Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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. …
"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. …
Two issues involving fuses at approximately 135,000 miles. The fuse for my backup camera has not worked since I bought the car at 130,000 miles. There is no light for this. I have tried any at home remedies to no avail. This could pose to be an issue as I cannot see if a small child is behind my car. A couple of months later (around 135,000 miles) the fuse for my tire pressure sensor stopped working as well. There is a light for the tire pressure system that actually interferes with the light for if the tire is low. I now have to go by sight because the light is always on due to the sensor malfunction. My tire was at 22 psi, but I did not know because the tire light flashed for the sensor rather than indicating it was low. This is only an issue because the sensor light is the same light as the pressure. No professional has checked either issue to my knowledge.
My car has a problem shifting into first gear and is jerking so bad I was driving and it actually was going super slow and going and secure and I almost got hit from behind it is stuttering and hesitating going into the lower gears it also keeps showing the traction light off and on and when it's on it causes It 2 sway a lot
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 was driving about 70 mph on interstate 95 and all of a sudden my car shut off while going 70 mph my check engine light and the traction control light came on the car came back on while still going 70 mph picked up where it left off it was a bit Scary
Driving car and I was stopped at intersection on a foggy morning about 6:15 am. Went to turn right at intersection and saw what I thought was a dense amount of fog flow across the front of my car. As I drove down the road, I smelled something burning, saw some smoke from under the front hood. An alarm went of and my dash displayed the warning hybrid system malfunction. Then fire started coming out from under the hood and up along the front windshield. I was just passing a gas station at the time so I continue to drive down pass the gas station and then pulled the car over to the side of the road and existed the car. The nearest fire company was out on a call, so the car continued to burn for about 30 minutes. As a result the entire front half of the car was completing burnt. Had no problems with the car prior to this fire. In fact, I drove it 176 miles the night before the fire. …
On two occasions, while driving, the engine turned off for approximately 1 or 2 minutes, leading to a loss of control of the vehicle, the brakes and the steering. Then it automatically turned back on, and I could continue driving. On both occasions I was driving at approximately 20kms per hour, and I was making a turn. On the 2nd occasion, the car went uponto the sidewalk and crashed into a tall step that proected the car from going through the display window. I took the car to the agency in cuernavaca, Mexico and they ran a scan that indicated that the engine had in fact turned off while going 19kms per hour, but they kept the report and refused to turn it over to me. This is the only 'proof' or supporting information that I would have had.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Toyota Camry, 11% of the model year's 590 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota Camry electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.