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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
55,000 miles · Mar 27, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FAILURE HAD BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FAILURE HAD BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10968685

27,250 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,250.

NHTSA ODI #10967625

100,000 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT TWICE ONE BACK ON OCTOBER 2014 AND RECENT ONE WAS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017. BOTH WAS NOT MY FAULT. I WAS DRIVING ON A GREEN LIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE SUDDENLY CAR TURNED LEFT. I LOST CONTROL. I ENDED UP HITTING OTHER CAR AND THEN THE PROPERTY ON THE CORNER. MY CAR IS TOTALED, THE FRONT IS COMPLETELY CRASHED AND MY…

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I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT TWICE ONE BACK ON OCTOBER 2014 AND RECENT ONE WAS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017. BOTH WAS NOT MY FAULT. I WAS DRIVING ON A GREEN LIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE SUDDENLY CAR TURNED LEFT. I LOST CONTROL. I ENDED UP HITTING OTHER CAR AND THEN THE PROPERTY ON THE CORNER. MY CAR IS TOTALED, THE FRONT IS COMPLETELY CRASHED AND MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10966375

40,000 miles · Mar 12, 2017
Unknown Or Other

SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, MY WIFE AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM ABOVE. WE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD DROPPED FROM THE SKY AND FELL ON OUR CAR. THEN I NOTICED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OF GLASS FALLING OFF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. THE SUV FOLLOWING BEHIND ME WAS CHANGING LANES TO AVOID THE GLASS.…

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SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, MY WIFE AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM ABOVE. WE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD DROPPED FROM THE SKY AND FELL ON OUR CAR. THEN I NOTICED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OF GLASS FALLING OFF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. THE SUV FOLLOWING BEHIND ME WAS CHANGING LANES TO AVOID THE GLASS. THEN I OPENED THE SUNROOF VISOR AND GLASS WAS FALLING ONTO US. WE EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW A GAPING HOLE IN THE SUNROOF. THE HOLE WAS GAPING OUTWARD AS IF THE EXPLOSION COME FROM INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10960187

84,974 miles · Mar 4, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN), THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE ABOUT 20 FEET OR 20 MPH AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. . THIS HAPPENED AT THOSE INTERVAL. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC …

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN), THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE ABOUT 20 FEET OR 20 MPH AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. . THIS HAPPENED AT THOSE INTERVAL. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED.

NHTSA ODI #10958629

54,948 miles · Feb 14, 2017
Steering

I WAS DRIVING 2012 CAMRY LE AT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND FOUND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. DURING THAT TIME THE STEERING WAS HARD TO ROTATE AND ALSO THE RADIO LOST POWER. WHEN THE EPS LIGHT GONE THE STEERING WAS EASY AND RADIO STARTED WORKING. SINCE IT WAS NIGHT…

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I WAS DRIVING 2012 CAMRY LE AT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND FOUND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. DURING THAT TIME THE STEERING WAS HARD TO ROTATE AND ALSO THE RADIO LOST POWER. WHEN THE EPS LIGHT GONE THE STEERING WAS EASY AND RADIO STARTED WORKING. SINCE IT WAS NIGHT, AROUND 11.30 PM, NOT MAY CARS WERE THERE, LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY THAT IF IT WOULD HAPPEN DURING RUSH HOUR. I AM SCARE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THIS OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10954595

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2017
Suspension

VEHICLE HAS 27,500 MILES AS OF TODAY'S DATE. FRONT STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED AND MUST BE REPAIRED. TOYOTA OF ROCKWALL, TX REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. TOYOTA NATIONAL OFFICE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD THAT MY WASHING THE MOTOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NONSENSE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WASHING CAR MOTORS F…

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VEHICLE HAS 27,500 MILES AS OF TODAY'S DATE. FRONT STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED AND MUST BE REPAIRED. TOYOTA OF ROCKWALL, TX REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. TOYOTA NATIONAL OFFICE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD THAT MY WASHING THE MOTOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NONSENSE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WASHING CAR MOTORS FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS WITH NO PROBLEM! THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT TOYOTA ALONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. NO COVER OR DRAIN WAS MANUFACTURED INTO THE TOWER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE WARNS ME THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. ANY HELP THAT YOUR AGENCY COULD GIVE ME WILL BE APPRECIATED I SPOKE WITH SERVICE WRITER JASON AT TOYOTA ROCKWALL, TEXAS AND HE TOLD ME THAT SERVICE MANAGER MR. STEWART APPROVED THE DECISION SPOKE WITH RANDAL AT NATIONAL TOYOTA CASE # 1702133219.

NHTSA ODI #10954339

75,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Structure

WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH ON FREEWAY THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THE VISOR WAS CLOSED BUT WHEN OPENED TO INSPECT SAW A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS AND GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 39 DEGREES F PARTLY CLOUDY AND THE TIME WAS ABOUT 4:30 PM. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND NOR OVERPASSES …

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WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH ON FREEWAY THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THE VISOR WAS CLOSED BUT WHEN OPENED TO INSPECT SAW A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS AND GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 39 DEGREES F PARTLY CLOUDY AND THE TIME WAS ABOUT 4:30 PM. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND NOR OVERPASSES OR OVERHANGS.

NHTSA ODI #10950397

62,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10950262

74,737 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Electrical System

THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE S…

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THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MECHANICALLY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES, TOTALING FIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART.

NHTSA ODI #10949018

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