND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. DURING THAT TIME THE STEERING WAS HARD TO ROTATE AND ALSO THE RADIO LOST POWER. WHEN THE EPS LIGHT GONE THE STEERING WAS EASY AND RADIO STARTED WORKING. SINCE IT WAS NIGHT, AROUND 11.30 PM, NOT MAY CARS WERE THERE, LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY THAT IF IT WOULD HAPPEN DURING RUSH HOUR. I AM SCARE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THIS OUT.
Suspension, Feb 13, 2017
VEHICLE HAS 27,500 MILES AS OF TODAY'S DATE. FRONT STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED AND MUST BE REPAIRED. TOYOTA OF ROCKWALL, TX REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. TOYOTA NATIONAL OFFICE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD THAT MY WASHING THE MOTOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NONSENSE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WASHING CAR MOTORS FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS WITH NO PROBLEM! THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT TOYOTA ALONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. NO COVER OR DRAIN WAS MANUFACTURED INTO THE TOWER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE WARNS ME THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. ANY HELP THAT YOUR AGENCY COULD GIVE ME WILL BE APPRECIATED I SPOKE WITH SERVICE WRITER JASON AT TOYOTA ROCKWALL, TEXAS AND HE TOLD ME THAT SERVICE MANAGER MR. STEWART APPROVED THE DECISION SPOKE WITH RANDAL AT NATIONAL TOYOTA CASE # 1702133219.
Structure, Feb 8, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH ON FREEWAY THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THE VISOR WAS CLOSED BUT WHEN OPENED TO INSPECT SAW A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS AND GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 39 DEGREES F PARTLY CLOUDY AND THE TIME WAS ABOUT 4:30 PM. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND NOR OVERPASSES OR OVERHANGS.
Steering, Feb 8, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT FAILED AGAIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. I HAVE HAD FOUR OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED LESS THAN TWO YEARS EARLIER. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT FAILED AGAIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL, FENCE, AND BUSHES. THE VEHICLE LANDED WITH THE REAR END ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT END IN THE AIR. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS
Visibility, Structure, Jan 6, 2017
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON OK HWY 412, AND I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND SHATTERED GLASS FALLING INSIDE THE SLIDING COVER. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR
Air bags, Jan 3, 2017, crash
THE CAR WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT, OVER $12,000 FRONT END DAMAGE IN A FRONT END COLLISION. A CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR FROM A SIDE STREET. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE WHICH IS WHAT IS PROMPTING THIS INQUIRY.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2017, crash
TAKATA RECALL: MY TOYOTA CAMRY IS NOT FORMALLY PART OF THE RECALL BUT THE AIRBAG EXPLODED DURING AN ACCIDENT CAUSING SHARP PIECES TO HIT MY FACE, ARM, CHEST, AND I HAD A MOUTH FULL OF GLASS CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY TEETH. MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN A MOTORCYCLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
Air bags, Dec 19, 2016
SRS AIRLIGHT IS ON. DEALERSHIP SAYS SPIRAL CABLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Dec 12, 2016
THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 2012 CAMRY SE WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. THE LEVER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK THE COLUMN INTO POSITION KEEPS FALLING OPEN, FROM GRAVITY, ALLOWING THE COLUMN TO TELESCOPE OUT, BE PUSHED IN, PULL UP, OR DOWN, WITH THE VERY LITTLE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REPAIR THIS, THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COLUMN FOR $1,400 SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (OVER 36,000 MILES). THE COLUMN BEING SO PLIANT, FALLING OUT OF POSITION MAKES DRIVING, ESPECIALLY TIGHT TURNING OR SUDDEN STOPS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Seats, Dec 7, 2016
THE SEAT IN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THE TRACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT IS THE CULPRIT. I HAVE REMOVED THE SEAT TO INSPECT IT AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT BUT IT WASN'T MOVING WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT IS GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. IT IS ANNOYING TO HAVE THE SEAT MOVE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. IT FEELS LIKE IT MAY COME OFF SOMETIME. *TR
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
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING, LOWER ENGINE OIL, CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING, AND MALFUNCTION LAMP INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RECHARGED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 3, 2016
REAR/BACK WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERS.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING CAR HESITATE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN TAKE OFF WHILE TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND ALSO DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH MY KIDS IN CAR. *TR
Wheels, Oct 20, 2016
TIRES ARE ALWAYS LOSING PRESSURE
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, Oct 14, 2016
TAKATA RECALL LESS THAN 4 YEARS ALTHOUGH WITH LITTLE HIGH MILEAGE, MY BRAND NEW 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY MAKES NOISES WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO BALISE TOYOTA SCION OF WARWICK TO CHECK AND SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED THAT THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT MY OWN COST. AND THE NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHY IS A BRAND NEW LESS FOUR YEARS OLD CAR NEED REPLACING TRANSMISSION? I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WHO OWNED THE SAME CAR AND MODEL AND YEAR, AND THEY HAVE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSION. THEY HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF LOWER MILEAGE. THEREFORE, I THINK 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY'S TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 11, 2016
VERY BSD HESITATION ON ACCELERATION VERY DANGEROUS