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.
Electrical system, Equipment, Jun 28, 2012
I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A CONCERN THAT IS PRIMARILY ONE OF SAFETY BUT WHICH ALSO INVOLVES POOR AND MISLEADING INFORMATION BY TOYOTA RELATED TO THE BLU-LOGIC CELL-PHONE CONNECTION SYSTEM INCLUDED AS A FEATURE ON MY NEW 2012 CAMRY HYBRID. MY CONCERN STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT THE BLU-LOGIC SYSTEM, OBVIOUSLY COINED TO SOUND LIKE BLUETOOTH, AND EVEN LISTED ON SOME DEALER WEBSITES AS A BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, IS MISLEADINGLY DESCRIBED AS HANDSFREE COMMUNICATION AND A HANDSFREE SOLUTION IN THE SEPARATE BROCHURE PROVIDED BY TOYOTA. IN ACTUALITY, THE SYSTEM AS SUCH IS AT BEST ONLY 50% ?HANDSFREE. ONLY INCOMING CALLS MAY BE ENGAGED IN WITHOUT CELL PHONE IN HAND. OUTGOING CALLS MAY BE INITIATED HANDSFREE ONLY IF ONES CELL PHONE ITSELF IS EQUIPPED WITH VOICE-ACTIVATED DIALING, A 4G-TYPE FEATURE I WOULD ESTIMATE ONLY A FAIRLY SMALL MINORITY CURRENTLY POSSESS. SO THE DE-FACTO REALITY OF THE BLU-LOGIC SYSTEM IS THAT IT FORCES MOST DRIVERS INTO THE UNSAFE PRACTICE OF MANUALLY INITIATING OUTGOING CALLS BY MANUALLY DIALING WITH CELL PHONES IN HAND. BUT IN A DECEPTIVE OMISSION, THE TOYOTA GUIDES DO NOT EVEN MENTION THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING CALLS IN THIS MANNER. INDEED, THE PHONE-BANK REP I SPOKE TO TOLD ME, PRESUMABLY WITH A STRAIGHT FACE, THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO SO, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS HARD NOT TO SEE THIS OMISSION OF BOTH SERVICE AND INFORMATION AS A CYNICAL EVASION BY TOYOTA, PART OF A COST-CUTTING EFFORT TO APPEAR TO OFFER HANDSFREE IN-CAR CELL-PHONE SERVICE, A LA BLUETOOTH, WHILE ACTUALLY PROVIDING AN UNSAFE SYSTEM WHICH FORCES A DRIVER TO USE HANDS TO MAKE CALLS. AND PART OF THIS EVASION APPEARS TO INCLUDE A COVER-UP WHEN A CUSTOMER RAISES THE ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Jun 28, 2012, crash
ON APRIL 30TH 2012 MY CAMRY 2012 WAS HIT AS I WAS MAKING A UTURN TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL 35 MPH /UPON IMPACT THE CAR DID NOT STOP, WENT OVER THE MEDIAN, INTO THE BUSH AREA, AT THE MEANTIME I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE CAR DID NOT STOP, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THE CAR DID NOT STOP, THE CAR DID NOT PICK UP SPEED, THE WHOLE TIME I WAS BREAKING BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, IT FINALLY CAME TO FULL STOP UPON IMPACTING A TREE. THE POLICE CAME AND FILLED A REPORT. WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MY CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD BY A TREE. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA COLLISION CENTER IN ARLINGTON TX. IT TOOK THEM 31 DAYS TO FIX A BRAND NEW CAMRY 2012 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE IN 2 WEEKS ACCORDING TO THEM. THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN CAMRYS FOR MORE THAN 2 DECADES. I KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY HAVE SENT AN ENGINEER SPECIALIST TO CHECK THE CAR. THEY ARE NOT DISCLOSING ANY INFORMATION TO ME, THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO WAIT TILL YOU RECEIVE IN MAIL. ACCORDING TO THEIR ENGINEER SPECIALIST, HE SAYS THE RECORDING BOX(SOMETHING NEW WITH NEW CAMRYS) THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE COLLISION RECORDED. THERE WAS A TIME LAPSE! I HAVE NOT PICKED UP MY CAR BECAUSE I TOTALLY FEEL UNSAFE WITH THAT CAR!!! THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED TO ME!!! NO ONE ON EARTH CAN TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT CAR. I ALMOST HIT MY SON AND HIS FRIEND!!! THE LAWYERS TELL ME SINCE I HAVE NOT HURT ANYONE AND GOTTEN HURT MYSELF, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I ASK YOU TO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS CASE! I FEEL IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN THE HIGHWAY AND I KILL SOMEONE OR MYSELF, THEN LAWYERS AND TOYOTA WILL DO SOMETHING. I NEED HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3. UPDATED 1/17/13 *CN UPDATED 01/24/13
