CarFix Answers

2012–2013 Toyota Camry: Airbag light on or power steering loss (A/C water leak recall)

Likely causes, ranked

  1. Water on the airbag module$0–$0Shop

Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.

DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section

Parts to check

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

These are search links; confirm fitment for your exact engine and trim. Affiliate disclosure

AD SLOT 1 (placeholder)

Symptom: An airbag warning light, wet carpet on the passenger side, or a power steering warning.

Likely causes

  1. Water on the airbag module. Toyota seals the A/C housing and covers the module.

DIY or shop?

Dealer. Recall repairs are free.

Useful steps

  1. Check your VIN for 13V442.

Vehicle focus: 2012–2013 Toyota Camry.

Safety / mechanic note

The airbags may not work or may deploy unexpectedly. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.

AD SLOT 2 (placeholder)

Recalls & service bulletins

Recalls

  • 13V442000 2013-10-17 2012–2013 Camry, Avalon and Venza: a clogged A/C drain can let water drip onto the airbag control module, which could disable or set off the airbags and affect power steering. Dealers seal the housing and add a cover. Details

NHTSA complaints: 173 keyword-matched complaints for Toyota CAMRY 2012–2013 (of 944 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).

Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sources

What actually fixed it?

Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.

AD SLOT 3 (placeholder)