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2012 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →
589Owner complaints

Model-year median: 295

2Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,293
2009602
2010599
2011589
2012274
2013455
2014271
2015
Compare all Camry years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
142Unknown Or Other
81Air Bags
75Vehicle Speed Control
67Electrical System
61
All reported categories
Structure
61Engine
59Steering
58Service Brakes
52Fuel/propulsion System
23Suspension
16Visibility
16Wheels
16Seat Belts
12Seats
11Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Exterior Lighting
8Equipment
6Tires
6Engine And Engine Cooling
4Visibility/wiper
4Equipment Adaptive/mobility
3Forward Collision Avoidance
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Traction Control System
2Back Over Prevention
1Insert, Padding
1Interior Lighting
1Other/i Am Not Sure
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

431 reports with mileage · 158 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

84 crash reports6 fire reports44 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

4 reports
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157,033 miles · Apr 13, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module (ECM) software needed to be updated. The dealer was notified of…

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The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module (ECM) software needed to be updated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,033.

NHTSA ODI #11516887

227,000 miles · Jul 22, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the oil and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft gear had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. T…

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The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the oil and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft gear had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

NHTSA ODI #11475343

18,405 miles · Oct 11, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2012 CAMRY 4 CYL, I NOTICED LIKE RATTLING NOISE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHEN I ACCELERATE AT THE LOW SPEED FROM 20 TO 30 MPH ( THE PROBLEM IS STILL). I ALSO CALLED THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURE TO COMPLAINT AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO LONGO TOYOTA (EL MONTE CA), AND ELMORE TOYOTA (WESTMINSTER CA) FOR FIXING. FINALLY,…

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I HAVE A 2012 CAMRY 4 CYL, I NOTICED LIKE RATTLING NOISE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHEN I ACCELERATE AT THE LOW SPEED FROM 20 TO 30 MPH ( THE PROBLEM IS STILL). I ALSO CALLED THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURE TO COMPLAINT AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO LONGO TOYOTA (EL MONTE CA), AND ELMORE TOYOTA (WESTMINSTER CA) FOR FIXING. FINALLY, BOTH 2 DEALER TECHNICIANS TOLD ME THIS IS CHARACTERISTICS OF TOYOTA CAMRY 2012, THEY CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE SW CONTROL THE IGNITION TIMING, EXCEPT I CALL TOYOTA MANUFACTURE TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS CASE. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA FOR THIS COMPLAINING BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644019

5,700 miles · Feb 14, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN SHIFTING AND HESITATING BUT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN SHIFTING AND HESITATING BUT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,700. MAH THE CONSUMER FOUND AT LOW SPEED IT BECAME NECESSARY TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, DUE TO THE FACT, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DOWN RAPIDLY THERE WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE AS IF THE ENGINE CUT OFF. IF THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE PEDAL AND DEPRESSED IT AGAIN AT A PROGRESSIVELY SLOWER RATE, THE ENGINE WOULD RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THE HESITATION WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE TRYING TO DOWN SHIFT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FUEL INJECTION SENSOR LACKED THE CAPACITY TO ADEQUATELY RECEIVE OR TRANSMIT A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL INJECTORS UNDER RAPID ACCELERATION. THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE, UNTIL THE CONSUMER LITERALLY RELEASED AND DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. UPDATED 03/12/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRACTION SYSTEM CONTROLLED BRAKING FORCE AND ENGINE OUTPUT TO THE DRIVE WHEEL WHEN THE SENSOR DETECTED A WHEEL SPIN DURING ACCELERATION OR CORNERING. UPDATED 03/19/13 THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER DEALER CONFIRMED HIS PROBLEM AND THE CAUSE. THE DEALER STATED THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE. EVEN WITH TURNING AND ACCELERATION, THE TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD CUT POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. UPDATED 04/03/13

NHTSA ODI #10498133

Official recalls

2

13V442000 · Air Bags; Electrical System; Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical System

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota Camry problems

Toyota Camry electrical problems →Toyota Camry transmission problems →