YearToAvoid

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

79/100

#5 most-complained of 20 Camry Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid has 55 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 79 out of 100 — #5 highest of 20 Camry Hybrid model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is brakes (10 complaints, 18% of the total). Complaints report 11 crashes and 15 injuries.

Complaints
55
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
11 / 0
Injuries / deaths
15 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
39.5
41 city / 37.5 hwy

Top 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes10 (18%)
  2. Other10 (18%)
  3. Engine9 (16%)
  4. Structure & Body9 (16%)
  5. Airbags8 (15%)
  6. Electrical System8 (15%)
  7. Steering7 (13%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (5%)
  10. Fuel System2 (4%)
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month5Jun 2012Mar 2013Mar 2014Dec 2014Sep 2015Aug 2016Feb 2018Dec 2018
74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2012 to Jul 2019; peak Jun 2013 (5).

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
41 MPG
Highway
37.5 MPG
Combined
39.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,625
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Camry Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good2610234
2011Caution5823233
2012Avoid7955139.5
2013Caution6327139.5
2014Caution7425139.5

All Toyota Camry Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid ranks #5 of 20 among Camry Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 79/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 55 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), engine (9 complaints), and structure & body (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 27,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, most recently reported 2013, covering structure & body.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid at 39.5 MPG combined (41 city / 37.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,625. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.