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.
Power train, Apr 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019, crash
I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISON TOTALING IT OUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2019
THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY STOP ACCELERATING WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. YOU CAN THEN LIFT UP AND PRESS BACK DOWN AND IT NORMALLY WILL RESPOND AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.
Seat belts, Mar 13, 2019
THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS STUCK.
Structure, Mar 11, 2019, crash
I HAVE BIG CAR ACCIDENT ON 1/30/2019. IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY 22EAST IN ORANGE COUNTY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. MY CAR IS BETWEEN THE 3RD AND 5TH CAR. IT WAS TOTAL LOSS BUT THE AIR BAG WASN'T DEPLOY.*DT*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Power train, Feb 18, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS EXPERIENCING TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER. DEALER REPLACED ORIGINAL TORQUE CONVERTER AT ~106,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. AFTER REPLACEMENT THE TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A VIBRATION BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. TOOK CAR BACK TO SERVICING DEALER (HOSELTON TOYOTA IN EAST ROCHESTER, NY) AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. DEALER HAS MADE THE CLAIM THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT OR TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER. THEY ARE CLAIMING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER IS TO BLAME FOR THE FAILURE. TIME ELAPSED BETWEEN ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS OF OUT-OF-WARRANTY TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. AT TIME OR ORIGINAL REPAIR THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE ANY OTHER FAULTY COMPONENTS AND DID NOT MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF ANY TRANSMISSION OR RELATED COMPONENTS.
Power train, Feb 15, 2019
TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUDDER AT LOWER SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE I'VE JUST RUN OVER ROAD STRIPS. IT HAPPENS ON ALL KINDS OF ROAD SURFACE, SMOOTH AND NOT SO SMOOTH.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2019
CUANDO EL VEHCULO EST EN MOVIMIENTO TIENE UN RUIDO DENTRO DEL PANEL DE INSTRUMENTO COMO SI UN METAL ESTUVIERA GOLPEANDO OTRO METAL NO SE LO QUE ES
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2019
TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 AND 2013 WHICH I HAVE WHEN THERE IS AN ELEVATION AND THERE IS A SIGNAL.IMMEDIATLY WHEN YOU TAKE YOU LEG OUT OF BRAKE . THE CAR IMMEDIATELY START ROLLING BACK SOO FAST. I MISSED HITTING THE CAR BEHIND NUMBER OF OCCASIONS BY PRESSING GAS QUICKLY. I HAVE SHOWED THIS PROBLUM TO DEALER THEY SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLUM. THE CAR SHOULD NOT GO TOO FAST BACK IN A SMALL ALIVATION WHICH IS NOT SAFE .
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2019
THE AUDIO SYSTEM WHEN CONNECTED TO USB DON'T RESPOND SOME TIMES. TOUCH SCREEN IS SOO CHEAP. IN BUILT GPS RESPONDS VERY SLOWLY.EX: WHILE TAKING EXIT IT SAYS JUST BEFORE THE EXIT COMES. THE SCREEN SOME TIMES FLICKERS WHEN WE CHANGE TO REVERSE WHEN THE REVERSE CAMERA DISPLAYS. TOTALLY NOT SATISFIED WITH AUDIO AND GPS SYSTEM. IT'S EVEN MORE COSTLY. 90% COSTUMES DON'T USE THE GPS IN THE CAR FOR REAL DUE TO BAD MAPS AND SOFTWARE.
Power train, Feb 2, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATE IT SHUDDERS
Air bags, Jan 31, 2019, crash
ON JANUARY 6, 2019, I WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS MULTI-VEHICLE COLLISION ON THE HIGHWAY IN WHICH MY TOYOTA CAMRY WAS VIOLENTLY REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 70MPH. THE COLLISION WAS OF SUCH FORCE THAT MY CAMRY WAS RAMMED FORWARD CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND A DOMINO EFFECT OF THREE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HIM. PHYSICALLY, I SUSTAINED A CERVICAL SPINE INJURY, RIB CONTUSION, LEFT KNEE JOINT DAMAGE AS WELL AS CUTS AND BRUISES. WHAT I FOUND MOST DISTURBING OF ALL IS THAT NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE MANY AIR BAGS IN MY TOYOTA CAMRY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME ALL HAD FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS THAT DEPLOYED DURING THE COLLISION. THE CHAIN REACTION CRASH PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS POSITION (SANDWICHED BY TWO VEHICLES) AND MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED THE MOST HARMFUL IMPACT OF ALL THE VEHICLES INVOLVED. SINCE THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE HAD RESTLESS NIGHTS AS I KEEP THINKING HOW MY LIFE WAS IN JEOPARDY AND WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS A SAFETY FEATURE DURING THIS COLLISION.
Power train, Jan 24, 2019
AS I BEGIN ACCELERATING THE CAR SHUDDERS AND DOES NOT RESPOND. SEEING MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE HESITANT ACCELERATION HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET T BONED & REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES. I TOOK MY CAR TO BE CHECKED AND THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND RECOMMENDED FILING COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR A SERVICE CAMPAIGN CONCERNING SPUTTERING AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE!
Power train, Dec 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HESITATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,585.