Suspension, Wheels, Jun 8, 2012
CAR SHAKES VERY AGGRESSIVELY ON FREEWAY WITH GROOVES. IT IS MAJOR SECURITY CONCERN AS CAR DOESN'T FELL SAFE AT ALL. BEING A FAMILY CAR, WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE USING THIS CAR ANYMORE. TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK INTO THIS AND TOLD US THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN 7 DIFFERENT CARS OF DIFFERENT MAKE AND MODELS AND NONE OF THEM BEHAVE IN THIS MANNER ON FREEWAY. *JS
Power train, Service brakes, Jun 7, 2012
IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT SHIFT INTO NORMAL REVERSE. ON THESE OCCASIONS, WHEN YOU SHIFT INTO REVERSE ,IT WILL NOT MOVE OR CREEP SLOWLY BACK AS IT NORMALLY DOES. IT FEELS LIKE A BRAKE IS ON AND YOU MUST PUSH HARD ON THE GAS TO GET THE CAR TO BACK UP AT ALL. THE CAR THEN LUNGES BACKWARD UNTIL YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND IT WILL JERK TO A STOP WITHOUT YOU EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES. THIS IS SCARY WHEN YOU ARE IN A PARKING SPACE AT A RETAIL STORE,RESTAURANT ,ETC. AND HAVE SOMEONE PARKED ON BOTH SIDES OF YOU. YOU CANT BACK UP SLOWLY,ONLY CAN LURCH OUT OF YOUR PARKING SPOT AND HOPE NO PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES ARE COMING BY. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO DO THIS AT THE DEALER LOT IN DES MOINES,BY DRIVING AND PARKING FOR 48 MINUTES. NOW THE DEALER SAW THE PROBLEM DEALER TECH BACKED THE CAR UP FOR A BLOCK WITH ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND ONE ON THE BRAKE, AS I TOLD HIM IF HE DROVE FORWARD FOR 50 FEET IT WOULD SNAP OUT OF THE PROBLEM AND WE WOULD BE TRYING TO RECREATE IT AGAIN. NO PROBS SHOW ON SCOPE TESTS TOYOTA HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. BOUGHT THE CAR 03/24/2012 DEALER HAS HAD IT TO LOOK AT OVER 18 DAYS ALREADY IN AND OUT. MY WIFE IS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AS THIS HAPPENED TO HER IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK.. *JS
Equipment, Jun 6, 2012
CPSC#I1250495A. 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE BEGAN HAVING HEART PALPITATIONS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX. BUT WENT AWAY AFTER SHE STOPPED DRIVING IN THE CAR. *LN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE AND HIS WIFE'S SYMPTOMS NO LONGER EXIST. 8JB
Steering, Service brakes, May 23, 2012
MY 2012 CAMRY HYBRID STEERS HARD TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING WHEN THE ROAD IS CROWNED ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN DECEMBER. FIRST TWO TIMES THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT TOYOTA HADN'T REGISTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THE MOST RECENT VISIT TO THE DEALER HAD A DIFFERENT RESULT. ON MAY 18TH THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER OPENED AN INVESTIGATION WITH TOYOTA AND TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2012 TCH. TOYOTA AND THE DEALER HAVE NO SOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND NO SOLUTIONS EXIST. *TT
Service brakes, May 16, 2012
STARTED THE CAR AND HAD SEVERAL BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY RETRIEVED A CODE OF C1214. THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. BEFORE THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND WHILE I HAD THE WARNING LIGHTS, I HAD NO REGENERATIVE BRAKING. ONLY THE FRICTION BRAKES WORKED, WHICH CONSIDERABLY LENGTHENED THE STOPPING DISTANCE. NOW I NO LONGER HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR.
