Research · Midsize Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2011 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 624 owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (94) and vehicle speed control (73). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3–4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
3–4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Nov 2014
Owner complaints
624
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011 Toyota Camry vehicles manufactured March 8, 2011, to July 20, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the rubber boot on the front suspension lower arm ball joint may have been damaged during manufacturing. The damage could cause the boot to leak lubricant grease which could then cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely.

SuspensionReported Nov 13, 2014NHTSA 14V732000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Apr 9, 2013NHTSA 13V123000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

624 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2010 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper94
  2. Vehicle speed control73
  3. Air bags72
  4. Structure68
  5. Power train50
  6. Suspension44
  7. Engine38
  8. Service brakes37
  9. Steering33

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Camry model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996421
1997558
1998610
1999590
2000530
2001330
20021,039
2003818
2004799
2005721
2006435
20073,616
20081,178
20091,412
2010614
2011624
2012645
2013301
2014480
2015271
2016189
2017148
2018754
2019400
2020275
2021158
202265
202365
202452
Crashes reported
111
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
94
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

94 reports
“I am reporting a safety issue with my 2011 Toyota Camry. The dashboard (instrument panel) has significantly melted and degraded due to heat exposure, creating a sticky and highly reflective surface. This condition causes sunlight to reflect off the dashboard and into the windshield, creating glare that interferes with driver visibility. This directly affects my ability to see the road safely, especially during daytime driving. This appears to be a known defect affecting similar Toyota vehicles. I was never notified of any extended coverage or repair program before it expired. When I contacted Toyota, I was told no goodwill assistance would be provided and no help is available, leaving me with a potentially unsafe vehicle and no reasonable repair option. I am concerned this is a widespread material defect that creates a driving hazard by reducing visibility due to glare and distracting reflections. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for potential investigation or manufacturer action.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11745356

Vehicle speed control

73 reports39 crashes
“The car accelerated uncontrollably for no apparent reason. I was pulling into a parking slot, preparing to put the car in park and stop the car. All of a sudden the car accelerated and slammed into a building.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineCrash reportedODI 11661240

Air bags

72 reports54 crashes1 fire
“The contact owned a 2011 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and the front driver’s side crashed into the highway median, and the vehicle spun around and the rear passenger’s side crashed into a highway guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard before the insurance company took possession of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company's designated location, where it remained. The contact had a strained neck, a sprained right ankle, and a bruised left knee. A female and a male passenger inside the vehicle sought medical attention for their injuries. The female passenger had whiplash and bruising to the right leg. The male passenger, seated in the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, sustained cuts to the left side of his back after the rear windshield glass shattered upon impact. The Police were called to the scene, and a Police report was filed; however, the contact had not obtained a copy of the report. The vehicle had been deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11770123
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camry
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,450342
Camry
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550355
Camry
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$2,800386
  • Camry
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
3 / 5
Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Camry HV 4 DR FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
3 / 5
Toyota Camry HV 4 DR FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 698Vehicle 446Vehicle 699
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Camry questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Camry have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Camry problems?

Owners filed 624 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (94), vehicle speed control (73), air bags (72). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Camry at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Toyota Camry?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Toyota Camry 3–4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026