Research · Midsize Cars

2016 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve air bags (31) and steering (25). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
189
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

EquipmentReported Jun 9, 2016NHTSA 16V420000

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bagsReported Apr 14, 2016NHTSA 16V215000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

189 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags31
  2. Steering25
  3. Vehicle speed control22
  4. Electrical system21
  5. Structure20
  6. Service brakes19
  7. Power train18
  8. Engine17
  9. Seat belts9

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
41
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
35
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

31 reports24 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle, the vehicle was involved in a front-end crash while making a left turn at an intersection. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact's daughter suffered bruising to the chest and stomach but had not yet sought medical attention. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and was waiting to be towed to another independent mechanic to be inspected. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11762741

Steering

25 reports3 crashes
“The vehicle touch screen stopped working. It doesn't allow the options to be chosen (radio, audio, and general settings) . The screen remains frozen. The estimated cost for repair is $2,000. The steering wheel vibrate and makes noises when vehicle speed is 40 or above. Diagnostic reports a steering column replacement. Estimated cost $ 800- 2,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11751122

Vehicle speed control

22 reports7 crashes
“WAS GLIDING INTO MY GARAGE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, (SO NO SPEED AT ALL) WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN ENGINE ROAR AND CAR PICKED UP SPEED AND WAS PROPELLING ME TOWARD THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. I IMMEDIATELY JAMMED ON MY BRAKE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING RACKS AND WALL AT THE BACK OF MY GARAGE. THIS ACCELERATION OF THE CAR RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO CAR AND AND PROPERTY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2026Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11719007
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
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 Nov 2, 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
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,300313
Camry
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$2,550361
  • Camry
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 2, 2026Vehicle 10106
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

2016 Camry questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Camry have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 2, 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 2016 Toyota Camry problems?

Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (31), steering (25), vehicle speed control (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Camry at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Camry?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Toyota Camry 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 2, 2026