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Model-year record

2012 Toyota Camry
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2012 Toyota Camry

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

643

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

26

EPA estimate

Known issues

Power Train issues lead owner complaints (22% of 643 reports), followed by air bags (11%).

Power Train22% · 143 reports
Air Bags11% · 72 reports
Steering10% · 65 reports
Unknown Or Other10% · 65 reports
Electrical System8% · 53 reports
Vehicle Speed Control7% · 48 reports
Structure7% · 46 reports
Service Brakes5% · 31 reports

+ 16 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 643 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10588305, ODI 11734130, ODI 11698853, ODI 11681409, ODI 11668312.

Individual complaint reports(643)

Showing the 50 most recent reports
Air BagsJul 2026 · ODI 11750348 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed uphill during flooding conditions, the vehicle slipped and hydroplaned. The contact attempted to correct the steering but lost control of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to drive into a ditch and flip over several times before coming to a complete stop upside down. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated nor abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle prior to the crash. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained a laceration to the head, scrapes on both legs, an injury to the left arm, and an injury to the right knee. Medical attention was required, including an emergency room visit and doctor visits. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 255,000.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jun 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11750348 at NHTSA →
Power TrainApr 2026 · ODI 11734130Details +

Recall was completed on 11/25/14 for a shudder when hitting 35 to 50. The recall was a software issue and they show that a torque converter may have been needed at a later date to further correct the issue. Looking for Toyota to follow up with a complete recall vs just the software.

Reported
Apr 2026
Incident date
Nov 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11734130 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemFeb 2026 · ODI 11719868Details +

I am noticing there is some wiggling and play with the driver’s seat. Every time I hop inside the car, I feel the seat wiggle back a little bit. I notice some movement back and forth when accelerating and braking and it is starting to get very annoying whenever I drive.

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11719868 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherFeb 2026 · ODI 11719260Details +

The "incident" is not a fault or flaw of my car in any way, but rather is caused by the auto industry's general shift to LED/HID headlights. In my opinion, they make driving unsafe for external observers because they are too bright and create a lot of glare, so that keeping my eyes focused and perceptive of features I need to see in the road directly ahead of me is becoming increasingly difficult, and therefore, by definition, more unsafe. Technology must be improved so that headlights can alter spectral output according to background illumination (dimmer means cooler,) and light output should have finer, adaptive directional control so that more light gets to objects in front that need to be illuminated, and less to oncoming drivers whose visual contrast range may be overwhelmed. I'm [XXX] , and I have the beginnings of cataracts. Older, halogen-based headlights don't interfere much with my vision, but modern headlights do, and quite badly so. This has to improve! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11719260 at NHTSA →
SeatsFeb 2026 · ODI 11718947Details +

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the driver seat lumbar support mechanism found in multiple vehicle models across the industry. The lumbar support feature applies excessive, uneven, or unstable pressure to the driver’s lower back during normal driving conditions. This occurs even when the feature is set to its lowest or neutral position. The defect presents in the following ways: •The lumbar support protrudes too far forward, forcing the spine into an unnatural posture. •The mechanism shifts or changes pressure during , creating sudden discomfort or pain. •Extended use results in lower back strain, muscle spasms, or nerve irritation. Safety Risk This issue poses a significant safety hazard because it directly affects the driver’s ability to maintain proper posture, comfort, and control of the vehicle. This pain is not noticeable until you step out of the vehicle and it difficult to trace that to the lumber support button as most people do not observed when it is on. The defect can: •Reduce reaction time due to discomfort or restricted movement •Increase the risk of long term musculoskeletal injury •Create fatigue or numbness that compromises safe operation Because this feature is present in many vehicles and consistently causes injury, the problem appears to be systemic and design related, not limited to a single manufacturer. Frequency of the Issue •Occurs: (e.g., every drive / frequent / intermittent) •First noticed on: (2020) •Conditions: (e.g., highway driving, long trips, stop and go traffic) Additional Notes •No aftermarket modifications have been made to the seat. •It may not be limited to Toyota vehicle only. I guess any vehicle driver seat that has lumber support is a suspect. •The issue persists regardless of seat height, tilt, or recline adjustments. •The problem appears inherent to the lumbar mechanism’s design rather than wear and tear. •The defect affects driver comfort, posture, and safe vehicle operation.

