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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
1,005 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Structure

THIS IS A RENTAL VEHICLE PROVIDED BY LIA TOYOTA NORTHAMPTON, MA. I HAD BEEN SHOPPING AND OPENED AND CLOSE THE TRUNK LID SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS AN UPWARD SLANT TO IT. I OPENED THE TRUNK LID AND REMOVED THREE BAGS OF GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK BEFORE THE TRUNK LID CLOSED ON ITS OWN A…

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THIS IS A RENTAL VEHICLE PROVIDED BY LIA TOYOTA NORTHAMPTON, MA. I HAD BEEN SHOPPING AND OPENED AND CLOSE THE TRUNK LID SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS AN UPWARD SLANT TO IT. I OPENED THE TRUNK LID AND REMOVED THREE BAGS OF GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK BEFORE THE TRUNK LID CLOSED ON ITS OWN ACCORD STRIKING ME IN THE FACE JUST ABOVE MY NOSE WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE FACIAL BLEEDING AND A PROLONGED HEADACHE. A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN WHERE I WAS STANDING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY PASSING OUT OR MORE DAMAGE TO MY PERSON. IT APPEARS THAT THE PNEUMATICS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO HOLD UP THE TRUNK LID ON OTHER THAN A FLAT SURFACE. A CHILD COULD LOSE FINGERS OR A LIMB IF THE TRUNK LID CLOSED IN THIS MANNER ON THEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452372

7,754 miles · Feb 19, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING APROX 30 MPH WHEN A FORD F150 TRUCK RAN A STOP SIGN AND I T BONED THEM. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT HIT HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448495

155 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED THE ROAD. THE FAILURE LED TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD POSSIBLY BE ADJUSTED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED THE ROAD. THE FAILURE LED TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD POSSIBLY BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155.

NHTSA ODI #10447765

1,300 miles · Feb 3, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INCREASED RPMS UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INCREASED RPMS UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,306.

NHTSA ODI #10446378

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2012
Visibility

THE REAR WINDOW REFLECTS ALL THE DEFROSTER LINES WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND YOU. SO WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW AND THERE IS 1 CAR YOU SEE 20 LINES OF LIGHTS AND IF THERE IS 2 CARS YOU SEE 40 LINES OF LIGHTS AND SO ON. THIS CLEARLY DOES NOT LET YOU SEE OUT OF REAR WINDOW CLEARLY. IT IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND CAN CAUSE AN AC…

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THE REAR WINDOW REFLECTS ALL THE DEFROSTER LINES WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND YOU. SO WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW AND THERE IS 1 CAR YOU SEE 20 LINES OF LIGHTS AND IF THERE IS 2 CARS YOU SEE 40 LINES OF LIGHTS AND SO ON. THIS CLEARLY DOES NOT LET YOU SEE OUT OF REAR WINDOW CLEARLY. IT IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF YOUR REAR WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443547

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

I ENTER INTO A PARKING LOT BEHIND A CLUSTER OF HOMES, A CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT I WAS GOING AT LESS THAN 3-5 MILES PER HOUR. I PARK THE CAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE PARKING BUMP AND OVER A WOOD SAFETY WALL, OVER SOME BUSHES AND LANDED 2 FEET DOWN, DAMAGING THE HOMES AND A …

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I ENTER INTO A PARKING LOT BEHIND A CLUSTER OF HOMES, A CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT I WAS GOING AT LESS THAN 3-5 MILES PER HOUR. I PARK THE CAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE PARKING BUMP AND OVER A WOOD SAFETY WALL, OVER SOME BUSHES AND LANDED 2 FEET DOWN, DAMAGING THE HOMES AND A COUPLE OF HEATING UNITS. I PRESSED THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE IN THE MARKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440070

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2011
Suspension

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SLOWING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A LOUD HOLLOW CLUNK NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NORMAL SUSPENSION REBOUND NOISES. WE NOTICED THE NOISE AT 158 MILES AND WE ARE WELL OVER 2000 MIL…

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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SLOWING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A LOUD HOLLOW CLUNK NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NORMAL SUSPENSION REBOUND NOISES. WE NOTICED THE NOISE AT 158 MILES AND WE ARE WELL OVER 2000 MILES ON THE CAR AND WE STILL ARE HEARING THE NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439753

50 miles · Dec 1, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED PADDLE SHIFTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED PADDLE SHIFTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE BECAUSE THE PADDLE SHIFTING WAS NEVER USED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,800.

NHTSA ODI #10437950

100 miles · Oct 28, 2011
Suspension

IF THE CAR SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND I GO FOR A DRIVE, THE FIRST DIP IN THE ROAD THAT I HIT AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH WILL MAKE MY FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE A LOUD SOLITARY HOLLOW METAL CLUNK NOISE. IF I DRIVE AROUND AND HIT THE EXACT SAME DIP AGAIN, THERE WILL BE NO UNUSUAL NOISE. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I WILL OCCASION…

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IF THE CAR SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND I GO FOR A DRIVE, THE FIRST DIP IN THE ROAD THAT I HIT AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH WILL MAKE MY FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE A LOUD SOLITARY HOLLOW METAL CLUNK NOISE. IF I DRIVE AROUND AND HIT THE EXACT SAME DIP AGAIN, THERE WILL BE NO UNUSUAL NOISE. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I WILL OCCASIONALLY HEAR THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR, THOUGH NOT AS LOUD, WHEN I DRIVE OVER DIPS AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. THIS HAPPENS THE MAJORITY DAYS THAT I DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND A TOYOTA ENGINEERING TEAM. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE CAR. THEY HAVE SAID EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. I HAVE USED MY CELL PHONE TO VIDEO RECORD THE EVENT HAPPENING AND HAVE SHOWED THIS TO THEM. THEY ARE UNABLE TO SAY WHAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE AND NO ONE HAS CHANGED OUT ANY PARTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433125

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