2013 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 301 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 46 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, switch/wiringOct 17, 2013
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V505000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemOct 17, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.
A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
301 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Structure, Jan 13, 2017, crash
TAKATA RECALL; MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT THAT REQUIRED MY CAR TO BE TOTALED. AFTER REVIEWING THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Jan 9, 2017
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FOR AIR BAG AND SEAT RESTRAINT IS NOT FUNCTIONING. PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHING OVER 70 LBS.
Power train, Dec 29, 2016
AFTER STOPPING AT INTERSECTION, THEN STEP ON GAS TO TURN RIGHT, CAR MAKES THE TURN OUT INTO THE ROAD, BUT THEN ENGINE BEGINS TO REV AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL FOR A SECOND OR TWO THE CAR WILL RECOVER AND ACT NORMALLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING ONTO A BUSY STREET.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2016
ACCELERATION HESITATION AT SLOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING.
Power train, Dec 25, 2016
THIS VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 4 SECONDS WHEN TRANSMISSION SWITCHES GEARS. CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER AND AFTER 2 SOFTWARE UPDATES AND A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER THEY SAID THE CAR COULDNT BE FIXED. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND WILL MOST DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT REAR END COLLISION.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 10, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES MOVE ABOUT 10 FEET AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY
Steering, Air bags, Oct 24, 2016, crash
CAR STEERING WENT OUT-STARTED GOING TO THE LEFT-I COULD NOT TURN IT BACK-CAR CROSSED THE LEFT LANE-HIT THE DITCH EMBANKMENT-TURNED DOWN THE DITCH-HIT A CULPRIT-CAR FLEW INTO THE AIR-ALMOST HIT A TREE TRUNK-FLEW THROUGH TREE BRANCHES-CAME DOWN AND HIT THE NEXT CULPRIT,-THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD ABOUT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE BRAKE, ABS, AND MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER OR MECHANIC AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,647.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2016
FROM STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT WHEN START MOVING FORWARD THE CAR HASITATE FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATE NORMAL. THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2016
THE GEAR SHIFT COMPACTMENT NOT PROPERLY COVERED. GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE. LIQUID PLACED IN CUP HOLDER BOX SPLASHED INTO GEAR SHIFT BOX AS CAR MOVING CAUSING LIQUID TO ENTER IN THE SHIFT BOX THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CASE. LIQUID ENTER THE GEAR BOX AS CAR IS MOVING /IN MOTION CAUSING IT TO DAMAGED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE MOTOR. CAUSING THE NEED TO REPLACE GEAR SHIFT
Air bags, Aug 19, 2016, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED AFTER ACCIDENT
Power train, Jul 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, BUT THE SHIFTING GEAR FAILED TO LOCK IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HILL IN ORDER TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2016
MY CAR WOULD STALL AND COME TO A STOP UNPREDICTABLY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEEDS AND DURING TURNS. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND COME TO A STOP. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE STARTED AFTER YOU SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TRY A COUPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO START AGAIN. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO TEST AND FIND STALLING HISTORY BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND TO PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD TEST DRIVE AND TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER 2 WEEKS, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT AND COULDN'T WORK ON IT ANY FURTHER AND TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK, 2 DAYS LATER IT STALLED AGAIN AND IT WAS BROUGHT INTO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2016
BOUGHT THIS USED TOYOTA CAMRY SE 2013 YESTERDAY WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. RIGHT AWAY, I HEARD CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD AND BY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S NOT VERY LOUD BUT CAN BE HEARD AND VERY ANNOYING. IT'S AUDIBLE WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS, BRAKES AND WHEN TURNING. NOT NORMAL FOR A 3 YEAR OLD TO HAVE THIS INTERMITTENT AND ANNOYING CREAKING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY RESEARCHED ON IT AND TO MY SHOCK, THERE'S A LOT OF BLOGS AND POSTED VIDEOS ON THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE OF CREAKING SOUND BY THE DASHBOARD AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOR MOST VEHICLES OF TOYOTA REGARDLESS OF MODEL AND DOMINANT ON THOSE MANUFACTURED SINCE 2013. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A FIX ON THIS SINCE THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD ISSUE.