Visibility, Structure, May 13, 2012
THE WIND BUFFETING THAT OCCURS IN THIS CAR IS UNBEARABLE. THIS CAUSES AN UNSUPPORTABLE PRESSURE THAT YOU FEEL IN YOUR EARS AND HEAD. SPEAKING WHILE ONE OF THE REAR WINDOWS IS OPEN IS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OUR VOICES WILL ECHO. *TR
Structure, Apr 27, 2012
A SHORT TIME AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR AND I PARKED IT ON MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS A SMALL CLIMB TO THE GARAGE. THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH THE REAR END LOWER THAN THE FRONT. WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK TO UNLOAD IT AND RELEASED THE TRUNK LID IT CAME DOWN AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN THE TRUNK IS OPENED UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS LEVEL. OBVIOUSLY THE TRUNK LID NEEDS A TIGHTER SPRING. *TR
Structure, Mar 20, 2012
THIS IS A RENTAL VEHICLE PROVIDED BY LIA TOYOTA NORTHAMPTON, MA. I HAD BEEN SHOPPING AND OPENED AND CLOSE THE TRUNK LID SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS AN UPWARD SLANT TO IT. I OPENED THE TRUNK LID AND REMOVED THREE BAGS OF GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK BEFORE THE TRUNK LID CLOSED ON ITS OWN ACCORD STRIKING ME IN THE FACE JUST ABOVE MY NOSE WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE FACIAL BLEEDING AND A PROLONGED HEADACHE. A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN WHERE I WAS STANDING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY PASSING OUT OR MORE DAMAGE TO MY PERSON. IT APPEARS THAT THE PNEUMATICS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO HOLD UP THE TRUNK LID ON OTHER THAN A FLAT SURFACE. A CHILD COULD LOSE FINGERS OR A LIMB IF THE TRUNK LID CLOSED IN THIS MANNER ON THEM. *KB
Air bags, Feb 19, 2012, crash
I WAS DRIVING APROX 30 MPH WHEN A FORD F150 TRUCK RAN A STOP SIGN AND I T BONED THEM. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT HIT HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED THE ROAD. THE FAILURE LED TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD POSSIBLY BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INCREASED RPMS UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,306.
Visibility, Jan 12, 2012
THE REAR WINDOW REFLECTS ALL THE DEFROSTER LINES WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND YOU. SO WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW AND THERE IS 1 CAR YOU SEE 20 LINES OF LIGHTS AND IF THERE IS 2 CARS YOU SEE 40 LINES OF LIGHTS AND SO ON. THIS CLEARLY DOES NOT LET YOU SEE OUT OF REAR WINDOW CLEARLY. IT IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF YOUR REAR WINDOW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2011
I ENTER INTO A PARKING LOT BEHIND A CLUSTER OF HOMES, A CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT I WAS GOING AT LESS THAN 3-5 MILES PER HOUR. I PARK THE CAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE PARKING BUMP AND OVER A WOOD SAFETY WALL, OVER SOME BUSHES AND LANDED 2 FEET DOWN, DAMAGING THE HOMES AND A COUPLE OF HEATING UNITS. I PRESSED THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE IN THE MARKET. *TR
Suspension, Dec 13, 2011
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SLOWING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A LOUD HOLLOW CLUNK NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NORMAL SUSPENSION REBOUND NOISES. WE NOTICED THE NOISE AT 158 MILES AND WE ARE WELL OVER 2000 MILES ON THE CAR AND WE STILL ARE HEARING THE NOISE. *TR
Power train, Dec 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED PADDLE SHIFTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE BECAUSE THE PADDLE SHIFTING WAS NEVER USED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
Suspension, Oct 28, 2011
IF THE CAR SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND I GO FOR A DRIVE, THE FIRST DIP IN THE ROAD THAT I HIT AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH WILL MAKE MY FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE A LOUD SOLITARY HOLLOW METAL CLUNK NOISE. IF I DRIVE AROUND AND HIT THE EXACT SAME DIP AGAIN, THERE WILL BE NO UNUSUAL NOISE. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I WILL OCCASIONALLY HEAR THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR, THOUGH NOT AS LOUD, WHEN I DRIVE OVER DIPS AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. THIS HAPPENS THE MAJORITY DAYS THAT I DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND A TOYOTA ENGINEERING TEAM. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE CAR. THEY HAVE SAID EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. I HAVE USED MY CELL PHONE TO VIDEO RECORD THE EVENT HAPPENING AND HAVE SHOWED THIS TO THEM. THEY ARE UNABLE TO SAY WHAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE AND NO ONE HAS CHANGED OUT ANY PARTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR