2018 Toyota Camry: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 28, 2026 · Transmission · FL

I own a 2018 Toyota Camry equipped with the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission. I have experienced the following symptoms: burning smell coming from the transmission, hesitation and jerking during acceleration, and previously noticed a knocking/clunking noise that eventually stopped on its own. These symptoms are consistent with the known UA80 transmission defect involving excessive heat buildup, premature fluid degradation, and torque converter failure. I am aware that Toyota has known about this defect since at least 2016 and has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins without offering a permanent fix or recall. The transmission has not yet been inspected by a dealer. I am filing this complaint to add to the public record and support a formal the federal safety agency investigation.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Brakes · TN

The Vacuum Pump for the Power Assist Brake System failed on my vehicle, the dealership would not provide me with the failed unit as they "have to send it back to Toyota". My brake assist was very inconsistent, sometimes barely had any which lead to very poor braking, accompanied with a KNOWN problematic knocking noise with an active TSB. I complained about this issue when I bought this used vehicle that was barely driven, at the local Toyota Dealership knowing the vehicle was made at the same time that other vehicles built in the same timeframe with the same issue were recalled, they told me it was just "injector noise" and it didn't apply to me. I brought it up again a few months later as it got worse, they told me it was "normal noise, use injector cleaner" and sent me off. I brought it up there last month about the Brake System Error message, they told me it was because the car wasn't on, however it never did this when I bought it nor do other cars on their lot. I brought it up again to the dealership this week as it got a lot more frequent that I would have poor brake assistance, the knocking was loud enough to hear in heavy traffic, and they finally told me the vacuum pump had failed. The dealer told me they couldn't do anything about the recall, would not cover it as goodwill warranty even when it is simmilar/same failure as the recall and previously complained about it, and the full repair would be over 1,800 dollars. I called Toyota Customer Hotline and explained that the failure was the same as the known issue in their recall on the same vehicles and the active TSB, they would not tell me why my VIN was not included in the recall, they would not extend a goodwill coverage on it as being it was the same failure, or take a complaint. Symptoms were present at the time of purchase, starting with inconsistent brake assist and light knocking, ended with excessively loud knocking and significant increase in frequency of the inconsistency and brake error message.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Transmission · CO

I bought this car used with about 100k miles, took it for a test drive around the block at the local dealership and didn't hear anything at the time. When I took it on the freeway for the first time I heard the Whining noise. It only happens when there is a load on the transmission and gets louder as the speed increases. On top of that, it seems like it starts out in second or third gear sometimes I can't move until it downshifts which is extremely dangerous considering I've been sticking out in the street and other cars are coming! This apparently was a new design starting in 2018 and many people have been cursed by this transmission the more I keep reading up on this. I've owned many toyotas in the past and I've never had any issues, especially with the transmission. I've been quoted anywhere from $6k to $10k to replace the transmission and I cannot even remotely be able to afford that at this time. I feel like I'm driving a ticking time bomb, I need to listen to music to not drive me nuts and I can still hear the whine! If it weren't for this problem I couldn't really have any other complaints, but unfortunately this is a Very Big problem. The more I read this was a first year design and it looks like it failed miserably, I would call it a lemon. Every day I drive this car it slips while shifting gears, shifts too often or not enough. This thing should be replaced. Please, I am a loyal Toyota customer and hate that this has changed my mind. Please replace these faulty 8 speed transmissions.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · CT

The a25a-fks engine fails to idle properly and will stall at times due to a cylinder imbalance. ICS malfunction light comes on as well. This puts other people at risk because a vehicle stalling or malfunction of the Toyota Safety Sense system can lead to car accident. Vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics and couldn’t find the root of the problem. Was told to go to a Toyota Dealership. A Toyota dealership inspected the vehicle, done several tests, swapped computer modules and couldn’t find the cause. The dealership replaced fuel injectors, fuel pump and had done a cleaning on the intake and the vehicle still had the trouble code. 4K worth of work and the vehicle still persisted with the issue. What I first noticed from the car was an odd knocking noise when starting the car, followed by excessive white smoke at idle, parking sensors not working, the car improperly starting for the first time followed by a ICS Malfunction, blinking parking sensor icon and check engine light. Code: P219C. The dealership wants to charge me 10K to take the engine apart to either replace a faulty part (within the engine) or putting in a new engine all together. Several recalls for Toyota Camrys from 2018 and 2020 have sighted defects with the engine blocks causing white smoke and stalling. These recalls should be extended to more manufacturing months as this is a noticeable flaw.

