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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
9 miles · Oct 25, 2012
Steering

MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMERY SE LIMITED EDITION WANDERS ALL OF THE TIME. THE CAR NEVER TRACKS STRAIGHT. ALSO NONE OF THE NOSE BODY LINES MATCH. I HAVE BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, TARBOX TOYOTA, RI, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN. ALSO THAT THE CAR WAS IN SPEC. ALTHOUGH I WAS NEVER PRESENTED WITH ANY DOCUMENTED PAPER…

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MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMERY SE LIMITED EDITION WANDERS ALL OF THE TIME. THE CAR NEVER TRACKS STRAIGHT. ALSO NONE OF THE NOSE BODY LINES MATCH. I HAVE BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, TARBOX TOYOTA, RI, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN. ALSO THAT THE CAR WAS IN SPEC. ALTHOUGH I WAS NEVER PRESENTED WITH ANY DOCUMENTED PAPERWORK. AS FOR THE BODYLINES I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WASN'T A BENTLY. THAT NONE OF THE BODYLINES ON ANY CAR MATCH. I FEEL AS THOUGH I WAS BRUSHED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482164

20 miles · Oct 21, 2012
Steering

I AM UNABLE TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IT SEEMS TO GO WHERE IT WANTS. CAR VEERS TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO RE-ADJUST THE STEERING. PROBLEM MORE NOTICEABLE IN WINDY CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE CAMRY SE. THEY HAVE DONE 4 RE-ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED T…

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I AM UNABLE TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IT SEEMS TO GO WHERE IT WANTS. CAR VEERS TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO RE-ADJUST THE STEERING. PROBLEM MORE NOTICEABLE IN WINDY CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE CAMRY SE. THEY HAVE DONE 4 RE-ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED THE TIRES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. SEEMS REASONABLE THAT IF NOT CORRECTED, THE PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE TO THE POINT OF BEING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN WINTRY WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481320

300 miles · Oct 18, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COVERED THE COSTS OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10481013

100 miles · Sep 6, 2012
SteeringSuspension

I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2012. ON THE WAY I FOUND THE VEHICLE WAS RIGID AND THE SUSPENSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN CAR HIT VARIOUS IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE. I FELT DIZZY AS DURING MY TIME SPENT DRIVING CAR. THE CAR SEEMS UNSAFE TO USE. THIS SHOULD NO…

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I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2012. ON THE WAY I FOUND THE VEHICLE WAS RIGID AND THE SUSPENSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN CAR HIT VARIOUS IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE. I FELT DIZZY AS DURING MY TIME SPENT DRIVING CAR. THE CAR SEEMS UNSAFE TO USE. THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A VEHICLE THAT COST $31K AND ON THE FIRST DAY THAT I AM DRIVING VEHICLE. IN ADDITION THE STEERING FELT MORE WEIGHTED ON THE LEFT AS OPPOSED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I TURNED LEFT THERE WAS GREATER RESISTANCE. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER THAT SAME DAY AND HE INDICATED HE FELT IT MAYBE A TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM. HE THEN STATED THAT I SHOULD BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIO SOUND FLUCTUATED. I HAD CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CONFIRM MY APPOINTMENT AND DISCOVERED THAT AN APPOINTMENT WAS NEVER MADE. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA MAIN OFFICE AND THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A CASE # [XXX]. THE MAIN OFFICE AT TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER. I WILL BE GOING TO ADVANTAGE TOYOTA IN VALLEY STREAM, NY ON 9/8/12. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE REGARDING THE SUSPENSION ON THESE VEHICLES. I DON'T WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO INCUR THE SAME ISSUES I HAVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474094

