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…
2012 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
moderate 143 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
143
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 143 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 143 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 21 model years of Toyota Camry in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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…
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…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 143 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?
Across the 97 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 113,103 miles, with the median around 84,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 113,103. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
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.