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Jan 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11718947 at NHTSA →
SteeringJan 2026 · ODI 11709755Details +

I am reporting a safety-related issue involving the ECM / torque converter on my 2012 Toyota Camry. This issue can cause loss of power, hesitation, or stalling which presents a serious safety concern while driving. The issue impacts drivability and can result in sudden loss of acceleration or engine stalling, especially at higher speeds or during merging. This creates an increased risk of collision for myself, passengers, and surrounding vehicles. I have experienced some scary occurrences with shuddering at high speeds, hesitation while near other innocent vehicles and stalling. I was never notified by Toyota about this recall or service campaign while it was active. I maintain current registration information and would have had the issue addressed immediately. Toyota acknowledged the campaign but refused support due to expiration, despite my lack of notice. I contacted Toyota and was instructed to file a complaint with NHTSA. Toyota declined to repair the issue under goodwill or policy exception. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this defect should have been classified as a safety recall and whether consumers were properly notified. Sudden loss of power or stalling presents a significant safety risk and may warrant additional remedies or extension of the campaign for affected owners who were not notified.

Reported
Jan 2026
Incident date
Nov 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11709755 at NHTSA →
Power TrainNov 2025 · ODI 11698853Details +

Vehicle is shuddering/stalling when trying to accelerate. Currently 150,000

Reported
Nov 2025
Incident date
Sep 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11698853 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemOct 2025 · ODI 11693831Details +

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale from AJ Sales & Services in Houston, TX. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 101,375. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 245,980. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that the vehicle was an Auction vehicle that was purchased by the dealer on 08/06/2024. The mileage after the auction sale was 101,294. The contact had also purchased two other vehicles from the same dealer, and there were also discrepancies with the mileages. The contact first purchased a 2014 Kia Optima. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 112,610, and it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 214,175. The second vehicle purchased was a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 101,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 198,826. The contact stated that the engines seized in the first and second vehicles five months after purchasing the vehicles.

Reported
Oct 2025
Incident date
Sep 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11693831 at NHTSA →
SteeringSep 2025 · ODI 11686177Details +

Steering wheel is hard to turn

Reported
Sep 2025
Incident date
Sep 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11686177 at NHTSA →
Power TrainAug 2025 · ODI 11681409Details +

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure worsened while merging onto a highway and the vehicle vibrated abnormally while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Reported
Aug 2025
Incident date
Aug 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11681409 at NHTSA →
EngineJul 2025 · ODI 11676858Details +

My engine jumps when I accelerate so I looked on google if there were any recalls and it said there were so i called the Toyota dealership and they said there were no recalls on my vehicle.

Reported
Jul 2025
Incident date
Mar 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11676858 at NHTSA →
InsertJul 2025 · ODI 11675370Details +

I removed the seat cover to clean it after an unfortunate stomach bug incident and discovered the styrofoam padding of the headrest was broken off on the left side. I do not know what date the styrofoam broke, but it was discovered July 22, 2025. My only guess is that my toddler could have done it himself because he liked the squeaky sound it made when he shook his head back and forth. Despite my best effort to redirect him when it happened, he would occasionally do this on car rides. We purchased the car seat from the Evenflo store on Amazon on August 31, 2023. My son was between 2 and 4 when the incident would have occurred.

Reported
Jul 2025
Incident date
Jul 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11675370 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2025 · ODI 11670619Details +

