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.
Toyota Camry loss of power problems
197 of the 17,932 owner complaints about the Toyota Camry describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 197
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 60,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 32Stalling 24Power steering loss 23Transmission failure 17Hesitation 15Jerking 11ABS 10Whining noise 9
Trouble codes mentioned
P0302 2P2112 1P0340 1P0339 1P0087 1
What owners say
transmission failure and power loss while driving
I own a 2019 Toyota Camry SE, 4-door automatic transmission, with approximately 59,500 miles. On October 20, 2026, while driving on a roadway with multiple traffic lights, I stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I pressed the accelerator, and the vehicle made a loud noise but would barely move and accelerated very slowly. At the same time, I noticed a strong oil smell inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights or messages displayed before the failure. Because the vehicle was unable to accelerate normally when traffic began moving, my safety and the safety of other motorists were put at risk. The driver behind me expected my vehicle to move when the light turned green and nearly collided with the rear of my vehicle when it failed to accelerate. The sudden loss of power created the risk of a rear-end collision and prevented me from maintaining the normal flow of traffic through the intersection. I was able to pull the vehicle to the side with the help of other people pushing the car of the road. I shut off the car and attempt to restart it several times. The vehicle did not restart. The oil odor remained noticeable during the incident. The vehicle was subsequently taken to Athens Toyota for inspection. After diagnosing the vehicle, the dealership technician determined that the cause of the problem was a sudden transmission failure. The sudden transmission failure resulted in a loss of vehicle propulsion and created a significant safety hazard while driving in traffic. The transmission has not yet been repaired or replaced. Answers: 1) Transmission failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2) The vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate normally while entering an intersection when the traffic light turned green, creating a risk of a rear-end collision and endangering myself and other motorists. 3) Yes. By Athens Toyota 4) Same As (3) 5) No, warning lights, messages before failure. The symptoms first appeared on Oct20.
In late September 2026, at approximately 80,500 miles, my 2022 Toyota Camry SE (2.5L 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic transmission) began making a whine under acceleration. The whine starts around 15 mph and fades around 65–70 mph, gets louder the harder I accelerate, and stops when I coast or shift to neutral. When I lift off the accelerator, it continues for about one second with a pulsing sound. Steering and a tire rotation do not change it. On October 13, 2026, at 82,206 miles, a Toyota dealer test drove the vehicle and confirmed a whining noise from the transmission on acceleration. The dealer noted “possible internal wear from bearing,” found no trouble codes, and recommended replacing the transmission assembly at a cost of $8,015.09. At my request, the dealer also performed a transmission drain and refill with genuine Toyota WS fluid the same day, even though Toyota’s maintenance schedule does not require transmission fluid replacement under normal driving conditions. The whine was unchanged afterward. No warning lights or messages have appeared, and the transmission has not slipped. However, owners of the same and similar Toyota models with this 8-speed transmission have reported sudden loss of power while driving after similar symptoms. I am concerned that the transmission could fail without warning in traffic or on the freeway, putting me and others at risk. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I have opened a case with Toyota. The vehicle and transmission are available for inspection upon request.
While fixing another problem, I pulled the codes from the ECM and found several P0087 (low fuel rail pressure). The problem was apparently intermittent and if the engine service light came on, it was transient and the light cleared. So neither my wife or I noticed an engine service light. I did some research and found that Denso found and reported a problem with the in tank fuel pump design to the NTSB in Feb. of 2020. We purchased the Camry in Dec. 2019 which meant we had the defective fuel pump. I ordered a new Denso fuel pump and install it and no new codes have appeared in the ECM log. Apparently Toyota has been slowly adding more years to the recall, but hasn't yet added the 2020 model year. This is a problem since a number of people have reported engine stalls due to the defective fuel pump. We live in the mountains, that might have been very dangerous especially if my wife suddenly lost power brakes and steering on a mountain road. Why hasn't a recall been ordered for this pump on all effected years?
Power loss, had to pull off road. multiple fault codes on this event. 2 broken plastic parts in intake duct, one stuck in throttle body butterfly. cleared plastic parts from intake to get home. Later determined 2 of 4 intake resonator tube internal catch bevels broke off. The remaining 2 were very weak and easily broke off as well. Serious FOD hazard to engine!
After taking the car on a short drive: Pre-collision malfunction; parking brake malf; ICS malf; chk eng reduced power; secondary collision brake malf; rough idle and driving; sometimes won't accelerate (revs only); cruise control won't work; battery drained when off (12.5 v to 10.5 in one day; battery just under 3 years old); after replacing battery: OBD 2:P0302
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message “See Dealer” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with water pump failure. The dealer was notified of the diagnosis but advised the contact to disregard the warning. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle back to the residence, the vehicle started to lose power and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was returned to the independent mechanic to have the water pump replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,572.
My vehicle completely lost power and stalled on the freeway, requiring a tow. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed it with a total internal failure of the UA80 transmission and quoted me $9,000. This vehicle has been properly maintained, including a documented transmission fluid service at a Toyota facility in March of this year. A modern powertrain should not suffer a life-threatening failure at 130,000 miles. Because of this severe safety defect and my documented maintenance history, I am requesting a Corporate Goodwill Accommodation to cover or significantly cost-share this replacement.
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.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
- Risk
- A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
Recall number 20V064000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with a 2.5L, four-cylinder engine. The pistons on these vehicles may be larger than specified, possibly causing the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production date codes of the pistons and, if an engine contains a piston from the affected production period, the engine assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 25, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J1M/J0M.
Recall number 18V200000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
- Risk
- In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 11V539000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Camry loss of power
Which Toyota Camry years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (27 complaints), 2019 (23 complaints) and 2007 (21 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Toyota Camry?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 25 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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