Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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 owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the front driver's side door handle was fractured, and she was unable to access the vehicle through the driver's side door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver's side door handle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the door handle was easily fractured due to the plastic-based material. The contact stated that the independent mechanic replaced the door handle; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
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.
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. …
I was in a car accident on 12/14/19 . I was heading out on driveway in my apartment complex, sitting out in street a little bit in bike lane waiting on traffic to pass on a busy street (bellflower blvd.) car from far lane changed over and hit my car on front driver side by front tire knocked into parked vehicle. Car lost all fluids airbags did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled. I suffered fractured rib, brides, swollen hand and finger. I loved my Camry never had any major problem. I felt like airbags should have deployed. And yes I did take it in for the recall.
I was braking on turning into a parking spot? But instead of braking it was like I had hit the accelerator. I kept stomping the break but it would not slow down only accelerated. The car went up over the curb into a metal fence and almost hit a brick wall. I've never experienced anything like this with any car I've ever had and I've had quite a few Toyota's and a lot of them have been camrys.
Car totaled in severe accident after ownership of eight months. Airbags did not deploy. I was driving south on mcloughlin blvd in portland or and my Toyota was struck from behind by a Chrysler with such force that it hit several other cars (believe the police officer said 6.)
I rear ended a Jeep wrangler going about 30 miles an hour on the interstate. The Jeep was stationary and my car was in motion my airbags did not deploy and I hit my forehead on the steering wheel which caused a large knot and cut on my forehead.
Car was rear ended and I hit my head on dashboard due to the seat belt pretensioner and retractor not engaging. Car was stationary at a red light. Nyc police accident report: mv-2019-100-000731 report 731
On jan 31, 2012 after the lunch break, I was parking my car per usual in my office parking lot which I purchased on dec 27, 2011(1 month, 4 days old). I completely slowed down and applying brake and releasing to park the car in the right way. The car came to a stand still a little behind (by feet) from the lot. So, I thought of moving the car little bit forward to park correctly. When I stepped on acceleration with very minimal impact, the car suddenly accelerated (unintended) and hit the mobile trailer which is in front. There was damage to the car which costs $3000 to replace front hood, bumper, fix the front door which was damage. This incident also depreciated the value of my car, increased by insurance premiums which I am paying for till date. I had to pay $1000 out of my pocket. …
I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration of my Camry as I was attempting to park the car on the third level of a parking garage. The car had been operating normally until I released my foot from the accelerator pedal to pull into the parking space. Suddenly the Camry started accelerating on its own. I applied the brakes, but the car did not slow down or stop. Since I did not want to crash into ongoing cars or go over the edge unto the street below, I chose to crash into the parking space. The car went over the abutment into the cinderblock wall. The airbags did not deploy. A gentleman tried to remove the car from the abutment but said the brakes were not working nor could he get the car to move. He was able to turn off the engine. Two hours later the tow truck operator could remove the car from its spot with the brakes working. …
Body complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 Toyota Camry, 10% of the model year's 590 complaints. The component named most often is body (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota Camry body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to body & structure 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.