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, Electrical system, Apr 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service brakes, Apr 27, 2015
DUE THE FACT BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR R ARE MUCH TOOOOOO CLOSE TOGETHER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE GOING !WHEN I PUT FOOT ON BRAKES !!!!!!!!!! TOYOTA COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.! BE AWARE OUR SECOND CAR THE 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE AND PREVIOUS CARS , WE NEVER HAVE PROBLEM SINCE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE PROPERLY SPACED [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, Apr 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTORE VISIBILITY. THE WIPERS ONLY SMEARED WATER BACK AND FORTH INSTEAD OF WIPING THE WATER OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER SWAPPED OUT THE WINDSHIELD BLADES ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND REINFORCED THE WIPER ARMS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,500.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 17, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR SPEED CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SHELVES IN HIS GARAGE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Power train, Engine, Mar 8, 2015
ON A COLD START, THE ENGINE SOUNDS ROUGH FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO. GRINDING TYPE NOISE. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL WARM-ENGINE START-UP SOUNDS. ALSO, THE ENGINE DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT FOR ABOUT THE FIRST MILE OR SO AFTER A COLD START, SORT OF A WHINING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CLEARLY AUDIBLE WHEN LIGHTLY REVVING BETWEEN 1500-2000 RPMS. ALTHOUGH TSB-004-13-A HAS NOT YET BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2013 CAMRY, IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THAT EXACT ISSUE MAY BE AFFECTING THE 2013S. THIS 2013 WAS BUILT IN THE SAME PLANT AS THE 2010-12 CAMRYS THAT ARE PART OF THE TSB. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT 'THESE SOUNDS ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF NOISES AN ENGINE CAN MAKE'. I DISAGREE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 37K MILES ON IT, I AM HOPING IT WILL BE FIXED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (60K). *TR
Equipment, Service brakes, Feb 24, 2015
STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING PARKING ACCELERATOR GOT ACTIVATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SCARY! OUR SECOND CAR 2005 BUICK LACROSSE DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM! THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS ARE DEAF. THEREFORE, THE KEYLESS IGNITION IS LIFE THREATENING TO THEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO HOOK THE KEYS TO HIS BELT IN ORDER TO BE REMINDED OF THE ENGINE HE MISTAKENLY LEFT RUNNING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. UPDATED 09/23/15.*JB UPDATED 4/14/16 *JS
Steering, Feb 7, 2015
STEERING NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED CONTINUOUSLY.HAVE 40000 MILES AND ALLWAYS BEEN THE SAME.WOULDNT HAVE BOUGHT CAR IF I HAD KNOWN AS IT CAN BE SCARY SOMETIMES. GUY AT DEALER SAID OTHERS HAVE SAID SAME THING BUT THEY DON'T FIND A PROBLEM.SEEMS TO BE THE WAY THIS SYSTEM WORKS. *JS
Power train, Engine, Feb 5, 2015
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. ONE TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND THEN THE ENGINE RPM RETURNED TO IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND THE RPM REMAINED AT IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED AND PUSHED DOWN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. THE U760E TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER RECALL UPGRADE WAS PERFORMED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT SOME TRANSMISSION HESITATION WAS NORMAL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID THERE HAD BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION. THERE ARE ALSO COMPLAINTS ON THE ONLINE AUTOMOBILE FORUMS. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND NOT NORMAL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ONCE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN
Structure, Jan 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SNOW ACCUMULATED INSIDE ALL FOUR WHEEL WELLS AND TURNED INTO ICE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WHERE CHUNKS OF ICE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELLS THAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2015, crash
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 14, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 2PM. I WAS LEAVING MY DENTIST'S PARKING LOT. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, STOPPED AND WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE CAR SHOT BACKWARD AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. TO AVOID HITTING THE BUILDING I TURNED THE WHEEL SHARPLY, BUT COULD NOT AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR. DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS ALMOST $3000. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA AND THEY DID AN INSPECTION ON MY VEHICLE AND SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG SO I MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT.
