WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH, 3RD AND 4TH SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND WHILE PRESSING THE GAS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES. SOMETIMES IT IS SOMEWHAT CLEAR TO ACCELERATE, OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE FIGHTING A WALL THAT WILL NOT MOVE. I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECU AND A POSSIBLE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE…
2012 toyota Camry powertrain problems
moderate 142 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
142
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HESITATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIF…
Ever since I purchased vehicle back May 2016 with 24K miles on it (currently has 107k miles on it) the car has been vibrating between 35mph - 45mph. I took it to the dealer over 3 times within 30 days of purchase and they couldn’t figure it and replaced tires. They said it vibrates because roads are uneven. Didn’t feel like dealing with dealership and left it at that. Last year in 2021 I decided t…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 142 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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