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.
Power train, Feb 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND OR ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Air bags, Jan 6, 2016
2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG LEAKS WATER INTO ENGINE. *SMD THE CONSUMER SENT IN THE AIR BAG NOTICE RECALL. *JB
Air bags, Dec 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE DRIVER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND MADE A LEFT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, A PASSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2015
MY 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY SE, BEHAVES THIS WAY ALMOST EVERY DAY. THE ACCELERATOR HESITATES/VIBRATES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PICKING UP SPEED BETWEEN 35 TO 45 MPH. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN AM PICKING UP FROM A COMPLETE STOP, EITHER AT A STOP SIGN OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A WHILE. I ALSO NOTICE IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE SPEED IS PICKING UP FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT MAY DELAY FOR 1-2 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY BUT STOPS ONCE IT 50 MPH OR MORE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2015
CAR HAS ONLY 17000 MILES. TERRIBLE ODOR FROM THE A/C AND HEATING VENTS.DEALER RECOMMENDS A CLEANER AND FILTER CHANGE COSTING ME 140.00 DOLLARS. WHY IS THIS SMELL HAPPENING? IS IT MOLD? VERY UNHEALTHY.
Suspension, Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/30/18*JB
Service brakes, Nov 26, 2015, crash
I WAS ENTERING FREEWAY ON RAMP. HEAVY TRAFFIC. BEAUTIFUL DAY, DRY ROADS. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME MADE BRAKED SUDDENLY. I QUICKLY APPLIED MY BRAKES. MY BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND TRAVELING 25 MPH. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES, MY CAR DID NOT EVEN TRY TO STOP, IT BASICALLY SLID 2 1/2 CAR LENGTHS INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED MOVING BECAUSE IT WAS STOPPED BY VEHICLE IN FRONT.
Service brakes, Nov 19, 2015, crash
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID LE. IT WAS EARLY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ROADS WERE WET. TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO. I WAS PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT MY VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I HIT REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I DID NOT FEEL MY BRAKES ENGAGE. I WAS MORE THAN A SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE FROM VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Seat belts, Nov 3, 2015
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN PLACE AND WILL NOT WORK,
Suspension, Oct 1, 2015, crash
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND FOLD INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND UNDER THE CAR. THIS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER (PUSHED OUTWARD AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE). THE MOMENTUM OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE/RIM TO "SLAP" THE CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIM AND TIRE.
Air bags, Sep 28, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND WAS NOT EXAMINED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2016*JS ; 4/9/18*JB *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BUMPER WAS BECOMING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE FRONT BUMPER SCRAPPED WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER STATED THE BUMPER WAS TO LOW TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,070. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Sep 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER WAS BECOMING LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 22, 2015
WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE A YEAR OR MORE AGO. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER AND HE ASKED WHETHER I HAD GOTTEN GAS RECENTLY. YES, ABOUT 200 MILES AND 2 WEEKS AGO. HE CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT WAS LAYING IN THE GAS FILLING AREA, NOT SCREWED IN AT ALL. OBVIOUSLY IT HAD COME LOOSE SOMEHOW. HE CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND SOMETHING LIKE "GAS LINE VACUME" CAME UP. HE SCREWED IN THE GAS CAP. EASY FIX, BUT SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW WITH THE SAME CAR AND I HAVE HAD DOZENS OF CARS AND DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, I WONDER IF IT IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT...
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2015
THE DATES ABOVE ARE APPROXIMATE AS MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AT 20, 40 AND 60 MPH IT WOULD ALSO LOSE POWER WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. I GOT THE RUN AROUND I BOUGHT NEW TIRES HAD AN ALIGNED CHANGED THE FUEL BEING USED. FINALLY THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANMISSION. THEY REPLACED THE TRANMISSION AND DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I AM NOW AT 100,000 AND HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM WHAT I SEE ONLINE I HAVE NO IDEA WHY TOYOTA HASN'T OFFICIALLY ORDERED A RECALL! I BELIEVE I HAVE A LEMON AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR! MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE TOOK OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM THE SIDE THE CAR WAS VIBRATING AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK AT PAT LOBB TOYOTA WAITING ON THEIR DIAGNOSIS ONCE AGAIN!
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2015
TRUNK LID WONT HOLD UP. IT EASILY COLLAPSES IF CAR IS PARKED ON THE SLIGHTEST OF INCLINE OR IS HIT WITH A SLIGHT BREEZE. THE TRUNK HAS COLLAPSES ON MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES. MY CONCERN IS THE TRUNK LID CLOSING ON A TODDLER. MY OTHER TWO CAMRYS, YEAR 2001 AND 2003, DO NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM. THOSE OLDER CAMRYS SEEM TO HAVE STRONGER TORSION BARS AND/OR HINGES AND/OR HOLDING MECHANISMS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUNK LID AND ITS MECHANISM.