I am filing this complaint regarding a known and documented issue affecting my 2012 Toyota Camry (VIN: [XXX] ), which has developed a transmission shudder and vibration between 20–50 mph. This problem is directly aligned with Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0079-15 and Customer Support Program ZF4, both of which describe issues with the torque converter and ECM software. My vehicle has 116,670 miles, which falls within the mileage eligibility of the support program (ZF4: 150,000 miles), though it is just outside the time limitation (8 years). I reached out to Toyota (Case #: [XXX]) to request goodwill assistance due to the safety-related nature of the defect and the fact that it is a well-documented product flaw, but they declined support solely based on time — not on mileage or vehicle condition. The vibration affects the transmission and drivability, particularly during city and highway acceleration, creating potential hazards when merging or navigating traffic. I believe this qualifies as a design flaw with potential safety implications. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Toyota’s handling of this issue and determine whether further consumer protection or a recall is warranted, especially for owners who were not adequately notified or who fall just outside the support window despite clear symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported
Jul 2025
Incident date
Jun 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11670619 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2025 · ODI 11668312Details +

When I either: i) start the car and drive more than 20 ft OR ii) am at a stop light then accelerate..the car begins to jerk backward. Have changed the gasket and the throttle body and this issue still keeps happening. It started around the 90k Mile mark.

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
Jun 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11668312 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2025 · ODI 11664573Details +

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact research and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
Dec 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11664573 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2025 · ODI 11664166Details +

Hi I owned this car I had low miles on it 108404 I registered it start driving when I drive it start shuddering and vibration on car when I reach speet 30-40 I talk with Toyota they told me they had recall in past it was expired on 2021 they can not repair it if I want to repair it I have to pay from my pocket that was not our fault I talk with them no help lot of people had same issue with transmission we buy this car after warranty expired if some one can help us with this issue that will be appreciates thanks you

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
May 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11664166 at NHTSA →
Power TrainMay 2025 · ODI 11659138Details +

My VIN for my 2012 Toyota camry LE 4cyl was never listed for a recall that my vehicle should have been included on. 2012 Toyota Transmission U760e shuddering issue and ECM issue. By VIN there are no past or present recalls listed, but after extensive research my vehicle does qualify for this fix by the manufacture for faulty transmission parts. My vehicle is equipped with this transmission U760e confirmed by the label in the door jamb. My vehicle has been dealer maintained since I became owner in 2013 and never once did I get a recall letter or be made aware of a recall from the dealerships. The issue is this recall gave a specific timeline on when owners had to bring their car in for this fix and that timeline has passed. I believe im owed this recall fix on my vehicle and need it reviewed because my car shudders going 40-50mph, the Toyota dealership has inspected my car and quoted me for a torque converter replacement $4,500.00 my car only has 127,000 miles. Carfax report is available to show my consistent dealer maintenance and repairs along with the below average miles driven based on the year of my vehicle.

Reported
May 2025
Incident date
Jan 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11659138 at NHTSA →
Air BagsApr 2025 · ODI 11655194 · crash · 2 injuriesDetails +

I recently was a passenger in my vehicle during a motor vehicle crash, and the air bags did not deployed for the driver or the passenger.

Reported
Apr 2025
Incident date
Mar 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 2 injuries
Open ODI 11655194 at NHTSA →
Power TrainApr 2025 · ODI 11651976Details +

Abs light flashes randomly at me when driving and at a stop car shakes aggressively

Reported
Apr 2025
Incident date
Oct 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11651976 at NHTSA →
Power TrainMar 2025 · ODI 11649727Details +

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating before slamming into gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the Limited-Service Campaign: (LSC) LSCE03. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided contact with the diagnostic trouble code: P2109 that was retrieved when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Reported
Mar 2025
Incident date
Feb 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11649727 at NHTSA →
Power TrainMar 2025 · ODI 11649086Details +

The transmission malfunctioned and is available for inspection upon request. The transmission failing while driving is a safety hazard and has put my safety and others on the road at risk. The problem has not yet been inspected by a dealer or third party. There were no warning lights or engine lights prompted during this malfunction. Please confirm that the dealership will take ownership of this malfunction and is obligated to perform an inspection and repair. The 2012-2014 Toyota Camry U760 ATM ECM Software update recall is related to a potential transmission shudder issue that can occur in these model years, particularly when accelerating; this shudder is caused by a combination of factors within the transmission system, and the recall aims to address this by updating the car's Engine Control Module (ECM) software to mitigate the problem.  Key points about this recall: •Affected vehicles: 2012-2014 Toyota Camry models with the U760 transmission. 
 •Issue: The car may experience a brief shuddering sensation when accelerating under light load, especially between 25-50 mph. 
 •Solution: Toyota dealers will update the ECM software through a recall service to address the shuddering issue.

