← New search

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Camry Hybrid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

55 reports
190,000 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WE EXPERIENCED THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT, ON APRIL 3, 2019, INVOLVED DRIVING EIGHT MILES AND THEN LEAVING THE CAR (OFF AND PARKED) FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. ON RETURNING AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, THE POWER CAME ON BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT AND THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE DISPLA…

Read full complaint

WE EXPERIENCED THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT, ON APRIL 3, 2019, INVOLVED DRIVING EIGHT MILES AND THEN LEAVING THE CAR (OFF AND PARKED) FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. ON RETURNING AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, THE POWER CAME ON BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT AND THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. IT WAS EVENING, SO WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR NORMAL REPAIR SHOP AND LEFT A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE. THE NEXT DAY THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED TO SAY THAT THE CAR HAD STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THEY SUGGESTED WE CONTACT TOYOTA IF THE ISSUE RECURRED. WE RETRIEVED THE CAR, AND DIDN'T OBSERVE ANY FURTHER ISSUES, SO WE CONTINUED DRIVING IT 20-25 MILES DURING THE WORK WEEK. ON APRIL 28, 2019, TWENTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR ALONG A STRAIGHT SECTION OF A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND THE THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE CAME ON. THE ELECTRONICS REMAINED ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER CARS NEARBY, BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES (UNSUCCESSFULLY). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A QUICK REPAIR, BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TROUBLESHOOTING AND ESCALATING ITS ISSUES TO HIGHER LEVELS AT TOYOTA, THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A PROBLEM WITH THE INVERTER AND THE BATTERY: A REPAIR OF NEARLY $8000. I ASKED THE SHOP TO DOCUMENT THE REPAIRS WITH PHOTOS AND GIVE ME THE BROKEN PARTS. THE TECH AGREED TO DO SO, BUT (DESPITE FOLLOWING UP MULTIPLE TIMES) I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING EXCEPT AN INVOICE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. I DO NOT HAVE THE INVOICE NEAR AT HAND, BUT CAN LOCATE IT IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI #11231834

125,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Electrical System

OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR, TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2012, ALL 4 LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AT LEAST ONCE. RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THIS DOOR, IS TO DO SO MANUALLY. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR THE FIRST TIME IN JANUARY O…

Read full complaint

OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR, TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2012, ALL 4 LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AT LEAST ONCE. RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THIS DOOR, IS TO DO SO MANUALLY. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR THE FIRST TIME IN JANUARY OF 2016, $642, PAID TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE OTHER THREE DOORS THAT WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME, DECEMBER 2016, AND WAS QUOTED $656 TODAY, MAY 2019, TO REPAIR THE SAME DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AGAIN. TOYOTA GOODWILL COVERED THE OTHER THREE DOORS BEYOND THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTICS. I FEEL THAT THEY ONLY COVERED THE COST IN DECEMBER OF 2016 TO PREVENT ME FROM ISSUING A COMPLAINT. THIS IS ONLY AN ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. SAFETY ISSUES COULD ARISE WHEN YOU NEED TO QUICKLY ENTER THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11205034

102,000 miles · Dec 11, 2018
Seat Belts

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 WI…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11160711

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2018
Power Train

I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. IT HAS 105000 MILES. IT HAS A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE MECHANIC, BUT NO ONE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11143546

24,250 miles · Oct 16, 2018
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE VERY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO- TOYOTA (4101 W 12TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, DE 57106, 605-309-0979) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE VERY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO- TOYOTA (4101 W 12TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, DE 57106, 605-309-0979) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 210160578. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,250. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE IS FRICTION ON BRAKE PADS. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11140681

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2018
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOCKED CALIPER BREAKING BRAKE PADS AND IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY FOR THE MODEL. *AS *TR

NHTSA ODI #11131408

35,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

AS I CRUISE ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE HYBRID TRACTION BATTERY STARTS TO MAKE MINI RAPID PROGRESSIVELY LOUD EXPLOSIONS LIKE THE BACK OF MY REAR SEAT IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. TO ALLEVIATE THIS I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIPS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE CAU…

Read full complaint

AS I CRUISE ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE HYBRID TRACTION BATTERY STARTS TO MAKE MINI RAPID PROGRESSIVELY LOUD EXPLOSIONS LIKE THE BACK OF MY REAR SEAT IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. TO ALLEVIATE THIS I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIPS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE. THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11101125

60,000 miles · Jun 6, 2018
Engine

ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF USING THE ON/OFF BUTTON, BUT THEN LATER IN THE NIGHT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING! THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND THE KEY WAS IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11100204

30,000 miles · May 25, 2018
Visibility

THE MOON ROOF ON MY XSL CONSTANTLY RATTLES WHILE DRIVING WHENEVER THE AUTO GOES OVER A BUMP; ESPECIALLY AN UNEVEN BUMP THAT TORQUE OR TWISTS THE CHASSIS

NHTSA ODI #11097956

65,000 miles · Apr 27, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SPRAINED HER RIGHT ANKLE FROM THE PRESSURE OF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUALLY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA TO HAVE THE DAMAGES ASSESSED. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CLAIM NUMBER: 180-427-0700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11090508

Official recalls

1

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP23005 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Nov 22, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP19004 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Sep 30, 2019 · Closed Jan 21, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.