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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

Structure complaints

61 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2023
SteeringStructureSuspension

On 2/18/23 I took my car into the repair shop to investigate a clunking sound upon braking. The control arm was broken and the level of corrosion is extensive. I am the original and only owner and the car has never been out of Florida or on the beach or immersed in water. Toyota of North America in Plano, TX said they could not …

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On 2/18/23 I took my car into the repair shop to investigate a clunking sound upon braking. The control arm was broken and the level of corrosion is extensive. I am the original and only owner and the car has never been out of Florida or on the beach or immersed in water. Toyota of North America in Plano, TX said they could not receive my pictures and that there was no one at Toyota that I could send documents to. They said if there was a recall I would be notified.

NHTSA ODI #11508311

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2022
Structure

Small accident

NHTSA ODI #11486833

10,000 miles · Dec 27, 2021
Structure

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door handle was fractured, and she was unable to access the vehicle through the driver’s side door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side door handle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an…

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The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door handle was fractured, and she was unable to access the vehicle through the driver’s side door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side door handle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the door handle was easily fractured due to the plastic-based material. The contact stated that the independent mechanic replaced the door handle; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11445160

86,253 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AN…

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I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AND I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW TOYOTA'S AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN CAMRYS.

NHTSA ODI #11372900

88,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 12/14/19 . I WAS HEADING OUT ON DRIVEWAY IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, SITTING OUT IN STREET A LITTLE BIT IN BIKE LANE WAITING ON TRAFFIC TO PASS ON A BUSY STREET (BELLFLOWER BLVD.) CAR FROM FAR LANE CHANGED OVER AND HIT MY CAR ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY FRONT TIRE KNOCKED INTO PARKED VEHICLE. CAR LOST ALL FLU…

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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 12/14/19 . I WAS HEADING OUT ON DRIVEWAY IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, SITTING OUT IN STREET A LITTLE BIT IN BIKE LANE WAITING ON TRAFFIC TO PASS ON A BUSY STREET (BELLFLOWER BLVD.) CAR FROM FAR LANE CHANGED OVER AND HIT MY CAR ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY FRONT TIRE KNOCKED INTO PARKED VEHICLE. CAR LOST ALL FLUIDS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I SUFFERED FRACTURED RIB, BRIDES, SWOLLEN HAND AND FINGER. I LOVED MY CAMRY NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEM. I FELT LIKE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AND YES I DID TAKE IT IN FOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11318489

60,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Seat BeltsStructureCrashInjury

CAR WAS REAR ENDED AND I HIT MY HEAD ON DASHBOARD DUE TO THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AND RETRACTOR NOT ENGAGING. CAR WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT. NYC POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT: MV-2019-100-000731 REPORT 731

NHTSA ODI #11287659

45,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Structure

BUMPER CLIPS BREAK EASILY RESULTING IN BUMPER COVER NEEDING REPLACEMENT. SEEN ON MANY CAMRYS

NHTSA ODI #11228846

80,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
StructureCrashInjury

I HAVE BIG CAR ACCIDENT ON 1/30/2019. IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY 22EAST IN ORANGE COUNTY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. MY CAR IS BETWEEN THE 3RD AND 5TH CAR. IT WAS TOTAL LOSS BUT THE AIR BAG WASN'T DEPLOY.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11185787

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK AND UNLOCK STOPS WORKING. MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED 60K WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR LOCK BY PRESSING THE KEY FOB. AFTER COUPLE MONTH ALL 4 DOORS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL 4 DOORS BY MANUALLY UNLOCKING USING THE KEY. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED O…

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AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK AND UNLOCK STOPS WORKING. MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED 60K WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR LOCK BY PRESSING THE KEY FOB. AFTER COUPLE MONTH ALL 4 DOORS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL 4 DOORS BY MANUALLY UNLOCKING USING THE KEY. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED ON ALL 4 DOORS AND MULTIPLE TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11064132

6,800 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineStructureCrashInjury

CAR TOTALED IN SEVERE ACCIDENT AFTER OWNERSHIP OF EIGHT MONTHS. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON MCLOUGHLIN BLVD IN PORTLAND OR AND MY TOYOTA WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A CHRYSLER WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT HIT SEVERAL OTHER CARS (BELIEVE THE POLICE OFFICER SAID 6.)

NHTSA ODI #11053581

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