We experienced the "check hybrid system" message on two occasions. The first incident, on april 3, 2019, involved driving eight miles and then leaving the car (off and parked) for about 20 minutes. On returning and attempting to start the car, the power came on but the engine did not and the "check hybrid system" message displayed. It was evening, so we had the car towed to our normal repair shop and left a description of the issue. The next day the repair shop called to say that the car had started up right away, so there was nothing they could do to diagnose the issue. They suggested we contact toyota if the issue recurred. We retrieved the car, and didn't observe any further issues, so we continued driving it 20-25 miles during the work week. On april 28, 2019, twenty-five days after the first incident, while driving about 35 miles per hour along a straight section of a four-lane divided highway, the engine cut off and the the "check hybrid system" message came on. The electronics remained on and the car began to slow. There were a number of other cars nearby, but fortunately I was in the right-hand lane and was able to navigate the car onto the shoulder. I turned the car off, then attempted to restart it again after about 15-20 minutes (unsuccessfully). I had it towed to the toyota dealership. At first they thought it would be a quick repair, but after a few days of troubleshooting and escalating its issues to higher levels at toyota, they diagnosed the issue as a problem with the inverter and the battery: a repair of nearly $8000. I asked the shop to document the repairs with photos and give me the broken parts. The tech agreed to do so, but (despite following up multiple times) I have not received anything except an invoice for the cost of repairs. I do not have the invoice near at hand, but can locate it if necessary.
The worst 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes10
- Airbags8
- Body7
- Steering7
- Acceleration6
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes10
- Airbags8
- Body7
- Steering7
- Acceleration6
- Electrical6
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Visibility3
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
- Suspension2
- Wheels1
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 13V014000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Defect investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at under the following ODI number:11553736.
DP23005
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 the federal safety agency complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.the federal safety agency is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.
DP19004
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid 259
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Obsolete notice
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for...
What 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Over the course of my ownership of this car, toyota camry hybrid 2012, all 4 lock actuators have malfunctioned at least once. Recently, the driver's front side lock actuator stopped working for the second time and the only way to lock and unlock this door, is to do so manually. I paid for the repair the first time in january of 2016, $642, paid to run the diagnostics for the other three doors that went out at the same time, december 2016, and was quoted $656 today, may 2019, to repair the same driver side front door again. Toyota goodwill covered the other three doors beyond the cost of the diagnostics. I feel that they only covered the cost in december of 2016 to prevent me from issuing a complaint. This is only an issue when the vehicle is stationary. Safety issues could arise when you need to quickly enter the car in an unsafe neighborhood.
My 2012 toyota camry hybrid's driver seat belt latch malfunctioned. It buckled normally, however, when I went to unbuckle the seat belt, the spring inside the mechanism wrapped around the notch in the metal seat belt latch. The spring was completely removed with the seat belt. The seat belt no longer functions properly and will only latch if the seat belt fastener button is depressed and then released while the seat belt is inserted.
I have a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. It has 105000 miles. It has a bad vibration in the front end when you accelerate. It has been to the mechanic, but no one acknowledges that anything is wrong with it. Toyota needs to acknowledge that there's a problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. While driving 70 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact checked the rear brakes and found them to be very hot. The vehicle was taken to billion auto- toyota (4101 w 12th st, sioux falls, de 57106, 605‑309‑0979) where it was diagnosed that the brake pads were stuck. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 210160578. The failure mileage was approximately 24,250. *tt consumer stated there is friction on brake pads. Updated 12/18/18
2012 toyota camry hybrid. Consumer writes in regards to locked caliper breaking brake pads and if a recall is necessary for the model. *as
As I cruise on highway at 70 miles per hour, the hybrid traction battery starts to make mini rapid progressively loud explosions like the back of my rear seat is about to explode. To alleviate this I have to slow down to about 65 miles per hour. I have contacted toyota and the dealerships but are unwilling to investigate the cause. This car is still under warranty.
About a dozen times in the last year, the car was put in park and the engine was turned off using the on/off button, but then later in the night, it was noticed that the engine was running! The car was in the garage and the key was in the house at the time.
The moon roof on my xsl constantly rattles while driving whenever the auto goes over a bump; especially an uneven bump that torque or twists the chassis
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota camry hybrid. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact attempted to make a sudden stop by depressing the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sprained her right ankle from the pressure of depressing the brake pedal continually. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to north hollywood toyota in north hollywood, california to have the damages assessed. It had not been determined yet whether or not the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified and provided the contact with claim number: 180‑427‑0700. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Compare the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
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Other model years
20062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320252026
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Is the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, 3.7 times a typical Camry Hybrid model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid year score?
The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid scores 18 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Camry Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
Brakes, with 10 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles. Next is airbags (8).
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
What year does the Toyota Camry Hybrid have bad brakes?
The Toyota Camry Hybrid model years with the most brakes complaints are 2007 (423 complaints), 2008 (67 complaints) and 2009 (59 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Toyota Camry Hybrid?
Yes. Camry Hybrid inverter recall lawsuit lands in federal court after owner says his new car sat at the dealer for six months (November 12, 2026).
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Check its historyToyota Camry Hybrid in the news
- Camry Hybrid inverter recall lawsuit lands in federal court after owner says his new car sat at the dealer for six months
- Toyota extends warranty coverage on 2018-2021 Camry, 2020-2021 Corolla and 2019-2021 RAV4 and other models (engine)
- Toyota recalls 2025-2026 Camry Hybrid over instrument cluster/panel problem (508,354 vehicles)