Filed Apr 12, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 22,200 miles · TX

Today I noticed during my car parked at start up there was a ticking sound towards the front end of the engine. After maybe about a min or two it quieted down a lil but it is still noticeable when your standing in front of car. I can't seem to figure out if there is a problem with the fuel pump or if the transmission is slipping as to my previous comment on acceleration delay from a stop.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Vehicle was purchased in october 2017,within the first week the became noticeably louder. Initially we thought that the vehicle needed to be warned up. However the vehicle remains in high idle mode for long period of time as though the throttle is sticking. When vehicle is not in use, if restarted within 5-10 minutes the responds the same as before very high idling and sounds as though it has no oil getting to the engine(valvetrain). Car takes several moments to accelerate while the pedal is very stiff and the RPM's does not match the acceleration time. Feels like the brakes stick when you come to a complete stop. Driving on highway car tends to pickup on power itself while within the next few minutes losing power again. When exiting the highway to start city speed limits after taking off from a stop the RPM's increase however car doesn't move at desired speed(drags). Engine sounds like there is metal running through it as well as the sounds it makes while idling. Ticking.shaking,knocking all at once. I have a video of the engine noise and the way it shakes but your attachment only allows for 5mb and the video has more than 5mb. The car was taken to the dealership several times regarding this specific issue however the response was always we couldn't find anything and vehicle either needs a light on or needs to be currently showing the problem right then. They even compared it to other camry's to make sure they said but the car was still doing the same symptoms while we were there and as we left. The vehicle is sounding far worse than it was from november 2017- to this current day and doesn't seem to be driving any better and it's beginning to feel unsafe. Also the video I have will not attach to your formats. It's only allowing photos.

Filed Aug 31, 2019 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 31,000 miles · NV

Today aug 31 2019, I test drove the above vehicle. 2 things I noticed during driving. 1). At start up there was a very audible ticking sound at the front end of the engine. It was much more audible when the hood was raised, and it stopped after approximately 30 seconds with only a familiar ticking sound of the 4 cylnder engine once it stopped 2). Most important - during acceleration from a stop, the vehicle seemed to bogg down, and feel like the fuel was not feeding properly, or the transmission was slipping. Once the vehicle reached 15 MPH or so, it seemed to drive normal. I did not have a chance to drive on the freeway, only city streets. The acceleration should be of major concern.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 9,850 miles · AZ

There are two issues with my 2018 toyota camry with 10,250 miles and under warranty. (1) one is a knocking sound that a toyota dealer I took it to said is an engine problem and they have pulled the engine but they have not figured out what the problem is yet. This problem was missed when I took it to another toyota dealer for the 10,000 oil change on july 30th, and expressed concern about a noise I thought could be a muffler noise.. This engine could have failed and only lucky for me it didn't while I was driving. This vehicle should be on the recall list for this engine problem and for the (2) transmission powertrain problem. When I pull out into major streets from a side street, I have to do it very gradually and cannot accelerate quickly because it will miss gears. This also could be dangerous when trying to pass other traffic on busy highways of one lane in each direction. *tt consumer stated she does not wish the investigator to make contact with the automaker at this time of the investigation.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · NC

1. Every time I back out of my driveway my brakes squeak very loudly. 2. The transmission never knows what gear to be in while driving and will clunk in and out of gear while in motion. 3. Has a terrible burning smell of plastic and oil like when the car engine is hot. 4. Drive side cabin has a constant antifreeze smell while running the A/C 5. The engine has a horrible load knocking noise while running. It sounds like a very old car. 6. I don't know what's wrong with the acceleration of the car or if it was designed this way but the 3-5 sec delay is dangerous I have complained about each one of these items to the toyota dealer in gastonia nc at the 5 mile, 10mile and 15mile service and each time the dealer just tells me its fine and that's normal.

Filed May 29, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 14,200 miles · GA

Car engine knocks after warming up. Knocks goes away and comes back. Loss of power and noisy driving. Occasionally engine shakes at startup. My wife drives this car all the times and she complaint me several times in her words that car is not smooth and I keep ignoring. I have started driving this car after her complaint to make sure nothing is wrong or car is safe. I have recorded several videos of engine knocking having car parked in my garage. Secondly gear shifting is very abnormal. Sometimes shifts down for no reason and sometimes takes longer to shift down while passing and stays in lower gear for long time about 5-7 seconds even upshifted using lever on steering wheel. I could not record abnormal shifting operation due to safety reason during driving. I am just not sure how long this has been going on but I noticed this week ago after my wife complaint.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Engine · 21,600 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 toyota camry. On various occasions, the contact heard an abnormal knocking noise coming from the engine while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 21,600.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Engine · 15,000 miles · FL

Defective transmission: 1: car hesitates to speed up from a full stop or while in motion. 2: RPM's go over 3000 before car reacts (2-3 seconds delay) , dangerous specially when taking curves or merging into traffic (highways, fast traffic roads). 3: I feel a "hiccup" like movement while in motion (sometimes). 4: car hesitates to shift or shifts whit excessive power. 5: downshifts and loss of acceleration (it happens erratically) 6: I heard a soft metal-to-metal "knock" sound when I lift my foot from gas pedal while in motion. Until now this are the symptoms I'm experiencing with my 2018 camry 4-cyl, certainly something I wasn't expecting from a toyota product. The unpredictable behavior of this car is dangerous, I never know when is going to response as it should do or when I'll have to floor it so it can rev up and finally move.