ToyotaCamry HV2012Overview/toyota/camry-hv/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Camry HV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Camry HV.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Toyota Camry HV is a passenger car requiring 4.7 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil for its powertrain, yet its routine mechanical upkeep is overshadowed by a problematic reliability record. This specific model year generated 632 total owner complaints alongside 2 recalls, with the power train serving as the primary area of concern among owners. Sitting as the highest-complaint year across the 2011-2014 generation—a stark contrast to the 295 complaints of the 2013 model—the 2012 HV marks a notable reliability dip that demands careful scrutiny from researchers evaluating the platform's long-term durability.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter17801YZZ02 alt 178010P051
Spark plug9091901233 alt 9091901247
Battery2880036052 alt 2880028102
Front wiper blades8521206130 alt 8522206131
Serpentine belt90916A2019 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat163250T030 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3417 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 HV rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23R - HYBRID W/MOONROOF S65D26R

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs / 58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0006 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.984 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Camry HV sits at the peak of the four-year complaint arc, with 632 complaints—the highest in the 2011–2014 window—and 566 TSBs, also the highest. Complaints dropped sharply to 295 in 2013 before rising to 466 in 2014, suggesting that the 2012 model year, as the first of this generation, experienced more teething issues. The top complaint areas for 2012 are powertrain (105), air bags (49), and steering (40), and the year also logged 94 crash-related complaints and 6 fire complaints. Recalls are relatively low at 2, but the high complaint and TSB counts indicate a greater frequency of owner-reported problems compared to later years. Given that 2013 and 2014 show notably fewer complaints, the 2012 Camry HV is a less desirable buy within this generation, as the data points to a higher risk of issues, particularly in the powertrain and safety systems.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
566
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
632
Owner complaints
94 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 632 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train105
Unknown Or Other59
Air Bags49
Steering40
Structure36
Engine28
Vehicle Speed Control27
Service Brakes26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 566 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camry HV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Camry HV take?

4.7 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Camry HV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.