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
157 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2023, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the brakes were activated but, it was T- boned by an unknown van and pushed across three lanes of traffic. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his arm, back, and neck. Medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Structure, Jan 6, 2023
A portion of the car's hood closest to the windshield is angled downward, which reflects the sun into the driver's eyes. When driving south mid-day, the sun hits this part of the hood and the driver gets a blinding reflection. It's not just when facing the sun directly. When driving toward the sun, as the road bends about 20 degrees one way or the other from head-on the sun's reflection remains, simply moving to another spot on the hood's angled portion.
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.
Steering, Nov 15, 2022
Steering lock ecu and break away bolts.
Air bags, Oct 27, 2022, crash
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH another vehicle struck the front passenger side of the contact vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. After the crash, an indicator for the air bags was defective. A dealer was contacted. The contact, the wife, and the daughter where severely injured and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed and was deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was not unavailable.
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.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2022, crash
Failed Deployment of AirBag during collision on drivers side of car.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2022
Check engine light on. When I put my 2021 Toyota Camry in drive car jerks and check engine light goes on. Happened today.
Wheels, Aug 25, 2022
driver side front Tire damaged 04/08/2021 bought new one. Second tire damaged on 05/22/2022 bought new one. third tire damaged on 08/24/2022. Luckly all incidents were on low speed. Toyota customer service told me to contact tire manufacturer. firestone said its car rim design.
Visibility, Aug 25, 2022
Got in my car one morning and noticed about 8 in crack in my windshield and by the next day it went straight across the middle of windshield blocking my proper view. Nothing hit my windshield. No to all the other questions.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
Glass of sunroof exploded while driving at 60 mph, without external impact. Likely related to heat (about 95F at time of incident). If I did not have the inner plastic roof closed glass pieces would have fallen into the passenger area. The loud bang of the glass breaking was very startling and could have easily caused an unsafe reaction
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.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 17, 2022, crash
To the best of my knowledge the following information is true. The car accident was on June 1, 2022. My vehicle is at the Collision repair shop. Will provide their phone # upon request. It would be great if the black box was checked regarding brake assist and other safety features. You have my permission to examine car, take and or check black box. You can take pictures or video as needed. I always keep the brake assist on. I do not depend on brake assist. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. I usually set my cruise control for the posted speed limit. I looked down briefly and next thing I knew my car hit the personal vehicle in front of me. The vehicle my car hit in the rear was a 2011 Ford Expedition. There was damage to his bumper and it appeared to be a wrinkle in back door. There is a trailer hitch on the Ford Expedition. The driver was only person I talked with. He did not appear to be injured. He did not report any injuries. He drove off as soon as the highway patrolman gave us our exchange information. The airbag cover cut inside my left lower arm above my wrist. Wound was larger than a 50 cent piece. The wound swelled up instantly and was bleeding. I do not think the airbag hit my head. I do know steering wheel airbag is to prevent head injuries. The knee airbag caused an abrasion below my knee. EMS had to bandage my wrist with a thick bandage to stop and control the bleeding. I ask them to bandage below my knee to cover broken skin incase it bleed. The insurance adjuster examined car and took pictures June 16, 2022. I called collision center as instructed. Car was towed to collision center same day for assessment of damage. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure of the brake assist not working before the accident. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Forward collision avoidance, May 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance became inoperable nearly causing the vehicle to crash on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop as designed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle. The engineer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact insisted that the system was inoperable and had not operated as designed since the vehicle was delivered new. The failure mileage was 100.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 18, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting to park her vehicle in her apartment complex parking lot, her vehicle continued to lurch forward without warning despite multiple attempts to stop. Due to the failure, the contact hit a gate as the vehicle continued to independently accelerate. The contact then placed the vehicle into reverse(R) and as the vehicle continued to accelerate in a different gear. The contact then hit the vehicle behind her which then caused that vehicle to hit another vehicle located next to the original vehicle that was hit. The vehicle continued to accelerate with her brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. The contact then placed the vehicle back into driver(D) which sent the vehicle into another gate which then finally stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that property damage to both gates occurred as a result of the failure. The matter had been reported to the property owner and remained under investigation; no decision had been made. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. The police were called to the scene and a police report was filed (22-030393). The contact suffered pain in her lower back and both shoulders; she did not seek medical attention. The vehicle remained in her possession and had yet to be towed or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 7, 2022
When I use cruise control with the radar feature in my 2021 Camry LE, the steering loosens so much that I don’t have good control when changing lanes. I feel that this is a serious safety issue. I had a 2018 Camry LE and when I used these features, this odd steering issue never occurred. Note that when I take OFF the radar feature on the 2021, this steering issue does not occur.The dealer checked it out and claims their is no problem with the cruise feature.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission and power steering failed to operate as designed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle acceleration and the power steering functions were sluggish. Upon investigation, the contact read the safety manual and discovered that the type of battery placed in the vehicle did not have adequate voltage. The contact initially took the vehicle to Mike Erdman Toyota (4650 FL-520, Cocoa, FL 32926) where they offered no assistance and stated that the vehicle operated as designed. The contact then took the vehicle to another dealer where she was informed that the battery needed a boost, which was performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 35.
Wheels, Feb 3, 2022
I pulled out of the car wash after washing my car in Centennial, Colorado and I realized the passenger side back tire was going flat. I got the car to Discount tire where I had the flat fixed. There was metal coming out of the tire. Not sure exactly how it happened but the tire was defective.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2022, crash
I crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. The car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. But the airbags did not inflate. I was the only person in the car, but even the driver's airbags did not inflate. The police who came to the crash were very confused that a brand new car's airbags did not inflate in the crash.