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.
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2016
WHEN LEFT FOOT IS MOMENTARILY LEFT ON BRAKE WHILE DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR WITH RIGHT FOOT ACCELERATION BEGINS THEN STOPS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS CAUSING A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA ADMITTED THEY HAVE A PROGRAM BUILT INTO THE CAMRY TO OFFSET "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" ISSUE. SO, THEY ADMITTED THEY ELIMINATED A MAJOR ISSUE WHILE CREATING ANOTHER ISSUE. TOYOTA'S LOGIC IS RIDICULOUS. THEY ARE IDIOTS!!!
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2016
REAR WINDOW DEFROST QUIT WORKING. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID GROUND WIRE MELTED OFF GLASS. GROUND WIRE IS HOUSED INSIDE BACK PANEL. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECT MY MIRRORS, AS THEY WILL ALSO NOT DEFROST. IN OHIO WE HAD OUR FIRST REAL SNOW FALL THE WEEK BEFORE AND THAT IS WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT I HAD NO REAR WINDOW OR SIDE MIRROR DEFROST. I CALLED METRO TOYOTA EXPLAINED PROBLEM AND THAT I BELIEVE IT WAS RELATED TO RECALLS THEY DID IN DECEMBER, BECAUSE PRIOR I HAD NO PROBLEMS. THEY ADVISED I BRING IT IN 1/21. I DID THAT AND THAT IS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO RECALLS AND THAT I NEED TO HAVE GLASS REPLACED. CONSIDERING THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AND AREA THAT I HAVE NO IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO I BELIEVE THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. A REAR DEFROST SYSTEM NOT WORKING IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE TIED TO THE AC ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY THEIR HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, BUT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ME I AM SURE THAT IT WILL BE A GROWING CONCERN FOR OTHERS OR IT MAY ALREADY BE AND NOT REPORTED BECAUSE THEY TILL YOU IT'S RARE; BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT'S NOT COVERED, YOU HAVE TO FIX IT! I PLAN TO PURSUE THIS FURTHER
Steering, Jan 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION AFTER THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,560. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ *CN
Visibility, Jan 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 2, 2016
MY 2012 CAMRY HYBIRD WITH LEATHER SEATS. MY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE WEIGHT OF THE PREVIOUS OCCUPANT, IE, IF OVER 200 LBS AND IT WILL PROBABLY WORK CORRECTLY. BUT IF THE EXITED OCCUPANT WAS LESS THAN 200 LBS, THE AIR BAG WILL ALARM AND MESSAGE FOR THE (FORMER OCCUPANT) PASSENGER TO USE THE SEAT BELT. I'M TRYING TO GET TOYOTA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WARN ME THAT I MAY HAVE TO PAY TO CORRECT SOMETHING THAT NEVER OCCURED BEFORE THEIR RECALL.
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.
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2015
MY CAR IS A 2012 CAMRY, MY PROBLEM IS THE KEYLESS CONTROL WON'T UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR, IT IS ASHAMED OF TOYOTA NOT REPAIRING MY CAR THAT ONLY HAS 33K MILES AND THEY TOLD ME IS OFF THE REGULAR WARRANTY AND IT'S NOT COVER CAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT'S THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STATED A PERSON FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, PART COST ABOUT $300.00 AND ABOUT $700.00 IF THEY REPAIR IT, I JUST CALL IT THE EASY WAY TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY OFF THE CONSUMER OR ETHER YOU PAY THOUSANDS IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR THOUSANDS REPLACING CHEAP PARTS AND THAT'S WITH OUT COUNTING THE $150.00 FOR WHAT THEY CALL THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SO I STARTED RESEARCHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I ENCOUNTERED THAT IS NOT ONLY THE CAMRY BUT MANY OTHER MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MAL FUNCTION, PLEASE I CALL FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER, MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 33K MILES. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2015
STRONG MOLD SMELL FROM AIR VENTS. ESPECIALLY STRONG FOR FIRST 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING.
