2012-2017 Toyota Camry Parts Buying Guide, Maintenance, and More

The 2012-2017 Toyota Camry, also known as the 7th-generation Camry, delivered yet another generation of what Toyota has done best for decades. It offered a rock-solid platform with an excellent balance of durability, quality, and value, with four- and six-cylinder engines as well as a hybrid option. You could get a luxurious leather-clad Camry or you could get a simpler version with cloth and plastic wheel cover if that was more to your liking.

It’s been quite a few years since the last of these 7th-gen Camry models left the factory, and that means it’s time for maintenance, repairs, and even customization. This is your guide to maintenance and replacement parts as well as a buyer’s guide of common issues for the 2012-2017 Toyota Camry.

For more information on the 7th-generation Toyota Camry, refer to our table of contents.

While the generation lasted six model years, an update for model year 2015 saw the Toyota Camry get a new nose and tail as well as a new 7.0-inch infotainment display touchscreen. Other nice new features included available navigation and a revised backup camera. Powertrains didn’t change over the life of the car, with a 2.5-liter four making 178 hp and a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 hp joined by the hybrid driveline’s 215. This was the first Camry to not be offered with a manual transmission, the only gearbox in gas models was a six-speed automatic, while hybrids got an eCVT.

This was the last Camry before Toyota began its current shift from dependable to dependable and enthusiast driver-focused. Depending on what kind of driver you are, that might well be a plus in favor of the older car.

Common issues in the Camry are rare, but there are reports of bad smells from the vents when using the air conditioning or heating system. Some owners say that it requires the evaporator coil to be cleaned, a high-labor task. Others report that changing the cabin air filter to a fresh replacement can solve the problem, and if you’re changing the filter to stop a smell, then a system cleaner is a good idea as well.

This evaporator cleaner and refresher from DWD2 is designed to break down grime and mold inside your evaporator core. It foams to coat the entire surface and is non-toxic and non-corrosive to leave your car feeling and smelling fresher.

If you’re looking for a better voice command solution, a common complaint with Camry owners, an upgraded infotainment system with an Android operating system like the one featured later in this article can offer a much more up-to-date solution.

Some owners also reported short life spans for the rear brake calipers leading to premature pad wear. While a simple inspection is recommended by Toyota every 5,000 miles, a rear caliper service, cleaning and lubricating the caliper sliders with a quality caliper lube like this from Permatex can help stop brake troubles in their tracks. It is a synthetic non-melting lubricant that works to keep your caliper pins and pistons lubricated for a long time. In short, it stops them from sticking and keeps the calipers alive.

Pick a Camry with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and you can expect an EPA rating of 25 mpg city and 34 highway with a combined rating of 28. The V6 gives you nearly 100 hp more, but sacrifices shockingly little at the pumps. It has a 24/33 rating and 27 mpg combined. The fuel sipper, though, is the hybrid, which is rated for 42 city, 38 highway, and an impressive 30 mpg combined giving it a 680-mile estimated range on a tank. Actual owners of those models report similar real-world figures, though V6 owners report being slightly thirstier. Likely because if you want those extra ponies, you also want to use them.

A cracked headlight on a car approaching 10 years old is common. Replace that light with an upgrade like this from AUTOSAVER88. It has a black-out housing just like the SE model for a more sporty appearance. It fits all 2012-2014 non-hybrid models. If you have a hybrid of that era, or don't want the darkened SE look, this offers the same light with a chrome surround and fits all 2012-2014 Camry models.

To restore your nighttime vision we recommend a set of LABLT replacement lamps for the 2015-2017 model. These lamps not only offer great light throw but also come with a factory-style polycarbonate lens and plug-and-play installation.

When that cabin air starts to get stale, it’s probably a good time to change the cabin air filter. Keeping particles out of the cabin will improve your breathing and a clean filter will make sure you're getting plenty of airflow. See the maintenance schedule below for more on when to change it.

To change the cabin filter, open the glovebox and look for the panel in the back. Remove that panel and the one behind it by pressing their tabs and make sure the arrow on your new filter points up when it is installed.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, Philtop offers the same activated carbon filter at a lower price.

Your air filter is critical to proper performance and long life for your engine. If it's dirty, your engine can't breathe. It will waste more fuel and make less power. Two clips on the side of the air filter housing are all that's needed to remove and replace the part.

The right air filter for your four-cylinder Camry, either the base or the hybrid engine, is 17801-0h050, or try 17801-0P051 for your V6.

For a more affordable option, EPAuto offers engine air filters for four-cylinder models as well as V6 models, and this EcoGard premium filter is offered for hybrid models.

Toyota Camry models wear a variety of tire sizes depending on trim and engine, so always make sure to check the information sticker on your door jam to make sure which you need. The usual sizes are 205/65R16 on LE and 215/55R17 on SE and XLE while XSE models use 225/45R18 tires. The Camry is a car designed to be economical and efficient, and came with a range of fuel efficient tires from the factory including the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02. We recommend the Michelin Defender that offers an 80,000-mile warranty as a more modern and more efficient replacement tire that is also smooth and quiet. For sporty XSE models, this Firestone Firehawk AS tire is an excellent replacement offering to give you the feel that the XSE demands. It trades some quiet and fuel economy for traction and handling.

Toyota Camry models use SAE 0W20 oil, designed for long life and fuel efficiency. Four-cylinder cars hold 4.6 quarts, the V6 6.4 quarts. Try Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy or Valvoline Full Synthetic High Mileage. Mobil 1 is designed to deliver maximum fuel economy for your vehicle while making sure that the essential parts are properly lubricated. Valvoline's High Mileage oil is meant for engines with more than 75,000 miles and adds enhanced anti-wear additives and seal conditioners that could be beneficial for older engines.

