VehicleVerdict

2012 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 807 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Camry year — the 2012 model ranks #8 of 43 Camry years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 87 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (142), other (88), and airbags (74), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

807

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

127

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

87

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted3,669 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 798 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,669 complaints2008: 1,139 complaints2009: 1,611 complaints2010: 764 complaints2011: 779 complaints2012: 807 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 637 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,082 complaints2019: 551 complaints2020: 374 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 87 complaints2023: 85 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 198 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission14218%
Other8811%
Airbags749%
Electrical System739%
Speed Control678%
Engine628%
Body & Structure618%
Steering607%
Brakes557%
Fuel System263%
Tires & Wheels223%
Visibility & Wipers202%
Suspension162%
Seat Belts121%
Seats111%
Lighting91%
Driver Assistance40%
Latches & Locks30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2012 Toyota Camry have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V442000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)October 17, 2013 · 802,769 units

Defect

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.

13V014000SeatsJanuary 16, 2013 · 3,235 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD AND DOWN A HILL BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 25, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 2, 2023 · crash

“MY VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER ENTERING AN INTERSECTION OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING 5-10 MPH AND SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE IN COLLISION. AFTER BEING HIT BY THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING A MINIMUM OF 40 MPH. MY CAR SPUN 180 DEGREES FROM FORCE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 29, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 16, 2013 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED BEFORE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 7, 2012 · crash

2012 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Camry reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 807 complaints put the 2012 model at #8 of 43 Camry years. It is one of the Camry years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (142 complaints), other (88 complaints), airbags (74 complaints).

Does the 2012 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2012 Toyota Camry?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Toyota Camry earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.