905 miles · Aug 23, 2012
StructureInjury

I RECENTLY PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WISH TO REPORT A CONDITION THAT EXISTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE MECHANISM WHICH HOLDS THE TRUNK LID IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHILE UNLOADING OR LOADING ARTICLES INTO OR OUTOF THE TRUNK MY EXPERIENCE IS AS FOLLOWS: I HAVE PUT ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK ON OCCASION (ITS A NEW CAR), AND IT HAS…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WISH TO REPORT A CONDITION THAT EXISTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE MECHANISM WHICH HOLDS THE TRUNK LID IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHILE UNLOADING OR LOADING ARTICLES INTO OR OUTOF THE TRUNK MY EXPERIENCE IS AS FOLLOWS: I HAVE PUT ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK ON OCCASION (ITS A NEW CAR), AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON A LEVEL SURFACE. ONCE WHILE I HAD RAISED THE TRUNK LID IN MY GARAGE IT DROPPED DONE AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT AND PUT IT BACK UP. THERE IS A FULL UPRIGHT POSITION FOR THE TRUNK LID WHICH I WOULD ASSUME THAT IS THE MOST SECURE POSITION. HOWEVER IT IS A POSITION THAT IS RATHER HIGH TO REACH (I AM 5' 11" TALL.) IT IS A STRETCH FOR ME. I WOULD ASSUME THAT A PERSON OF A SMALLER HEIGHT OR A CHILD WOULD BE NOT ABLE TO REACH THIS POSITION FOR SAFETY. I RECENTLY CAME BACK FROM THE STORE AND PARKED IN FRONT MY HOME ON A SLIGHT INCLINED DRIVEWAY AND OPENED THE TRUNK LID TO WHAT I WAS USE TO IN MY GARAGE WHICH WAS LEVEL. W\HEN I REACHED IN TO REMOVE THE GROCERIES THE TRUNK LID FELL DOWN WITH GREAT AMOUNT OF SPEED AND HIT THE BRIDGE OF MY DOSE. IT MISSED MY GLASSES BY AN EIGHTH OF AN INCH BUT KNOCKED THEM OFF. I PUT MY HAND TO MY NOSE AND IT WAS BLEEDING AND SPENT THE NEXT HOUR TRYING TO STOPPED THE BLEEDING SINCE I AM ON ASPIRIN THERAPY. WE ENDED UP GOING TO THE EMG. ROOM TO SEE IF I NEEDED STITCHES. IT ENDED UP BEING A DEEP ABRASION SO THEY PUT SOME COLLIOD MATERIAL ON RAISE UP THE SCAB TO HAVE LESS SCARING. HAD MY GLASSES SHATTERED I WOULD PROBABLY RECEIVED MORE SEVERE INJURIES. THEY WANTED TO DO AN MRI EXAM TO SEE IF I HAD OTHER INJURIES WHICH I DECLINED BECAUSE OF MY MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE, L DID NOT FEEL THE EXTRA COST FOR THE MRI WAS JUSTIFIED, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTRA EXPENSE FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD NOT KNOW THE WHAT VALUE OF THE TEST IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. CONTACTED TOYOTA, LESS THAN HELPFUL. PREVENT FURTHER INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471973

6,100 miles · Aug 9, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ENTERING A DRIVEWAY AT 2MPH THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND STRUCK A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURY AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469970

1,050 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Steering

STEERING IS VAGUE AND NOT PREDICTABLE. NEVER HAD A CAR WITH ELEC. STEERING. CAR FOLLOWS ITS OWN COURSE. IT TAKES A LOT OF ATTENTIONS TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I THINK ITS SOMETHING TO CHECK OUT. DID NOT GO TO THE DEALER YET. *TR DURING A TEST DRIVE AT THE DEALER, THEY DID CONFIRM THERE WAS A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY…

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STEERING IS VAGUE AND NOT PREDICTABLE. NEVER HAD A CAR WITH ELEC. STEERING. CAR FOLLOWS ITS OWN COURSE. IT TAKES A LOT OF ATTENTIONS TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I THINK ITS SOMETHING TO CHECK OUT. DID NOT GO TO THE DEALER YET. *TR DURING A TEST DRIVE AT THE DEALER, THEY DID CONFIRM THERE WAS A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY TO FIT IT. UPDATED 08/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10468325

3,000 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Structure

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE PAINT ON THE LOWER PLASTIC BUMPER HAS BEEN HIT WITH ROAD DEBRIS AND IS CAUSING SMALL CHIPPING IN THE PAINT. IT SEEMS THE PAINT ON THE PLASTIC PARTS IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHIPPING. NO CHIPPING HAS OCCURRED ON THE METAL HOOD OR BODY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468179

11 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FACTORY REAR WINDOW TINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE FACTORY WINDOW TINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11 AND TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FACTORY REAR WINDOW TINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE FACTORY WINDOW TINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #10467260

5 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN LOOKING OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW, THE DEFROST LINES GOING ACROSS THE WINDOW AND THE TINT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SEE MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD APPEAR AS TWENTY VARIOUS HEADLIGHTS, DISORIENTATING THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT TOOK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN LOOKING OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW, THE DEFROST LINES GOING ACROSS THE WINDOW AND THE TINT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SEE MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD APPEAR AS TWENTY VARIOUS HEADLIGHTS, DISORIENTATING THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MULTIPLE DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DESIGN WAS NORMAL. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 4,588.

NHTSA ODI #10467244

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