Problems · by component

2012 Toyota Camry air bags problems

83 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Camry cite air bags, 13% of all 645 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
83
13% of all complaints
Crashes
46
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
49
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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. The contact attempted to correct the steering but lost control of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to drive into a ditch and flip over several times before coming to a complete stop upside down. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated nor abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle prior to the crash. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained a laceration to the head, scrapes on both legs, an injury to the left arm, and an injury to the right knee. Medical attention was required, including an emergency room visit and doctor visits. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 255,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11750348
“"I was driving when the passenger airbag light came on and wouldn't turn off. At the same time, my steering wheel locked up, and my car started making a whining/humming sound. The lights began blinking on and off, and the battery light came on, even though the battery was brand new. Finally, my car completely shut off while I was driving in the middle of the street." A few years ago, I encountered a similar situation when a new computer component was installed, but they had trouble identifying the issues. It ended up costing me over a thousand dollars for problems they weren't certain about. Each time they added more parts, it turned out that it wasn't the solution. I'm hesitant to take it back to the dealership for fear of facing the same issues again. I plan to file a formal complaint and seek advice or assistance regarding this issue. Upon reviewing previous complaints, I noticed several similarities. I was never contacted by anyone regarding the recall on the airbag issues, and I would like this to be rectified immediately.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2024Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11601838
“I hit a curb while I was turning and I my air bag light and seatbelt light turned on. My passenger air bag won’t turn back to on even when someone is sitting in and my seatbelt light won’t turn off. Nothing was deployed when I hit the curb just the lights turning on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2023Air bagsODI 11561729
“The drain hose for the AC Condenser may be clogged. Water has leaked from the seam of the airbag compartment on the driver's side near between the window and windshield. My safety and the safety of others are at risk because the water accumulation may cause an electrical issue and the car may not be safe to drive. My vehicle will undergo state inspection on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. I noticed this problem in January 2022.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2022Air bagsODI 11450881
“The vehicle was taken to J & J Auto Service for normal maintenance, in addition to the airbag warning light being on. When picking up the car, the owner was informed that a pin/screw was missing from the airbag located in the steering column. Owner was advised that the airbag could deploy at any time and cause injury or death to the driver. The cost for repair - $900.00. or could be higher. Owner followed up by checking for recalls on this manufacturing flaw, but saw no recall for this problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2022Air bagsODI 11449205
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THEM BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11408272

Showing 6 of 83 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2013NHTSA 13V014000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.