2021 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 157 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 21 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
16 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 29, 2026
Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2021 Toyota Camry • VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: May 4, [2025] Incident Time: Approximately 9:45 AM Incident Location: [XXX] toward [XXX] Description of Incident: While driving at approximately 25 MPH, multiple dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminated simultaneously. Immediately after, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own without any input from the driver. The driver applied the brakes repeatedly and forcefully, but the vehicle did not respond to braking. The car continued to accelerate uncontrollably until it abruptly stopped directly in front of another vehicle, narrowly avoiding a serious collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Apr 4, 2026
Owner bought new 2021 Camry XLR 4 cylinder all wheel drive. It currently has 39,000 miles on it. No problems until January 25, 2026. It was 11 degrees below zero, my car had the original battery. Car started without issue, I return to house to "warm it up" prior to driving. Upon my return I had multiple error codes; 1. AWD System Malfunction, 2 WD Engaged (Visit your Dealer), Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, Pre-Collision Brake System Malfunction, Parking Brake Malfunction, Check Engine light. I did NOT drive the car that day. Once the weather warmed up in Iowa, the number of codes would change and sometimes absolutely NO codes. Upon extensive internet research, I purchased a new battery (old battery did "test" ok, but no load test was completed). During all of this time, my car has always started well, performed well, etc. HOWEVER, when the "codes" show up, my cruise control also will not work. . . . Original dealership "ran computer codes" (C059746) indicating "calibration memory failure."Quote was given for: Parking rake actuator replacement $1,760. 2nd Toyota dealership opinion: $3,300 for parking brake actuator, low pressure fuel pump replacements. Original dealership adamantly denied the need to fuel pump replacement. Again, my car intermittently may or may NOT show warning codes. . . .Not I dealership has conducted any examination, they simply "run the computer codes" and quote a repair cost. I am concerned about repair scandals, diagnostic incompetence and perhaps the CAUSE of my "error codes" has not even be addressed (computer glitch, faulty sensor, corroded wiring, etc.) I am a 70 yr old female still working and needing transportation. I spent $34,000 on my car expecting safe and reliable transportation. I have NO confidence in the Toyota Repair diagnostics. I also own a 2005 Toyota Camry which was involved in the Toyota acceleration debacle years ago, of which they decline any responsibility. Luckily, no human injuries!!!!!
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 23, 2024
had brake issues a year into getting vehicle went back multiple times and blackstone toyota couldn’t fix issue still can’t and still there at dealer and now there’s airbag safety recall car has been at dealership for 4 months no resolution
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while the vehicle was being parked in the residential garage, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was in reverse, and due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into a built-in heater in the garage. The passenger’s side rear above the bumper was damaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 14,284.
Service brakes, Sep 7, 2023
When parking brake is set, the vehicle will begin to roll if put on an incline.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2022
My car had parts eaten by rodents. Practically parts of the car are made from rodent food. The car also lacks a protection system against animals getting in the car. All systems started failing.
Service brakes, Oct 14, 2022
I own 2021 Toyota Camry SE. Today, I accidentally took reverse with parking brake engaged and it still moved, I realized this immediately and disengaged it. To check, I put gear in "Drive" and engaged the parking brake, the vehicle still moved even though it shouldn't.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 24, 2022, crash
A couple Monday’s ago, I was backing my 2021 Camry LE out of the driveway when I felt the car lurch and continue in reverse until I crashed into a car down the street. I have literally backed out of that driveway thousands of time since 2006, hundreds of times with the Camry LE, and several times since the accident. I have never had this experience. While I cannot dismiss that I might have hit the accelerator, the backing out of the driveway usually requires that I ride the brake into the street, especially since I am right off the corner where cars tend to cut around quickly. (Initial estimate attached)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with extra brake travel time needed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and DCH Freehold Toyota (4268 US-9, Freehold Township, NJ 07728) on several occasions; however, the mechanics were unable to determine the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 27, 2022, crash
Partial brake assist and auto emergency braking failure to engage contributed to a rear end collision on February 12, 2022. Toyota contracted with an outside engineering firm to inspect brake system and their report did not address the lack of engagement of the auto emergency braking system part of Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 which the enabling switch does not activate. The Toyota Legal Claims department issued an incomplete report that they claim absolves the vehicle but after multiple attempts to reach the issuing department noone has addressed my questions or concerns. Therefore I consider this an incomplete and unresolved safety issue .
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 16, 2022, crash
Update to previous Complaint filingNHTSA ID Number: 11451933 . Toyota has not accepted responsibility yet acknowledged that the ABS "worked" when the problem was that the Auto Emergency Braking system did not work . In addition a Toyota dealer service employee drove the car and agreed the brake pedal was abnormal. This malfunction resulted in an accident with no injuries but has caused the driver to be in constant fear of driving this vehicle again. We have 2 years left on the lease and will never buy another Toyota product again based on their history of concealing defects (fined in 2014 by DOJ) and their lack of proper customer satisfaction management in this case.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH into a parking space with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,500.
Service brakes, Feb 22, 2022
AT 8,060 miles parking brake failes to engage. Got error code on the dashboard stating " Parking brake malfunction/ Hold brake malfunction.
Service brakes, Feb 14, 2022, crash
On Feb. 12 the car was being driven at 10MPH and the brake system power assist function failed, causing the brakes not to perform as normal. The result was rear ending another vehicle. The car is in the hands of Toyota of Portsmouth, NH at this time. The driver called the state police who told her no report was needed. The damage was more than is visible.
Steering, Service brakes, Lane departure, Jan 5, 2022
Can not turn off the lane departure warning (LDW) feature. It can only be placed at a low setting. Surging when depressing brake. Noticed this occurring when slowing pulling into the garage, was not a deal breaker as was barely moving and never got to close to hit anything else in the garage. Once it snowed this surging began happening when braking to slow down to make turns. This surging was scary, even with studded snow tires. Driving home from work one evening, it had rained and was turning to black ice; going around a slight curve on the bridge and close to the white line; the car decided to pull me away from the white line. This was the final straw, not going to allow a car to make the decision to pull on black ice or other driving conditions. I did not want to become a statistic by having this vehicle cause a car wreck and hurt myself or other drivers. I had contacted Toyota Care and they said it was not a warranty issue. That is when I knew it was time to get rid of this hybrid after only 5 months. Other issues with this vehicle: can not lift the driver’s side windshield wiper, massive design flaw. Anyone who lives in snowy climates need to be able to lift their wipers to clean off the snow and/or leave the wipers up so they don’t freeze to the windshield. Another item I contacted Toyota Care about is the bumper/fender/wheel casing. This separated – cheap plastic. Again, they said not a warranty issue. Didn’t have this problem with the Corolla.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 13, 2021, crash
The contact's wife leased a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. He stated that his wife continued to depress the brake pedal but it would not respond, causing the vehicle to crash into trees. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife was able to exit the vehicle with assistance. The contact's wife sustained pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, and ankle. The contact's wife also sustained a laceration on her finger from the broken window glass. The contact's wife sought medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact there was no recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,922.