2012 Toyota Camry Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Toyota Camry has a Complaint Index of 63, ranked 8th worst out of 20 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported transmission and powertrain problems, followed by engine and airbag issues, with 2 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #8 of 20 Camry years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 589
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 84
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 65
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 65 / 0
Top 2012 Toyota Camry problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain142 (24%)
- Engine116 (20%)
- Other91 (15%)
- Airbags75 (13%)
- Structure & Body73 (12%)
- Electrical System66 (11%)
- Brakes60 (10%)
- Steering58 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (6%)
- Fuel System26 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in moderate-speed side and frontal collisions, sometimes with the windshield cracking or occupants hitting the glass.
- Some owners reported the engine or vehicle surging or accelerating on its own at low speeds, leading to collisions with objects or vehicles ahead.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the car at low speeds, in one case striking a garage and in another a vehicle ahead despite pressing the pedal.
- Owners described a dark shadow across the top of the windshield at night that reduced visibility, tied to the electrical/lighting system.
- Rear-end crash damage extended to the trunk, bumper, and body panels in at least one reported incident.
2012 Toyota Camry recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V442000Oct 17, 2013Other802,769 vehicles
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.
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.
- 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 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota Camry reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Camry a Complaint Index of 63 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 20 model years of the Camry. Transmission and powertrain complaints make up the largest share at 24 percent.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Camry?
- Owners most often reported issues in Transmission & Powertrain (142 complaints, 24 percent share), Engine (116 complaints, 20 percent), and Airbags (75 complaints, 13 percent).
- Does the 2012 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Camry, one for a clogged air conditioning condenser drain hose and one involving occupant detection sensor recalibration. Neither recall is a do-not-drive campaign.
- How does the 2012 Camry compare to other Camry years?
- The 2012 Camry's Complaint Index of 63 is worse than years like 2015 (21, Best) and 2017 (16, Best), but better than 2007 (100, Avoid) and 2005 (89, Avoid).
- What mileage do 2012 Camry problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 40,000 for the 2012 Camry overall, with transmission issues reported at a higher median of 80,000 miles.