Reported
Mar 2025
Incident date
Mar 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11649086 at NHTSA →
Power TrainMar 2025 · ODI 11647824Details +

I bought a 2012 Toyota Camry in December of 2014. The car had 8,666 miles at the time, it currently has 84,220 miles and a transmission shudder has presented itself. Toyota was well aware of this issue back when they sold me the car since there was a letter back then. Toyota also failed to send me a notice about this particular safety issue in due time. They claim THEY SENT THE LETTER TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER! No common sense there. What good was it to them if they didn't have the car? The car is in pristine condition with the exception of the shudder which is constant every single day, is worse when turning the steering wheel at any turn and it looses power making very dangerous to merge at the highway. There are so many complaints yet the NHTSA has not done anything. Toyota is not owning it and has pushed this burden on to its customers to resolve the matter on their own and making them deal with this. The customer service team is no help and like paid puppets keep saying over and over is at the owners expense. This very expensive problem caused by Toyota should be taken care by Toyota.

Reported
Mar 2025
Incident date
Mar 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11647824 at NHTSA →
Service BrakesFeb 2025 · ODI 11645309 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while her [XXX] daughter was driving at 35 MPH during traffic, the vehicle suddenly accelerated while attempting to depress the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's daughter kept on depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued increasing its speed up to 39 MPH and the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle rear-ended a vehicle that was in front, then that vehicle crashed into another vehicle that was in front of her. The contact's daughter suffered from whiplash, but no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, where an appraiser deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported
Feb 2025
Incident date
Feb 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11645309 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJan 2025 · ODI 11639218Details +

Unknown

Reported
Jan 2025
Incident date
Jan 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11639218 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherNov 2024 · ODI 11624333 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

On October 22, I drove my daughter to her high school that is about 6 miles away from my house and dropped her off around 6:50 AM. On my way back, after driving around 2 miles, I was turning around a bend about 25 miles per hour when my car suddenly started accelerating. Startled, I stepped on the brake immediately, but the brake was not working to my surprise. I stepped a second time, and then a third time to no avail. In the meantime, the car was surging forward into the darkness at a higher and higher speed. I panicked; I remember uttering,” oh, my God, Oh, my God” a couple of times and then don’t remember what happened. According to the sheriff’s car crash report, the car veered off the road to the left, glanced off a tree and continued in a straight line and crashed into an electricity pole at about 65 mph and stopped. Obviously, I was in a state of shock and woken up by someone asking me repeatedly, “Are you okay?”. I was dazed. When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by blinking lights from an ambulance. I just sat there bewildered. The window next to me was utterly broken. My left leg was folded. I felt it with my palm and realized that it was broken. I felt my right leg and it was okay. I was asked if I could pull my self out of the car through the passenger’s side door, but I couldn’t move my left leg. So, I gave my back to first responders, and they dragged me out of the car and laid me on the tarmac. Two people held me by my legs and two others by my shoulders and picked me up to a stretcher of an ambulance. My t – shirt and pants were cut up and removed, and I was wrapped by blanket, and taken to the back of the ambulance. Preliminary checking suggested my left leg was indeed fractured, therefore, was wrapped carefully, and I was taken to an emergency room. X-ray of my leg and CT scan of my head and chest showed that my left leg had serious fractures. Surgery to stabilize the fractures was performed. And a second surgery will be performed in two days.

