What 642 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Camry

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.

NHTSA ODI 11709755

Steering wheel is hard to turn

NHTSA ODI 11686177

"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. Upon reviewing previous complaints, I noticed several similarities. I was never contacted by anyone regarding the recall on the airbag issues, and I would like this to be rectified immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11601838

I own a 2012 Camry LE with about 70,000 miles which is in excellent condition and well-maintained. Recently I began to hear a rattle, tapping or knocking sound apparently from somewhere in the left engine or cabin area. I feel confident its sources is possibly a steering column issue. You sort of feel it whenever you have some rough road surface; and if it’s a bump you hear the metal knock. While it doesn’t appear to cause a steering malfunction. The issue or noise does seem to come from the steering column. Independent research on the web has indicated that countless queries have been reported about this same year vehicle and issue. Described as a small $10 plastic part that degrades thereby allowing the vibration or knocking noise to appear. Cost to repair again is $10 for part and 7-8 hour labor roughly $950 from the actual dealer to repair. Damper Electric Power Steering Motor Shaft, 48254‑28040 Steering Motor Coupling Gear Replacement for Camery 2012-2014 is the questioned part that is inferior or of poor design that breaks down and causing the noise

NHTSA ODI 11592385

The steering column u joint is loose and needs to be replaced. This is going to require the entire steering shaft to be replaced and taken apart.

NHTSA ODI 11538025

Drivers side steering wheel has a clicking clunking sound and appears this is a well-known issue with this year car that Toyota has never addressed some type of silicone, bearing or washer war wears out, but the whole column must be removed to replace it from what I see it’s like $1000 I have Toyota do it for a $20-30 part

NHTSA ODI 11526189

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.

NHTSA ODI 11511998

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.

NHTSA ODI 11508311

Clicking noise in steering (damper for caused by a small plastic part which is defectively designed, and disintegrates). This is a very common defect in 2011-2017 Toyota Camrys. The part is only about $5, but labor is $750 because the whole steering assembly has to be taken apart. My Camry started making the rattling noise when it had 40,000 miles. The noise is getting progressively worse and may cause steering issues eventually. I have not had it fixed yet. See part # below, and see youtube videos on the issue, which is very common. Steering. Damper. Column. Part Number: 4525428040 A component that isolates the Steering Column from another component or it's mounting surface. JAPAN BUILT. MANUAL TILT. Part cannot be reused/reinstalled. Part included in column assembly. POWER TILT. US BUILT. Bushing. ELECTRIC POWER. Insulator. Computer. Motor. Fits CAMRY (2012 - 2014) https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__CAMRY/Steering-Damper-Column/10795112/4525428040.html?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla&partnerDevice=c&userLocation=9028071&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr6-QjMbZ8QIVOCitBh1CAgRiEAQYAiABEgLwhfD_BwE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QztjolCILs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73elBQ8UXA

NHTSA ODI 11424275

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD DUE TO PANDEMIC NEVER TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR RATTLING HAS INCREASED AND IN ANY BAD ROAD IS CONSTANT SO IN HIGHWAYS WHEN DRIVING. SEE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET AND A YOU TUBE VIDEO SHOWS HOW TO REPAIR IT. YESTERDAY CONTACTED TOYOTA HELP CENTER AND SAID IT WAS A SERVICE CUSTOMER ADVICE THAT EXPIRED ON 2019 I EXPLAINED THAT NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER OR E-MAIL ADVISING ABOUT THAT SERVICE I AM RETIRED AND MY CAR HAS 62,000 K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY NOW BUT IT HAS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO USE IT NOW, AND AFTER SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET THAT IS A SUBJECT THAT TOYOTA HAS TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A DAMAGED LITTLE PART ON THE STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR, SO WHEN DRIVING IS RATTLING AND STATIONARY PARKING WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER SIDE YOU CAN HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11414157

THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRIC PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI 11408124

STEERING MOTOR RATTLES AND ONLY GOT WORSE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THERE WAS A RECALL I MISSED AND WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIRED

NHTSA ODI 11407300

I HAD TROUBLE STARTING MY CAR, SO I RECEIVED A JUMP. MY CAR STARTED UP JUST FINE AND WAS DRIVING NORMALLY. AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES, I HAD NOTICED THE EPS LIGHT POP UP ON MY DASH. AT THAT POINT, MY CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD TO CHANGE LANES A D EVEN HARDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ANY TURNS. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY DASH IT UP, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AT THAT POINT OR TURN THE WHEEL. I RECEIVED A JUMP START AGAIN, AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. THE CAR DROVE NORMAL FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AGAIN. THEN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED, AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR ROAD EITHER TIME THAT IT HAD DIED.

