Some 2012 ? 2013 model year Camry and Camry HV vehicles may exhibit a condition where the passenger-side headlight and rear defogger operate continuously. This condition may be caused by a poor ground for the Engine Room Junction Block Assembly on the left fender side panel bracket after a collision repair. This may occur during body shop repairs or other repairs where the left side fender bracket grounds were left loose, not properly attached using correct bolts, or improperly painted, and the vehicle?s battery was connected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Toyota Camry lighting problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Toyota Camry have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Camry | 13 |
| 2009 Camry | 13 |
| 2010 Camry | 12 |
| 2011 Camry | 5 |
| 2012 Camry (this page) | 6 |
| 2013 Camry | 3 |
| 2016 Camry | 3 |
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2012 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 43,873 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.