Reported
Nov 2024
Incident date
Oct 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11624333 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJul 2024 · ODI 11602666Details +

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and downshifted unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Reported
Jul 2024
Incident date
Jul 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11602666 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2024 · ODI 11602428Details +

The contact's fiancé owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. While the contact's fiancé was driving 55 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and decelerated from 55 MPH down to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Reported
Jul 2024
Incident date
Jul 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11602428 at NHTSA →
SteeringJul 2024 · ODI 11601838Details +

"I was driving when the passenger airbag light came on and wouldn't turn off. At the same time, my steering wheel locked up, and my car started making a whining/humming sound. The lights began blinking on and off, and the battery light came on, even though the battery was brand new. Finally, my car completely shut off while I was driving in the middle of the street." A few years ago, I encountered a similar situation when a new computer component was installed, but they had trouble identifying the issues. It ended up costing me over a thousand dollars for problems they weren't certain about. Each time they added more parts, it turned out that it wasn't the solution. I'm hesitant to take it back to the dealership for fear of facing the same issues again. I plan to file a formal complaint and seek advice or assistance regarding this issue. Upon reviewing previous complaints, I noticed several similarities. I was never contacted by anyone regarding the recall on the airbag issues, and I would like this to be rectified immediately.

Reported
Jul 2024
Incident date
Jul 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11601838 at NHTSA →
SteeringJun 2024 · ODI 11592385Details +

I own a 2012 Camry LE with about 70,000 miles which is in excellent condition and well-maintained. Recently I began to hear a rattle, tapping or knocking sound apparently from somewhere in the left engine or cabin area. I feel confident its sources is possibly a steering column issue. You sort of feel it whenever you have some rough road surface; and if it’s a bump you hear the metal knock. While it doesn’t appear to cause a steering malfunction. The issue or noise does seem to come from the steering column. Independent research on the web has indicated that countless queries have been reported about this same year vehicle and issue. Described as a small $10 plastic part that degrades thereby allowing the vibration or knocking noise to appear. Cost to repair again is $10 for part and 7-8 hour labor roughly $950 from the actual dealer to repair. Damper Electric Power Steering Motor Shaft, 48254‑28040 Steering Motor Coupling Gear Replacement for Camery 2012-2014 is the questioned part that is inferior or of poor design that breaks down and causing the noise

Reported
Jun 2024
Incident date
Jun 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11592385 at NHTSA →
SuspensionApr 2024 · ODI 11584246Details +

Steering bushing broken.

Reported
Apr 2024
Incident date
Jul 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11584246 at NHTSA →
EngineMar 2024 · ODI 11579394Details +

My 2012 Toyota Camry has started shutting off If I do a hard stop or quick stop by pressing on the breaks. My car will be on, in drive and completely turn off. The lights on the dashboard will all flash on then it turns off. I will have to quickly put the car in park, take the key out then put the key back in and turn the car on for it to start again. There are no warning lights that appear on the dashboard before the car turns off. They all flash suddenly and then it stalls out. It has stalled out while driving multiple times with vehicles behind me in my lane. This is very unsafe as I have reduced driving on highways in case it occurs. This has been reproduced by my mechanic who has said it is burning oil very quickly. He confirmed there were no leaks. I’ve only used synthetic oil and bought my car brand new in 2012. Once my oil is changed the problem seems to go away for awhile until the oil gets low again however my oil changes do not last as long in between and I usually need another oil change 20K miles before it is “due”. Since my car has started burning oil so quick my oil change light does not come on to notify me it is low or needed so I’ve been advised to check my oil every 1,000 miles.

Reported
Mar 2024
Incident date
Feb 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11579394 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherFeb 2024 · ODI 11572523Details +

Transmission is shuddering skipping. Causing the car to shake. Happens during acceleration.

Reported
Feb 2024
Incident date
Jun 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11572523 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherDec 2023 · ODI 11561974Details +

I got the shudder from the description online that affects the transmission upon accelerating. . It's from a ecm software recall? When placing the transmission in park, it rolls forward some. I have had this car for a couple yrs. Put only 30, 000 on it. it just reached 100,000. Bought it at 69, 000 miles. Will be taking the car in the Toyota shop friday. When I purchased the vehicle; there was no recalls as stated!

Reported
Dec 2023
Incident date
Aug 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11561974 at NHTSA →
Air BagsDec 2023 · ODI 11561729Details +

I hit a curb while I was turning and I my air bag light and seatbelt light turned on. My passenger air bag won’t turn back to on even when someone is sitting in and my seatbelt light won’t turn off. Nothing was deployed when I hit the curb just the lights turning on.

