Last updated: 2026-10-10

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 78/100

Skip the 2018 model year. Its 8 speed automatic can shift hard, slip into limp mode, or stop driving, and owners also report brake and steering trouble. The 2022 is the year to buy instead.

Verdict

Avoid
2018 65/100
Buy
2022 84/100
Model average
78/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Toyota Camry Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Toyota Camry average of 78/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201865/100Good8708Power Train (160)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

65
GoodReliability score: 65 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Toyota Camry

Owners describe the 8 speed automatic shifting hard, jerking away from a rolling stop, and sometimes slipping into limp mode or quitting, often with no warning light. Brake pedals that go hard or sink and a steering wheel that sticks also appear. It has 8 recalls and the highest complaint rate of any year.

8 recalls708 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (160), Service Brakes (91), Unknown Or Other (64), Steering (58), Electrical System (58), Engine (45)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Toyota Camry Problems?

POWER TRAIN

291 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: The 8 speed automatic is the main failure point.

AIR BAGS

189 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2020, 2019

2021: Airbags fail to deploy in serious collisions.

SERVICE BRAKES

174 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2021

2018: The brake pedal goes hard or sinks to the floor and the car does not stop.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

162 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Cars accelerate suddenly while parking or shifting out of Park, sometimes into buildings or parked cars.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

150 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020, 2019

2018: Brakes stop working without warning, or emergency braking triggers with nothing ahead.

ENGINE

108 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020, 2019

2018: The electric water pump fails suddenly.

Best Toyota Camry Year to Buy Instead

84
ExcellentReliability score: 84 out of 100, rated Excellent

2022 Toyota Camry

The 2022 has excellent reliability, only 2 recalls, and a complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 sold, against 20.6 for the 2018. It has been on the road long enough for problems to surface. Its top complaint area is air bags, not the transmission trouble that dominates the weaker years.

Score: 84/100 (Excellent)2 recalls47 complaints
View full 2022reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2022 Toyota Camry has 2 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Toyota Camry Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Toyota Camry year should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has the most owner complaints, 8 recalls, and recurring reports of transmission, brake, and steering trouble. The 2022 is the better year to buy.
Which Toyota Camry years have transmission problems?
The 2018 and 2019 draw the most power train complaints, with the 2018 far ahead. For the 2018, owners describe an 8 speed automatic that shifts hard, slips into limp mode, or stops driving, with quotes up to $9k. Software updates and fluid changes often did not fix it.
Are 2018 Toyota Camry brakes a problem?
Yes, owners report the brake pedal going hard or sinking to the floor without stopping the car. Sometimes a Low Braking Power message appears, sometimes nothing. Brakes produce the most crash reports in the 2018 complaints, many at low speed while parking.
Is the 2019 Toyota Camry a good used buy?
It is acceptable but not the best choice. The 2019 is not flagged as a year to avoid, yet it ranks among the lowest-rated years, with 8 recalls and power train as its top complaint. A 2021 or 2022 carries less risk.
What Toyota Camry year should I buy instead of the 2018?
Buy a 2022. It rates excellent, has 2 recalls, and a much lower complaint rate than the 2018. The 2021 is a close second. Skip the 2026 as a pick, since it is too new to have a meaningful record.

How we score every Toyota Camry model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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