2012 Toyota Camry Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 22, 2026 · Filed: November 2, 2026

The nut on the steering column (steering column damper) seems to be defective. It is a metal nut with green plastic insert. Over time and milage the green plastic breaks apart causing a steering vibration and loud noise. This part is in a range of Toyota Camry's in the early and mid 2012 - newer range. The replacement part from Toyota costs only $9 - $15. The problem (expense) is that the dash, airbag and steering column have to be removed to replace this part and the labor (from Toyota) ranges from $900 to $1300 depending on the dealership. A less than $20 part that holds the steering column steady (hazard) costs above $1000 in labor to replace. Seems as though Toyota can afford the small part and absorb the labor cost as this seems to be a safety issue. Please let me know what I can do to have this family vehicle back up to Toyota quality. thanks.

Incident: October 18, 2025 · Filed: October 7, 2026

Two issues involving fuses at approximately 135,000 miles. The fuse for my backup camera has not worked since I bought the car at 130,000 miles. There is no light for this. I have tried any at home remedies to no avail. This could pose to be an issue as I cannot see if a small child is behind my car. A couple of months later (around 135,000 miles) the fuse for my tire pressure sensor stopped working as well. There is a light for the tire pressure system that actually interferes with the light for if the tire is low. I now have to go by sight because the light is always on due to the sensor malfunction. My tire was at 22 psi, but I did not know because the tire light flashed for the sensor rather than indicating it was low. This is only an issue because the sensor light is the same light as the pressure. No professional has checked either issue to my knowledge.

Incident: July 27, 2026 · Filed: August 18, 2026

2012 Toyota Camry LE developed severe transmission shudder/vibration during normal driving, especially around 25–35 mph and 45–60 mph. The vehicle also experienced noticeable vibration when shifting into Reverse and Drive. An OBD scan previously detected diagnostic trouble code P2716 related to transmission pressure control. The transmission fluid was serviced, but the shudder continued. While driving on the highway, the check-engine light came on again. The vehicle was subsequently returned to the seller and a $7,500 settlement was reached. I am reporting this to document the mechanical and powertrain problems experienced with this vehicle.

Incident: June 16, 2026 · Filed: July 14, 2026

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.

Incident: November 25, 2014 · Filed: April 27, 2026

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.

Incident: February 20, 2026 · Filed: February 23, 2026

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.

Incident: February 19, 2026 · Filed: February 19, 2026

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)

Incident: January 1, 2025 · Filed: February 18, 2026

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.

Incident: November 3, 2025 · Filed: January 8, 2026

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.

Incident: September 1, 2025 · Filed: November 11, 2025

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