Toyota Camry engine failure problems

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Engine · WI

My 2018 Toyota Camry LE went into Limp mode while drive on the highway causing jerking while driving and tons of error codes on the dash, and issues with safety systems shutting off and accelration. After towing to a dealership, dealership gave me the following description of the defect: Coolant is coming through the cylinder walls due to a hairline fracture in the cylinder causing 2 of the 4 cylinders to misfire and coolant to mix with usual contents. We aren't able to identify where the cause of this problem is but it makes the most economical sense to replace the engine with a lower mileage engine and replace the neighboring parts to support the less old engine. I was quoted $8300 approximately. the same vehicle just a few years older are recalled already for the exact same thing - the federal safety agency Recall 20V064000. the federal safety agency Recall states: "The subject vehicles are equipped with a 2.5L 4 Cylinder engine (A25A) and may have been produced with engine blocks containing higher porosity levels. Higher levels of porosity could create cracks in the cooling passages, resulting in coolant leaking internally and/or externally. This may lead to engine noise, engine smoke, warning lights/malfunction indicator illumination, an audible chime sounding, and/or, in some cases, engine overheating and possible internal mechanical engine damage (e.g. seizing of internal engine components). If engine overheating or internal mechanical engine damage were to occur on involved conventional gasoline vehicles, a vehicle stall while driving at higher speeds could occur without prior warning to the driver, increasing the risk of crash."

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · AZ

2020 Toyota Camry XSE, VIN [XXX], 2.5L 4-cylinder A25A-FKS engine, built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) during the production window covered by the federal safety agency Recall 20V‑064 (Toyota campaign 20TA04), which addresses porosity in engine castings that can cause internal and external coolant leaks, engine overheating, and possible engine failure. Toyota’s VIN lookup returns this vehicle as not affected by the campaign, but the failure pattern matches the recall defect exactly. Timeline of failures and repair attempts: XXX, at approximately 92,832 miles, Camelback Toyota in Phoenix, AZ (RO XXX). Check engine light active. Diagnosed DTC P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit, Short to Battery or Open). Battery also failed load test. Overheating symptom noted on the same repair order. Coolant bypass valve replacement recommended. Following that visit, water pump and thermostat were replaced at Berge Toyota (Mesa/Gilbert, AZ area). Camelback Toyota stated the vehicle was fixed. Vehicle overheated again the next day after being returned as repaired. XXX, at 93,034 miles, Camelback Toyota (RO XXX). Oil and filter change performed under good faith goodwill service, transmission fluid exchange completed. Overheating condition persisted. Vehicle continued to overheat through the summer and into September 2026. Current dealer now recommends head gasket replacement and states that if the head gasket does not resolve the overheating, the engine block is cracked and the engine will need replacement. Dealer describes the engine as “sucking air,” indicating combustion gases entering the cooling system and/or a compromised block-to-head seal. This failure sequence — persistent overheating, multiple failed repair attempts across two Toyota dealers, replacement of water pump, thermostat, and coolant bypass valve without resolution, and dealer conclusion pointing to a cracked engine block — matches the failure mode described in the federal safety agency Rec INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

Filed May 26, 2026 · Engine · 109,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where it was diagnosed with a failed intake valve and a failed exhaust. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle's speed slowly reached 20 MHP. In addition, the contact stated that while driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power and seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline and report the failure.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

2018 Camry XSE, Vacuum pump went on my car less then a year ago. I had my car towed to the dealership for the recall to be fixed. Since that incident my car hasn’t been the same. While stopped at a light my dash board lite up with every issue the car could possibly have. Lane departure assist, secondary breaking system failure, engine coolant too hot, emergency brake failure and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get my cat to the side of the road and eventually make it home. I brought my car back to Toyota and a day later I was informed I might need a new engine, 8,000 dollars. I am very diligent about oil changes, tune ups etc. My car has 140,000 highway miles. I travel a lot for work. This car has never had a major issue until the recalled vacuum pump was repaired. All these complaints from other people with primarily the same issue cannot be wrong. It is definitely a manufacturing issue and I shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for an issue that the dealership caused. Now I either have to buy a new car or pay 8000 to repair my current vehicle. I will never buy another Toyota again

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · AR

I am reporting a severe safety and vehicle integrity issue involving a Toyota vehicle purchased from Wolfchase Toyota. After a technical inspection (Invoice #XXX), it was confirmed that the Engine VIN does not match the Chassis VIN. This indicates an undocumented engine replacement of unknown origin and mileage. As a result, the vehicle's safety systems, engine performance, and structural integrity are unverified and potentially compromised. The dealership and Toyota North America have been notified of this 'Frankenstein' engine configuration but have not removed the vehicle from the road, forcing me to operate an unsafe vehicle for my 110-mile daily commute. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Engine · FL

Without warning, the connecting rod broke while the vehicle was in motion in traffic. Catastrophic engine damage caused engine failure and loss of power. Created a safety hazard to guide the vehicle from travel lanes to soft shoulder of the roadway using only the remaining kinetic energy of the vehicle while it had power.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · 20,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. While the contact’s wife was inside the parked vehicle and attempting to open the sunroof, there was an abnormal sound coming from the sunroof while attempting to close it. The motor to open the sunroof was covered and made a sound; however, the sunroof failed to close. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rail had seized. The contact was advised that the sunroof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · GA

The shut off valve coolant hose leaked into my engine and caused it to over heat, stopping in the street while driving and almost caused an accident. There was no warning until after it over heated. The vehcile was towed to a shop for inspection and I had to replace the engine. Due to the damage the coolant leak cause.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Engine · GA

I purchased my 2007 Toyota Camry brand new. Since early ownership, the vehicle has suffered from excessive engine oil consumption. Toyota acknowledged this issue and performed major engine repairs at a Toyota dealership, including replacing pistons and piston rings under their oil consumption program, but the defect continued. The vehicle continues to consume approximately 1.5 quarts of oil every 1–2 months. This defect affects engine reliability and long-term safety. Despite these repairs, the oil consumption problem was never resolved. I was instructed by Toyota to track the amount of oil I was forced to purchase and was told I would be reimbursed. I complied, but Toyota never reimbursed me. I have an extensive repair history with Toyota. A Toyota dealership technician informed me that my repair history is unusually extensive and described it as a “book” in Toyota’s system. The vehicle continues to consume excessive oil, requiring frequent top-offs that pose a risk of engine failure if not constantly monitored. Toyota has failed to permanently correct a known defect despite repeated repair attempts. I believe this is a widespread defect affecting 2007 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with the 2AZ-FE engine and request the federal safety agency review this matter.