Toyota Camry hesitation problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · CA

My Toyota Camry 2020 with approximately 104,000 miles developed a progressive transmission problem beginning in September 2026. When accelerating, the vehicle experiences a significant lag and struggles between first and second gear. The problem started intermittently about two months ago and has steadily worsened. In September 2026 I took the vehicle to a shop for an engine and transmission fluid service. I was told no problems were found. A few weeks later the hesitation and lag became severe. On one occasion the vehicle would not accelerate at all when I pressed the gas pedal. I had the vehicle diagnosed at a transmission specialty shop in Lodi, California, which confirmed an internal transmission failure. Because the vehicle is covered by an extended warranty (PRCO), I then took it to Toyota Town in Stockton, California. The dealership confirmed the transmission needs to be replaced and ordered a new unit. The transmission is currently on backorder with an estimated wait of approximately two months. The vehicle is completely undriveable. The dealership initially authorized only limited rental coverage under the warranty. This condition presents a serious safety risk. The sudden lag, hesitation, or complete loss of power while accelerating can occur without warning. On a freeway, highway, or in heavy traffic, this can leave the vehicle unable to maintain speed, merge, or move out of the path of other vehicles. Drivers behind may not have time to react, creating a high risk of rear-end collisions. The inability to accelerate or maintain control in an emergency situation further increases the danger of an accident. Once the transmission failed completely, the vehicle became stranded and could not be driven under its own power, exposing, me, the driver and any passengers to additional roadside hazards.

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Transmission · NV

When i purchased this vehicle during 2020 i noticed that the car runs very sluggish and the transmission would jerk a lot when slowing down and when speeding back up, ive been able to replicate this problem for the dealership and i took it to them and all they said they can do is reset the transmission and check the fluid levels. So for the past 4 years ive been driving it like that with no issues resolved. Until this year 2026, i took the car back to the dealership and i explained to them that i hear a whining sound coming from the transmission when its runs at 3k RPMS and they were able to replicate the noise and all they said is they cant do nothing since the transmission still runs even tho their is a clear sign that the transmission is giving up and the jerking and hesitation of the transmission is clear. i also have statement from the service manager claiming their is a whine sound.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and was able to reproduce the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Acceleration · MD

I own a 2024 Toyota Camry LE. The vehicle has an intermittent and unpredictable hesitation when I press the accelerator. At times, the vehicle does not respond normally to accelerator input and hesitates before providing power. After the hesitation, the vehicle can suddenly surge forward. This creates a significant safety concern because predictable acceleration is necessary when merging into traffic, entering an intersection, making a turn, or accelerating from a stop. I have experienced situations where I could not rely on the vehicle to accelerate when needed, followed by an unexpected surge in acceleration. The problem appears to involve the vehicle's powertrain/transmission and/or its electronic control system, although I cannot identify the specific cause. I am reporting this as a safety defect because the unpredictable loss of acceleration followed by sudden acceleration could increase the risk of a collision. The vehicle is available for inspection. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this condition represents a safety-related defect affecting the 2024 Toyota Camry.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Hesitation when shifting gears. Rough or jerky gear changes.

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 8, 2026 · Transmission · GA

I am writing to formally document a serious safety incident involving my 2019 Toyota Camry XSE (VIN: [XXX]) and to express my deep dissatisfaction with the reliability of this vehicle and my experience obtaining support and repairs. On XXX while driving northbound on [XXX] to attend a wedding approximately 90 minutes from my home, my vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction while traveling at approximately 70 mph. While operating at highway speed, I pressed the accelerator pedal in an attempt to maintain and increase speed with traffic flow. Although the engine RPMs increased, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The engine appeared to respond to throttle input, but power was not being transferred to the wheels. This unexpected loss of propulsion occurred without warning. The failure created an immediate safety hazard. As my vehicle rapidly lost the ability to keep pace with surrounding traffic, I narrowly avoided being struck by a freight truck traveling behind me. I was forced to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the interstate while surrounded by highway traffic. This was a frightening experience that placed my safety and the safety of others at risk. After the incident, the vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership in Kennesaw, Georgia. I was quickly advised that the transmission was the source of the problem. While I understand that a formal diagnosis may be required to determine the exact cause of the failure, I was surprised to learn that the transmission was believed to have failed. This vehicle has had only one owner and has never exhibited any warning signs, symptoms, or performance issues that would have led me to believe there was a transmission problem. The transmission had not been slipping, hesitating, making unusual noises, or displaying any other indications of impending failure. Given these facts, I find it difficult to understand how a transmission in a Toyota vehicle could suddenly fail. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 22, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

The vehicle has an intermittent loss of power/hesitation during acceleration. The issue has occurred multiple times since the vehicle was purchased new and is still occurring at approximately 42,000 miles while under warranty. When accelerating from a stop or low speed, the vehicle sometimes has little to no power, feels like it stalls or fails to respond, and then suddenly kicks in and takes off. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may not accelerate when entering traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or merging, and then may surge unexpectedly. The issue occurred again on May 22, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM while leaving a grocery store parking lot. The dash camera footage exists, but the hesitation is difficult to see clearly on video. There were no known warning lights or messages displayed at the time. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue has been reported to the dealership multiple times during service visits. The dealership has stated that the condition is part of the hybrid system/normal operation, but the concern has not been repaired or resolved. I believe this may involve the hybrid propulsion system, powertrain, throttle response, transmission/eCVT, inverter, or related software control system. The cause is currently unknown.

Filed May 15, 2026 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she notices that the vehicle grinds it's gears very loud while in transition, hesitate to accelerate and does not want to shift between gears. The dealer was notified of the failure were it was diagnosed to need a new transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.