10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 27,509 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The steering column u joint is loose and needs to be replaced. This is going to require the entire steering shaft to be replaced and taken apart.
- Cape Coral, FL, USA
Drivers side steering wheel has a clicking clunking sound and appears this is a well-known issue with this year car that Toyota has never addressed some type of silicone, bearing or washer war wears out, but the whole column must be removed to replace it from what I see it-??s like $1000 I have Toyota do it for a $20-30 part
- Taunton, MA, USA
When I first purchased the car I unlocked the lever to adjust my steering wheel and from that moment further my car never drove the same. If I do not play with the lever for the tilt steering and move steering wheel up and down while driving my car does not drive normal. The tires either feel like they were laying down flat when making a turn either way to the left or the right and the car seemed to be at a different position than my steering wheel was. I changed my lower control arms, inner tire rods(Front), outer tire rods(front),This is all since January of 2022. I contacted the dealership immediately when I began noticing the problem and they told me nothing was wrong with the car and they couldn't not help me. Now when I am driving it sounds like a belt shifted on a tire but hasn't or something is rubbing. My steering wheel shakes when braking, and my steering wheel is really tight. If I put my traction control on off and drive it somewhat drives better but the rubbing sounds from the front still appears. If I play with the tilt lever and move steering wheel in and out or up and down I can feel the transmission almost like releasing from straining but never feels as if it is straining if that makes since. The lever for tilt steering is sometimes really loose like it is about to fall off but other times it is so tight that I am afraid it will snap if I lock it back. No one seems to understand what is the issue at the mechanic shops I brought it too. And I am so scared of driving it that I have parked it since august because I am afraid for my safety and my childrens safety. I have heard and read about other camrys this year model having similar issues. One time my abs light and traction lights came on during my drive and then went off moments later. If I dont play with the lever and tilt steering during a drive, the steering wheel while shake, car wobbles and sounds like mud tires are on it, and the car glides all over the road and turns make as if tires flat.
- New Iberia, LA, USA
On 2/18/23 I took my car into the repair shop to investigate a clunking sound upon braking. The control arm was broken and the level of corrosion is extensive. I am the original and only owner and the car has never been out of Florida or on the beach or immersed in water. Toyota of North America in Plano, TX said they could not receive my pictures and that there was no one at Toyota that I could send documents to. They said if there was a recall I would be notified.
- Orlando, FL, USA
Clicking noise in steering (damper for caused by a small plastic part which is defectively designed, and disintegrates). This is a very common defect in 2011-2017 Toyota Camrys. The part is only about $5, but labor is $750 because the whole steering assembly has to be taken apart. My Camry started making the rattling noise when it had 40,000 miles. The noise is getting progressively worse and may cause steering issues eventually. I have not had it fixed yet. See part # below, and see youtube videos on the issue, which is very common. Steering. Damper. Column. Part Number: 4525428040 A component that isolates the Steering Column from another component or it's mounting surface. JAPAN BUILT. MANUAL TILT. Part cannot be reused/reinstalled. Part included in column assembly. POWER TILT. US BUILT. Bushing. ELECTRIC POWER. Insulator. Computer. Motor. Fits CAMRY (2012 - 2014) https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__CAMRY/Steering-Damper-Column/10795112/4525428040.html"partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla&partnerDevice=c&userLocation=9028071&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr6-QjMbZ8QIVOCitBh1CAgRiEAQYAiABEgLwhfD_BwE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QztjolCILs https://www.youtube.com/watch"v=I73elBQ8UXA
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Rattling noise coming from the driver side dashboard due to pandemic never took to dealer for repair rattling has increased and in any bad road is constant so in highways when driving. See various complaints about same issue on internet and a you tube video shows how to repair it. Yesterday contacted Toyota help center and said it was a service customer advice that expired on 2019 I explained that never received a letter or E-mail advising about that service I am retired and my car has 62,000 K miles and out of warranty now but it has to be fixed because I am afraid to use it now, and after see the complaints on internet that is a subject that Toyota has to address because is an expensive repair for a damaged little part on the steering electric motor, so when driving is rattling and stationary parking when you turn the steering wheel either side you can hear the clicking noise.