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jan 5, 2015
ANYTIME DURING WARM WEATHER WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN/IS BEING USED THERE IS A DISGUSTING FOUL MILDEW ODOR IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS NAUSEATING AND CAUSES HEADACHES. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, I HAVE TO TURN ON THE HEAT AND PUT ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES TO GET RID OF THE ODOR. APPARENTLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH CONDENSATION FROM THE AC NOT DRAINING PROPERLY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. SOME DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE, WHILE OTHERS ADMIT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF IT BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NO "FIX" FOR IT. BREATHING IN MOLD IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER WHEN AC IS NOT USED. *TR
Air bags, Dec 5, 2014
MY NEPHEW WAS DRIVING MY CAR (2013 CAMRY) ON I-85 NORTHBOUND IN AUBURN ALABAMA. HE SAID HE WAS GOING 60 OR 65 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS AND IT WAS REPAIRED JULY 10, 2014 BY TOYOTA. THE AIR BAGS STILLED DEPLOYED ON OCT. 27, 2014, ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE PASSAGE BAG. MY NEPHEW WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. MY CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA IS #[XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON 10/19/14. THE ADVERSE DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY, PUSHING THE CAR UP OVER THE CURB. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS DID THE AIRBAG FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE LOWER AIRBAG CAUSED A LARGE HEMATOMA ON MY RIGHT SHIN, AND AN OPEN LACERATION/BURN AND HEMATOMA ON MY LEFT SHIN WHICH BECAME INFECTED. THE WOUNDS ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE AMBULANCE REPORT, HOSPITAL REPORT AND REPORT FROM MY TREATING PHYSICIAN WHO PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE THE INFECTION. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ASSESSED A TOTAL LOSS AND SOLD TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I RETAIN PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 14, 2014
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. ONE TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND THEN THE ENGINE RPM RETURNED TO IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND THE RPM REMAINED AT IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED AND PUSHED DOWN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. THE U760E TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER RECALL UPGRADE WAS PERFORMED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT SOME TRANSMISSION HESITATION WAS NORMAL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID THERE HAD BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION. THERE ARE ALSO COMPLAINTS ON THE ONLINE AUTOMOBILE FORUMS. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND NOT NORMAL. .....UPDATED 03-03-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WITHIN THE LAST WEEK, HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO 40 MPH. WHEN HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO THE OFF RAMP OF TRAFFIC, HE HAD TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR, PUSHED DOWN AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. UPDATED 04/02/15
Engine, Oct 30, 2014
AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHED AND ALARM SOUNDED AND BOTH THE GAS AND ELECTRIC MOTORS SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN HEAVY SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC WITH LIMITED ROAD SHOULDER BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OF AND GET TO A STOP. THE ENGINE SYSTEM STARTED NORMALLY AND NO INDICATORS WERE OBSERVED. I TOOK IT TO LIBERTY TOYOTA IN EDGEWATER PARK NJ AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2014, crash
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. IN ADDITION, AFTER CRASHING INTO THE CEMENT WALL, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE OVER ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE SECOND IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING WHICH BOTH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. DJR
Structure, Oct 2, 2014
I HEARD THIS PERSISTENT MODERATELY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, WHICH SOUNDED LIKED IT WAS ACTUALLY COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT(?) WHEEL AREA. AS SOON AS YOU START DRIVING, THE KNOCKING SOUND OCCURS, STOPS, AND STOPS AGAIN. IT IS MOST PERSISTENT WHILE DRIVING OVER UNEVEN STREET PAVEMENT. *TR
Steering, Sep 30, 2014
I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT MY CAR REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING. IT WILL NOT CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT WILL ALWAYS DRIFT IN THE APPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE LAST CORRECTION. TO DATE I HAVE 11,400 MILES ON THE CAR.
Service brakes, Sep 15, 2014
DURING A PANIC STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT, AFTER THE ABS BRAKES PULSED THREE TIMES, AT LEAST THE TWO FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID. I COULD NOT TELL IF THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. WROTE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE CASE NUMBER IS 1409112221. MY BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO REPORTED TO ME THAT DURING A HEALTH CHECK OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE MANAGER STATED TO ME THAT DURING HARD STOPS THE ABS BRAKES MAY LOCK UP. I THOUGHT ABS STOOD FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
Structure, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER READING A PUBLICATION, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE FRONT END STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 31, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS IN LANE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *TR
Power train, Aug 27, 2014
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST MONTH I HAVE NOTICED THE CAR STALLS WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IN REVERSE. MOST RECENTLY IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. SCHEDULED FOR CAR TO GO TO DEALER 8/29/14. *TR
Steering, Aug 25, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS SIDE TO SIDE. ALMOST UNDETECTABLE. OCCURS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITION- SPEED, CONDITION OF HIGHWAY, WEATHER ETC. NOT IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS, BUT COULD BE AS WHEN PASSING TRAILER TRUCK AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY. RETURNED TO DEALER AND AFTER TEST DRIVE BY TECHNICIAN CLAIMED CONDITION UNDETECTABLE, OR JUST A PECULIARITY OF VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN INFLATED FRONT TIRES TO 37PSI AND STATED THAT \THIS CURED PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. *TR
Steering, Aug 5, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS REQUIRING CONSTANT CORRECTION. DEALER SAID COULD NOT FEEL ANY WANDERING TENDENCIES. EVERYONE WHO HAS DRIVEN VEHICLE CONFIRMS DEFECT. *TR