All Toyota Camry models use a Group Size 24F battery. Delphi offers a 775 CCA OEM-quality design as does ACDelco, but the ACDelco part offers 700 CCA. Either of those are enough power to start your Camry on the coldest days, but if you plan on sitting for long periods with the radio on, then more CCA (and more reserve time) is better. After around seven years (less in extreme climates), it's time to start looking at a battery replacement. You can have it tested at most local auto parts stores to find out if your battery is performing well or is on borrowed time.

Your Camry uses an 18-inch wiper and a 26-inch windshield wiper, with the larger one on the driver’s side. We recommend replacing your wipers every six months, or sooner if you notice streaking. You should change them at least once a year, even if you live somewhere dry, as UV rays will break down the rubber.

Wipers from Bosch use a spring blade for excellent wiping. The wipers are designed for a custom-contoured fit to your glass. A shielded connector protects them from the worst weather by keeping out the rain, snow, and ice.

ASLAM is a good option for people looking for a more affordable alternative. The company offers a beam-style wiper that comes with a graphite-treated rubber blade. They also come with a second set of wiper refills so that you can replace just the wiping surface instead of the entire part, making them more cost effective and more environmentally conscious.

Headlight bulbs burn out, but they can also get dim with time. If you're not able to see as well at night as you think you should, it might be time to swap those bulbs anyway. And always replace both, because even if one is still working, if it's old it won't be working as well as the one beside it. All Toyota Camry models of this generation use one of two high beam light bulbs. An LED, which isn't replaceable, or a halogen bulb code 9005.

Phillips 9005 CrystalVision bulbs are a great choice for the Camry because they put out bright white light up to 30 percent farther down the road than the factory bulbs. They also last up to 300 hours, which is more than double the rating of a standard bulb giving you reliable, dependable performance.

For low-beam lamps, some models use a standard halogen lamp with an H11-size bulb while others use a high-intensity discharge D4S bulb. To spot the difference, look at the back of the old bulb or check your owner's manual to be sure. The number should be written on the housing of the bulb.

We recommend Sylvania's H11 XtraVision lamp in H11 for the same reasons. More light down the road than the standard bulb means better visibility in the dark or in bad weather. They're also designed to offer longer life so you don't need to worry about them down the road.

The D4S is a high-intensity discharge bulb, also known as Xenon. This OSRAM bulb comes with a four-year warranty, important as these bulbs are more expensive than standard halogen. It offers a lower heat output than standard bulbs with more light and a daylight-matching color temperature. While it's offered only in packs of one, we do recommend replacing both for the best visibility.

Toyota’s factory brake pad part number is 0446507010 for all model front pads and 0446606200 for the rear. OEM front and rear pads are available, or for an alternative, Bosch ceramic pads should be near-silent and come with new guide clips and caliper lubricant for the front and rear of your Camry.

It's time to replace your brake pads when they start to make a grinding noise (caused by a wear indicator) or when the pads wear down to 1/8th of an inch. If you don't replace them in time, you'll end up replacing the more expensive rotors as well. You don't need to replace the pads on both front and rear axles at the same time, but you do need to replace both sides of the same axle. So both front wheels or both rear wheels.

Toyota recommends you check the installation of the driver’s floor mat, inspect and adjust all fluid levels, inspect wiper blades, rotate tires, visually inspect brakes every 5,000 miles or six months. Engine oil and filter changes are required every 10,000 miles or 12 months, or with the 5,000-mile service if you make frequent trips under five miles below freezing.

At 60,000 miles or 72 months, add inspection of ball joints, brake lines, drive belts, engine coolant, transmission fluid, fuel lines, fuel tank, radiator, and steering, looking for issues or leaks. Repeat every 15,000 miles/18 months after first service. Also, replace the engine air filter and cabin air filter.

Replace spark plugs at 120,000 miles or 144 months.

Protect your Toyota Camry's carpets or ditch those old torn and dirty floor mats for this set of all-weather mats from Husky. They're laser-measured for the right fit and have deep channels to hold water, dirt, mud, slush, and snow.

Adding a new infotainment system like this one from Dasaita with modern phone connectivity and navigation can also spruce up the cabin of your Camry. It has a new bezel to let it fit into your dashboard like the factory part but offers a 10.0-inch screen, navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

A: Like the bullet train schedules of its home country, the Camry is exceptionally reliable. Consumer Reports ranks every single year of this generation "above average," and gives them all a "Recommended" ranking.

Q: How many miles will the 2012-2017 Toyota Camry last?

A: Like any modern car, this depends on how careful owners are with proper maintenance. Treat your seventh-generation Camry with care and you can expect anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles, if not more.

Q: Which 2012-2017 Toyota Camry model year is best?

A: While Consumer Reports recommends every model year, some are better than others. This generation of Toyota Camry originally received criticism for a noisy cabin; the 2015 facelift brought in more sound deadening, improving NVH levels. Newer cars also benefit from more standard tech and driver assists.

Q: What are the most common 2012-2017 Toyota Camry?

A: The most common problems associated with the seventh-generation Camry are startup engine knock, and a musty smell from the A/C on startup. Both have bulletins posted, and are relatively minor fixes. It's important to note that while these are common problems for this generation of Camry, they're still pretty rare in the grand scheme of things, again a testament to the car's reliability.

Q: Is the 2012-2017 Toyota Camry comfortable?

A: The Toyota Camry is a very comfortable mid-sized sedan. Give it a good seat test for yourself, though: some owners report uncomfortable front seats, specifically with the lumbar support. If you're looking for a more engaging drive without sacrificing much comfort, you should look at the Honda Accord.