Reported
Dec 2023
Incident date
Dec 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11561729 at NHTSA →
Power TrainDec 2023 · ODI 11558152Details +

Car surging while going at low speeds turning to the right x 2. Stepped on brake and car would not steer either direction.

Reported
Dec 2023
Incident date
Dec 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11558152 at NHTSA →
EngineNov 2023 · ODI 11556274Details +

Toyota has a recall for 2012 camry torque converter issue. The recall was issued with a timeframe and/or mileage limit. My camry never experienced these issues until after the recall expired. i reached out to toyota about the recall and they state they aren't going to fix the issue.

Reported
Nov 2023
Incident date
Jul 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11556274 at NHTSA →
EngineNov 2023 · ODI 11553539Details +

I purchased my car about 4 years ago. Less than a year later after I purchased the vehicle, I took it back to the dealer informing them of the shaking or vibration. They gave the car back to me telling me there’s nothing wrong with the car. Months later I called them again for the same thing and they said the same. Not long ago, I was driving the car with my 2 year old granddaughter and my daughter, taking a turn, the lights in the dash came on and the wheel became so hard that I almost crashed because I couldn’t hardly turn the wheel. I pulled over on a very busy road Hooper Ave TR NJ. We almost got hit by the traffic because there’s no place to pull over and waited to see if it was safe to drive the car. Took the car to a mechanic and doing research he mentioned the torque converter is bad and that’s the reason why it vibrates and shakes. All along, the dealer knew about the problem and they ignored the issue. “The 2012-2014 Toyota Camry shudder that can potentially happen in these Toyota models made during these years. The shudder comes from the transmission, especially during the acceleration of the Camry models. It can be alarming for the driver and be a safety concern when the gears do not properly change during operation. When this problem persists over a significant period of time, it has the poetry to cause long-term damage to your transmission. Damage to your transmission can be costly and affect the overall performance of your Toyota.” Perhaps maybe now because I have been driving it for a while now with the same issue, believing the dealer that there’s was nothing wrong with it, that’s the problem became worse and more dangerous. Other websites say there’s a recall on the issue so I would like to get this serious issue fixed as soon as possible as this is the only vehicle available to move around.

Reported
Nov 2023
Incident date
Sep 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11553539 at NHTSA →
Power TrainOct 2023 · ODI 11547589Details +

The 2012 Camry has a known problem with its Torque Converter. At low throttle (less than 1500 RPM), the torque converter exhibits a shudder while changing gears, most often going from 4th to 5th gear. Toyota initially released a service advisory in 2017 and attempted to fix the problem with a software update. A few years later, Toyota released an extended warranty covering the defect for 8 years of first use or 150,000 miles; whichever came first. Toyota claims that this defect may eventually result in transmission failure. My car exhibited this problem in 2016. A local Toyota dealership confirmed the problem and performed the software update. This temporarily resolved the torque converter shudder. In early 2022, the shudder returned. By this time, the extended warranty period had expired and Toyota refused to repair the defect since more than 8 years had passed since first use. The issue persists, and this defect should be placed under a recall instead of a time-limited warranty.

Reported
Oct 2023
Incident date
Jan 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11547589 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherSep 2023 · ODI 11546924Details +

When accelerating transmission is hesitated to almost car dies. When pulling out into traffic cars almost run over you due to this or go to take off at red lights when you accelerate it hesitates then takes off.

Reported
Sep 2023
Incident date
Sep 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11546924 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlSep 2023 · ODI 11542097Details +

Computer system failure ABS system not functioning causing driving functions not working. Problem continuously reproduced by independents and finally by Dealer. Dashboard lights on, engine, tracking, ABS, Brak and other lights. MPG reduced with speedometer down to zero while driving.

Reported
Sep 2023
Incident date
Aug 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11542097 at NHTSA →
SteeringAug 2023 · ODI 11538025Details +

The steering column u joint is loose and needs to be replaced. This is going to require the entire steering shaft to be replaced and taken apart.

