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.
Tires, Sep 22, 2014
SIDEWALL RUBBER IS SPLITTING APART. *TR
Structure, Sep 21, 2014
WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER UNEVEN OR NON-LEVEL SURFACES, NOISES FROM THE REAR ROOF INDICATE LOOSE WELDS OR JOINTS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2014
I WAS SLOWLY ACCELERATING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I FELT THE GAS PEDAL MOVE AWAY FROM MY FOOT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED. I SAT FOR A MINUTE TO SEE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. NOTHING WAS EVIDENT, SO I BACKED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. *TR
Steering, Sep 13, 2014
VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. REQUIRES STEERING CORRECTION EVERY 1-2 SECONDS TO KEEP FROM VEERING OUT OF LANE. DEALER HAS CHECKED TWICE. INDICATES NOTHING WRONG, SIMPLY CHARACTERISTIC OF ELECTRONIC STEERING. VEHICLE REQUIRES UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION TO DRIVE SAFELY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 9, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE SPEED AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Structure, Aug 31, 2014
RIGHT FROM DAY ONE IN 2012 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE- IT RATTLES AND SHAKES. I CHANGED THE TIRES IN JULY 2014 AT 11000 MILES TO MICHELIN (ORIGINAL-WORTHLESS FIRESTONE TYRES). AT 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY TOLL ROADS IT IS UNSTEADY AND CAN BE BLOWN AWAY BY A SLIGHT GUST OF WIND. THE BODY IS WORTHLESS! THE BUMPERS CAME OFF. I HAD TO GET THEM FIXED. THESE TOYOTA CARS ARE TOYS! NOT FIT FOR ROADS. I REGRET BUYING ONE. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 18, 2014, crash
WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM CAME TO A STOP TO ALLOW FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNING. WHEN MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKES WHEN RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AGAIN AND IT FINALLY CAUGHT, BUT TOO LATE. THE SUDDEN BRAKING CAUSED THE CAR'S NOSE TO LOWER, UNDER THE TRUCK'S TAILGATE AS HE HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CAR MAY BE TOTALED WHICH WE SHOULD FIND OUT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 11, 2014
THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS. I WAS DRIVING AT 20MPH AND NEEDED TO PICK UP SPEED TO MAKE A PASS AND THE CAR JUST KEPT ON REVVING AND THE SPEED DID NOT INCREASE AT ALL AND WHEN IT FINALLY PICKED UP SPEED, IT WAS A HARD JERK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. ANOTHER INCIDENT AT A YIELD SIGN HEADING INTO THE HIGHWAY. AS I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, I HIT BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND HAD TO GAS UP TO GET INTO THE LANE AND THE CAR JUST DIDN'T MOVE. I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. I ALREADY CHANGED THE TORQUE CONVERTER WITHIN THE WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Aug 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK IN ORDER TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 5, 2014
I HAVE RECENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS OF MY 2012 CAMRY SE. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULD ONLY LOCK/UNLOCK MANUALLY, AND NOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL, INTERMITTENTLY, STAY LOCKED WHEN USING THE REMOTE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ACTUATOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR IN JUNE. THEN, LAST MONDAY THE REMOTE WOULDN'T WORK ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN, BUT AFTER LOCK/UNLOCKING THE CAR "ABOUT 150 TIMES" THE SERVICE GUY SAID HE COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND BASICALLY I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR OVER AN HOUR. IT'S ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE RIGHT NOW BUT I'M AFRAID THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER'S DOOR, AND AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ESCALATE FROM AN INCONVENIENCE TO A SECURITY ISSUE. ALSO, I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2012 CAMRY SE. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2014
DRIVE GEAR SHIFTER IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE BETWEEN GEARS AND TENDS TO GET STUCK. SIMILAR TO THIS YOU TUBE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JZUSEKN2EYG. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 5, 2014
WHEN DRIVING ON A ROAD AND HITTING A BIG POTHOLE THE SRS LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD MIGHT LIGHT UP AND STAY ON AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT ONCE BEFORE TO THE SERVICE FACILITY OF TOYOTA AND THIS ISSUE GOT FIXED, WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE STAFF WHY IS THAT HAPPENING THE ANSWER WAS: "IF YOU DRIVE IN A BIG POT HOLE THE CONNECTION TO THE SENSOR THAT IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MIGHT BECOME LOOSE WHICH REQUIRES TO BE CONNECTED AGAIN AND RE-CALIBRATED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE THE FRONT PASSENGERS AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY AS THE LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE CONSOLE STATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS CURRENTLY TURNED OFF EVEN IF THE PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND IS RESTRAINT. TO ME IT SOUNDS AS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD NOT HAPPEN JUST BECAUSE OF A POT HOLE. *TR
Structure, Seats, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 2, 2014
