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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,885 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Toyota Camry drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #120

Mar 032024

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission stopped working at approx 78,000 miles. The car completely died while driving with my children in the car. The tech said the fluid was black and there was no apparent cause of the transmission damage.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #119

May 232019

Camry

  • miles
1.The transmission in my vehicle suffered not one, but two failures or malfunctions. Regrettably, as of March 13, 2024, I am no longer in possession of the vehicle. However, I do possess video footage, photographs, and a diagnostic report from the Toyota dealership, along with statements that I personally addressed to Toyota USA regarding the matter. 2.The transmission failure jeopardized both my safety and that of others on the road. While driving, I experienced a dangerous situation where pressing the gas pedal resulted in the engine revving, but the car failed to accelerate when necessary, posing a significant risk during critical moments. 3.The dealership confirmed the issue on two separate occasions. This problem occurred twice and was verified by the dealership. 4.The dealership conducted an inspection on the vehicle, but to my knowledge, no inspection was carried out by the police, manufacturers, insurance representatives, or any other parties. 5.Instantaneously the failure occurred, warning lamps, messages, and other symptoms indicating the problem were present.

- Poinciana, FL, USA

problem #118

Jul 072023

Camry

  • miles
2018 Toyota camry hybrid at a stop sign the car would not engage into drive while it was on ""D" when I let my foot off the brake to hit the gas, the cars "BRAKE HOLD system" failed. I then shut the car off and back on to reset the car, which allowed me to get to the next STOP sign and It happened again a few times until I made it home.

- Lago Vista, TX, USA

problem #117

May 302023

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started getting weird shifting and hesitation I had around 70,000 miles took it to my local Toyota dealership, they completed several software updates. Also did a transmission fluid change that didn-??t really resolve the problem now at about 113,000 miles I started getting odd shifting, and at higher speeds, when accelerating abruptly, the vehicle put itself in limp mode and will not accelerate further. Add 115,000 miles I took the vehicle into the Toyota dealership because the check engine light came on after accelerating onto the highway and the vehicle stalling and upon their investigation they found out that I would be needing a new transmission which is a little odd at 115,000 miles with the car only be five years old. Toyota, you should do better.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #116

Feb 192020

Camry

  • miles
I purchased a brand new 2018 toyota camry le with nothing but problems from the beginning. The brakes have been bad from day 1. The make noise when braking and they supposedly fixed it. I was driving on the freeway down a hill and when I went to press on the brakes they did not do anything and I had the pedal all the way down. I had to pump the brakes putting me and my passengers in danger. The engine hesitates when accelerating. I took it in twice already and they don't know what the issue is. Once it finally decides to go it accelerates excessively putting the driver in danger. This has been going in for years.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

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problem #115

Feb 212023

Camry

  • miles
Transmission issues car will not accelerate and then will abruptly speed up. The vehicle will stall at 15 mph and then shift and shake. The safety of driver put at risk while on the road because the car would go from 15 mph to 40 mph and traffic following behind could potentially rear end vehicle. Dealership inspected vehicle and informed Camry will need new transmission, no warranty left, current mileage only 69,500. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to failure. The vehicle was serviced at Toyota late December and no transmission issues indicated. The vehicle was purchased new directly from Toyota dealership. The vehicle should not have transmission issues with mileage of only 69,500. Toyota has failed consumers enormously with the 2018 Camry SE model.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #114

Dec 192022

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Toyota Camry 2018 SE - 8-speed automatic transmission fails to engage properly when leaving stoplight or making slow turn from highway. Left stoplight and made left turn at next intersection where transmission failed to engage and vehicle stopped moving (engine remained on but transmission disengaged). Number of following vehicles made emergency maneuvers to avoid the stopped vehicle. Put vehicle in Park, turned off ignition then restarted. Vehicle OK after that (this was fourth time a similar incident occurred with subject vehicle). Toyota dealer in Katy TX could not identify source of problem and indicated that nothing could be done to help. No other technical inspection was conducted other than by Toyota technicians. No warning lamps or signs prior to failure.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #113

Jun 222022

Camry

  • miles
While traveling 54 mph my transmission stop responding to my gas peddle input. I pulled over to the side of the highway and placed the selector into neutral and back into drive which help with the problem but it returned within minutes. The check engine light illuminated and I drove to the mechanic and was told that the diagnostic code was the transmission sensor and the sensor was checked but know problems were found. With this car, I have pulled into the highway, in traffic, in the car stalled, as if it had extreme Turbo Lag which is very dangerous. The transmission is awful.

- Washington, NJ, USA

problem #112

Sep 242022

Camry

  • miles
Purchased this 2018 Toyota Camry SE from DCH Wappingers Falls Toyota as a "Certified Pre-owned Vehicle". During early periods of ownership, the transmission noticeably experienced hard, jerking shifts during acceleration and de-acceleration between the first several gears of this 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle was brought back to the selling Toyota dealer where they said the transmission's performance was within spec and this was "normal" for this transmission. The most recent return for the transmission problem was April 2022 where the service advisor at the selling Toyota dealership stated their mechanic confirmed both that the vehicle received the software update issued by one of Toyota's TSB's (Technical Service Bulletin) which addressed owners/complainants' reports of hard shifting, and they confirmed the transmission had the proper level of fluid. It was noted there is no dipstick to check transmission fluid and I was informed this has to be done by a mechanic with the car on a lift from underneath the Camry. On Friday evening 09/24/2002, while driving Camry, the transmission began to stutter andsoon failed to engage ANY of it's gears and when pressing on the accelerator, the engine would Rev with increased RPM's, but the vehicle would not move. It had to be towed back to the DCH Wappingers Falls Toyota Dealership where it is currently parked with an inoperable transmission awaiting a diagnosis for either repair -o- replacement.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #111

