2020 Toyota Camry Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Camry most often write about a 12-volt battery that goes flat while the car sits, frequently within the first few thousand miles, and about coolant smells or leaks from the engine that tend to appear early in ownership. A smaller but notable group describes transmission hesitation or shuddering and sunroof glass that shatters, usually later in the car's life.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Battery drains while parked; no-start

   • 50 complaints (18%)
   • median 4,800 mi at 1.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners report that the car will not start after sitting overnight or for a day, sometimes with clicking, flickering lights, or a smart key malfunction message, and that a jump start gets it going again. Several say dealers could not find a fault, or explained it as a parasitic draw from the vehicle's computers and suggested driving longer distances or using a trickle charger; others describe firmware or data communication module updates being applied. Mostly reported under about 10,000 miles, often within the first year and after the car has been parked.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery has been replaced or the telematics/data module software updated, and check for a service record for a battery draw diagnosis. A slow cranking or repeated jump starts during a test drive period are worth noting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Problems with the dead battery ' draining. I bought the car in july 2020. It has been 2 times I've had to call roadside assistance because my car was completely dead. First time, they said it was because the car was parked at the dealership with no use. Second time, they said it was because my car has low miles since I've bought it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11399562, filed 2021-03, 2,678 miles

   “Went to get in my car to leave and it had no power. Called Toyota care to get a jump they came out and gave me a jump and it started right up. Drove it around a bit and parked it. Went out to start it again 4 hours later and the battery was completely dead again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11354754, filed 2020-09, 2,347 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation, shudder or fluid leak

   • 26 complaints (9%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report hesitation when accelerating, shuddering or stalling, and gear indication problems, with repairs ranging from a transmission wiring harness replacement to transmission replacement. One complaint describes fluid leaking from under the transmission and a diagnosis of a transmission oil pump seal. Typically reported between about 15,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: During a test drive, note any hesitation on acceleration, shuddering at steady speed, or unusual noises, and ask for transmission service records or a fluid leak inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While going up a hill with a right hand curve at about 50 MPH I heard a loud noise that sounded like two pieces of metal coming together. At the time I had no idea what caused the noise but thought maybe I ran over a piece of metal that the the wheel threw up. I took the car to the dealer and they checked the under side and told there was no sign of any damage that might have been done. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11416078, filed 2021-05, 8,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11636118, filed 2025-01, 38,000 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Sunroof or rear glass shattering

   • 23 complaints (8%)
   • median 38,935 mi at 3.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe a loud bang followed by glass breaking, with the sunroof panel shattering outward while driving at speed or the rear window imploding while parked. Complaints say dealers attributed the damage to an outside impact, and in one case sunroof rails were found to be the cause of a roof that would not open properly. Mostly reported under about 3,000 miles, though a few cases appear at 35,000 to 45,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass and rails for chips, cracks or uneven operation and check the rear window for bubbling or delamination around the tinted edge.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the interstate when I heard a loud gunshot sound and all the sudden glass rained down on me and into my car. My sunroof exploded out of nowhere. This could have caused me to wreck because I shut my eyes and swerved. Also, thank goodness my daughter wasn't in the back seat or she could have been seriously injured.”

   NHTSA complaint #11322504, filed 2020-04, 7,500 miles

   “The day was partly cloudy. The location was maryland. The vehicle was a new 2020 Toyota Camry se 4door. While driving with my sunroof exterior flat glass and interior door assembly both completely closed, my daughter and I suddenly heard a boom explosion. While driving trying to safely exit, huge black chunks were flying behind us, that was later identified as broken sunroof glass flying behind us hitting the vehicles traveling behind us. We pulled over and got out of the car. We discovered that my vehicle's sunroof had exploded. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11328832, filed 2020-06, 500 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning and seat belt concerns

   • 45 complaints (16%)
   • median 26,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners report air bag system malfunction messages, seat belt chimes that stay on with the belt fastened, and complaints that air bags did not deploy in a collision. Some describe the occupant classification sensor not recognizing an empty seat; a recall covers the passenger-side occupant classification sensor on certain vehicles. Spread from low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, with several reports in the 8,000 to 26,000 mile range.

   Recall 23V865000

   What to check: Confirm whether recall 23V865000 was completed, and check that the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that all seat belts latch and release properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the driver side seat belt would not latch securely. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11408027, filed 2021-04, 1,000 miles

   “The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact suffered injuries to both shoulders and his back but did not seek medical treatment. The other driver was injured and transported to the hospital for an injury to his back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and then towed to a collision center. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11494474, filed 2022-11, 8,446 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Coolant smell or leak from engine

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe a strong coolant odor after driving, an overflowing or empty coolant reservoir, and in some cases coolant visible under the hood or smoke from the engine bay. Complaints say dealers either could not reproduce the smell or found a coolant leak; Toyota has issued warranty coverage and a service campaign for a flow shut-off valve coolant leak on some vehicles. Often reported from a few thousand miles up, and also noted on higher-mileage cars around 70,000 to 120,000 miles.

   Recall 20V06400012 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for residue or dried coolant near the engine and under the car, and ask whether the flow shut-off valve campaign or warranty extension has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine coolant smell after driving. Doesnt matter how long I drove, 10 minutes or 6 hours, smell is there. Smell is sronger from driver side. Dealership told me it just does that! That they let sit in the parking lot running for an hour and there was no leak. It only has 10k miles on it. It shouldn't reek of hot coolant at all! It happens ever time I dive the car. Most recent 9/18/2020”

   NHTSA complaint #11359920, filed 2020-09, 10,000 miles

   “Engine serial number d243692 large letters underneath number a25a. Safety recall notice number 20ta04. Due to the medical emergency coronavirus in the united states I am requesting a list of serial numbers for the engine blocks 2020 Toyota Camry. The dealer I contacted refuse to tell me if my engine block number is one that is affected by this recall, I called Toyota and they informed me that the dealer could only provide this information to me. I am requesting this information under us freedom of information act. Thank you,”

   NHTSA complaint #11319003, filed 2020-03, 4,428 miles

Buying note. Look for records showing the battery/telematics software updates and the occupant classification sensor recall were completed, and check coolant level and sunroof condition before purchase. A pre-purchase inspection that covers battery draw, transmission behavior and fluid leaks is worthwhile on this model year.

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.