2021 Toyota Camry Problems
Compared with other Toyota Camry years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
8/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.4× that of a typical Toyota Camry year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 43 of its 157 complaints were filed by the end of 2023.
- Most reported problem: Airbag recall open, parts not available (51 complaints, median 50,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 157filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 20,500miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 22 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Camry (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Most complaints on this model year center on an open airbag-system recall: owners report being notified of the recall but told the replacement parts are not yet available, in some cases for well over a year. A second, smaller cluster describes brake-pedal and low-speed lurching behavior, and a third covers driver-assist features that owners say steer or brake inconsistently.
- Air bags
Airbag recall open, parts not available
- 51 complaints (32%)
- median 50,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2021–2026
Owners describe receiving notice of an occupant classification system recall and then being told by dealers that the repair parts are unavailable, sometimes across repeated visits and phone calls. Several report the airbag warning light coming on or chiming while driving. A few describe crashes in which they say the airbags did not deploy. Complaints note that the vehicle is drivable in the meantime. Reported across a wide mileage range, from new to well past 100,000 miles, and mostly from 2024 onward.
What to check: Ask the seller for a VIN lookup to confirm whether recall 23V865000 applies and whether the repair has actually been completed. If the warning light is illuminated, have the airbag system scanned before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,600.”
NHTSA complaint #11603441, filed 2024-07, 14,600 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS) in February 2024 however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms that the parts are not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11619950, filed 2024-10, 45,000 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal feels soft or long; low-speed lurching
- 10 complaints (6%)
- median 14,284 mi at 1.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2022–2026
Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor or needing extra travel before the car slows, and several report the vehicle continuing forward or lurching while parking or pulling into a space despite the pedal being pressed. Owners say dealers could not reproduce the condition or found no fault, and some report the problem returned. A few mention extra pedal travel becoming noticeable in wet or snowy conditions. Mostly reported between roughly 3,000 and 20,000 miles, often at very low speeds such as parking or garage approaches.
What to check: On a test drive, press the pedal firmly at a stop and note whether it feels firm or sinks; ask for any brake-system service records and whether the front caliper bulletin was ever applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driving very slowly into my 36 foot deep garage I took my right foot off the accelerator pedal when the 2021 Toyota Camry suddenly unintended accelerated forward 15 feet and crashed through the rear garage wall, the automatic brake didn't work,. Then with my foot on the brake pedal, it continued at high speed across 35 feet of concrete patio and came to rest on top of thick hedge with front wheels spinning off the ground. I then shut the engines off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11603571, filed 2024-07“Can not turn off the lane departure warning (LDW) feature. It can only be placed at a low setting. Surging when depressing brake. Noticed this occurring when slowing pulling into the garage, was not a deal breaker as was barely moving and never got to close to hit anything else in the garage. Once it snowed this surging began happening when braking to slow down to make turns. This surging was scary, even with studded snow tires. …”
NHTSA complaint #11446379, filed 2022-01 - Forward collision avoidance
Driver-assist steering and braking feel inconsistent
- 9 complaints (6%)
- median 100 mi at 0.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2022–2026
Owners describe lane-keeping assist wandering to one side of the lane or steering back and forth without settling, and adaptive cruise control that pulls side to side on the highway. Some report the forward collision system failing to brake or activating unexpectedly, and a few say lane departure warning could not be turned off. Dealers are described as unable to duplicate the behavior or as saying the systems operated as designed. Reported from near-new mileage up through tens of thousands of miles, typically on highways and during lane-centering use.
What to check: Test lane-centering and adaptive cruise on a highway stretch during the test drive and confirm the driver-assist settings can be adjusted or switched off as expected.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When I do these checks I have my hands lightly on the wheel ready to correct the car when needed. The lane control assist tends to stay to the left of the lane, crossing over the left side lane markers, it also tends to head towards the right side of the lane, crossing over the right side lane markers without compensating. At times it does compensate but it causes the car to go back and forth in the lane without settling out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11606345, filed 2024-08“1. Driving on the highway with adaptive cruise control feels like taming a wild horse. Pulls side to side, even after alignment and total check up from Toyota. 2. Engine Maintenace required now warning light. This came on at 106,458 miles on Toyota Camry 21 LE. Randomly turned on. Off when air con was turned off, light came back on when air con was turned on. Took to Toyota dealership, repaired at no cost, Coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open, known concern by Toyota. …”
NHTSA complaint #11683993, filed 2025-08 - Engine
Engine maintenance warning tied to coolant bypass valve
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners report an Engine Maintenance Required message appearing, in some cases only when the air conditioning is switched on. One complaint says a dealer traced it to the coolant bypass valve circuit and repaired it under warranty; another at very high mileage received no diagnosis. Separate complaints describe engine oil seepage at the oil pan and valve cover area. Reported from moderate mileage up to very high mileage; the air-conditioning-linked warning appeared around 100,000 miles in one case.
