IllustrationPREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED
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
What owners actually said
589 reportsTAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN SHOOTING ICE FROM THE VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SOMETIMES THE DRIVER SIDE. ALSO, WHEN THE GREEN ECO LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR STARTS SHAKING. I'VE HAVE SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO CODES APPEARING. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES WHE…
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TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN SHOOTING ICE FROM THE VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SOMETIMES THE DRIVER SIDE. ALSO, WHEN THE GREEN ECO LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR STARTS SHAKING. I'VE HAVE SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO CODES APPEARING. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IF THE AC WAS ON BEFORE I BRIEFLY TURN IT OFF. AS FAR AS THE SHAKING IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN THE ECO LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE LIGHT WILL FLICKER AND TURN OFF AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR WILL STOP VIBRATING.
AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING WATER TO DRIP INSIDE THE CABIN UNDER THE FRONT SEATS. AS A RESULT, THE CARPET UNDER THE FRONT SEATS GETS WET AND MOLDY, CREATING A FOUL SMELL IN THE CABIN AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE NORMALLY. THE FAULT IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS. THIS IS A KNOWN AND…
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AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING WATER TO DRIP INSIDE THE CABIN UNDER THE FRONT SEATS. AS A RESULT, THE CARPET UNDER THE FRONT SEATS GETS WET AND MOLDY, CREATING A FOUL SMELL IN THE CABIN AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE NORMALLY. THE FAULT IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS. THIS IS A KNOWN AND LONG-STANDING DEFECT AND IS MENTIONED ON DISCUSSION WEBSITES, SUCH AS CAR.COMPLAINTS.COM. TOYOTA STATES THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2013 FOR AN AIR-CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A CONSUMER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW, WHETHER THIS CURRENT ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE SAME MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT THEY REPAIRED IN 2013. BUT AS IT IS NOW, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY LONG-TERM HEALTH.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAMRY IN AUTOMATIC THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO DOWNSHIFT SLOWLY AND DRAG
THE TRANSMISSION FILLS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN I GET BETWEEN 25 -50 MPH. AND IT IS GETTING WORSE
WHILE DRIVING AND RUNNING MY VEHICLE AC, I BEGAN HEARING A "LIQUID SWISHING" NOISE, OFTEN WHEN TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP. LATER, WHEN PARKED, I NOTICED THE MAT/CARPET UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS WET. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MAT WAS STILL SOAKED AND THERE WAS STANDING WATER THERE, AS WELL SOAKED CARPET BEHI…
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WHILE DRIVING AND RUNNING MY VEHICLE AC, I BEGAN HEARING A "LIQUID SWISHING" NOISE, OFTEN WHEN TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP. LATER, WHEN PARKED, I NOTICED THE MAT/CARPET UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS WET. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MAT WAS STILL SOAKED AND THERE WAS STANDING WATER THERE, AS WELL SOAKED CARPET BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. FROM RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MORE COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2012 CAMRY IF THE AC COMES LOOSE OR BECOMES CLOGGED.
VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXTREME DELAY IN ACCELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. GAS CAN BE TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE, NOT EVEN A JUMP IN RPM AAA A RESULT OF THE INCREASED THROTTLE. TRYING TO MERGE ON TO THE HIGHWAY IS DANGEROUS WHEN THE VEHICLE REMAINS STUCK AT 40MPH FOR AT LEAST ONE…
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VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXTREME DELAY IN ACCELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. GAS CAN BE TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE, NOT EVEN A JUMP IN RPM AAA A RESULT OF THE INCREASED THROTTLE. TRYING TO MERGE ON TO THE HIGHWAY IS DANGEROUS WHEN THE VEHICLE REMAINS STUCK AT 40MPH FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE, IF NOT LONGER. EVEN ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO SPEED, TRYING TO CHANGE LANES OR PASS IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE AS THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE TO ENGAGING THE THROTTLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. TRANSMISSION HAS A GENERALLY DELAYED RESPONSE, VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM BRAKE TO GAS, EVEN ON FLAT GROUND. THIS IS YET ANOTHER HAZARD SEEMINGLY BROUGHT ON BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS ON THE VERGE OF FAILING DESPITE THE VEHICLE STILL BEING 'YOUNG' AND WELL-CARED FOR. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A DEALERSHIP THAT CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. THE AMOUNT OF HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT AND CAN NOT BE NORMAL. THE CAR DRIVES LIKE ITS HALF ASLEEP. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE RECENTLY AND I FEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FAIL, OR THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTION IS GOING TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER DOOR LOCKS/UNLOCKS INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO LOCK/UNLOCK MANUALLY, OTHER TIMES IT WORKS WITH THE KEY FOB. THERE IS NO RHYME, REASON OR PATTERN TO WHEN IT DOES OR DOESN'T WORK. THE DOORS NORMALLY LOCK WHEN I SHIFT OUT OF PARK, IT NOW DOES IT INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. I HAVE CHECKED THE…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER DOOR LOCKS/UNLOCKS INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO LOCK/UNLOCK MANUALLY, OTHER TIMES IT WORKS WITH THE KEY FOB. THERE IS NO RHYME, REASON OR PATTERN TO WHEN IT DOES OR DOESN'T WORK. THE DOORS NORMALLY LOCK WHEN I SHIFT OUT OF PARK, IT NOW DOES IT INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSE, SWITCH, AND WIRING. THEY ARE ALL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. WHEN I PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON, BOTH DOORS CLICK, BUT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK/UNLOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER DOOR IS NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED ON THE REMOTE OR ANY BUTTONS IN THE CAR AT ANY TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK IS TO USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR OR TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ACTUAL LOCK. IT'S NOT SAFE AS THE CAR SOUNDS AS IF IT'S LOCKING BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR IS NOT AND GIVES THE…
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TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER DOOR IS NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED ON THE REMOTE OR ANY BUTTONS IN THE CAR AT ANY TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK IS TO USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR OR TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ACTUAL LOCK. IT'S NOT SAFE AS THE CAR SOUNDS AS IF IT'S LOCKING BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR IS NOT AND GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO GET IN MY CAR THAT IS NOT TO BE IN MY CAR. HAS BEEN ON AND OFF SINCE ABOUT JANUARY 2019 BUT STOPPED WORKING 6/3/2019.
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.