Toyota Camry Reliability — Best and Worst Years by the Data

Quick answer

The 2007 draws 19.56 complaints per run and the 2020 2.57, a 7.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 66.6% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Vehicle Speed Control, with 2,832 complaints, typically at 4 years.

Toyota Camry years to avoid — and the best ones

FIG.01·Toyota Camry — complaint rate by model year
Model year	Per run	Complaints	Runs	Enough history?
2025	6.5	143	22	too new
2024	1.29	49	38	too new
2023	1.32	62	47	too new
2022	1.4	60	43	too new
2021	1.91	155	81	too new
2020	2.57	267	104	yes
2019	7.34	389	53	yes
2018	10.69	727	68	yes
2017	6.65	133	20	yes
2016	4.78	177	37	yes
2015	5.95	250	42	yes
2014	1.27	14	11	yes
2013	5.83	268	46	yes
2012	10.45	575	55	yes
2011	9.02	550	61	yes
2010	7.26	530	73	yes
2009	13.78	1213	88	yes
2008	9.94	924	93	yes
2007	19.56	2915	149	yes
2006	3.47	257	74	yes
2005	6.89	613	89	yes
2004	5.67	527	93	yes
2003	6.08	602	99	yes
2002	6.59	758	115	yes
2001	3.28	210	64	yes
2000	3.21	344	107	yes
1999	3.4	377	111	yes
1998	4.05	478	118	yes
1997	4.69	422	90	yes
1996	3.14	317	101	yes
1995	1.9	209	110	yes
1994	2.15	217	101	yes
1993	1.98	186	94	yes
1992	3.1	416	134	yes
1991	1.6	104	65	yes
1990	1.73	102	59	yes
1989	1.35	93	69	yes
1988	1.32	49	37	yes
1987	1.23	43	35	yes
1986	1.21	17	14	yes

ROWS 40·SOURCE NHTSA complaints, grouped by VIN production run

Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2007 Camry asks a median $4,800, against $4,900 for a 2008, the next model year: about the same, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.

Among the 10 Toyota Camry years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2007, 2009, 2008; the three worth hunting are 2020, 2000, 2006.

When it starts to break

FIG.02·Toyota Camry — age at failure
Age at failure	Complaints	Running total	Warranty
0 years	2017	14.3%	covered
1 year	1432	24.4%	covered
2 years	1266	33.4%	covered
3 years	1454	43.7%	you pay
4 years	1344	53.2%	you pay
5 years	1320	62.6%	you pay
6 years	1153	70.8%	you pay
7 years	1128	78.7%	you pay
8 years	744	84%	you pay
9 years	581	88.1%	you pay
10 years	508	91.7%	you pay
11 years	399	94.6%	you pay
12 years	296	96.7%	you pay
13 years	202	98.1%	you pay
14 years	154	99.2%	you pay
15 years	116	100%	you pay

ROWS 16·SOURCE NHTSA complaints with incident dates

Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 33.4% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 66.6% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 18% of the complaints here.

What actually fails — and at what age

On the Toyota Camry, the early trouble is Vehicle Speed Control and Power Train — reported at around 4 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Service Brakes at 4.7 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.

FIG.03·Toyota Camry — what fails and when
System	Complaints	Typical age	Crash	Fire
Vehicle Speed Control	2832	4 yrs	1122	20
Service Brakes	2304	4.7 yrs	387	15
Structure	1515	5.1 yrs	120	27
Power Train	1417	3.9 yrs	106	7
Unknown Or Other	1381	6.2 yrs	103	21
Air Bags	1365	4.7 yrs	853	11
Engine	1361	6.8 yrs	53	37
Electrical System	1154	5.2 yrs	69	138

ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaints

What else in this class

6 models share the Camry's vehicle class. Per production run, the Honda Accord draws 4.02, the Dodge Challenger 3.27 and the Toyota Prius 13.31, against 5.65 for the Camry.

FIG.05·Toyota Camry — rivals in the same class
Same class as the Camry	Complaints on record	Recall campaigns	Years built
Honda Accord	24,369	415	1981–2026
Dodge Challenger	1,696	77	1981–2026
Toyota Prius	12,873	109	2001–2026
Hyundai Elantra	9,090	117	1992–2026
Nissan Altima	15,657	148	1993–2026
Tesla Model 3	4,207	142	2017–2026

ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns

The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.

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Everything on the Toyota Camry

Recalls161 campaigns Fuel economy52 mpg best Common problems20,039 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space42 cu ft Used prices13,640 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1983–2026

Frequently asked questions

Is the Toyota Camry reliable?

By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 5.65 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.

Which Camry years should you avoid?

By complaints per production run, 2007, 2009, 2008. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2020, 2000, 2006. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.

When do Camry problems usually start?

Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Vehicle Speed Control, typically at 4 years, followed by Service Brakes.

Will the warranty cover Camry problems?

Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 33.4% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 18% of the complaints here.

Is the Camry more reliable than the Honda Accord?

No: 5.65 complaints per production run for the Camry against 4.02 for the Honda Accord.

Complaint records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Rates, age-at-failure and warranty coverage computed by ForCar. Model years newer than 6 years are excluded from rankings — complaints accumulate for a decade (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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