2011 vs 2012 Toyota Camry

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2011

  • Burning oil, 2.4L and Hybrid All years

    What to check: Check the oil level, ask how much it uses between changes, and watch for blue smoke. Ask a Toyota dealer whether the ZE7 oil consumption repair was done.

    Toyota's ZE7 program extended cover for excessive oil consumption on certain 2007–2009 Camrys and 2007–2011 Camry Hybrids with the 2AZ engine, about 980,200 Camrys and 177,600 Hybrids, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2009, an unofficial source, 227 owners report burning oil at an average of 96,600 miles, at rates from about a quart every 1,000 miles to one every 2,000.

    Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Sticky or melting dashboard All years One source so far

    What to check: Look at the top of the dash for a sticky, shiny or melted surface, or cracks, and for glare on the windshield.

    Toyota's ZE6 program extended cover for cracked, sticky or melting dashboards on certain 2007–2011 Camrys and Camry Hybrids, caused by heat or humidity, to ten years from first use whatever the miles, so it has ended for these years.

    Toyota

2012

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

Recalls

2011

  • 14V732000 2011

    The front lower ball joint boot may have been damaged in manufacture, letting the ball joint wear and loosen early. NHTSA

2012

  • 13V442000 2012–2013

    A clogged air conditioning drain can let water leak onto the airbag control module and short it. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2011, up to and including 2012.

  1. 20127th gen begins.
  2. 2012New model, in L, LE, SE and XLE trim and as a Hybrid LE or XLE, with a 178 hp 2.5L four, a 268 hp V6 or a 200 hp hybrid, and a 6-speed automatic on every non-hybrid. Toyota, a published reference

What it came with

2011

Engines
2.4L four-cylinder hybrid A published reference
Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride A published reference
Transmissions
6-speed manual (2010–2011) Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
Base (2008–2011) Edmunds, Hybrid A published reference
Packages
Backup camera (2010–2011) A published reference

2012

Engines
2.5L four-cylinder hybrid Toyota, a published reference
Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride, 1.6 kWh Toyota, a published reference
Trims
Hybrid LE Toyota, Hybrid XLE Toyota

Both years

Engines
2.5L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference, 3.5L V6 Toyota
Motors
Electric drive motor Toyota
Transmissions
6-speed automatic Toyota, a published reference, Electronic continuously variable (e-CVT) A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
LE Toyota, SE Toyota, a published reference, XLE Toyota

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2011

  • Sought after: 2011 One source so far

    SlashGear notes the 2011 earned a fairly high J.D. Power rating, its lowest score being for the driving experience. SlashGear

  • Watch for: The 6th gen as a whole All years Less sought after One source so far

    SlashGear ranks it the worst Camry generation: its model years hold the six top spots for Camry recalls, the floor mat recall covered it, and the 2007 drew over 3,600 complaints to NHTSA. SlashGear

2012

  • Sought after: The 7th gen as a whole All years One source so far

    SlashGear reports that Consumer Reports called these cars a wise used car choice. It notes the generation has the most service communications of any, though many are minor. SlashGear