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.
Steering, Jul 11, 2021
Clicking noise in steering (damper for caused by a small plastic part which is defectively designed, and disintegrates). This is a very common defect in 2011-2017 Toyota Camrys. The part is only about $5, but labor is $750 because the whole steering assembly has to be taken apart. My Camry started making the rattling noise when it had 40,000 miles. The noise is getting progressively worse and may cause steering issues eventually. I have not had it fixed yet. See part # below, and see youtube videos on the issue, which is very common. Steering. Damper. Column. Part Number: 4525428040 A component that isolates the Steering Column from another component or it's mounting surface. JAPAN BUILT. MANUAL TILT. Part cannot be reused/reinstalled. Part included in column assembly. POWER TILT. US BUILT. Bushing. ELECTRIC POWER. Insulator. Computer. Motor. Fits CAMRY (2012 - 2014) https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__CAMRY/Steering-Damper-Column/10795112/4525428040.html?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla&partnerDevice=c&userLocation=9028071&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr6-QjMbZ8QIVOCitBh1CAgRiEAQYAiABEgLwhfD_BwE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QztjolCILs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73elBQ8UXA
Power train, Jul 9, 2021
My car had a recall in 2014 for the torque converter per Toyota. My car was taken in for the recall at which a software update was performed per Freedom Toyota. Recently in June i went to pull out into traffic and my car began to shudder at about 25 mph. Which could have caused a major accident. I contacted toyota dealership which is now Heritage toyota and they scheduled a diagnostic test. Which they charged me $99 for. Called me to tell me the torque converter had gone out and it would be $2246 to repair eventhough i told them this was a previous recall?? On all things i have researched they are to cover repairs as long as car is under 100,000 miles or 10years old. I purchased this car brand new in January of 2013.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2021
I learned after purchasing a 2012 Toyota Camry that there was a problem with the Torque Converter. The owner who sold me the car would not acknowledge the problem. Toyota had a recall on the car torque converter but I learned from Toyota it has expired. I was sold this car from U Drive Motors in HIckory, NC on June 10, 2021. I paid $11,000 for the car and the torque converter estimate that I got from Toyota is $1800. When I go down the street there is a shuddering sound and the car hesitates which is a safety hazard if a car is behind me. Since the owner of U-Drive will not take care of the problem would you please ask Toyota to assist. I am a cancer survivor and on a fixed income. The warranty company MVP would not take care of the problem because there was a pre-existing condition and they said the owner of U-Drive knew of the problem prior to selling me the car. I appreciate any assistance you can provide me with contacting Toyota to obtain assistance. Also, Toyota of Hickory, NC recommended a torque converter and a transmission specialist.
Power train, Jun 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate at any speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that there was a recall regarding the transmission however, the recall had since expired. The failure continued and the contact learned that the failure may be due to a defective torque converter. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the recall had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. The car continues to get worse, terrible vibration/shaking & hesitates while driving & accelerating. In fear of being hit from behind or being stranded on the road. Please assist. Thank you.
Power train, Jun 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle would shudder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the failure was not diagnosed correctly. The contact then took the vehicle to Putnam Toyota (50 California Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010) where the failure was diagnosed as the torque converter. The contact stated that he was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was outside of the extended warranty coverage mileage of 150,000. The contact was upset that the vehicle was no longer covered under the torque converter extended warranty since he had taken the vehicle to One Toyota of Oakland several times for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 27, 2021
RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD DUE TO PANDEMIC NEVER TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR RATTLING HAS INCREASED AND IN ANY BAD ROAD IS CONSTANT SO IN HIGHWAYS WHEN DRIVING. SEE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET AND A YOU TUBE VIDEO SHOWS HOW TO REPAIR IT. YESTERDAY CONTACTED TOYOTA HELP CENTER AND SAID IT WAS A SERVICE CUSTOMER ADVICE THAT EXPIRED ON 2019 I EXPLAINED THAT NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER OR E-MAIL ADVISING ABOUT THAT SERVICE I AM RETIRED AND MY CAR HAS 62,000 K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY NOW BUT IT HAS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO USE IT NOW, AND AFTER SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET THAT IS A SUBJECT THAT TOYOTA HAS TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A DAMAGED LITTLE PART ON THE STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR, SO WHEN DRIVING IS RATTLING AND STATIONARY PARKING WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER SIDE YOU CAN HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE.