Power train, Dec 17, 2018
WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 35-60 MPH, CAN SHAKES AND SHUDDERS WHILE ACCELERATING. VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN COASTING AT THESE SPEEDS AND THEN STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR. CAR FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE RIDING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. CAR HAS 148,000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Dec 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2018
MY 2012 CAMRY WITH ONLY 60,123 MILES IS FAILING THE TORQUE CONVERTER SO THAT IS MEAN LIKE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
Seat belts, Dec 11, 2018
MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID'S DRIVER SEAT BELT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED. IT BUCKLED NORMALLY, HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SPRING INSIDE THE MECHANISM WRAPPED AROUND THE NOTCH IN THE METAL SEAT BELT LATCH. THE SPRING WAS COMPLETELY REMOVED WITH THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND WILL ONLY LATCH IF THE SEAT BELT FASTENER BUTTON IS DEPRESSED AND THEN RELEASED WHILE THE SEAT BELT IS INSERTED.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2018
TRUNK FALL ON YOUR HEAD.
Power train, Engine, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. ALSO, WHEN CHANGING GEARS, THERE WAS HEAT COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Seat belts, Nov 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED AND THE SPRING IN THE LATCH WAS COMING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI TOYOTA (14612 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395, (866) 632-6290) AND THE SEAT WAS REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,137. *DT*JB*JB
Engine, Nov 23, 2018
I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR 2 MONTHS AGO, WHEN I STARTING AFTER FEW SECOND SOMETHING BLOCKING AND L STOPS.I AM USING MY CAR FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME JOB, SCHOOL ON STREET, NOT TO MUCH USING ON HIGHWAY. ON 19 NOVEMBER 2018 I CHANGED MY OIL AND ASKED THEM CHECK EVERYTHING FOR WINTER TIME, ALSO TOLD ABOUT PROBLEM, BECAUSE I AM GRANDMA AND EVERYDAY PICKIN UP MY GRANDKIDS FROM SCHOOL. THE BODY SHOP FIND OUT ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND RECALL. ADVICED ME TO CALL TOYOTA. MY CAR HAD RECALL ON 2014.WE PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 2014 AND DEALER DID NOT TOLD US ABOUT RECALL. CAR HAD ALREADY 60000 MILES, NOW MY CAR HAS 82171 MILES. ALSO RECALL PAPER WAS SENT TO 1 ST OWNER. I TALKED WITH TOYOTA THEY SUGGEST ME TO DO INSPECTION IN ANY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY WILL FIX, BUT TODAY AUTONATION TOYOTA DEALER LIBERTY I'LL SERVICE TOLD ME WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO CHANGE AND RECALL WILL NOT COVER COST. INSPECTION SHOWS TRANSMISSION LUNGES SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING FROM STOP DIAG 30 TRANSMISSION FAILING BETWEEN 2ND AND3RD GEARS. I WOULD SAY NEVER REPAIRED TRANSMISSION CONVERTER LAST 5 YEARS THIS DEFECT AFFECTED TO WHOLE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU HELP ME TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. REPLACEMENT WILL COST$6723.00, WE ALMOST SOON PAYING OFF OUR LOAN LESS THAN THIS AMOUNT.THIS SERVICE CLERK ADVICED ME TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION OR TRADE AND BUY ANOTHER CAR. WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY SOON WE WILL NOT GONE HAVE ANYMORE MONTHLY PAYMENTS, SO NOW COME UP LIKE NOT PUT TO DANGER MY GRAND KIDS , WE SHOULD BUY OR PAY FOR REPLACEMENT.EVEN IF WE DO TRADE OUR CAR, DEALER WILL NOT FIX TRANSMISSION AND SALE TO ANOTHER PERSON WHO WILL HAVE SOON A PROBLEM AS LIKE ME.
Wheels, Nov 22, 2018
ON 11/21/18 I RECEIVED MY CAR FROM JIM COLEMAN'S SERVICE DEPT. MY TIRE ICON WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. MY TIRE PRESSURE APP. INDICATED ONE OF MY NEW TIRES WAS SEVERELY OVER INFLATED AT 45 PSI. THE SIDE WALL OF THE 94 V RATED TIRE SAID " MAX LOAD PRESSURE 44 PSI NEVER INFLATE BEYOND 40 PSI." HAD I NOT HAD PRESSURE SENSORS IN MY RIMS, I WOULD HAVE TRUSTED MY CAR WAS ROAD WORTHY AND SAFE. THEY JEOPARDIZED MY SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS BY ALLOWING MY CAR TO LEAVE IN SUCH A CONDITION. I COULD HAVE HAD A BLOW-OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOTIFYING YOU OF THIS EGREGIOUS ERROR TO PRECLUDE ITS HAPPENING TO FUTURE CLIENTS. THE PROPER INFLATION WOULD HAVE BEEN 35 PSI. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AWARENESS AND PRACTICES OF THIS DEALERSHIP. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) ## VIN PASSED ## TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 ##
Power train, Nov 20, 2018
AROUND 40-45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTS TO STUTTER/SHAKE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I LOOK ONLINE AND THESE CARS HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TOYOTA WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAID ITS NOT A RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE CANNOT FEEL IN AND NEITHER DOES HIS SUPERVISOR. I FEEL THE STUTTER/ SHAKE EVERYDAY WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR.