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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 →

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

What owners actually said

589 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2021
Steering

Clicking noise in steering (damper for caused by a small plastic part which is defectively designed, and disintegrates). This is a very common defect in 2011-2017 Toyota Camrys. The part is only about $5, but labor is $750 because the whole steering assembly has to be taken apart. My Camry started making the rattling noise wh…

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Clicking noise in steering (damper for caused by a small plastic part which is defectively designed, and disintegrates). This is a very common defect in 2011-2017 Toyota Camrys. The part is only about $5, but labor is $750 because the whole steering assembly has to be taken apart. My Camry started making the rattling noise when it had 40,000 miles. The noise is getting progressively worse and may cause steering issues eventually. I have not had it fixed yet. See part # below, and see youtube videos on the issue, which is very common. Steering. Damper. Column. Part Number: 4525428040 A component that isolates the Steering Column from another component or it's mounting surface. JAPAN BUILT. MANUAL TILT. Part cannot be reused/reinstalled. Part included in column assembly. POWER TILT. US BUILT. Bushing. ELECTRIC POWER. Insulator. Computer. Motor. Fits CAMRY (2012 - 2014) https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__CAMRY/Steering-Damper-Column/10795112/4525428040.html?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla&partnerDevice=c&userLocation=9028071&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr6-QjMbZ8QIVOCitBh1CAgRiEAQYAiABEgLwhfD_BwE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QztjolCILs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73elBQ8UXA

NHTSA ODI #11424275

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2021
Power Train

My car had a recall in 2014 for the torque converter per Toyota. My car was taken in for the recall at which a software update was performed per Freedom Toyota. Recently in June i went to pull out into traffic and my car began to shudder at about 25 mph. Which could have caused a major accident. I contacted toyota dealership whi…

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My car had a recall in 2014 for the torque converter per Toyota. My car was taken in for the recall at which a software update was performed per Freedom Toyota. Recently in June i went to pull out into traffic and my car began to shudder at about 25 mph. Which could have caused a major accident. I contacted toyota dealership which is now Heritage toyota and they scheduled a diagnostic test. Which they charged me $99 for. Called me to tell me the torque converter had gone out and it would be $2246 to repair eventhough i told them this was a previous recall?? On all things i have researched they are to cover repairs as long as car is under 100,000 miles or 10years old. I purchased this car brand new in January of 2013.

NHTSA ODI #11424151

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I learned after purchasing a 2012 Toyota Camry that there was a problem with the Torque Converter. The owner who sold me the car would not acknowledge the problem. Toyota had a recall on the car torque converter but I learned from Toyota it has expired. I was sold this car from U Drive Motors in HIckory, NC on June 10, 20…

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I learned after purchasing a 2012 Toyota Camry that there was a problem with the Torque Converter. The owner who sold me the car would not acknowledge the problem. Toyota had a recall on the car torque converter but I learned from Toyota it has expired. I was sold this car from U Drive Motors in HIckory, NC on June 10, 2021. I paid $11,000 for the car and the torque converter estimate that I got from Toyota is $1800. When I go down the street there is a shuddering sound and the car hesitates which is a safety hazard if a car is behind me. Since the owner of U-Drive will not take care of the problem would you please ask Toyota to assist. I am a cancer survivor and on a fixed income. The warranty company MVP would not take care of the problem because there was a pre-existing condition and they said the owner of U-Drive knew of the problem prior to selling me the car. I appreciate any assistance you can provide me with contacting Toyota to obtain assistance. Also, Toyota of Hickory, NC recommended a torque converter and a transmission specialist.

NHTSA ODI #11423179

110,000 miles · Jun 14, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate at any speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that there was a recall regarding the transmission however, the recall had since expired. The failure continued and the contact learne…

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The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate at any speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that there was a recall regarding the transmission however, the recall had since expired. The failure continued and the contact learned that the failure may be due to a defective torque converter. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the recall had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. The car continues to get worse, terrible vibration/shaking & hesitates while driving & accelerating. In fear of being hit from behind or being stranded on the road. Please assist. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI #11420841

91,000 miles · Jun 11, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle would shudder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the failure was not diagnosed correctly. The contact then took the vehicle to Putnam Toyota (50 California Dr. Burlingame,…

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The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle would shudder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the failure was not diagnosed correctly. The contact then took the vehicle to Putnam Toyota (50 California Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010) where the failure was diagnosed as the torque converter. The contact stated that he was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was outside of the extended warranty coverage mileage of 150,000. The contact was upset that the vehicle was no longer covered under the torque converter extended warranty since he had taken the vehicle to One Toyota of Oakland several times for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11420570

50,000 miles · Apr 27, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceSteering

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD DUE TO PANDEMIC NEVER TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR RATTLING HAS INCREASED AND IN ANY BAD ROAD IS CONSTANT SO IN HIGHWAYS WHEN DRIVING. SEE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET AND A YOU TUBE VIDEO SHOWS HOW TO REPAIR IT. YESTERDAY CONTACTED TOYOTA HELP CENTER AND SAID …

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RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD DUE TO PANDEMIC NEVER TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR RATTLING HAS INCREASED AND IN ANY BAD ROAD IS CONSTANT SO IN HIGHWAYS WHEN DRIVING. SEE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET AND A YOU TUBE VIDEO SHOWS HOW TO REPAIR IT. YESTERDAY CONTACTED TOYOTA HELP CENTER AND SAID IT WAS A SERVICE CUSTOMER ADVICE THAT EXPIRED ON 2019 I EXPLAINED THAT NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER OR E-MAIL ADVISING ABOUT THAT SERVICE I AM RETIRED AND MY CAR HAS 62,000 K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY NOW BUT IT HAS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO USE IT NOW, AND AFTER SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET THAT IS A SUBJECT THAT TOYOTA HAS TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A DAMAGED LITTLE PART ON THE STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR, SO WHEN DRIVING IS RATTLING AND STATIONARY PARKING WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER SIDE YOU CAN HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11414157

84,300 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Power Train

THE CAR SHRUDDER AT 20 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS READING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER I NEVER RECIEVE ONE. I BROUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW 2012 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FAITHFULLY SINCE I HAD IT. THE DEARLSHIP IS AWARE OF ALL RECALL. THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOFTWWARE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE BY T…

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THE CAR SHRUDDER AT 20 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS READING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER I NEVER RECIEVE ONE. I BROUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW 2012 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FAITHFULLY SINCE I HAD IT. THE DEARLSHIP IS AWARE OF ALL RECALL. THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOFTWWARE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY WANT TO CHANGE MY TRANSMOSSION THE DEALER SHOULD EAT THE COST. 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE OF FIXED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I ALSO SAW TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE TO 150,000 MILES AND MY CAR AS 84,000.00 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11413389

110,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THEM BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11408272

153,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Power Train

I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER TOYOTA HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THIS ISSUE IN 2012-2014 TOYOTA CAMRYS. THEY DENY KNOWING THE ISSUE AND KNOWINGLY REJECT SERVICE TO AVOID REPAIRING A MANUFACTURE MISTAKE

NHTSA ODI #11408170

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2021
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRIC PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11408124

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