Model year 2012 · Midsize Cars

2012 Toyota Camry

2012 Toyota Camry MPG

The 2012 Toyota Camry gets 21–24 mpg in the city and 30–34 on the highway (24–28 combined), across the 2 gasoline versions the EPA rated.

The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive manages 24 mpg combined, 4 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 40 mpg combined. That is 2 mpg better than the best gasoline 2011 version (26 mpg).

Toyota Camry, XV50 (2012–2017 model years)
Toyota Camry, XV50 (2012–2017 model years). Photo: IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
EPA fuel economy for every 2012 Toyota Camry version, best combined first
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
Camry Hybrid LE2.5 L 4-cyl hybridAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive423840Regular · 222 g CO₂/mi
Camry Hybrid XLE2.5 L 4-cyl hybridAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive403739Regular · 228 g CO₂/mi
Camry2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive243428Regular · 317 g CO₂/mi
Camry3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive213024Regular · 370 g CO₂/mi

2012 Toyota Camry fuel cost per year

Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Toyota Camry costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.

The thirstiest priced version (24 mpg combined) comes to about $2,720 a year, $390 more.

This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.

2012 Toyota Camry specs

The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2012 Toyota Camry: 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid, 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.5 L 6-cyl. It came with automatic and continuously variable (CVT) transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.

Engines and drivetrains (EPA)
Engine size (L)CylindersTransmissionsDriveVersions
2.5 L hybrid4Automatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive2
2.5 L4Automatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive1
3.5 L6Automatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive1

2012 Toyota Camry problems

As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 645 owner complaints about the 2012 Toyota Camry.

Power train is the most-reported area (17% of component mentions), followed by air bags (9%) and vehicle speed control (8%).

Spread over its time on sale, that is 43 complaints a year: more than the 2011 (39 a year) and the 2013 (21 a year).

That ranks 5th of 17 Toyota Camry model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.

Of the 645, 95 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 55 an injury.

Power train147 (17%)Unknown or other88 (10%)Air bags83 (9%)Vehicle speed control73 (8%)Electrical system68 (8%)Structure68 (8%)Steering67 (8%)Engine62 (7%)
Component mentions in NHTSA owner complaints (one complaint can name several components)
NHTSA complaints by component
ComponentMentionsShare
Power train14717%
Unknown or other8810%
Air bags839%
Vehicle speed control738%
Electrical system688%
Structure688%
Steering678%
Engine627%
Service brakes617%
Fuel/propulsion system253%
Suspension182%
Visibility182%
Wheels172%
Seat belts142%
Seats131%
Exterior lighting101%
Electronic stability control (esc)8<1%
Equipment8<1%
Tires6<1%
Hydraulic service brakes5<1%
Visibility/wiper5<1%
Engine and engine cooling4<1%
Equipment adaptive/mobility3<1%
Forward collision avoidance3<1%
Gasoline fuel system3<1%
Latches/locks/linkages3<1%
Traction control system2<1%
Back over prevention1<1%
Child seat1<1%
Padding insert1<1%
Interior lighting1<1%
Other/i am not sure1<1%

What owners told NHTSA

2012 Toyota Camry LE developed severe transmission shudder/vibration during normal driving, especially around 25–35 mph and 45–60 mph. The vehicle also experienced noticeable vibration when shifting into Reverse and Drive. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), August 2026 · Engine, Power train · complaint 11757762
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed uphill during flooding conditions, the vehicle slipped and hydroplaned. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), July 2026 · Air bags · complaint 11750348
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. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), July 2024 · Vehicle speed control, Engine, Traction control system · complaint 11602428

2012 Toyota Camry recalls

The 2012 Toyota Camry has been the subject of 2 recall campaigns.

The most recent, campaign 13V442000 from October 2013, concerns equipment, air bags and electrical system.

Is a recall still open on your car? This list covers every 2012 Toyota Camry. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls still need a repair on your car.
Recall campaigns (details on nhtsa.gov and the model overview)
CampaignReportedComponentCamry years covered
13V442000October 17, 2013Equipment, Air bags, Electrical system2012–2013
13V014000January 16, 2013Seats, Air bags2009–2012

Safety ratings

NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2012 Toyota Camry; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRollover
4-door FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Frontal crash test of the 4-door FWD version of the 2012 Toyota Camry at NHTSA
Frontal test · 4-door FWD
Side crash test of the 4-door FWD version of the 2012 Toyota Camry at NHTSA
Side barrier test · 4-door FWD

Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.

Compared with other years

Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota Camrys can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2012 Kia Optima (27 mpg), 2012 Nissan Sentra (29 mpg) and 2012 Chevy Malibu (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.

Toyota Camry, 2009–2015 (EPA and NHTSA)
YearBest mpgComplaintsPer year on saleRecalls
2009341,4117810
201034614369
201133624395
201240645432
201340301212
201440480373
201540286241

Every Toyota Camry model year compared →

Similar 2012 models

FAQ

Is the 2012 Camry a good car?

We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Toyota Camry has 43 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (5th most of 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 40 mpg combined from the EPA.

What are common 2012 Camry problems?

The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (147), air bags (83) and vehicle speed control (73). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many recalls does the 2012 Camry have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Camry get?

The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 24–28 mpg combined (21–24 city, 30–34 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 40 mpg combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Camry per year?

About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,720 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).