Power train, Aug 5, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES ON HER CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,700.. UPDATED 09/30/15*BF
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2015
SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING FRO A RED LIGHT, OR MAKING A TURN, AND STEPPING ON THE GAS LIGHTLY, THE CAR WILL GET UP 12 TO 15 MILES PERHOUR AND THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE HESITATION AND AND LAG AND THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF AND SPEED UP. THE SPEED IS THEN CONTROLLABLE AND THE BRAKES DO WORK, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THIS CAUSES CARS BEHIND ME TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME AND WHEN MY AUTO SPEEDS UP, TOL TRY TO CONTOL MY CAR SO I DO NOT HIT THE CARS AHEAD OF ME. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT IS A DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, MY ASSIGNED TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISER SCREAMED AT ME AND SAID " DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY DRIVERS COME IN AND TELL ME THE SAME STORY"?. ONE HOUR LATER HE CAME BACK TO ME SAID " THE SERVICE TECH DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, DO YOU EXPECT US TO KEEP IT HERE AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN"? MA 10/14 UPDATED 12/12/2017*CN
Steering, Engine, Jul 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,912. MA 9/22
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 14, 2015
CLICKING WHEN IN REVERSE AND APPLING BRAKES SHIFTING BRAKE PADS ? COMING TO STOP CAR SEEMS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL ( BETTER GAS MILEAGE) ? GOING UP HILL 70 T0 75 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT 1 OR 2 GEARS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR PROGRAMED . ON ALL ISSUES TOYOTA CLAIMS THEIR IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THE CAR IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECS . THEY TELL ME THE CAR IS SAFE I HAVE CONCERNS AS TO HOW . WHY IS THEIR A NOISE IN THE BRAKES ? WHY IS THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING THEY SAY THEIR IS A DISCLAIMER NOT TO USE CRUISE IN MOUNTAINS . THEY SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEMS THEY CAN`T FIX
Steering, Jul 12, 2015
WHILE PARKED THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FAILED, RENDERING THE STEERING INEFFECTIVE. AT SPEED THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM NOW VERY FEARFUL OF MY WIFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH A SYSTEM AS CRITICAL AS THE STEERING UNIT THAT FAILS PREMATURELY WHEN ONLY 2YRS. OLD.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2015
I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 26MPH INTO AN INTERSECTION AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN FOR NO REASON. AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION, I STARTED PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE OTHER MA 10/22/2015 CARS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AS I KEPT PUMPING ON THE ACCELERATOR MY TRANSMISSION APPARENTLY DOWN SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THE CAR TOOK OFF IN A GIANT LEAP FORWARD, ALMOST BROAD SIDING THE CAR THAT WAS PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR HAS CONTINUALLY STALLED MANY TIMES SINCE THEN. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO TOYOTA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING BEFORE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW? UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Power train, May 27, 2015
WHEN ACCELERATING AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, IT HESITATES WHEN STEPPING ON IT TO GO. IT WILL GO ABOUT 5 - 10 FEET AND HESITATE, JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE EVERYONE BEHIND YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING AND THEY CLOSE BEHIND YOU ENOUGH TO ALMOST HIT YOU BECAUSE THEY DON'T REALIZE THE CARE HESITATES. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 4 TIMES. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 18, 2015
HESITATION OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING ACROSS AN INTERSECTION OR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, USUALLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION. CAR INITIALLY STARTS THEN HESITATES & FEELS LIKE IT WILL SHUT OFF. TO GET ACROSS THE INTERSECTION YOU NEED TO "FLOOR IT" WHICH MAKES THE ENGINE "ROAR" BUT LITTLE ACTION FOR ALL THE NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN 2 YRS (ESTIMATED DATE & MILEAGE FOR 1ST OCCURRENCE). SOMETIMES THERE ARE LONG STRETCHES BETWEEN OCCURRENCES. IT IS DANGEROUS & I LACK CONFIDENCE AT TIMES TO PULL OUT. THE TECHNICIAN DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM WHEN MENTIONED ON 2 STOPS AT THE DEAL FOR AN OIL CHANGE. TORQUE CONVERTER SOFTWARE UPDATE MADE NO DIFFERENCE. MY PREVIOUS CAMRY NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.