Makes›Toyota›Camry›2012

2012 Toyota Camry

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Toyota Camry
Pictured: 2018 Toyota Camry (ASV70R) Ascent sedan (2018-08-27) 01. Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
Le Hybrid/Xle Hybrid 4dr Sedan, Le/Se/Xle 4dr Sedan, Se V6/Xle V6 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Horsepower
156–268 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
40 combined · 42 city / 38 hwy
Length
189.4 in
Curb weight
3,177–3,417 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 67% better than the average 2012 midsize car (23.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Toyota Camry is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,417 lb (Le Hybrid/Xle Hybrid 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (42 city / 38 highway), 67% better than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 429 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2012

  • Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 33 to 40

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Camry →

Trims, performance & features

Engine178 hp2.5L 4-cyl
Engine156 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Engine268 hp3.5L 6-cyl

Trims

ASV50L/GSV50L/AVV50LHybrid

Built in: Georgetown, Kentucky · Lafayette, Indiana

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 Camry configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Le Hybrid/Xle Hybrid 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.7 in57.9 in109.1 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,417 lb62/38
Le/Se/Xle 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.7 in57.9 in109.1 in62.6 / 62.2 in3,177 lb60/40
Se V6/Xle V6 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.7 in57.9 in109.1 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,358 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camry Hybrid LE Hybrid2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive42 / 38 / 40+67%$1,700222
Camry Hybrid XLE Hybrid2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive40 / 37 / 39+63%$1,700228
Camry2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28+17%$2,400317
Camry3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 240%$2,800370
Save $3,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.9 MPG2012 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota Camry.

Similar 2012 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Toyota Camry (this car)40 MPGNot rated2
2012 Ford Mustang23 MPGNot rated6
2012 Honda Accord27 MPGNot rated8
2012 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated4
2012 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated0
2012 Dodge Challenger21 MPGNot rated6
2012 Chevrolet Malibu26 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (2)

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Oct 17, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V442000 · 802,769 vehicles

Problem
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.
Risk
A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles

Problem
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 seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Toyota Camry is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

429Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
54Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
42Injuries reported
67,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train114
Unknown Or Other82
Electrical System46
Air Bags44
Engine44
Vehicle Speed Control38
Steering37
Service Brakes31
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/12: 324/02: 124/03: 124/04: 124/06: 124/07: 324/11: 125/01: 125/02: 125/03: 325/04: 225/05: 125/06: 325/07: 325/08: 125/09: 125/10: 125/11: 126/01: 126/02: 326/04: 126/07: 126/08: 126/10: 123/1224/0424/1125/0325/0625/0926/0126/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Toyota Camry buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 114 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Electrical System — 46 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Air Bags — 44 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Camry. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Camry years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Camry51193.7 inNot rated3144
2025 Camry51193.7 inNot rated6173
2024 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★152
2023 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★266
2022 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★165
2021 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★1165
2020 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★3284
2019 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★7411
2018 Camry52192.5 in★★★★★8779
2017 Camry40190.9 in★★★★★3153
2016 Camry40190.9 inNot rated3189
2015 Camry40190.9 inNot rated1285

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →