Toyota Camry harsh shifting problems

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

While driving my 2018 Toyota Camry through Bowers Hill interstate interchange, where multiple major highways merge, my vehicle completely lost the ability to accelerate or maintain speed despite pressing the accelerator pedal. The engine continued to rev and RPMs increased, but the vehicle would not respond with forward acceleration. At the time of the failure I was traveling in an area with heavy, fast moving interstate traffic. I was forced to maneuver across four lanes of moving traffic to reach the far right shoulder while my vehicle was rapidly losing speed and unable to accelerate. This created an extremely dangerous situation because I could not maintain the speed of surrounding traffic or accelerate to safely change lanes. I was at significant risk of being struck by another vehicle. The failure occurred very suddenly with very little time to react. There was no check engine light on and otherwise my car seemed to be operating normally prior to this incident with the exception of a few hard shifts between first and second gear. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to a repair facility. The mechanic informed me that the transmission was not functioning and that a replacement transmission may be necessary. I was also informed that Toyota transmissions were on national backorder and that a service bulletin existed concerning the transmission. The exact cause of the failure has not yet been confirmed. I am reporting this incident because the sudden and complete loss of acceleration at interstate speeds presents a serious safety hazard. Had I been unable to reach the shoulder, or had surrounding traffic been less accommodating, this failure could have resulted in a serious or potentially fatal collision. Me vehicle was purchased from a Toyota dealership used with 42,000 miles and has only 114,000 miles currently. It is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Transmission · TN

Transmission Shutter/ hard shifting/ and whining

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NJ

At approximately 93,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction. About one week before the failure, intermittent warning messages appeared for Emergency Braking Malfunction and Forward Collision Warning Malfunction. These warnings appeared and disappeared several times over multiple days. About three days before the major transmission issues began, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership in North Brunswick, New Jersey, for a routine oil change. At that time, the vehicle was operating normally, and no transmission-related issues were reported. 3 days later, the warning messages returned, and the check engine light came on. Around the same time, the vehicle began experiencing serious transmission problems, including delayed shifting, harsh gear changes, and RPM flare-ups without corresponding acceleration. These issues created a serious safety risk because the vehicle could hesitate or fail to accelerate properly when merging into traffic, turning at intersections, or attempting to avoid hazards. The unpredictable shifting and loss of power increased the risk of a collision. After the check engine light appeared, the vehicle was returned to the same Toyota dealership. The dealership performed diagnostic testing and identified internal transmission and transmission control system faults, including solenoid-related failures and torque converter clutch issues. The dealership determined that the transmission requires full replacement and provided a repair estimate of approximately $12,000. The vehicle has no known prior accident damage related to this issue. there are numerous consumer complaints involving similar transmission problems in 2018–2019 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission. I am filing this complaint because this failure occurred at relatively low mileage for a Toyota vehicle and presents a significant safety concern due to unpredictable power delivery and loss of acceleration.

Filed Jun 13, 2026 · Transmission · CT

The 8-speed automatic transmission (Aisin UB80, the 4-cylinder variant of the UA80 family) failed at approximately 53,000 miles. Symptoms prior to failure: harsh shifting, RPM flare to 4,000 between gears before hard engagement ("thud"), loss of power in Reverse, and a metal-on-metal noise from inside the transmission when power was applied. No dashboard warning lights illuminated at any point. Safety risk: the vehicle would not shift normally and lost power in Reverse, with the engine revving to high RPM before abrupt gear engagement. This created a real risk of sudden loss of forward propulsion in traffic, abrupt unintended acceleration on engagement, and inability to safely reverse. The failure occurred without prior warning indicators. The problem was confirmed by both an independent service center and an authorized Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer performed a road test and a transmission fluid sample analysis. The dealer documented, verbatim: "vehicle will rev up to 4k before shifting and will only shift if you let off the gas... took a transmission fluid sample and found fluid was burnt with clutch pack material suspended in fluid. Transmission will need to be replaced." Quoted repair: approximately $10,747. The failure mechanism — burnt fluid with suspended clutch pack material from heat-driven internal wear — matches the defect alleged in three active federal class-action lawsuits naming this transmission family (filed in U.S. District Courts in Texas, California, and New Jersey, late 2025 through early 2026). It also matches multiple Toyota Technical Service Bulletins (T-SB-0330-17, T-SB-0010-18, T-SB-0152-19) and the defect Toyota has acknowledged on the 2017-2018 Sienna and Highlander under Customer Support Program ZJC by extending warranty to 10 years/unlimited miles on the same transmission family. The failed transmission is no longer in my possession; the vehicle has been sold. Diagnostic documentation is available upon request.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Transmission · NC

We experienced rough shifting, engine revving and now it won't shift out of first gear. The car is not driveable. We've taken it to Town & Country Toyota in Charlotte, NC where they said it could not be repaired and it needed replacing for $12,000. The car has 121,000 miles and is not under warranty. Also took it to an independent transmission shop and they said to replace the transmission as well. We think Toyota should issue a recall or some kind of compensation for this major expense. I have lots of stories similar to this by owners with 2018-2022 Toyota Camrys. Thank you.

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 May 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

When driving, the car would go into limp mode and wouldn’t get out of 2nd gear. it was super jerky as well. when taken to a mechanic, it was diagnosed with malfunctioning transmission among some other things such as brakes and tires. we take fairly great care of our vehicles and get them seen for regular maintenance. once the car started acting up, the check engine light came on. it is now unsafe to drive and two mechanics have confirmed an issue with the transmission, which is now also in a class action lawsuit for transmission failures. it’s had hiccups before over the past two years (started around 85000 miles) but never to that extreme and every time we took it into a mechanic they never saw the issue before until now. the hiccups we just delayed shifting and simultaneous RPM increase but stoped after a few seconds and letting off the gas, and then would correct itself. mechanics chocked it up to just needing a tune up and never saw the issue themselves, it happened randomly and just every once in a while.

Filed May 26, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Transmission began failing. Whining coming from transmission when accelerating and shifting becoming more rough. Dealership said transmission is failing and needs to be replaced. Mileage is at 89,000 miles. Rough shifter made it dangerous to drive on the highways. Was inspected by warranty adjuster. No warning lamps or lights ever appeared.

Filed May 23, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

The UB80E (Front-Wheel Drive) transmission had a total failure at only 70,000 miles. The vehicle started to make unusual noises with harsh and delayed shifting. No warning lights or messages were displayed at any time. The mechanic who replaced the transmission stated my trans fluid was burned up possibly due to faulty overheated components and in his experience many Toyota models were suffering the same premature transmission issues. My cost for a rebuilt transmission was $7,700 plus 667.00 for a rear trans mount, as well as the cost of a rental car. I have all repair receipts for inspection. This defect in the UB80E transmission warrants immediate investigation by the NTSB as is a legitimate safety issues for the passengers of these Toyota models.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Transmission · CA

harsh/delayed shifting, acceleration hesitation, and, total transmission failure