Reported
Aug 2023
Incident date
Sep 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11538025 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2023 · ODI 11533568 · crashDetails +

I WAS GOING TO PARK MY CAR SO I WAS SLOWING HEADING TOWARD THE PARKING SPOT. I SLOWED DOWN AND TRIED TO PARK MY CAR; HOWEVER, AS I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELARATED ON ITS OWN AND JUMPED THE CURB. MY CAR HIT THE BUILDING BREAKING SEVERAL WINDOWS. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELARATION DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF MY CAR.

Reported
Jul 2023
Incident date
Jun 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 11533568 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2023 · ODI 11531645Details +

N/a

Reported
Jul 2023
Incident date
Jul 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11531645 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2023 · ODI 11531421Details +

Transmisión problem when acelerate my car

Reported
Jul 2023
Incident date
Jul 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11531421 at NHTSA →
SteeringJun 2023 · ODI 11526189Details +

Drivers side steering wheel has a clicking clunking sound and appears this is a well-known issue with this year car that Toyota has never addressed some type of silicone, bearing or washer war wears out, but the whole column must be removed to replace it from what I see it’s like $1000 I have Toyota do it for a $20-30 part

Reported
Jun 2023
Incident date
Jun 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11526189 at NHTSA →
EngineJun 2023 · ODI 11526308Details +

Odometer fraud. Tampered odometer and tried to sell the car and the tampering is huge 100K miles.

Reported
Jun 2023
Incident date
Jun 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11526308 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2023 · ODI 11525341Details +

2012 Toyota Camry has Torque Converter Shudder issues and they knew about it. They also ran the Warranty Enhancement program but failed to notify its owners. I never received about this Warranty from them. I had this wired noise for brief seconds when driving at a speed of 50-65MPH and told the Toyota authorized repair and maintenance center about it when I took my car for regular maintenance. They checked my car and also failed to update me on this extended warranty and could not find the issue. They knew that this was an ongoing issue but did not bother to correctly update me on this. I only happen to know about this when my transmission started to slip and was searching if there was any recall and found about their Warranty Enhancement program as mentioned https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10129984-9999.pdf but it was too late. I also called the Toyota Engagement Center to discuss this but they said they can't do anything as the program expired. The car now slows down itself when driving either in 20-25MPH or 55-60MPH and this could lead to unforeseen situations and could be a safety issue for the roads and highways I would like NHTSA to step in and make this a safety recall. It looks like almost all 2012 Camry are affected by this issue.

Reported
Jun 2023
Incident date
Aug 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11525341 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlMay 2023 · ODI 11522600Details +

There was a recall on this Camry model 2012 to 2014 that the Charlotte, NC dealership refused to cover. I am having a transmission issue that causes my car to shudder and vibrate at regular speeds. “shudder comes from the transmission, especially during the acceleration of the Camry models. It can be alarming for the driver and be a safety concern when the gears do not properly change during operation. When this problem persists over a significant period of time, it has the poetry to cause long-term damage to your transmission. Damage to your transmission can be costly and affect the overall performance of your Toyota…” -Toyota of west county website

Reported
May 2023
Incident date
Jan 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11522600 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMay 2023 · ODI 11521422Details +

HIGH FUMES INSIDE OF CAR HAD ME DAIZED OUT. I STRUGGLED TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN AND NOT BE SLEEPY. I DROVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. FAKE LEATHER.

Reported
May 2023
Incident date
May 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11521422 at NHTSA →
Power TrainApr 2023 · ODI 11518096Details +

Car gears are sluggish when accelerating in between 15 to 25 mph. It does not accelerate and there is lag when accelerating stop to go.

Reported
Apr 2023
Incident date
Apr 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11518096 at NHTSA →

This page shows the latest 50 reports to keep it usable. The count above includes every complaint NHTSA has returned for this model year.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Air Bags · 13V014000Details +

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.

Risk: 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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Electrical System · 13V442000Details +

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.

Risk: 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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Camry2.5L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive243428
Camry3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive213024

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare the year-by-year record

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2012 Toyota Camry: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Toyota Camry?

Owners filed 643 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Toyota Camry. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (22% of complaints) and air bags (11%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Camry have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Toyota Camry, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Camry between 24 and 28 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.