Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Toyota Camry problems

Owners filed 189 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Camry with NHTSA between Nov 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (31).

Complaints
189
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels8
  11. Fuel/propulsion system6
  12. Seats5
  13. Exterior lighting4
  14. Visibility/wiper4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 2, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
201629
201725
201826
201922
202025
202112
20228
20236
202414
20259
202612

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

31 reports24 crashes1 related recall
“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

Electrical system

21 reports2 crashes
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Camry. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 163,000, and at the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 293,148.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763617

Structure

20 reports5 crashes
“The factory-applied paint (Toyota color code 070, Blizzard Pearl) is delaminating and peeling off both the driver-side and passenger-side A-pillars, exposing primer underneath. The clear coat and color coat are separating from the substrate in sheets. This is not impact damage or external wear — it is a failure of paint adhesion. Toyota has acknowledged this defect in Customer Support Program ZKG, which covers 2008–2017 Camry vehicles finished in 070 Blizzard Pearl and 040 Super White. My vehicle is a 2016 Camry in 070. The program provides coverage for 10 years from date of first use. My in-service date was December 2015, so coverage expired in December 2025 — shortly before the defect progressed enough to require repair. The vehicle has been serviced at Toyota dealerships since delivery, with 25 documented service visits beginning with the pre-delivery inspection in October 2015. I contacted the selling brand's local dealer and the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Both confirmed the vehicle is outside the 10-year window and declined repair. I am paying out of pocket. I am filing so this defect is recorded. The peeling is progressive and will expose bare metal…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026StructureODI 11762705

Service brakes

19 reports3 crashes
“The rear brake (passage side) had very uneven wearing. It is the outside pad only. It is a potential safety issue. It was discovered when performing brake inspection by myself. There was no warning except some grinding noise.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2023Service brakesODI 11531368
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026

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