Power train, Jun 23, 2016
PURCHASED CAR IN APRIL WITH 14,000 MILES. VEHICLE HESITATES AT RANDOM TIMES - THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. ONE TIME I WAS THE 3RD CAR BACK AT BUSY INTERSECTION WITH NO LEFT TURN ARROW. WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT ALL THE CARS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WAITED UNTIL I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION BEFORE GOING. WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGES FROM GREEN TO RED, YOU ARE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPART AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM ALL THEY COULD DO WAS HAVE A TECH GO ON A RIDE ALONG AND SEE IF IT HAPPENED. I TEST DROVE THE CAR 3 TIMES BEFORE BUYING IT. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 2003 CAMRY AND I NEVER HAD ONE MINUTE OF TROUBLE WITH IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION - SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED OR VERY BADLY INJURED - AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ASAP.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEGS, BACK, AND LEFT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/04/16*LJ
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 4, 2016
WHEN I AM DRIVING WHILE USING MY CRUISE CONTROL I'VE NOTICE THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN ON IT"S OWN. IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. SO I JUST QUIT USING MY CRUISE CONTROL FOR FEAR OF SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENING.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 26, 2016
DRIVING SLOWLY, STRAIGHT AHEAD, CITY STREET, RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR EXPLODED WITH A BIG BANG. LOOKING INSIDE, PLASTIC LINKAGES THAT LINK THE MIRROR TO THE ADJUSTMENT MOTOR ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. LANE ASSIST LEDS CONTINUED TO WORK BUT THE MIRROR, HANGING LOOSE FROM ITS SHROUD, WAS USELESS. I HADN'T ADJUSTED THE MIRROR IN MONTHS.. CAR WAS 1 MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY - PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE ~$400. GOOGLING I DISCOVERED I'M NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES MOVE ABOUT 10 FEET AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND NOT NORMAL. THIS IS MY FAMILY CAR AND I USE IT TRANSPORT MY TWIN 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND SCARED THIS CONDITION IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS IT HAS ALREADY ALMOST HAS AS I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IT STALLED AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING CARS. I LOVE THE CAR BUT I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILY'S LIFE WHEN USING THE CAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2016
PURCHASED NEW CAMRY IN JUNE 2013 AND WHEN THE AC IS ON THERE IS A MOLD AND MILDEW SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE UNIT. SOMETIMES IT MAKES ME COUGH AND IT IRIRATES MY EYES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT FOUND A FIX FOR IT SO THEY WILL SIMPLY DEODORIZE THE SYSTEM EVER NOW AND THEN. LAST DEODORIZING WAS AUGUSTAUGUST 2014 BUT TODAY THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE SMELL IS HORRIBLE EVERYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE AC IS ON THEN AFTER A WHILE THE SMELLS DECREASES. I READ THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS SO TOYOTA DEFINITELY KNOWS ABOUT THIS EMBARRASSING ODOR.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 18, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EITHER ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY OR TURNING THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. NOTHING WORKS, CAR WONT START , KEY WILL NOT MOVE, GEAR IS STUCK. THIS HAS HAPPEN THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE DEALER HAS CHECK IT OUT BUT HAS NO ANSWER TO WHY IT HAPPENS. MY AIR-CONDITION FOGS UP THE WINDOW, AS SO DOES THE HEATER MAKING THE VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF GAS WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN. ALL MY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BUT NOTHING DONE. MY FEAR IS A MAJOR ACCIDENT WILL BE CAUSE BECAUSE OF THIS.
Power train, Mar 11, 2016
THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I USUALLY NOTICE IT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAPPENS JUST BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO THE NEXT GEAR.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2016, crash
I WAS DROVE THE CAR FOR SHOPPING 25 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AT 9:00 AM. AT 11:50 AM, ON THE WAY BACK, THE BACK SHOOK SLIGHTLY AND MADE SMALL NOISES THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE SHIFT GEAR WAS SET CORRECTLY AND WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, WHICH THEY WERE. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL BLINKING OF DRIVER PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ANY TYPE OF WARNING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DRIVE WAY AT 12:30PM, TURNING INTO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AS USUAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND MY CAR RAN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND SIDE OF THE HOUSE.
Power train, Feb 24, 2016
TRANSMISSION DELAYS DURING ACCELERATION. MULTIPLE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN DANGER DUE TO DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING OUT OR COMING TO STOP THEN ACCELERATING. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I THINK SHOULD INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THANK YOU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2016
OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR HESITATES AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WILL MOVE FORWARD FOR A FEW FEET, BUT THE GAS PEDAL WILL BECOME UNRESPONSIVE WHILE STILL STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL GAIN SOME ACCELERATION AFTER RELEASING AND STEPPING ON IT AGAIN. AFTER THIS HAPPENS, I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY RELEASE AND STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE IT IDLES FREQUENTLY PREVENTING ME FROM "MOVING FORWARD," UNTIL I REACH THE DESIRE SPEED LIMIT. THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE DISAPPOINTED ONCE AGAIN.