Wheels, Dec 17, 2015
DRIVING DOWN BERRYHILL ROAD IN COLUMBIA, SC 29210, I HIT A POT HOLE DAMAGING MY RIM. THERE WAS AN ON COMING VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO WAY POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE POT HOLE.
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE OPEN MANUALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Engine, Dec 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
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).
Steering, Nov 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ; 4/27/18*JB *TR
Power train, Nov 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,103.
Steering, Nov 17, 2015
STEERING IS STIFF CAUSING OVER/CORRECTING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT CAUSES ARM TO GET TIRED DRIVING EVEN AFTER ONLY A FEW MILES. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND TIRING TO DRIVE I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2007 CAMRY XLE AND THERE IS NOW COMPARISON AS TO HOW EASY THE 2007 STEERED. NEED HELP.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2015
I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW WITH MY 2012 CAMRY NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I TURN A CORNER & MOST RECENTLY HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD DOWN A CITY STREET. I COULD BE GOING ABOUT 25-35 MPH, PRESS THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN BUT THEN WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN, THE CAR WILL STALL MEANING IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL & JUST COASTS. I'VE HAD OTHER PEOPLE DRIVE MY CAR & THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THEM WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD CARS ALMOST RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS & I HAVE CHILDREN WITH ONE OF THEM BEING ONLY 2 YEARS OLD & THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WITH ME AT TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES BUT THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT'S NORMAL & THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IS EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF DELAY OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT & THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED MY CAMRY BRAND NEW IN 2012 & I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THE SERVICE CURRENT ON MY CAR. OF COURSE TOYOTA HAS PROOF OF THAT IN THEIR SYSTEM. I NEED FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE & CORRECT IT BEFORE MYSELF, MY CHILDREN OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS SEVERELY HURT OR LOSE OUR LIVES OR CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN ESPECIALLY WHILE IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TOYOTA AWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE.
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.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2015, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY AND NEGLECTFULLY CROSSED MY WAY. MY VEHICLE'S FRONT WAS WAS DAMAGED, FROM MIDDLE PART ALL THE WAY TO THE DRIVER SIDE PART. BUMPER, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FENDER, FRONT FRAME METAL, AND OTHER PARTS WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL THOSE DAMAGES AND NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING MORE INJURY TO OCCUR....UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF UPDATED 2/23/2016 *JS UPDATED 04/24/18*JB *CN
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.
Steering, Oct 12, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNING, THE STEERING SUDDENLY "FROZE" (POWER ASSIST FAILED) AND A STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THEN TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INVESTIGATION. AFTER INVESTIGATING, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PIG VOLTAGE WAS LOW (11 VOLTS) AND FLUCTUATED WHILE TURNING. UPON REMOVAL OF LOWER DASH AND STEERING COLUMN, FOUND NO BOLT IN GROUND WIRE FROM EMPS ECU. INSTALLED A BOLT AND RESECURED GROUND WIRE TO INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY BAR, AND THEN VOLTAGE WAS NORMAL AND STEERING WAS NORMAL DURING ROAD TEST. COULD NOT LOCATE ORIGINAL GROUND BOLT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2015
VERY WET UNDER PASSENGER SEAT. INTERIOR FOGGING UP DURING TEMP CHANGES. WHERE THE AIR VENT COMES OUT TO THE BACK SEATS. ALSO WET CARPET ON DRIVERS SIDE UNDER DASH. ODOR AS WELL FROM AC, MOLDY SMELL. CAR STATIONARY. COULD THIS SHORT OUT THE HEATER OR ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC SEAT AS WELL AS MILDEW MOISTURE PROBLEMS.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2015
FIRST, THE TRANSMISSION IS REALLY JERK WHEN ACCELERATE AT STOP LIGHT. IT ALSO JERK REALLY HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DELAY. SECOND, THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL. THE RADIO JUST SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, AND THEN THE LIGHT CAME OFF AND THE RADIO RESTARTED BY ITSELF AGAIN. I FEEL LIKE THE ELECTRIC HAS SOME PROBLEM.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 5, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND HER HUSBAND HAD CONTUSIONS IN HIS RIB CAGE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN