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, Electrical system, Feb 2, 2021
I HAD TROUBLE STARTING MY CAR, SO I RECEIVED A JUMP. MY CAR STARTED UP JUST FINE AND WAS DRIVING NORMALLY. AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES, I HAD NOTICED THE EPS LIGHT POP UP ON MY DASH. AT THAT POINT, MY CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD TO CHANGE LANES A D EVEN HARDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ANY TURNS. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY DASH IT UP, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AT THAT POINT OR TURN THE WHEEL. I RECEIVED A JUMP START AGAIN, AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. THE CAR DROVE NORMAL FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AGAIN. THEN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED, AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR ROAD EITHER TIME THAT IT HAD DIED.
Power train, Jan 25, 2021
INTERNAL TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE SHUDDERING IN 2ND GEAR. THIS IS A RECALL FOR MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE WHICH A TOYOTA REPERSENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED ON THE 11TH OF JANUARY 2021... MY VEHICLE STOPPED AND VIBRATED AND UNABLE TO MOVE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE LIGHT SHOWS GREEN
Power train, Jan 19, 2021
AS I AM PULLING OFF, THE CAR HESITATES WHEN I GET TO ABOUT 20 MPH. TOYOTA TOLD ME IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THAT IT HAD EXPIRED IN OCTOBER 2020. I DID NOT START HAVING ISSUE UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER 2020 AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF LETTER OR NOTICE THAT THIS WOULD BE AN ISSUE I NEEDED TO GET TAKEN CARE OF BY OCTOBER 2020. I DON'T HAVE $1900.00+ JUST LAYING AROUND. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AT THAT. I NEED THIS TAKEN CARE ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS BEYOND MY CONTROL AND TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 17, 2021
2012 TOYOTA U760E TRANSMISSION SHUDDER CAR: 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, 2.5-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINE, U760E SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MILEAGE: 95,850 AGE: 8.5 YEARS (I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2012) PROBLEM: 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY TRANSMISSION SHUDDER (DIAGNOSED AT PRINCIPLE TOYOTA BY THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT)(THEY ALSO RAN A GLYCOL TEST WHICH WAS NEGATIVE). SOLUTIONS: TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AT TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT $2310.25 INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 1YR 12K MILES). TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT (REMANUFACTURED) AT TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT $7116.09 INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 1YR 12K MILES). REBUILD EXISTING TRANSMISSION AT LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP $3800 (ONLY CALLED ON PHONE AND GOT APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE) INCLUDES TAX (WARRANTY 2YR 24K MILES). HOW TOYOTA IS GETTING AROUND REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER: TOYOTA ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BY ISSUING IN OCTOBER 2014 LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN E03 TO ONLY UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. THEN THE NEXT MONTH IN NOVEMBER 2014 START MAILING LETTERS TO THE CUSTOMER SAYING WE HAVE JUST ISSUED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZE5 TO DO THREE THINGS, PUT IN A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION PAN MAGNETS, AND UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. THIS PUTS BOTH LSC E03 AND WEN ZE5 IN PLAY AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I RECEIVED MY LETTER FOR WEN ZE5 IN THE MAIL. I CALL AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR WEN ZE5 AND IN GOOD FAITH WALK INTO MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT PRINCIPAL TOYOTA MEMPHIS, TN IN MARCH OF 2015 WITH MY WEN ZE5 LETTER IN MY HAND AND SAY I AM HERE TO GET WEN ZE5 TAKEN CARE OF. IN GOOD FAITH I PICK UP MY CAR THINKING THAT WEN ZE5 HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT WHAT WAS DONE WAS LSC E03 AND NOT WEN ZE5(REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER). RECENT SERVICE REPORT ATTACHED: CAR NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION.
Seat belts, Dec 24, 2020
WHEN THE SEATBELT GETS PUSHED INTO THE BUCKLE IT DOES NOT SECURE NOR STAY LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND I WENT TO TRAVEL AND THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH AT ALL.
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2020
THE CENTER ELECTRONIC 6 FUNCTION ETUNE CONSOLE, WHICH CONTAINS THE RADIO/CD PLAYER, GPS, CAR AND CELL PHONE OPERATIONS, DIED ON NOV 16, 2020. I MADE APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT TO DAYTONA TOYOTA THE NEXT DAY. THE TECH DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD ME THAT THE RADIO UNIT WAS FRIED. SM SAID A REPLACEMENT UNIT WOULD COST $827. I AGREED. I DROVE MY CAR HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE RADIO HAD REVIVED, BUT THE ONLY THING IN THE LCD PANEL WAS THE STATION # IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF SCREEN. NO OTHER FUNCTION WORKED AND I NOTICED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STEREO/MODE CONTROLS DID NOT WORK. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK 4 DAYS LATER TO HAVE THE RADIO REPLACED AND TOLD THEM THAT THE OLD RADIO AM/FM HAD BEEN WORKING, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. THE TECH DID A 2ND DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BECOME TWISTED AND SOME OF THE CONNECTORS PULLED LOOSE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $650 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ORDERED THE PART AND REPLACED IT TWO DAYS LATER. HAS ANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM?
