Toyota Camry owners filed 2,338 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most complaints (739); across all years, owners complain most about transmission / powertrain (18% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2018, with 739 complaints, led by transmission / powertrain (195) and 8 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Transmission / powertrain drew 428 complaints but no recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Stop-driving recalls: One recall told owners to stop driving until repaired (23V432000).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2018 (4.0 times as many complaints), 2019 (2.2 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: speed control / acceleration complaints came at a median 9k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 22 complaints mention a fire and 230 a crash, with 201 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Toyota Camry complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 1 recall | 270 | Steering (105), Brakes (37), Transmission / powertrain (36) median 40k mi · 33 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2016 2 recalls | 183 | Air bags (31), Steering (25), Speed control / acceleration (22) median 29k mi · 41 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 3 recalls | 148 | Air bags (24), Electrical system (23), Brakes (21) median 32k mi · 28 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2018 8 recalls | 739 | Transmission / powertrain (195), Engine (133), Brakes (129) median 18k mi · 46 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2019 6 recalls | 395 | Transmission / powertrain (113), Engine (80), Fuel system (64) median 11k mi · 22 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2020 3 recalls | 273 | Electrical system (67), Engine (60), Air bags (48) median 8k mi · 14 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2021 1 recall | 156 | Air bags (78), Brakes (13), Transmission / powertrain (11) median 21k mi · 21 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2022 1 recall | 60 | Air bags (10), Electrical system (8), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (7) median 41k mi · 12 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 2 recalls | 64 | Electrical system (9), Transmission / powertrain (7), Fuel system (7) median 30k mi · 9 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2024 1 recall | 50 | Body structure (11), Air bags (6), Steering (5) median 6k mi · 4 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 28, more than the 19 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Toyota Camry problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / powertrain | 428 | 18% | 0 | 10k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Engine | 345 | 15% | 2 | 19k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Brakes | 279 | 12% | 2 | 17k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Air bags | 269 | 12% | 4 | 41k mi | — |
| Electrical system | 262 | 11% | 0 | 20k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Steering | 232 | 10% | 1 | 50k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Fuel system | 211 | 9% | 4 | 20k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 177 | 8% | 0 | 9k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Toyota Camry owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Transmission / powertrain
Vehicle only has 58,983 miles and already has a failing transmission. Dealership recommends full transmission replacement costing $8,000.00. I am not even done with the monthly payments and I am currently in financial burden. Please help me
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11705368
My 2018 Toyota Camry with 132,000 started experiencing transmission issues in the last 10,000 miles or so - with hesitation in shifting. Now at 132,000 my transmission has officially fully failed. Upon bringing it to a reputable transmission repair shop, I learned that the repair would cost me over $8000 between parts (hard to find) and labor.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11710023
None of these 428 transmission / powertrain complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
428 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Engine
My vehicle completely lost power and stalled on the freeway, requiring a tow. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed it with a total internal failure of the UA80 transmission and quoted me $9,000. This vehicle has been properly maintained, including a documented transmission fluid service at a Toyota facility in march of this year. A modern powertrain should not suffer a life-threatening failure at 130,000 miles.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11747844
The vehicle illuminated the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and stored DTC P26CB71 – electric water pump speed stuck. The dealer confirmed the electric coolant pump actuator is mechanically stuck and requires replacement at a quoted cost of $1,257.81.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11703097
Related recalls: 18V200000 (2018): An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. 20V064000 (2020): A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
345 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Brakes
I first noticed severe vibration when going on highway, I applied brake and the entire front end started to vibrate. The car only has around 16,000 miles and its 2018 model. Bad rotor is causing this to shake. This rotor must have come from the factory defective. The dealer is unwilling to replace it. They want me to pay for this repair around $300.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11354025
In the process of backing the car out of the garage, with the car in reverse, application of the brakes had no affect on slowing the car. After about 69-80 feet (across the driveway, my lawn and my neighbor's lawn) it crashed into the neighbor's shed.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11060764
Related recalls: 21V890000 (2018–2019): A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. 18V211000 (2018): A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
279 owners reported brakes problems; the brake repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Toyota Camry recalls
Check these first: 23V432000 (2023, wheels: do not drive).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V028000 | 2025-01-22 | 2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V128000 | 2024-02-21 | 2023–2024 | Seats | A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 23V865000 | 2023-12-20 | 2020–2022 | Air bags | An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. |
| 23V432000 | 2023-06-15 | 2023 | Wheels | A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V890000 | 2021-11-17 | 2018–2019 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 20V682000 | 2020-11-04 | 2018–2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V064000 | 2020-02-06 | 2020 | Engine and cooling | A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 20V012000 | 2020-01-13 | 2018–2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V567000 | 2019-08-01 | 2019 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, if the air bags do not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury. |
| 19V503000 | 2019-06-28 | 2017–2019 | Equipment / accessories | An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V244000 | 2019-03-27 | 2019 | Equipment / accessories | If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V211000 | 2018-04-03 | 2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V200000 | 2018-03-28 | 2018 | Engine and cooling | An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V108000 | 2018-02-14 | 2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | The improperly connected hoses may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 17V295000 | 2017-05-02 | 2017 | Tires | A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V906000 | 2016-12-16 | 2017 | Air bags | If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury. |
| 16V420000 | 2016-06-09 | 2016 | Equipment / accessories | An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V215000 | 2016-04-14 | 2016 | Air bags | Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury. |
| 15V144000 | 2015-03-13 | 2015 | Steering | An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,338 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Toyota models in the index
- Toyota RAV4 (3,633)
- Toyota Highlander (2,616)
- Toyota Tundra (1,778)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.