IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry 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
1500–25K
9325–50K
6150–75K
4875–100K
60100–150K
19150K+
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
Steering complaints
58 reportsTHE STEERING WHEEL JUST GOT HARD DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR REPORT
THE TIRE PRESSURE TENDS TO FLUCTUATE OFTEN REQUIRING WEEKLY AIR CHECK TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER PSI. THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE PSI COLD WILL READ 36 , FRONT PASS 34 , REAR DRIVE R35, REAR PASS AT 36, WHEN THE TIRES HEAT UP AFTER APPX. 38 MILE OUT AND YOU CHECK THE PSI IT WILL READ 39, 39. 36,37, OR AT TIME YOU MAY GET 39,37.39.F YOU …
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THE TIRE PRESSURE TENDS TO FLUCTUATE OFTEN REQUIRING WEEKLY AIR CHECK TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER PSI. THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE PSI COLD WILL READ 36 , FRONT PASS 34 , REAR DRIVE R35, REAR PASS AT 36, WHEN THE TIRES HEAT UP AFTER APPX. 38 MILE OUT AND YOU CHECK THE PSI IT WILL READ 39, 39. 36,37, OR AT TIME YOU MAY GET 39,37.39.F YOU HAVE TO COME TO A STOP LIGHT, SUDDEN STOP, OR A STOP AT NIGHT ON A NON FAMILIAR ROAD LIKE I HAD TO IN THE RAIN ON A UNEVEN ROAD THE VEHICLES TAIL END TENDS TO SLIDE TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT END FEELS AS IF YOU HIT A POT HOLE DO TO SLIGHT WEAR AND TEAR GROVES IN THE ROAD THAT DON'T BECOME APPARENT UNTIL YOUR ON THAT 1 TO 2 FEET SECTION IN THE ROAD. IS THIS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH ANY OTHERS OR AM I OVER BEING OVER CONCERNED WITH THE DRIVE PERFORMANCE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR ROADS. MY CONCERN IS THE ABUSE ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS, THE STEERING , THE TIRES , FUEL CONSUMPTION AND KEEPING CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE . IS IT A COMPUTER PROBLEM, WHEEL COMPONENT, TIRES, OR ME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA FOR DURABILITY, EFFICACY, AND MY FAMILY SAFETY ON THE ROAD .
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WHEN I HERD A POP AND THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THE POWER STEERING QUIT I WAS IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC WITH ONLY ARM STRONG STEERING. I GOT OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAREFULLY TO GET THERE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WHEN I HERD A POP AND THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THE POWER STEERING QUIT I WAS IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC WITH ONLY ARM STRONG STEERING. I GOT OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAREFULLY TO GET THERE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT I WOULD BEEN GOING 65 OR 70 AND HAD THIS HAPPEN...UPDATED 11/12/15 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/18/15.*JB
ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE HIT MY VEHICLE FROM REAR SIDE BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED AND CHILD SAFETY AIRBAG WAS NOT ALSO ACTIVATED ACROSS HIM AND STERLING ALSO GOT LOCKED WHILE ENGINE WAS ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
THE CAR WANDERS: IT WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, I WILL CORRECT WITH A LITTLE TURN TO THE LEFT. IT THEN DRIFTS TO THE LEFT AND I NEED TO CORRECT BY STEERING TO THE RIGHT. AT NO TIME CAN I GET THE CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT'S LIKE DRIVING IN A VIDEO GAME WITH ONLY VISUAL FEEDB…
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THE CAR WANDERS: IT WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, I WILL CORRECT WITH A LITTLE TURN TO THE LEFT. IT THEN DRIFTS TO THE LEFT AND I NEED TO CORRECT BY STEERING TO THE RIGHT. AT NO TIME CAN I GET THE CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT'S LIKE DRIVING IN A VIDEO GAME WITH ONLY VISUAL FEEDBACK.. THIS MAKES DRIVING TIRING AND DANGEROUS. IF I TAKE A SECOND TO LOOK IN THE MIRRORS, WHEN I LOOK BACK TO THE ROAD I'M EITHER DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER 3 HOURS ALL THEY COULD FIND WAS THE TIRE PRESSURE BEING 2 LBS LOW AND THE TOE ALIGNMENT WAS A LITTLE OFF. THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I SHOULD JUST GET USED TO IT. *TR
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
2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT IN AND OUT OF LANE HE WAS TRYING TO STAY IN. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN, AND IT WOULD TAKE ITS OWN COURSE DOWN THE ROAD. …
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2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT IN AND OUT OF LANE HE WAS TRYING TO STAY IN. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN, AND IT WOULD TAKE ITS OWN COURSE DOWN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AT 60 MPH, AND THE CURVES WERE EVEN WORSE, AS THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO CORRECT THE STEERING A LOT MORE. WHEN HE TURNED ONTO A CURVE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WOULD OVER REACT AND CONTINUED TURNING THE VEHICLE AFTER HE STOPPED TURNING THE WHEEL, AT THAT POINT HE HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL THE OTHER WAY TO CORRECT THE OVER STEERING. *JB
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HVAC ASSEMBLY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND VERIFIED MY VIN AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON 1/2/2014. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE ASST SVC MGR [XXX] TOLD ME HE WOULD GET THE PART AND CALL ME. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM H…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HVAC ASSEMBLY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND VERIFIED MY VIN AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON 1/2/2014. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE ASST SVC MGR [XXX] TOLD ME HE WOULD GET THE PART AND CALL ME. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM AND WHEN I CALL HE IS ON VACATION. I CALLED THE SERVICE MGR AND LEFT MY INFO AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. I NEED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AS IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND I NEED THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL. THE DEALERSHIP IS TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD, 1841 N STATE RD 7, HOLLYWOOD, FL 33021. PHONE 954-893-4667. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Official recalls
213V442000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.