Power train, Apr 22, 2021
THE CAR SHRUDDER AT 20 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS READING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER I NEVER RECIEVE ONE. I BROUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW 2012 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FAITHFULLY SINCE I HAD IT. THE DEARLSHIP IS AWARE OF ALL RECALL. THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOFTWWARE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY WANT TO CHANGE MY TRANSMOSSION THE DEALER SHOULD EAT THE COST. 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE OF FIXED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I ALSO SAW TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE TO 150,000 MILES AND MY CAR AS 84,000.00 MILES
Air bags, Apr 15, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THEM BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, Apr 15, 2021
I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER TOYOTA HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THIS ISSUE IN 2012-2014 TOYOTA CAMRYS. THEY DENY KNOWING THE ISSUE AND KNOWINGLY REJECT SERVICE TO AVOID REPAIRING A MANUFACTURE MISTAKE
Steering, Apr 14, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRIC PROBLEMS
Power train, Apr 11, 2021
2012 CAMRY LE PURCHASED NEW. NOW 67K MILES. RECENTLY STARTED TO HAVE SYMPTOM OF TRANSMISSION SHUDDER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE AND WAS ONLY TOLD MY VEHICLE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT JUST EXPIRED AND NO COVERAGE FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOT NO SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS MIGHT BE MY LAST TOYOTA
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
THE SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON A 4-LANE OPEN HIGHWAY. RURAL SETTING IN IOWA. DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE PASSING UNDER AN OVERPASS. WAS NOT FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. OUTSIDE CONDITIONS WERE LIGHT RAIN, 10-15 MPH WIND, ABOUT 55 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT (SO NO EXTREME CONDITIONS). FORTUNATELY THE INSIDE SHADE WAS PULLED SHUT, OTHERWISE SHATTERED GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INSIDE THE CAR. FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR THE WINDOW APPEARS THAT IT WAS BLOWN OUT FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE THE CONNECTED SHARDS OF GLASS POINT SLIGHTLY UPWARD.
Steering, Apr 9, 2021
STEERING MOTOR RATTLES AND ONLY GOT WORSE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THERE WAS A RECALL I MISSED AND WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIRED
Power train, Mar 31, 2021
TORQUE CONVERTER PART AND FAULTY SOFTWARE CAUSE TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND ACCELERATION/DECELERATION DELAY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS.
Power train, Mar 24, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER STARTED SHAKING AND RATTLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GROOVE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5460 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC IN SEPT 2019, TRANSMISSION VIBRATION WAS REPORTED IT WAS KNOWN ISSUE FOR TOYOTA CAMRY. SERVICE REP STATED MANUFACTER IS NO LONGER REPAIRING THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2021
2012 CAMTY SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 20-50 MPH.
Power train, Mar 15, 2021
MY 2012 CAMRY SE 4 CYLINDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH ITS TORQUE CONVERTER. MY CAR SHUDDERS AND HAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THIS HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IS KNOWN BY TOYOTA. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND QUOTED BY TOYOTA FOR THIS ISSUE 17 MONTHS AGO. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE $3000 QUOTE AT THAT TIME. I FOUND OUT LAST WEEK THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE! I CALL TOYOTA ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I WAS 2 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED AND QUOTED WELL BEFORE THE WARRANTY DATE, BUT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE WARRANTY OR PREVALENT ISSUE WITH THIS YEARS TORQUE CONVERTER. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS I WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE THIS FOR FREE, BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED AT THAT TIME. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, BUT THEY STATED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME FRAME AND THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO LET ME KNOW THIS WAS COVERED, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. I AM VERY UPSET THIS IS HAPPENING, AND VERY UPSET THAT THIS KNOW ISSUE YOU SEE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT ON THIS SITE, IS ONLY REMEDIED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOT A RECALL. I AM BEING WRONGED BY TOYOTA AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME, OR ALL OF US 2012 CAMRY OWNERS WHO WHERE EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE!
Power train, Mar 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
WHEN DRIVING THE HESITATING TO ACCELERATE AND SLOW DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ADVANTAGE TOYOTA I'M VALLEY STREAM NY AND THE TOLD ME THE ENGINE MOUNT IS BROKEN. I PAID 890.00 TO FIXED AND THE PROBLEM NEVER FIX. I TOOK ON 03-12-21 AND GET ON 0313-21. CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT SIX TIME TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANGER AND NEVER RETURN OR ANSWER THE CALL. THEY TOLD ME HE IS BUY.
Power train, Mar 11, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AROUND 20MPH WHEN CHANGING GEARS
Power train, Mar 6, 2021
I HAVE MY CAR AT THE TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS LOCKING UP THEY CHARGING ME $3,000 I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
OIL CONSUMPTION IS SEVERELY HIGH. I RECENTLY GOT THE OIL CHANGED A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE AND IT WAS EMPTY. THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN TURNING, ONLY TO FIND OUT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP I HAVE RECEIVED THE INITIAL OIL CHANGE FROM THAT THE OIL IS SEVERELY LOW. I WAS TOLD BY OTHER MECHANICS THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON PRIOR YEARS OF TOYOTA CAMRY FOR THE SAME ENGINE ISSUES AND I WAS INSTRUCTED THAT I SHOULD FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS.
Power train, Feb 24, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FLUTTER. THE CONTACT STATED THIS PERSISTED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA (11020 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED RECALL EXPIRATION AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,359.
Engine, Feb 23, 2021
THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUDDER AND MAKE UNUSUAL SOUNDS. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING METAL FRAGMENTS TO LEAK INTO MY TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD CAUSE MY CAR TO SLIP GEARS WHILE DRIVING MAKING THIS A HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Feb 5, 2021
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS FROM 4TH TO 5TH.