Jul 212022

Camry

  • miles
While entering the highway/merging onto on ramp. Have to yield to merge, upon slowing or reaccelerating. Vehicle hesitates and feels as if gear not catching/slipping.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #110

Oct 012021

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since I brought this car at dealer shop June 1 2021 and I-??m about a month went to repair vacuum pump which paid to the mechanic after that check engine light came out little by little start to have more problem until October 1st 2021 stop working doesn-??t run no more couldn-??t do nothing at all it does start but doesn-??t run when the car is Lyft up the wheel kinda runs little bit but putting on D and wheel goes reverse and putting on R the wheel doesn-??t run nothing at all. Spoke with dealer shop manger all he say don-??t call me here no more hung up. I tow car to toyota dealer all they say is seven grand to have transmission fix which its not transmission at all the scanner says transmission pass please help me now my car is been repo and because I didn-??t pay payment for what because car is not working and running I don-??t have money or job without car my life is done I need this car back asap please

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #109

Nov 172021

Camry

  • miles
Hi there, So I have an open recall for my car and the Toyota Service Center is not helping me to fix this issue, I went there two times for the recall and every time they said we don-??t have the part yet, we don-??t know when it gonna come, and every time they said we gonna call you when we got the part, which they never do, it-??s been a month and I am facing issues while driving, brakes are not good, my car is not catching pickup, it looks like it gonna stop soon. So please help me to fix this recall. It-??s been more than 2 weeks when I last visited to the Toyota Service Center. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

- Richmond Hill, NY, USA

problem #108

Sep 142021

Camry

  • miles
My car started to have issues while driving, especially when I slow down. It wants to die while I-??m driving or waiting for traffic so I can turn or entering roundabouts. I recently waited for traffic and found myself turning in front of a semi. I had plenty of time, but through my turn realized that if my car had died that semi would have hit me at 45 mph. There are 2 lights on, check engine and master warning light. I have tried to have the issue fixed twice already and it was better for about 20 miles and then I have the same issue. These issues seem identical to the ones as described in the recalls for the same year make and model of my vehicle, but my specific vin is not part of the recall. I am concerned it is also part of the same issue. (It seems to have the same symptoms as the recall for the fuel pump issue or the incorrect sized pistons)

- Kiel, WI, USA

problem #107

Oct 282021

Camry

  • miles
Transmission shifts absolutely terrible hunts for gears constantly. It-??ll clunk going from drive to park. The vehicle hesitates for more than a couple seconds sometimes when merging on the freeway making it dangerous when trying to get on. Toyota needs to recall these transmission and put the ones they fixed

- Beaumont , TX, USA

problem #106

Oct 192021

Camry

  • miles
The transmission shutters very badly which makes it difficult to merge onto the freeway. It will clunk into drive at times. It also makes a whining noise when speeding up before shifting. I have a 2021 Camry as well and it is much much smoother and has none of the same problems like my

- League City, TX, USA

problem #105

Oct 082021

Camry

  • miles
After owning this vehicle for almost 4 years, the "Jerky" feeling that other individuals have faced is still there, although not as severe now after I figured workarounds. However I do not like having anyone else in my vehicle as they tend to get visibly uncomfortable once they feel that jerk while the vehicle is in motion. It is nearly impossible to have a smooth transition when the vehicle has to slow down and accelerate immediately. There is almost always a significant 2-3 second delay when you have to accelerate quickly into moving traffic. If I let my foot off the gas while in motion I can feel the gears thud while in motion to accommodate for the loss in speed. Dealerships I've went to have reset the 'software' multiple times and say that the jolts are something I have to get used to and that the car 'learns' from your driving habits. A Toyota dealership rep also told me that Lexus's have this problem too. Clearly this is something that Toyota has not paid attention to since they overhauled and completely redesigned their 2018 lineup. A vehicle is NOT a pet and should not have to be trained. I am unsatisfied with how Toyota does not seem to be addressing this common transmission issue and offering repair services. The only workarounds I have experimented with myself and found some degree of success is 1. turning off eco mode 2. NOT using the cheapest gas (if located in SoCal use #89 when financially able. COSTCO gas seems to deliver good results). 3. fully warming up the car before operating for the first time 4. accelerating gradually (DO NOT STEP ON GAS PEDAL HARD) 5. avoid braking hard (do not tailgate others and allow proper distance between yourself and other drivers) These steps only lessen the severity of the jolts felt but does not totally eliminate them. I don't feel 100% safe while driving this vehicle and am planning on selling it as soon as payments are done.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #104

Jun 212019

Camry

  • miles
Vehicle hesitates/jerks at low speeds, rolling stop (low mph) when initially pressing accelerator will jerk/hesitate/take a breath before dropping into gear. This is a KNOWN issue that Toyota has thus far selectively chosen which engine codes they will repair. It is clear, on this website alone, that this issue is universal. Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0152-19 REV1 should be available to all Toyota Camry owners immediately. This needs to be recalled.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #103

Jul 302021

Camry

  • miles
Ever since getting my Fuel Pump kit installed my car jerks when it goes in and out of over drive when increasing speed.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #102

Jun 012021

Camry

  • miles
Transmission has a shock when shifting. It also revs high in order to shift, when it does it has to much power. Vehicle can decide when to shift it just jerks

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #101

Apr 212021

Camry

  • 48,000 miles
Vehicle jerks when in motion or before braking. This is dangerous because it could cause an accident. It doesn't seem to properly switch speeds which also cause it to jerk forward. Again, possibly cause an accident. It constantly slows down because it "detects item" when there's absolutely nothing in the road. It will slow down at any time on the highway. I've received 2 master warnings alerts that the dealership said, weren't registered in the vehicles data base. The master alert is loud and fills up my dashboard so, it happened. It happens all the time.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

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