2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Vehicle Speed Control (6) · Steering (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Camry Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Seats 2013-01-16 · campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (259)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 259 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-07-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 190,000 mi“we experienced the "check hybrid system" message on two occasions. the first incident, on april 3, 2019, involved driving eight miles and then leaving the car (off and parked) for about 20 minutes. on returning and attempting to start the car, the power came on but the engine did not and the "check hybrid system" message displayed. it was evening,…”
2019-05-01 · Electrical System · 125,000 mi“over the course of my ownership of this car, toyota camry hybrid 2012, all 4 lock actuators have malfunctioned at least once. recently, the driver's front side lock actuator stopped working for the second time and the only way to lock and unlock this door, is to do so manually. i paid for the repair the first time in january of 2016, $642, paid t…”
2018-12-11 · Seat Belts · 102,000 mi“my 2012 toyota camry hybrid's driver seat belt latch malfunctioned. it buckled normally, however, when i went to unbuckle the seat belt, the spring inside the mechanism wrapped around the notch in the metal seat belt latch. the spring was completely removed with the seat belt. the seat belt no longer functions properly and will only latch if the…”
2018-10-28 · Power Train“i have a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. it has 105000 miles. it has a bad vibration in the front end when you accelerate. it has been to the mechanic, but no one acknowledges that anything is wrong with it. toyota needs to acknowledge that there's a problem.…”
2018-10-16 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads · 24,250 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. while driving 70 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact checked the rear brakes and found them to be very hot. the vehicle was taken to billion auto- toyota (4101 w 12th st, sioux falls, de 57106, 605-309-0979) where it was diagnosed that the brake p…”
2018-10-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“2012 toyota camry hybrid. consumer writes in regards to locked caliper breaking brake pads and if a recall is necessary for the model. *as *tr…”
2018-06-11 · Unknown Or Other · 35,000 mi“as i cruise on highway at 70 miles per hour, the hybrid traction battery starts to make mini rapid progressively loud explosions like the back of my rear seat is about to explode. to alleviate this i have to slow down to about 65 miles per hour. i have contacted toyota and the dealerships but are unwilling to investigate the cause. this car is stil…”
2018-06-06 · Engine · 60,000 mi“about a dozen times in the last year, the car was put in park and the engine was turned off using the on/off button, but then later in the night, it was noticed that the engine was running! the car was in the garage and the key was in the house at the time.…”
2018-05-25 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 30,000 mi“the moon roof on my xsl constantly rattles while driving whenever the auto goes over a bump; especially an uneven bump that torque or twists the chassis…”
2018-04-27 · Service Brakes · 65,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. while driving 20 mph, the brakes malfunctioned. the contact attempted to make a sudden stop by depressing the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. as a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was not filed. the contact spraine…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.