Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
"I was driving when the passenger airbag light came on and wouldn't turn off. At the same time, my steering wheel locked up, and my car started making a whining/humming sound. The lights began blinking on and off, and the battery light came on, even though the battery was brand new. Finally, my car completely shut off while I was driving in the middle of the street." A few years ago, I encountered a similar situation when a new computer component was installed, but they had trouble identifying the issues. It ended up costing me over a thousand dollars for problems they weren't certain about. Each time they added more parts, it turned out that it wasn't the solution. I'm hesitant to take it back to the dealership for fear of facing the same issues again. I plan to file a formal complaint and seek advice or assistance regarding this issue. …
The vehicle was taken to J & J Auto Service for normal maintenance, in addition to the airbag warning light being on. When picking up the car, the owner was informed that a pin/screw was missing from the airbag located in the steering column. Owner was advised that the airbag could deploy at any time and cause injury or death to the driver. The cost for repair - $900.00. or could be higher. Owner followed up by checking for recalls on this manufacturing flaw, but saw no recall for this problem.
The drain hose for the AC Condenser may be clogged. Water has leaked from the seam of the airbag compartment on the driver's side near between the window and windshield. My safety and the safety of others are at risk because the water accumulation may cause an electrical issue and the car may not be safe to drive. My vehicle will undergo state inspection on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. I noticed this problem in January 2022.
I hit a curb while I was turning and I my air bag light and seatbelt light turned on. My passenger air bag won't turn back to on even when someone is sitting in and my seatbelt light won't turn off. Nothing was deployed when I hit the curb just the lights turning on.
Request contact with investigators regarding air bag deployment failure following front end collision in 2012 Toyota Camry. Vehicle had passed recall service last year. My wife was struck in the left front and quarter area by negligent driver during a snowstorm on 1/23/2015. She was unable to apply brakes. The air bags did not deploy. So far, the primary appraisal is $4,600.00 in damages to drivers door, left front panel, left wheel well and drive train, the entire front bumper, right front quarter panel, hood, and roof pillars. The tear down is in progress for supplemental appraisal. Air bags failed to deploy. After the accident, she called and I advised her to access winter survival kit. She said the engine ran and used the heat until the police arrived. When my wife stepped out of the car to meet the police, she slipped onto black ice and fell onto her lower back and pelvis. …
It was dark and raining. I was turning left from a parking lot across two lanes of traffic to the median. I crossed in front of a white vehicle on the outside lane that was slowing and turning. However, there was another black vehicle on the inside lane that was hidden from my view. The lights blended with the glare of all the other lights on the road. As I crossed, I was hit on front driver side by the black vehicle travelling approximately 40 MPH, no braking because she couldn't see me either. Car totaled. No airbag deployed. My head hit the driver side window area so hard it broke the glass. I have six stitches in the side of my head and huge hematoma on my scalp. Large goose egg hematoma on my left temple area. Caused concussion and have post concussive syndrome. Horrible headaches, blurry vision, sore and stiff neck. The other vehicle's airbags deployed. …
On January 6, 2019, I was involved in a serious multi-vehicle collision on the highway in which my Toyota Camry was violently rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at 70mph. The collision was of such force that my Camry was rammed forward causing me to collide into another vehicle directly in front of me and a domino effect of three additional vehicles in front of him. Physically, I sustained a cervical spine injury, rib contusion, left knee joint damage as well as cuts and bruises. What I found most disturbing of all is that not a single one of the many air bags in my Toyota Camry deployed. The vehicle behind me and the vehicle directly in front of me all had functioning air bags that deployed during the collision. The chain reaction crash put me in a dangerous position (sandwiched by two vehicles) and my vehicle sustained the most harmful impact of all the vehicles involved. …
December 29th at 3:00 a.m my wife and I was going to the atm in granger tx. As I approached a sharp curve I went to apply the brake to slow down and the car speeded up hit the culvert and went airborne. We came down on a boulder and somehow we managed to drive back to my brother in laws. The airbags did not go off. I have severe whiplash, I cracked my l1 and injured my side and back. My wife's head hit the side window so hard she had a concussion knots and bruises on her head. She has bruises on her right shoulder, hit her knee and leg. If we had not been wearing seat belts we would have died. If our airbags had worked we would not have been hurt as bad as we are. My wife's glasses are bent and my watch is broke. I am sending pictures to prove the airbags did not work. …
My car was braodsided by a motorcycle causing $9500. Damage to the driver's side door, frame, panels, windshield, interior. My airbag never deployed. I had whiplash, severe lacerations to my mouth, teeth loose, face, eyes, nose, throat, arms, & upper body from chards of glass and whiplash. I contacted Toyota & filed a complaint, they said it was too late to inspect as the ins co had the car towed & repaired. But the airbag was not repaired as it never deployed. Even the police said they could not believe the airbag did not deploy and suggested I contact Toyota. ....updated 12/16/15 updated 10/17/2017
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Toyota Camry, 13% of the model year's 590 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 Toyota Camry, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota Camry airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 41 crashes, 0 fires and 43 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.