The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota Camry · 2012

2012 Toyota Camry. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index66100 = average car
Complaints288NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold404,885U.S. model year
Per 100K sold71complaints
Year rank#14 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 34 / 28Regular$2,200
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD42 / 38 / 40Regular$1,550
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD21 / 30 / 24Regular$2,600

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,200 and 80,000 miles. Median 38,500, from 472 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain80,00035,000–110,000104
Airbags37,00016,000–59,70061
Speed control29,4008,900–60,00059
Body structure19,7005,900–38,80057
Electrical54,00018,000–106,00051

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags17%
Body structure17%
Speed control15%
Steering14%
Brakes14%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
64595655035

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 13V442000 Oct 2013 Electrical System

    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.

    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.

  • 13V014000 Jan 2013 Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    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 se

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenBrake actuator valve wear2023–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023
ClosedBrake actuator valve wear20192021

Manufacturer communications 566

Toyota filed 566 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the power…
  • Had the Door Control Receiver replaced, which

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Camry HV 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

YouTube repair topics

95 videos about the 2012–2017 Toyota Camry, 14.6M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical4525K
Timing chain & engine2453K
Gauges, lights & wiring3320K
Oil changes & service2283K
Transmission & shifter3282K
Heat, A/C & blend door3248K
Starter, alternator & belts2243K
Brakes & ABS2139K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009172496356,824Speed control
201082317327,553Speed control
201161228306,510Speed control
201266288404,885Airbags
201329149408,484Transmission & drivetrain
201445209428,606Speed control
201531132429,355Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data