Power train, Nov 12, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI TOYOTA (14612 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395, (760) 241-6484) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 3, 2020, crash
I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AND I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW TOYOTA'S AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN CAMRYS.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 16, 2020
I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE IN FOR THE REPAIR ON MY SWAY BARS AND I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN/NEAR MY STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT REPLACE BUT THE RATTLING NOISE WAS THERE AND WAS GETTING WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND GET OVERLY ANXIOUS WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET TO AT LEAST 30 MPH IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO COME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID FOR ME TO BRING IT BACK IN BUT THEY HAVE TRIED TO DIAGNOSIS THREE TIMES. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I ALSO HAD THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRUT AND SHOCK, AND MOUNT ASSEMBLY REPAIRED.
Power train, Oct 14, 2020
I I TRIED TO USE MY FOREVER WARRANTY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NO HELP. AT 165000 MY CAR HAS BEGIN TO SHUDDER AT 35, 45, 55 MPH INTERVALS , ANYWHERE THE CAR IS DRIVEN.
Power train, Oct 13, 2020
20-40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ HESITATION/ACCELERATION VERY RISKY. WENT TO DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY NO HELP. SAD VEHICLE IN MOTION
Power train, Oct 8, 2020
FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, SHUDDERS AT 20-40 MPH. SLUGGISH ON GEAR CHANGES FROM 3 TO 4, TOYOTA HAS A WARRENTY EXTENSION FOR 5/20 OR 150000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THIS CAR DIDN'T FAULT UNTIL 9/20 AND 87,000, WELL UNDER MILEAGE, BUT TOYOTA IS IN WILLING TO STAND BY AND REPAIR THIS FAULTY PART
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2020
WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE CITY, IT GETS ABOUT 15.4 MPG INSTEAD OF ~30MPG. I HAVE USED 87 OCTANE GANE FROM DIFFERENT STATION STILL YIELDING THE SAME RESULT. THE AUTOREPAIR SHOP HAS CHECKED FOR EVERYTHING THAT COULD AFFECT GAS MILEAGE, BUT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHAT IS GOING ON? I BOUGHT TOYOTA FOR RELIABILITY AND FUEL EFFICIENCY, NOT TO BEHAVE LIKE A TRUCK.
Power train, Sep 29, 2020
TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAULTY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. THE RECALL WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA AND ONLY COVERED 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES. I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING IN WRITING ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THERE ARE MANY CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ONLINE. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AND NEED THIS REPAIRED BY TOYOTA.
Steering, Sep 21, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU GO OVER 60MPH . I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT SAYS ITS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.
Engine, Sep 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 20 TO 40 MPH. THE SHUDDERING STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NYE TOYOTA (1441 GENESEE ST, ONEIDA, NY 13421 (315) 363-1000). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT HAD A RECALL REPAIR FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER SHUTTERING BACK IN 2015. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS EXTENDED BUT HAD SINCE EXPIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, MY CAR VIBRATES FOR NO REASON, WHETHER I AM DRIVING SLOW (40-50 MPH) OR FASTER. RECENTLY, THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 3, 2020
ON HWY 65 MPH POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND THEN CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF HWY AT 65 MPH SKIDDED TO A STOP. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS ALMOST HIT 3 TIMES BY CARS TRYING TO STEER MY WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TWIN CITY TOYOTA AND I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S A RECALL ON OTHER CARS BUT NOT MINE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHER PEOPLE. I THREATENED TO CALL AND REPORT TO YOU, AND THEN THEY WERE WILLING TO HELP ME. CAR HASNT BEEN INSPECTED YET. I DROPPED KEY IN DROP BOX AT TWIN CITY TOYOTA IN HERCULANEUM MO. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW.
Power train, Aug 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WHILE CHANGING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOW DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE WARRANTY REPAIR WAS GOOD FOR 8 YEARS OR 160,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Aug 15, 2020
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEMS BETWEEN 35 MPH -45 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A SHUDDER ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AFTER A PAUSE, THE CAR THEN PICKS UP TO NORMAL SPEED. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM 25 MPH
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2020
EPS LIGHT IS COMING ON. I SEE THAT OTHER CARS THAT IS ON RECALL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UPS
Power train, Aug 2, 2020
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEMS BETWEEN 35 MPH -45 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A JITTER ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AFTER A PAUSE, THE CAR THEN PICKS UP TO NORMAL SPEED. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM 25 MPH
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2020
DRIVER SIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SWITCH IS NOT WORKING.
Power train, Jul 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH, 3RD AND 4TH SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND WHILE PRESSING THE GAS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES. SOMETIMES IT IS SOMEWHAT CLEAR TO ACCELERATE, OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE FIGHTING A WALL THAT WILL NOT MOVE. I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECU AND A POSSIBLE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE NHTSA PROACTIVELY, AND NOT LEFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER TO SEE IF THE ISSUE RESOLVES ITSELF. IF THE CAR FAILS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, SOMEONE COULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND. AT THIS TIME, I AM HAVING TO GO FROM 2ND SPEED TO 4TH SPEED BY 40 MPH TO GO AROUND 3RD GEAR ALTOGETHER. THIS IS NOT THE WAY THE CAR SHOULD OPERATE. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON ANY ROAD AT ANY TIME.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2020
CAR WAS TAKEN FOR BUSINESS AND DAMAGE TO THE CLIP OF MY FRONT BUMPER AND PASSENGER BOTTOM FRONT AIR DEFLECTOR AND BEEN NEEDING REPAIR FOR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR