2012 Toyota Camry Problems

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.

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

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.

I am filing this complaint regarding a known and documented issue affecting my 2012 Toyota Camry (VIN: [XXX] ), which has developed a transmission shudder and vibration between 20–50 mph. This problem is directly aligned with Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0079-15 and Customer Support Program ZF4, both of which describe issues with the torque converter and ECM software. My vehicle has 116,670 miles, which falls within the mileage eligibility of the support program (ZF4: 150,000 miles), though it is just outside the time limitation (8 years). I reached out to Toyota (Case #: [XXX]) to request goodwill assistance due to the safety-related nature of the defect and the fact that it is a well-documented product flaw, but they declined support solely based on time — not on mileage or vehicle condition. The vibration affects the transmission and drivability, particularly during city and highway acceleration, creating potential hazards when merging or navigating traffic. I believe this qualifies as a design flaw with potential safety implications. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Toyota’s handling of this issue and determine whether further consumer protection or a recall is warranted, especially for owners who were not adequately notified or who fall just outside the support window despite clear symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

I recently was a passenger in my vehicle during a motor vehicle crash, and the air bags did not deployed for the driver or the passenger.

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.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale from AJ Sales & Services in Houston, TX. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 101,375. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 245,980. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that the vehicle was an Auction vehicle that was purchased by the dealer on 08/06/2024. The mileage after the auction sale was 101,294. The contact had also purchased two other vehicles from the same dealer, and there were also discrepancies with the mileages. The contact first purchased a 2014 Kia Optima. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 112,610, and it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 214,175. The second vehicle purchased was a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 101,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 198,826. The contact stated that the engines seized in the first and second vehicles five months after purchasing the vehicles.

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.

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

On 2/18/23 I took my car into the repair shop to investigate a clunking sound upon braking. The control arm was broken and the level of corrosion is extensive. I am the original and only owner and the car has never been out of Florida or on the beach or immersed in water. Toyota of North America in Plano, TX said they could not receive my pictures and that there was no one at Toyota that I could send documents to. They said if there was a recall I would be notified.

Small accident

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.

Steering wheel is hard to turn

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while her [XXX] daughter was driving at 35 MPH during traffic, the vehicle suddenly accelerated while attempting to depress the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's daughter kept on depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued increasing its speed up to 39 MPH and the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle rear-ended a vehicle that was in front, then that vehicle crashed into another vehicle that was in front of her. The contact's daughter suffered from whiplash, but no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, where an appraiser deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 ACCIDENT WAS A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELARATION DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF MY CAR.

Car surging while going at low speeds turning to the right x 2. Stepped on brake and car would not steer either direction.

The car shudders in lower gear while accelerating. Engine, steering wheel and the whole car vibrates at lower speed.

I removed the seat cover to clean it after an unfortunate stomach bug incident and discovered the styrofoam padding of the headrest was broken off on the left side. I do not know what date the styrofoam broke, but it was discovered July 22, 2025. My only guess is that my toddler could have done it himself because he liked the squeaky sound it made when he shook his head back and forth. Despite my best effort to redirect him when it happened, he would occasionally do this on car rides. We purchased the car seat from the Evenflo store on Amazon on August 31, 2023. My son was between 2 and 4 when the incident would have occurred.

The contact's fiancé owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. While the contact's fiancé was driving 55 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and decelerated from 55 MPH down to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

I was driving down the freeway going home from work at 9:30PM at night and all of the sudden, there was a loud pop from above my head when driving. It sounded like it came from the roof of my vehicle. When I pulled over, there was a big hole in the glass of the sun roof and the glass was completely shattered. Because of the way the glass shatters, I had to remove as much of the glass as I could to ensure that none of it would fly off the vehicle and hit vehicles driving behind me. I don't believe there was any prior damage to the sun roof that would have caused this to happen as I don't ever use the sun roof to begin with.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE MOON ROOF, IT FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD (1420 N RIVERSIDE AVE, MEDFORD, OR 97501) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE FAULTY, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Steering bushing broken.

When I first purchased the car I unlocked the lever to adjust my steering wheel and from that moment further my car never drove the same. If I do not play with the lever for the tilt steering and move steering wheel up and down while driving my car does not drive normal. The tires either feel like they were laying down flat when making a turn either way to the left or the right and the car seemed to be at a different position than my steering wheel was. I changed my lower control arms, inner tire rods(Front), outer tire rods(front),This is all since January of 2022. I contacted the dealership immediately when I began noticing the problem and they told me nothing was wrong with the car and they couldn't not help me. Now when I am driving it sounds like a belt shifted on a tire but hasn't or something is rubbing. My steering wheel shakes when braking, and my steering wheel is really tight. If I put my traction control on off and drive it somewhat drives better but the rubbing sounds from the front still appears. If I play with the tilt lever and move steering wheel in and out or up and down I can feel the transmission almost like releasing from straining but never feels as if it is straining if that makes since. The lever for tilt steering is sometimes really loose like it is about to fall off but other times it is so tight that I am afraid it will snap if I lock it back. No one seems to understand what is the issue at the mechanic shops I brought it too. And I am so scared of driving it that I have parked it since august because I am afraid for my safety and my childrens safety. I have heard and read about other camrys this year model having similar issues. One time my abs light and traction lights came on during my drive and then went off moments later. If I dont play with the lever and tilt steering during a drive, the steering wheel while shake, car wobbles and sounds like mud tires are on it, and the car glides all over the road and turns make as if tires flat.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving above 50 MPH, the shaking ceased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test showed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, while the transmission was upshifting, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 130,000.

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.

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.

WHEN THE SEATBELT GETS PUSHED INTO THE BUCKLE IT DOES NOT SECURE NOR STAY LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND I WENT TO TRAVEL AND THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH AT ALL.

THE SEATBELT DOESN'T CLICK INTO PLACE AND THE SENSOR DOESN'T SHOW ANYONE SITTING IN THE SEAT WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG IS OFF. VERY UNSAFE IF IN AN ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE MOON ROOF, IT FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD (1420 N RIVERSIDE AVE, MEDFORD, OR 97501) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE FAULTY, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LITHIA TOYOTA OF MEDFORD WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHT COVERS DEVELOPED A MELTED AREA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL

265/65

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAND NEW TIRE EXPLODING ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY DESTROYED RENDERING IT TOTALED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES ON THE NEW SET OF TIRES. *JS *JS

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS MY 2012 CAMRY A/C UNIT RELEASES A FOUL MILDEW ORDER. IN-CABIN FILTER AS WELL AS OZONE DEPLETION SPRAY WAS COMPLETED TWICE OVER THE SPAN OF ONE WEEK AT CROWN TOYOTA, HOWEVER THE FOUL SMELL SHORTLY REAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. *JS

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY & 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES HEATED SEAT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW, HOW COULD A VEHICLE NOT SOLD, POSSIBLY BE DEEMED NOT UP TO VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS, BUT A VEHICLE SOLD WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE BE DEEMED NOT TO BE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY ISSUE.