STEERING IS STIFF CAUSING OVER/CORRECTING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT CAUSES ARM TO GET TIRED DRIVING EVEN AFTER ONLY A FEW MILES. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND TIRING TO DRIVE I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2007 CAMRY XLE AND THERE IS NOW COMPARISON AS TO HOW EASY THE 2007 STEERED. NEED HELP.
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
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.
What owners actually said
55 reportsTHE REAR DOOR CHILD'S LOCK IS FROZEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I SUSPECT THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM. WE ARE BOTH 74 AND NEVER HAD REAR PASSENGERS SO WE ONLY DISCOVERED THIS IN JULY,2015. AUTONATION AGREED ON THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $1091.49. THE REAR DOOR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID THAT I…
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THE REAR DOOR CHILD'S LOCK IS FROZEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I SUSPECT THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM. WE ARE BOTH 74 AND NEVER HAD REAR PASSENGERS SO WE ONLY DISCOVERED THIS IN JULY,2015. AUTONATION AGREED ON THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $1091.49. THE REAR DOOR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE REAR PASSENGER COULD NOT EXIT THROUGH THIS DOOR.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY AND NEGLECTFULLY CROSSED MY WAY. MY VEHICLE'S FRONT WAS WAS DAMAGED, FROM MIDDLE PART ALL THE WAY TO THE DRIVER SIDE PART. BUMPER, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FENDER, FRONT FRAME METAL, AND O…
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VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY AND NEGLECTFULLY CROSSED MY WAY. MY VEHICLE'S FRONT WAS WAS DAMAGED, FROM MIDDLE PART ALL THE WAY TO THE DRIVER SIDE PART. BUMPER, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FENDER, FRONT FRAME METAL, AND OTHER PARTS WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL THOSE DAMAGES AND NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING MORE INJURY TO OCCUR....UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF UPDATED 2/23/2016 *JS UPDATED 04/24/18*JB *CN
TO THE POINT, TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN ON INCLINE. CLOSED ON MY HEAD WHILE I WAS GOING TO RETRIEVE ITEMS. CALLED IT IN AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS COMPLAINT. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIX IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS FROM THE FORCE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS FROM THE FORCE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK PAINS FROM THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
THE ARE MAJER PRABLEMIN BREAK SYSTEM FOR MY CAR HAPPEN WHILE AGO BREAK PEDAL BECOME SO LOOSE CAUSING CAR ACCIDENT TI TOKE THE CAR TO MY OWEN MECHINIC INDECTING THIS PRABLEMHE SAY THAT BREAK BOOSTER PUMP ARE LEAKING INTERNIALY INSIDE THE PUMP MAKE AIR PRESSURE FORCE TO. LOOSE CONTROLL FOR THE CAR.
