While traveling on a parkway at 55 MPH the electrical power steering warning light came on and the power steering ceased to work resulting in extreme difficulty controlling/steering the car. After getting the car off the road I restarted it and the eps was working. I continued traveling and within 10 minutes the problem occurred again. I contacted the dealer and brought the car in to them (the…
2012 Toyota Camry steering problems
severe 65 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 65 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 65 steering 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.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Camry's electronic power steering has well-documented problems: the steering wanders unpredictably at highway speeds, the power-assist system can fail completely leaving you fighting manual steering, and the steering column damper deteriorates causing expensive repairs. Multiple alignments won't fix the wandering because it's a system design issue, not suspension geometry.
The 2012 Camry's steering system—particularly Toyota's first year using electronic power steering (EPS)—generates a consistent complaint pattern across 65 reports. Owners describe the vehicle wandering or drifting left and right unpredictably at speeds above 50 mph, requiring constant steering corrections that make long drives exhausting and unsafe. Dealers acknowledge the problem is characteristic of the EPS system but offer no remedy. Several owners report the steering wheel lacks on-center feel entirely, like driving with no feedback.
Complete power-assist failures occur at various speeds, with the EPS warning light illuminating and the steering wheel becoming rock-hard. Some vehicles stall during these failures. One owner's power steering ECU was replaced under warranty after a relay failure was diagnosed; another had a loose ground wire causing low voltage.
A separate widespread issue involves a plastic steering column damper component (part #4525428040) that deteriorates around 40,000 miles, producing clicking or rattling noise. Replacement requires full column disassembly—labor cost around $750–$950 for a $5–$30 part.
The tilt-adjust lever mechanism also fails, falling open from gravity and allowing column movement during driving. One owner faced a $1,400 column replacement outside warranty.
Several owners report steering pulling hard to the left during braking or on crowned roads despite multiple alignments. Two owners experienced crashes related to steering failure or unintended acceleration with steering response issues. Dealers consistently claim to find nothing wrong or cite tire pressure as the cause.
Same Toyota Camry steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wander and lack of on-center feel
Vehicle drifts or wanders left and right at highway speeds, requiring constant steering corrections. Owners report the car feels like it has a mind of its own and doesn't track straight. Many describe it as the first year of Toyota's electronic power steering (EPS) system causing numb, unpredictable steering.
When: Most noticeable at speeds above 50 mph; some occurring as early as first drive or low mileage (761 miles, 3,675 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Constant wandering between lanes requiring continuous steering correction; Lack of on-center feel and steering feedback; Difficulty maintaining straight line at highway speeds; Over-responsive steering that over-corrects on curves; Steering feels loose and erratic
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignment checks and tire rotations performed; dealers conclude characteristic of electronic power steering with no remedy available
Complete power steering failure / loss of assist
Electrical power steering system fails, leaving driver with manual steering only (no power assist). Warning light illuminates and steering becomes hard to turn. Failures occur at varying speeds from 15 mph to 65 mph, creating dangerous situations on roadways.
When: Occurs during operation at various speeds; some failures repeat after restart; documented at mileages 29,000–88,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: EPS warning light illuminates on dashboard; Steering becomes very difficult to turn without power assist; Steering wheel seizes or locks up; Radio may lose power temporarily; All dashboard warning lights may illuminate; Vehicle may stall or shut off while EPS failure occurs
Codes mentioned: C1554 (Power Supply Relay Failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering ECU assembly replaced under warranty in at least one case; ground wire connection found loose in another case (11-volt fluctuation issue)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle's ECU replacement covered under warranty; some owners report Toyota declined to help despite acknowledging service campaign had expired
Steering column damper / coupling defect and rattling
Small plastic damper or coupling component in the steering column deteriorates and disintegrates, causing clicking, rattling, or clunking noise from the steering wheel or column area. Part is inexpensive (~$5–$30) but labor-intensive to replace.
When: Begins at moderate mileage (40,000 miles reported); gets progressively worse over time
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking or rattling noise from steering wheel or column; Clunking sound when turning wheel or over rough road; Noise increases with rough pavement; Metal knock sound at bumps; Noise audible both while stationary and while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Part #4525428040 (Steering Damper Column, Electric Power steering variant); labor cost approximately $750–$950 for full column disassembly; part cannot be reused
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Customer Advice issued (expired by 2019 per one report); owners report not receiving notification
Tilt steering column lock mechanism failure
The lever that locks the steering column tilt position fails to hold position. Lever falls open from gravity, allowing column to telescope, move up/down, or shift position while driving. Makes adjustment difficult and steering position unstable.
When: Occurs on used and new vehicles; out-of-warranty repair costs noted
Symptoms owners cite: Tilt lock lever falls open from gravity; Steering column shifts position during driving; Column moves with minimal pressure; Lever becomes very loose or intermittently very tight
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of entire steering column; cost approximately $1,400 out of warranty
Steering pulling to one side (usually left)
Vehicle pulls or drifts strongly to the left or right, especially during braking or on crowned road surfaces. Can cause involuntary lane changes and crashes. Multiple alignment checks and adjustments do not resolve issue.
When: Can occur early in ownership; persists despite multiple dealer visits and repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to left when braking; Vehicle drifts left or right on crowned roads; Steering pulls to left during acceleration; Persistent pulling after alignment checks
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignments and tire pressure adjustments attempted; dealers report nothing wrong or problem related to regenerative braking system (hybrids)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer acknowledged regenerative braking system problem on hybrid model; Toyota admitted other owners have similar issue but offered no solution
Unintended acceleration with steering response issues
Vehicle accelerates on its own after driver releases throttle, while simultaneously steering becomes difficult to control or responds erratically. One owner reported car lunged forward on stopped traffic; another reported wheel lock-up during unintended acceleration event.
When: Documented in December 2012; can occur after the vehicle has been parked on incline
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input; Steering becomes difficult or unresponsive during event; Driver's side wheel locks up; Burning smell reported; Vehicle veers uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: RPM stuck at 1.3 after dealer service in one case; no permanent fix found
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealer and manufacturer declined to help in some cases; no recall issued per owner research
Steering tilt adjustment lever operation issues
Tilt steering adjustment lever becomes inconsistent—sometimes loose and about to fall off, other times extremely tight and difficult to lock. Adjusting the lever and moving steering wheel while driving causes transmission to seem to release tension. Related to broader steering column integrity issues.
When: Ongoing since vehicle purchase in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Tilt lever very loose or very tight intermittently; Fear of lever snapping if locked; Moving lever and wheel during drive affects transmission behavior; Steering wheel shakes during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple lower control arms and tie rods replaced; no permanent resolution achieved
Excessive play and looseness in steering wheel
Steering wheel exhibits excessive play or looseness, especially at highway speeds. Described as unstable and erratic steering requiring constant correction and high driver concentration.
When: Noted on first highway drive in new vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel very loose and erratic at highway speed; Excessive play in steering; Requires intense focus and constant wheel movements to maintain control
Synthesized from 65 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2012 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 65 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 5,049 and 62,000 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,049; a quarter make it past 62,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.