2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Most of what owners describe for this model year centers on an open hybrid-propulsion recall: complaints filed through 2026 repeatedly mention NHTSA campaign 25V869000 and say the remedy part was not yet available, so many vehicles waited weeks or months. A second cluster involves the front driver and passenger seat backs, which owners say pop, shift, or feel loose during normal driving. Because these vehicles are nearly new, complaint mileages are mostly low, and many reports come from drivers who had owned the car only days or weeks.

1. 1
   Hybrid propulsion system

   Hybrid inverter recall, no remedy available

   • 48 complaints (33%)
   • median 2,250 mi at 0.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2026

   Owners state they were notified of NHTSA campaign 25V869000, which concerns a bolt inside the inverter that may not have been tightened properly, and that the dealer had no part or repair to perform. Several say the vehicle was held at a dealer or that they were told not to drive it, some received a loaner, and others kept driving while waiting. A few report that the car was sold or delivered before the recall was addressed, and they learned of it later through the Toyota app or a routine visit. Filed across 2026, often within a few thousand miles of purchase and sometimes within weeks of buying the car new.

   Recall 25V869000

   What to check: Ask for the campaign number and confirm in writing whether 25V869000 has been performed on the specific vehicle. Most complaints do not describe a failure before the repair, but owners report that parts were not available, so a buyer should confirm the work is actually complete rather than just scheduled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V869000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the vehicle was operating normally. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11769088, filed 2026-10, 16,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V869000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle started shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11749488, filed 2026-07, 8,000 miles
2. 2
   Hybrid propulsion system

   Loss of drive power and hybrid system warnings

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration or a drop in power while driving at various speeds, sometimes with a beep and a "Hybrid System Malfunction" message and the check engine light. Some say the condition cleared on its own and then returned; others describe shuddering, hesitation after a stop, or abnormal noises. Dealers reportedly linked the symptoms to the inverter recall, and in some cases told the owner the vehicle was operating as designed. Reported from very low mileage up to about 17,000 miles, with several occurring at highway speeds.

   Recall 25V869000

   What to check: Ask whether any hybrid system warning or stored diagnostic code has been logged and whether the inverter campaign was completed. A test drive that includes a highway stretch and a few full stops can reveal hesitation or shuddering.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had just bought the car from the Dealer and was to drive it back home. I got about 30 miles from the Dealership and the check engine light came on. It stated malfunction in the awd system so now on two wheel drive then it stated start control malfunction and finally hybrid system malfunction. I returned it to the dealership and they said that the first diagnostic stated it was throwing high voltage. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11751586, filed 2026-07

   “While actively moving at highway speeds on July 13, 2026, the vehicle suffered an instantant, total loss of all 12V electrical auxiliary power. The dashboard flashed 'Hybrid System Malfunction' and 'Drive-Start Control Malfunction' before all digital instrument clusters, center infotainment displays, and cabin lights went completely dark. Power steering and braking assist dropped to emergency backup thresholds, creating an extreme safety hazard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11753793, filed 2026-07
3. 3
   Seats

   Front seat back popping or looseness

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 0.7 yrs old
   • filed 2026

   Owners report a popping or shifting sensation in the driver and sometimes passenger seat back during acceleration, braking, turning, or over bumps, which some describe as feeling like something is loose in the frame. Some say the dealer could not duplicate the noise or declined to repair it, with replacement of the vehicle reported in at least one case. A few link it to warmer weather making it more noticeable. Appears within the first days or weeks of ownership, typically at low mileage.

   What to check: Sit in both front seats and push back against the seat back while rocking it, then drive over a rough patch to listen for a pop. Ask whether the seat frame has already been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Two days after purchasing vehicle, I noticed a popping noise coming from the bottom driver seat, and the seat back of the driver seat. I took vehicle to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to replicate the issue. I noticed this issue every time I drive. I opened up the seat cover and noticed a loose piece in the seat frame. I think this may be causing the issue. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealer again to see what can be done.”

   NHTSA complaint #11708474, filed 2026-01

   “Drivers seat has popping sensation on my back when accelerating, braking, and going over bumps. This issue appears to be coming from the lumbar assembly of the drivers seat. I've also noticed it is much more frequent when the weather is warmer (75 degrees +). I took the vehicle to the dealer and they were not able to duplicate the issue. Because they were not able to duplicate the issue I was told nothing could be done and that they would not investigate any further. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11740780, filed 2026-05
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Front bumper coming loose at the clips

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the front bumper working loose near the passenger-side headlight, leaving a visible gap or a protruding edge. Several say the dealer repaired it under warranty and the clips popped out again shortly afterward, and one owner was told the damage came from scraping a curb. Some owners say they have noticed the same thing on other cars of the same year. Noticed on vehicles with roughly 1,500 to 5,000 miles, often while washing the car.

   What to check: Look closely at the bumper-to-fender and bumper-to-headlight gaps on both sides for unevenness or a lip that stands proud, and ask whether any bumper repair has already been attempted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The front bumper is protruding out underneath the right headlight. I took it to the dealer and the advisor suggested that this was caused by scraping the bumper on the driveway or a curb. Since then, I’ve noticed multiple cars of the similar model year with the same issue. I feel like this is a manufacturing defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #11765154, filed 2026-09

   “While washing my car, I noticed that the clips securing the front bumper—specifically on the right side, beneath the headlight—had come loose. I took the car to the Toyota service center on Monday, June 22nd. They inspected the bumper and found no signs of scraping or impact, so they agreed to repair it under warranty. I picked up the car that evening, and the bumper appeared to be fixed; however, when I got home and checked again, the clips had popped out once more. I returned to the service center and pointed out that the repair hadn't held. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11755751, filed 2026-08

Buying note. Check the status of the hybrid inverter campaign (25V869000) in writing before purchase, since many owners describe waiting months for parts. Also inspect the front seat backs and bumper clips, which owners say loosen or pop even on nearly new cars.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.