NHTSA ODI 11391138

I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE IN FOR THE REPAIR ON MY SWAY BARS AND I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN/NEAR MY STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT REPLACE BUT THE RATTLING NOISE WAS THERE AND WAS GETTING WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND GET OVERLY ANXIOUS WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET TO AT LEAST 30 MPH IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO COME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID FOR ME TO BRING IT BACK IN BUT THEY HAVE TRIED TO DIAGNOSIS THREE TIMES. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I ALSO HAD THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRUT AND SHOCK, AND MOUNT ASSEMBLY REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11364761

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU GO OVER 60MPH . I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT SAYS ITS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA ODI 11360312

ON HWY 65 MPH POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND THEN CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF HWY AT 65 MPH SKIDDED TO A STOP. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS ALMOST HIT 3 TIMES BY CARS TRYING TO STEER MY WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TWIN CITY TOYOTA AND I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S A RECALL ON OTHER CARS BUT NOT MINE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHER PEOPLE. I THREATENED TO CALL AND REPORT TO YOU, AND THEN THEY WERE WILLING TO HELP ME. CAR HASNT BEEN INSPECTED YET. I DROPPED KEY IN DROP BOX AT TWIN CITY TOYOTA IN HERCULANEUM MO. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11353071

EPS LIGHT IS COMING ON. I SEE THAT OTHER CARS THAT IS ON RECALL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UPS

NHTSA ODI 11344234

MY EPS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SOMETIME I'M DRIVING AND WHEN IT DOES THAT MY RADIO GOES OUT AND WHEEL HARD TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI 11258669

HAVE NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.STEERING IS HARD AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11242892

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT DURING DRIVING, CAUSES LOSS OF POWER AND INABILITY TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI 11195447

I WAS DRIVING 2012 CAMRY LE AT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND FOUND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. DURING THAT TIME THE STEERING WAS HARD TO ROTATE AND ALSO THE RADIO LOST POWER. WHEN THE EPS LIGHT GONE THE STEERING WAS EASY AND RADIO STARTED WORKING. SINCE IT WAS NIGHT, AROUND 11.30 PM, NOT MAY CARS WERE THERE, LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY THAT IF IT WOULD HAPPEN DURING RUSH HOUR. I AM SCARE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THIS OUT.

NHTSA ODI 10954595

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 10950262

THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 2012 CAMRY SE WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. THE LEVER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK THE COLUMN INTO POSITION KEEPS FALLING OPEN, FROM GRAVITY, ALLOWING THE COLUMN TO TELESCOPE OUT, BE PUSHED IN, PULL UP, OR DOWN, WITH THE VERY LITTLE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REPAIR THIS, THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COLUMN FOR $1,400 SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (OVER 36,000 MILES). THE COLUMN BEING SO PLIANT, FALLING OUT OF POSITION MAKES DRIVING, ESPECIALLY TIGHT TURNING OR SUDDEN STOPS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10934866

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING, LOWER ENGINE OIL, CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING, AND MALFUNCTION LAMP INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RECHARGED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 10925390

FEELS LIKE I AM ALWAYS TRAVELING ON A HEADWIND WITH MY STEERING ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO WANDER SOMEWHERE ELSE. IT IS TIRING AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE THE CAR GOES ONE WAY, WHILE I WANT IT TO GO ANOTHER WAY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE A FEW DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO NO RESOLVE. I ALSO HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HERE IS THE LINK... HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/310-7TH-GENERATION-2012/420139-CAMRY-2012-STEERING-PROBLEM.HTML PLEASE HELP! I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I AM SURE OTHERS WHO DRIVE MY CAR FEEL THE SAME WAY.

NHTSA ODI 10863849