I HAVE A 2012 CAMRY XLE HYBRID WITH 33000 MILES. IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ON CENTER FEEL STEERING, IT NEEDS CONSTANT WHEEL MOVEMENTS TO STAY IN LANE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2012. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT SINCE OWNING THE CAR DUE TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM.…
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I HAVE A 2012 CAMRY XLE HYBRID WITH 33000 MILES. IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ON CENTER FEEL STEERING, IT NEEDS CONSTANT WHEEL MOVEMENTS TO STAY IN LANE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2012. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT SINCE OWNING THE CAR DUE TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM. THE SECOND YOU TURN YOUR HEAD, THEN RETURNING YOUR ATTENTION STRAIGHT AHEAD, MY CAR IS STARTING TO VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. ALMOST ANY DISTRACTION CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY. I KNOW THROUGH A TOYOTA OWNER ONLINE FORUM AND THRU FRIENDS THAT I'M NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE NO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BEING REPORTED BY THIS HAPPENING. TOYOTA DEALERS DO NOT SEEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS AS COMMON AS IT SEEMS TO BE. NO ANSWERS ARE TO BE HAD FROM ANYONE AT THE DEALERSHIPS THAT I AM AWARE OF. SOMEONE NEED TO START FIGURING OUT WHY THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. *TR
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER BRAKING AND HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. CAR HAS ONLY 44,000 MILES AND BEEN DRIVEN 29 MONTHS. AT THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER AND WOULD COST OVER $3000 TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I AM LUCKY NOBODY WAS…
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BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER BRAKING AND HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. CAR HAS ONLY 44,000 MILES AND BEEN DRIVEN 29 MONTHS. AT THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER AND WOULD COST OVER $3000 TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I AM LUCKY NOBODY WAS HARMED BUT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FAILURE ON A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY SAFE AND RELIABLE, AND A RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR IN ADDITION. AFTER I COMPLAINED THEY WROTE OFF 80% BUT STILL COST $600 OUT OF MY POCKET TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE TOYOTA BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR
I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE LITERALLY DRIVING THE NEW CAR OFF THE DEALER LOT. I WAS TRAVELING BEHIND MY WIFE IN MY TRUCK WITH HER BEHIND THE WHEEL IN THE NEW CAR. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AT TIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHEN BRAKING OR NOT, VERY INTERMITTENTLY. I FIGURED THAT SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR ANY…
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I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE LITERALLY DRIVING THE NEW CAR OFF THE DEALER LOT. I WAS TRAVELING BEHIND MY WIFE IN MY TRUCK WITH HER BEHIND THE WHEEL IN THE NEW CAR. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AT TIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHEN BRAKING OR NOT, VERY INTERMITTENTLY. I FIGURED THAT SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR ANY NEW DRIVER TO GET FAMILIAR TO THAT NEW VEHICLE. IT IS VERY RARE THAT I WOULD BE FOLLOWING HER IN A SEPARATE VEHICLE WATCHING HER BRAKE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, PREFERABLY AT NIGHT I WOULD DRIVE IT MYSELF AND TEST TO SEE IF I CAN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT ONLY APPLYING A CERTAIN OF PRESSURE TO NOT SIGNAL THE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND I WAS ABLE TO DO SO. WHILE DRIVING I WOULD LOOK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND WATCH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. AT CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS I FOUND A WAY WHERE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC I CAN ACHIEVE SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT SIGNALING MY BRAKE LIGHTS, AND I WOULD BE APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I ASSUMED THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSED EITHER BY THE HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM TRIGGERING ON, AND/OR THE LITTLE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SIGNALS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2014, I GOT FED UP WITH THE ISSUE AND THOUGHT ABOUT THE SAFETY FACTOR AND HAD CLAREMONT TOYOTA, FIX THE SENSITIVITY OF THE BRAKING SWITCH. WITH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY UNATTACHED AND TURNED 180 DEGREES AROUND FACING FORWARD THE TECHNICIAN TESTED AND SIMULATED WHAT I HAD CLAIMED. I EVEN RODE WITH THE TECHNICIAN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE HE DROVE AND WAS ABLE TO DO THE SAME THING, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT SIGNALING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. HE ADJUSTED THE SWITCH TO THE MOST SENSITIVE SETTING SO THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ALWAYS SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING. IN MY OPINION IF ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD SIGNAL. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING ON A PARKWAY AT 55 MPH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO WORK RESULTING IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING/STEERING THE CAR. AFTER GETTING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD I RESTARTED IT AND THE EPS WAS WORKING. I CONTINUED TRAVELING AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON A PARKWAY AT 55 MPH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO WORK RESULTING IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING/STEERING THE CAR. AFTER GETTING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD I RESTARTED IT AND THE EPS WAS WORKING. I CONTINUED TRAVELING AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THEM (THE EPS WAS WORKING AT THIS POINT). THE DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA TECH AND THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AND IS BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL CASES OF EPS FAILURE AT SLOW SPEEDS, NONE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Official recalls
113V014000 · 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
3DP23005 · 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.
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