Toyota Camry Hybrid fire or smoke problems

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Transmission · TX

2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE, front-wheel drive. Highway fuel economy suddenly dropped from approximately forty-five to forty-six miles per gallon to thirty-five to thirty-six miles per gallon within the past week, around October tenth. This is roughly twenty percent below the EPA highway rating of forty-five for this trim. Driving conditions unchanged: gentle highway speeds around sixty-five to seventy, temperatures sixty-three to seventy degrees, no roof rack or accessories, original equipment tires at thirty-nine PSI which is at or above the door placard spec. No warning lights, no check engine light, no pulling to one side, no burning smell, no brake drag symptoms. No service visits or recall work performed in recent weeks. Ruled out weather, tires, roof accessories, and driving style. Possible causes include a software update to the hybrid control module that may be preventing electric assist at highway speeds, or a mechanical issue such as a dragging brake caliper. Requesting investigation into hybrid system software changes and hybrid powertrain behavior.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Engine · GA · fire

While driving at normal speed, the vehicle’s engine compartment caught fire without any collision or external impact. I pulled over immediately, and the fire originated from under the hood. The vehicle had approximately 25,000 miles and no prior mechanical issues. This incident occurred without warning and posed a serious safety risk.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · 37,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving forward towards the end of a driveway, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle experienced a sudden and unintended acceleration as if the accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out of the steering wheel, and the contact blacked out for a couple of seconds. The contact stated that upon regaining consciousness, the contact noticed that the vehicle had turned around with the front end facing the driveway. The contact noticed that all the air bags had deployed, which required the contact to slide underneath the driver's side curtain air bags to exit the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle, the hood, and the front driver's side of the vehicle were damaged; however, the damage did not extend to the driver's side door. The contact stated that the cause of the damage was unknown because there was no collision. A bystander advised the contact to call 911. The ambulance arrived, and the contact was sited down in hope that the severity of her headaches would reduce. The contact's friend transported the contact to the residence, and the contact was then transported to the Emergency Room, where the contact underwent a CT scan. The contact sustained severe headaches. bruised left hand with swollen index finger, soreness of the shoulders and a rib, nausea, difficulty breathing, fever, body ache while standing up and sitting down and while turning to the side. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed May 2, 2018 · Electrical, Seats · 140,000 miles · CA · fire

The vehicle was parked in the driveway when the horn sounded, and we noticed flames shooting out of the driver's door panel. When the fire was put out, it was clear it had originated from the driver's door controls, and was localized to that area. The malfunction was related to the visibility: power window devices and controls. This incident is related to a recall. The recall the federal safety agency campaign id is 12v491000. (10/12)

Filed Jul 10, 2017 · Body · CA · fire

Unfortunately on 4of july I happen to be driving home from work as im driving entering the intersection to enter freeway I start smelling strong gas fumes half way into the freeway I start seeing smoke rise up so I pulled over grabbed whatever I could as I back away from the vehicle the entire front of the vehicle catches on fire I call 911 and unfortunately because insurance company was off they towed my vehicle that is now a total loss I've only had this vehicle for 4 months I purchased through a dealership I put almost 4000 the first down payment and unfortunately because I didnt have full coverage everyone I have contact is no help I also had to rush to the hospital the day after I just thank the lord I didnt have my children with me I hope there is something that you guys can do for me and my family

Filed Nov 7, 2016 · Brakes · IN

Unknown my vehicle was mobile, at the normal speed limit of 35mph on a city street, and all of a sudden there was a burning smell. By the time I found a safe place to stop my all the lights on my dash went on, with a whizzing sound coming from the front end of the vehicle.

Filed Jun 1, 2016 · Wheels · 16,000 miles · CA

While driving on city streets I heard a "thunking" noise coming from the back tires. When I got out of the car and did a visual inspection all tires appeared to be properly inflated. I then got on the freeway and after driving about a mile in the slow lane at 65mph. I suddenly heard a loud explosive sound coming from the right rear tire and saw what appeared to be smoke coming from the back. I was able to safely pull onto the shoulder and call emergency road assistance. The tire had literally come completely apart from the wheel and parts were shredded into strips. Had I been in any lane other than the right-hand lane I could have lost control of the vehicle. My vehicle is a 2015 camry hybrid with only 16000 miles. This is the second tire incident I've had with the bridgestone firestone tires that came with the car, which I purchased new. The first instance was a flat tire that occurred when the car only had 5,000 miles. I have now replaced all four tires with michelins.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Brakes · 278,000 miles · NJ · fire

On february 24, 2016, car brakes on my 2007 toyota camry hybrid locked up when we tried to stop and about 4 lights came up on the dashboard, ABS,vsc,warning light and another one. We barely managed to get out of harm's way but after the grinding noise had lost all effective power to the brakes. The car actually caught fire due to the intense heat of the grinding of the pads on the rotors but was safely put out. After replacing the pads, rotor and callipers we still wound up taking the car to a dealer because the brake actuator or something related was still not letting the brakes work. The dealer has given us a lame excuse of why this has happened and is blaming it on something else and wants to charge us a lot of money to repair it. Upon research, we are finding out about the ze1 campaign where they had acknowledged this defect. And were repairing all the cars that came in with the defect. This is very dangerous and something should be done about it. Contacting toyota has not helped at all. We asked for an email address but were told that these are handled by mail only. We are in the process of sending them a letter anyway.

Filed Apr 17, 2015 · Electrical · 93,489 miles · CA · fire

My daughter detected burning plastic smell inside the car while driving on a local street, stopped the car and saw black smoke coming out from the side of the window master switch and the bottom of the driver side door. I remembered there was a recall regarding the fire hazard of the master switch and took the car to the dealership on april 15. They informed me that my car was not on the recall list and it will be my responsibility to repair it. I called and open a case (# [xxx]) with their customer relationship department while I was waiting at the dealership for regular maintenance, reporting that the problem my car is experiencing proves that the recall coverage was too narrow and it is endangering all the owners that were not covered. The rep. ([xxx]) promised to provide me an answer in 2 business days but the call back never happened. As you are the government watchdog on vehicle safety issue, I am reporting to you the potential life threatening hazard of this particular vehicle model and look forward to your assistance to have this hazard resolved by toyota of USA. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 13, 2014 · Brakes · 74,500 miles · CA

While I was driving on the freeway a "check vsc systems" alert appeared followed by a loud noise. It appeared as if my emergency brake went on as well. As I drove, smoke came out from my car. I took my card into a repair shop and they said it was a miracle the brake and brake pump didn't set on fire. As a result, I have to pay $4000 for a new brake and brake pump (as well as labor). I called toyota to tell them about this problem, but they said they do not cover it, even though many others have had the same problem as well.