2012 Toyota Camry acceleration problems

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · WA

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 the federal safety agency. Toyota declined to repair the issue under goodwill or policy exception. I am requesting that the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NJ

I am filing this complaint regarding a known and documented issue affecting my 2012 Toyota Camry (VIN: [XXX] ), which has developed a transmission shudder and vibration between 20–50 mph. This problem is directly aligned with Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0079-15 and Customer Support Program ZF4, both of which describe issues with the torque converter and ECM software. My vehicle has 116,670 miles, which falls within the mileage eligibility of the support program (ZF4: 150,000 miles), though it is just outside the time limitation (8 years). I reached out to Toyota (Case #: [XXX]) to request goodwill assistance due to the safety-related nature of the defect and the fact that it is a well-documented product flaw, but they declined support solely based on time — not on mileage or vehicle condition. The vibration affects the transmission and drivability, particularly during city and highway acceleration, creating potential hazards when merging or navigating traffic. I believe this qualifies as a design flaw with potential safety implications. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review Toyota’s handling of this issue and determine whether further consumer protection or a recall is warranted, especially for owners who were not adequately notified or who fall just outside the support window despite clear symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 15, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 240,000 miles · MA

The contact's fiancé owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. While the contact's fiancé was driving 55 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and decelerated from 55 MPH down to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

Computer system failure ABS system not functioning causing driving functions not working. Problem continuously reproduced by independents and finally by Dealer. Dashboard lights on, engine, tracking, ABS, Brak and other lights. MPG reduced with speedometer down to zero while driving.

Filed May 18, 2023 · Acceleration · NC

There was a recall on this Camry model 2012 to 2014 that the Charlotte, NC dealership refused to cover. I am having a transmission issue that causes my car to shudder and vibrate at regular speeds. “shudder comes from the transmission, especially during the acceleration of the Camry models. It can be alarming for the driver and be a safety concern when the gears do not properly change during operation. When this problem persists over a significant period of time, it has the poetry to cause long-term damage to your transmission. Damage to your transmission can be costly and affect the overall performance of your Toyota…” -Toyota of west county website

Filed Feb 23, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · 80,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and making a lane change, the vehicle started vibrating while depressing the accelerator pedal, but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the hesitation lasted for approximately 10 to 15 seconds, before the vehicle jerked forward and accelerated as needed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MD

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

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Acceleration · 73,796 miles · NY

When driving the hesitating to accelerate and slow down. I took it to the dealership advantage toyota I'm valley stream ny and the told me the engine mount is broken. I paid 890.00 to fixed and the problem never fix. I took on 03-12-21 and get on 0313-21. Call the dealership about six time to speak to the service manger and never return or answer the call. They told me he is buy.

Filed Nov 3, 2020 · Acceleration, Body · 86,253 miles · TN · crash

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · NC

I have a 2012 toyota camry. While making a turn the car loses acceleration. If the turn is long, as in a cloverleaf exit, the vehicle will almost stop. Pressing the gas has no effect. The vehicle will lag until it almost stops or until you come out of the turn. From what I find on the internet, this is a common problem with 2012 and later toyota camrys but dealers stonewall about it. I hope you get enough complaints on this to issue a recall.