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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.

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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

8 reports
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95,119 miles · Nov 5, 2019
Exterior LightingCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEITH PIERSON TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 6501 YOUNGERMAN CIR, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 207-7065) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,119.

NHTSA ODI #11278326

7,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE MOON ROOF, IT FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD (1420 N RIVERSIDE AVE, MEDFORD, OR 97501) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE MOON ROOF, IT FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD (1420 N RIVERSIDE AVE, MEDFORD, OR 97501) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE FAULTY, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11053007

26,500 miles · May 12, 2017
Exterior Lighting

THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHT COVERS DEVELOPED A MELTED AREA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL

NHTSA ODI #10985440

5,049 miles · May 2, 2014
Exterior LightingService BrakesSteering

POWER STEERING MAKE GRINDING WHEN TURNING,BRAKES SQUEAKING WHEN BACKING,A/.C HAVE BAD SMELL WHEN I TURN OFF THE A/C LEAK LOTS OF WATER,WHEN I STOP AND TOOK OFF THE CAR SKID AND A LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON THE PANEL.I SPOKE TO THE MGR AND HE TOLL ME WAS NORMAL WHEN A/C OFF OPEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TO THE SMELL GO AWAY. AND FOR THE STEERING…

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POWER STEERING MAKE GRINDING WHEN TURNING,BRAKES SQUEAKING WHEN BACKING,A/.C HAVE BAD SMELL WHEN I TURN OFF THE A/C LEAK LOTS OF WATER,WHEN I STOP AND TOOK OFF THE CAR SKID AND A LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON THE PANEL.I SPOKE TO THE MGR AND HE TOLL ME WAS NORMAL WHEN A/C OFF OPEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TO THE SMELL GO AWAY. AND FOR THE STEERING HE SAD THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AND FOR BRAKES CAUSE DIRTY AND OUT OF ADJUSTMENT.ON FEB 16 I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN FOR BRAKES THEN NOTHING WRONG STILLMAKING THE CLICKING NOISE THEN A MONTH AFTER I GET A LETTER FOR THE RECALL BUT SAME PROBLEMS STILL THERE I JUST WANT KNOW IF ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUES THAT I WRITE IN THIS LETTER FOR MY CONCERNS AND SAFE WHICH I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR IT HAS 18,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586266

215,346 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN TWO MAJOR INTERSECTIONS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF DECORA, IA ON A FOUR LANE ROAD WITH MY LIGHTS ON DIM. I WAS ALONE IN MY LANE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT NOR BEHIND THOUGH THERE WAS MAYBE ONE OR TWO CARS IN THE LANES COMING TOWARD ME. SUDDENLY I SAW WHITE ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE…

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I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN TWO MAJOR INTERSECTIONS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF DECORA, IA ON A FOUR LANE ROAD WITH MY LIGHTS ON DIM. I WAS ALONE IN MY LANE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT NOR BEHIND THOUGH THERE WAS MAYBE ONE OR TWO CARS IN THE LANES COMING TOWARD ME. SUDDENLY I SAW WHITE ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. AT THIS POINT I REALIZED THE WHITE WERE DEER FEET, THE DEER RAN OFF THE ROAD TO MY RIGHT. I ONLY SAW THE FEET MOVE, I NEVER SAW THE DEER IN FULL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE CAMRY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ALLOW ENOUGH LIGHT TO SHINE ABOVE THE PAVEMENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE A THREAT THAT IS NOT RIGHT ON THE ROAD. IF YOU BRING THE CAMRY AGAINST A WALL YOU WILL SEE THERE IS A LINE IN THE HEADLIGHT SHINE, ABOVE WHICH THERE IS VERY LITTLE LIGHT, IT IS BLACK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT SEEMS TO SHINE ABOVE IS THAT WHICH BOUNCES UP FROM THE PAVEMENT. THE HEADLIGHTS DO A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING LIGHT ON THE PAVEMENT BUT DO NOT PUT ENOUGH LIGHT ABOVE THE PAVEMENT TO SEE ANYTHING THAT IS NOT FLAT ON THE PAVEMENT. THE BRAKES AND TIRES WORKED WELL, THEY SAVED ME FROM HITTING THE DEER. THIS WAS A VERY CLOSE CALL. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553938

31,777 miles · Mar 3, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior LightingCrash

THE TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BEEN REAR ENDED BY A FORD EXPLORER 2002 BETWEEN 40-50MPH, DAMAGING THE TRUNK, BUMPER TAIL LIGHTS, RIGHT REAR SIDE, LEFT SIDE BODY AND SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. AT THE MOMENT OF THE ACCIDENT, WERE THE DRIVER AND THREE MORE ADULT PASSENGERS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SEATS WEARING PROPERLY THE SEA…

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THE TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BEEN REAR ENDED BY A FORD EXPLORER 2002 BETWEEN 40-50MPH, DAMAGING THE TRUNK, BUMPER TAIL LIGHTS, RIGHT REAR SIDE, LEFT SIDE BODY AND SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. AT THE MOMENT OF THE ACCIDENT, WERE THE DRIVER AND THREE MORE ADULT PASSENGERS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SEATS WEARING PROPERLY THE SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER FROM THE FORD EXPLORER WAS DISTRACTED LOOKING FOR A RADIO REMOTE CONTROL WITHOUT NOTICE THE TRAFFIC ALMOST STOP WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE FORD EXPLORER BACK HIS ATTENTION TO THE TRAFFIC WAS TOO LATE EVEN AS HE MANIFEST HE HAS NO TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER WE INSPECT THE DAMAGES I NOTICE THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ARE ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION BUT NO AIR BAG HAS BEEN DEPLOY THERE IS A PICTURES AND VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR ANY FUTURE INVESTIGATION UPON REQUEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501139

10,000 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Exterior LightingCrash

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JULY OF 2012 AND NEVER DROVE IT AT NIGHT UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IN AN UNLIGHTED AREA THERE IS A VERY DARK SHADOW THAT GOES ACROSS THE ENTIRE TOP HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH INHIBITS YOUR VIEW GREATLY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT THIS …

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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JULY OF 2012 AND NEVER DROVE IT AT NIGHT UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IN AN UNLIGHTED AREA THERE IS A VERY DARK SHADOW THAT GOES ACROSS THE ENTIRE TOP HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH INHIBITS YOUR VIEW GREATLY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT THIS AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I TOLD THEM THAT I CAN BARELY SEE BEYOND 10 FEET OF THE ROAD UNLESS I HAVE MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND WAS CONCERNED OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT FROM THIS. WELL I DID HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER NIGHT AND HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL LISTEN TO ME NOW. SOMEONE HAD LEFT A CAR ILLEGALLY PARKED ON AN ON RAMP AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE OTHER NIGHT I NEVER SAW THE CAR PARKED THERE DO TO THE POOR LIGHTING FROM MY CAR AND AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO THE TRAVEL LANE I SLAMMED INTO THE PARKED CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED HOWEVER THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE AND I CANNOT IGNORE THIS. THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR HEADLIGHTS ON THE NEW TOYOTA CAMRY THAT CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO HAVE A DARK SHADOW ACROSS THE TOP HALF AT NIGHT. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND CLOSE FRIEND HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT AND THEY AGREED IT GREATLY INHIBITS YOUR VIEW OF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491548

155 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED THE ROAD. THE FAILURE LED TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD POSSIBLY BE ADJUSTED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED THE ROAD. THE FAILURE LED TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD POSSIBLY BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155.

NHTSA ODI #10447765

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