- Miami, FL, USA
The steering wheel electric problems
- Anaheim, CA, USA
Steering motor rattles and only got worse throughout the years there was a recall I missed and would like this repaired
- San Antonio, TX, USA
I had trouble starting my car, so I received a jump. My car started up just fine and was driving normally. After about 2-3 minutes, I had noticed the eps light pop up on my dash. At that point, my car became difficult to steer. I had to pull the wheel hard to change lanes a D even harder to be able to make any turns. After about another minute or two, all of the warning lights in my dash it up, and the car completely shut off. I was unable to start it at that point or turn the wheel. I received a jump start again, and the same exact thing happened. The car drove normal for a few minutes. The eps light came on again. Steering became difficult again. Then all the lights on the dash flashed, and the car died again. Thankfully I was not on a major road either time that it had died.
- Glendale, AZ, USA
I recently took my 2012 Toyota Camry SE in for the repair on my sway bars and I heard a rattling noise in/near my steering wheel/column. I then took it back to the dealer to have the lower steering shaft replace but the rattling noise was there and was getting worse. I took my car to another certified mechanic for a second opinion and he said that the power steering electrical component system would need to be replaced. And that I would need to take it to the dealer. I fear for my life and get overly anxious when I drive because once you get to at least 30 mph it sounds like the steering wheel is going to come. I called the dealership and they said for me to bring it back in but they have tried to diagnosis three times. This is my only means of transportation. I also had the front driver and passenger strut and shock, and mount assembly repaired.
- Killeen, TX, USA
The steering wheel shakes really bad when you go over 60mph. I looked it up online and it says its the intermediate steering shaft.
- Orange, CA, USA
On hwy 65 mph power steering warning light came on then lost power steering and then car died in middle of hwy at 65 mph skidded to a stop. It was very frightening. I was almost hit 3 times by cars trying to steer my way to the side of the road. Car was taken to twin city Toyota and I called Toyota and they told me that it's a recall on other cars but not mine. I could have been killed or killed other people. I threatened to call and report to you, and then they were willing to help me. Car hasnt been inspected yet. I dropped key in drop box at twin city Toyota in herculaneum mo. I'm scared to drive it now.
- Festus, MO, USA
Eps light is coming on. I see that other cars that is on recall are having the same issue. While driving the steering wheel locks ups
- Gaston, SC, USA
My eps light comes on and off sometime I'm driving and when it does that my radio goes out and wheel hard to steer.
- Tallassee, AL, USA
Have noise in the power steering control module.steering is hard and dangerous.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Electric power steering goes out during driving, causes loss of power and inability to steer.
- Russellville, AL, USA
I was driving 2012 Camry le at 55 mph and suddenly heard a pop and found power steering warning light came on the dash and stayed for more than 10 seconds. During that time the steering was hard to rotate and also the radio lost power. When the eps light gone the steering was easy and radio started working. Since it was night, around $11.30 pm, not may cars were there, luckily nothing happened. It was scary that if it would happen during rush hour. I am scare to drive this car. I have to take this car to Toyota dealer to check this out.
- Martinez, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. While driving 15-18 mph, the steering seized without warning and the contact crashed into the side of another vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the crash site back to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
- Trussville, AL, USA
The steering column on my 2012 Camry SE will not stay in position. The lever that is supposed to lock the column into position keeps falling open, from gravity, allowing the column to telescope out, be pushed in, pull up, or down, with the very little pressure while driving the vehicle. The dealer tells me there's nothing they can do to repair this, that they'll have to replace the entire column for $1,400 since my car is out of warranty (over 36,000 miles). The column being so pliant, falling out of position makes driving, especially tight turning or sudden stops very dangerous.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Seguin, TX, USA