What to check: Look for the warning message with the A/C on during the test drive, check for oil residue under the engine, and ask whether any coolant-valve or oil-leak repair has been performed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When turning on the ac while driving the Master Warning Light comes on along with Engine Maintenance Required flashing across screen. It seems the Engine Coolant Bypass Valvue is faulty. I am in the process of getting the vehicle fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11609213, filed 2024-08“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that after starting the engine, the warning message Engine Maintenance Required was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there were no recalls or extended warranties related to the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 205,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11707970, filed 2025-12, 205,000 miles
Buying note. The main practical item on this model year is confirming the airbag recall status by VIN, since owners frequently report long waits for parts. Beyond that, a careful test drive covering braking from low speed and the driver-assist features will surface the other complaints owners describe.
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.
NHTSA recorded 157 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Camry. 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,500 miles. Of all complaints, 21 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 182 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Toyota Camry model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 8 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags78 50%
- Other or unknown21 13%
- Brakes16 10%
- Transmission and drivetrain12 7.6%
- Forward collision avoidance10 6.4%
- Electrical system8 5.1%
- Engine7 4.5%
- Lane departure5 3.2%
- Steering4 2.5%
Also reported: Body and structure (4), Seat belts (3), Tires (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Exterior lighting (2), Fuel system (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Suspension (2), Wheels (2), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I was 165 mph and someone hit me and threw me into a sign that had big huge poles on it all the ones in California do I went right through it got banged all around I have to say the car is a tank because it got me home but it never deployed airbags when I know that it should have I’m pretty sure any other car would have the way that mine was wreck”
NHTSA complaint #11704739, filed 2025-12Other or unknown: “2021 Camry only 24k miles received an engine maintenance required light pop up on my car. Took it to the Toyota dealer and was told i needed REPLACE ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE-CODE P268115 ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE. Car is only 3 years old and should not be having this issue. Was told warranty does not cover definitely is a manufacturing issue. There should be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11606191, filed 2024-08Brakes: “I own 2021 Toyota Camry SE. Today, I accidentally took reverse with parking brake engaged and it still moved, I realized this immediately and disengaged it. To check, I put gear in Drive and engaged the parking brake, the vehicle still moved even though it shouldn't.”
NHTSA complaint #11489343, filed 2022-10Transmission and drivetrain: “My 2021 Toyota Camry Se at 79,000 miles threw a PO705 code, neutral safety switch. I replaced it with a new part and it worked for about 10 minutes and then proceeded to throw code again and slip in the transmission”
NHTSA complaint #11706843, filed 2025-12Mileage when problems were reported
67% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,284 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Camry. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camry · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
| Camry · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Toyota Camry version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camry FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Camry AWD LE/SE | 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 25 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Camry AWD XLE/XSE | 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Camry LE/SE FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 28 | 39 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Camry TRD FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Camry XLE/XSE FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 27 | 38 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Camry XSE FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Toyota Camry 2020–2022, Lexus ES Hybrid 2020–2022, Toyota Camry Hybrid 2020–2022 +11 more
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry…
Recall details for the 2021 Toyota Camry → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 182 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037186Aug 11, 2026Engine. Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership…
- 11032472Apr 14, 2026Body and structure. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Camry and 2018 – 2026 model year Camry Hybrid vehicles may exhibit the weatherstrip on the panoramic roof center glass peeling on the edges of the glass.
- 11032467Apr 1, 2026Engine. Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC. Upon further inspection, a loose C90/C27 connector pin at the EGR valve may be found. To correct this concern, please…
- 11029896Feb 27, 2026Engine. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026Electrical system. OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest…
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Other or unknown. Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and…
- 11022949Aug 7, 2025Engine. The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can…
- 11020670Jun 25, 2025Electrical system. Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with A25A-FKS and M20A-FKS…
- 11020668Jun 19, 2025Engine. Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the…
Other model years of the Toyota Camry
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 5,555 | 1 | 5 | 26 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 65 | 30,000 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 5 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 63 | 40,500 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 157 | 20,500 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 8 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 275 | 7,750 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 400 | 11,100 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 76 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 751 | 17,500 | 8 | 5 | 32 | 98 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 148 | 30,797 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 184 | 28,886 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 271 | 39,700 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 455 | 37,060 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 274 | 26,500 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 27 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 590 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 57 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 601 | 48,900 | 5 | 3–4 | 25 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 604 | 30,000 | 9 | — | 26 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 1,294 | 49,000 | 10 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 933 | 55,000 | 7 | — | 25 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 2,888 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 317 | 42,748 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 721 | 42,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 638 | 45,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 782 | 48,785 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 953 | 50,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 272 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 454 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 501 | 80,732 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 600 | 85,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 555 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 417 | 96,428 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 303 | 122,589 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 287 | 105,514 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 260 | 134,508 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 565 | 126,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 149 | 119,500 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 134 | 150,500 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 113 | 153,500 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 64 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 58 | 159,796 | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1986 | 32 | 76,110 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 13 | 58,000 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Toyota Camry model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Most complaints on this model year center on an open airbag-system recall: owners report being notified of the recall but told the replacement parts are not yet available, in some cases for well over a year. The issues reported most often: Airbag recall open, parts not available; Brake pedal feels soft or long; low-speed lurching; Driver-assist steering and braking feel inconsistent.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Toyota Camry have?
NHTSA recorded 157 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Camry as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Toyota Camry is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 78 complaints (50% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 21.
Has the 2021 Toyota Camry been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Toyota Camry do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Toyota Camry 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Camry get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Camry (Camry, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 22 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Toyota Camry reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,500 miles and the middle half falls between 14,284 and 55,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.