I DROVE THIS 2012 CAMRY ON THE HIGH WAY TO NASHVILLE TN FOR 8 DAYS VOCATION STARTED 28 JUNE 2014, LOT OF WATER COMING OUT FROM CARPET, HAD TO STOP AND CLEAN WATER IN EVERY COUPLE HOURS(MY HAND WAS INJURED WHEN CLEANING UP WATER). AFTER I ARRIVED A HOTEL, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL IN DEC 2013 ON THIS A/C WATER LEAK, IT CAN CAUSE "AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT", ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT", OR OTHER PROBLEMS. WE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT CAR MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT IN THE WHOLE VOCATION. ------ AFTER BACK TO ROCHESTER NY, CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME GO TO TOYOTA SERVICE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM; SO I WENT TO HENRIETTA NY TOYOTA SERVICE AND TOLD THEM A/C WATER LEAK, THEY SAID THEY WILL FIX THAT, ON THE SERVICE REPORT PRINTED:" CUSTOMER STATES THERE IS A WATER LEAK", "WORK PERFORMED BY XXXX", "CLEANED A/C DRAIN". BUT THE MANAGER LIED TO ME, HE SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. ------ NOT SURE IF IT IS TOTALLY FIXED, CAR STILL VERY MOIST, SMELL IS BAD, EVEN AFTER OPEN CAR'S 4 DOORS, PUT THE CARPET BASK IN THE SUN FOR FEW DAYS. ------ YESTERDAY, I FOUND ANOTHER TOYOTA SERVICE REPORT AND RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA ON 12/28/2013, AND THIS REPORT SHOWS THEY "PERFORMED WORK BY XXXX." . I TOTALLY FORGOT THIS CAR RECALLED AND ALREADY PERFORMED THE "FIX" FOR A/C WATER LEAK PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY, TOYOTA SERVICE DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THEY LIED TO ME. ------ THIS CAMRY HAS DAMAGE UNDER CARPET BECAUSE OF WATER LEAK, IT MAY CAUSE SOME ELECTRIC CIRCUITS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, I DON'T WANT TO BE WORRY EVERYDAY, SO I DON'T WANT THIS CAR ANY MORE (THE LEASE TERM WILL END IN ONE MORE YEAR AND A MONTH, I PAID $3000 DOWN PAYMENT FOR 3 YEAR LEASE, ALSO EVERY MONTH PAYMENT). WHAT IS MY CHOICE? ------ THANKS! *TR
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A DIVIDER. THERE WAS NO INJURIES OR A POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,221. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 3/3/2015 *JS
Visibility, Structure, Jul 25, 2014
LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MOON ROOF OF MY VEHICLE, I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS FIXED BUT AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES, IT STARTED MAKING MORE NOISE, PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO SAME DEALER AGAIN. *TR
Air bags, Jul 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH, THE CONTACT STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER AND A SIGN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS A RESULT OF IMPACTING HIS HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPRAINED NECK CERVIX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Service brakes, Jul 16, 2014
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ! I WENT TO STOP FOR THE LIGHT AND THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR.. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Structure, Jul 9, 2014
THE PAINT IS [XXX] ON THIS CAR. IT SCRATCHES, PITS, AND CRACKS WITH THE SLIGHTEST OF FORCES. I FEEL LIKE I GOT A LEMON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 8, 2014
DEAR SIR/MADAM, TOYOTA 2012 CAR REMOTE KEY CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF OTHER TOYOTA CARS. FOR INSTANCE, A REMOTE KEY OF A TOYOTA COROLLA CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF A TOYOTA CAMRY. THIS CREATES A BIG SAFE/SECURITY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS MADE IN 2011-2012 TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS
Power train, Jul 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 5, 2014
A FRIEND AND ME WERE ON A TRIP TO MARKSVILLE, LA, AND I PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, GOING ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR DOWN THE INTERSTATE 20, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST TOOK OFF. IT SCARED US SO BAD I DIDN'T USE IT ANYMORE DURING THE TRIP. WILL, THIS MONTH MY HUSBAND AND ME WERE GOING TO SHEVEPORT, LA AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AGAIN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST TOOK OFF LIKE A JET. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND IT QUIT. MY HUSBAND ASKED ME WHAT I WAS DOING PUTTING ON THE GAS LIKE THAT. I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T DO IT AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE TIME BEFORE. SO WE DIDN'T USE THIS CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE DURING THIS TRIP. I'M WRITING TO YOU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN CASE SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN THAT MIGHT CAUSE DEATH, JUST IN CASE IF I HIT THE BRAKE AND IT DOESN'T WORK I'LL HAVE THIS IN WRITING.. FOR YOU AND MY FAMILY. YOU NEVER KNOW. HAVE YOU HAD ANY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL? *TR
Service brakes, Jun 19, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A NECK INJURY AND CONTUSIONS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,480.
Visibility, Structure, Jun 10, 2014
SUNROOF MAKES A RATTLING NOISE LIKE A COMPONENT IS LOOSE. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ISSUE UPON INITIAL PURCHASE. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2014
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 5 GRANDCHILDREN AND WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR . IT REALLY SCARED ALL OF US ! SO WHEN WE CUT OUR OUTING SHORT AND GOT HOME I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND IT WAS LOW SO I HAD TO ADD SOME . THEN THE BRAKES SEEM TO WORK LIKE THEY SHOULD. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ALREADY. *TR