Problems · by component

2020 Toyota Camry engine problems

60 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Camry cite engine, 22% of all 275 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
60
22% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“2020 Toyota Camry XSE, VIN [XXX], 2.5L 4-cylinder A25A-FKS engine, built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) during the production window covered by NHTSA Recall 20V-064 (Toyota campaign 20TA04), which addresses porosity in engine castings that can cause internal and external coolant leaks, engine overheating, and possible engine failure. Toyota’s VIN lookup returns this vehicle as not affected by the campaign, but the failure pattern matches the recall defect exactly. Timeline of failures and repair attempts: XXX, at approximately 92,832 miles, Camelback Toyota in Phoenix, AZ (RO XXX). Check engine light active. Diagnosed DTC P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit, Short to Battery or Open). Battery also failed load test. Overheating symptom noted on the same repair order. Coolant bypass valve replacement recommended. Following that visit, water pump and thermostat were replaced at Berge Toyota (Mesa/Gilbert, AZ area). Camelback Toyota stated the vehicle was fixed. Vehicle overheated again the next day after being returned as repaired. XXX, at 93,034 miles, Camelback Toyota (RO XXX). Oil and filter change performed under good faith goodwill…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026EngineODI 11762945
“The fuel pump has a malfunction. The car started jerking and started to accelerate by itself when I was driving it. Yes the problem reproduced. The vehicle is currently under inspection by the manufacturer. Yes there were multiple warning lights including the check engine light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760393
“The vehicle contains a known manufacturing defect where the engine coolant bypass valve cracks internally, leaking pressurized fluid directly into the main electrical connector (covered under Toyota CSP 24TE04). This fluid intrusion has caused active electrical short-circuits to the battery and ground networks. As a direct result of this progressive component failure, the vehicle is actively dropping into 'Limp Mode' and experiencing severe transmission shifting failures while being driven on public roads, creating an immediate safety and crash hazard. Furthermore, a franchised Toyota dealership actively turned away an attempted preventive repair under the 'Prior Sought Remedy' rule while the vehicle was under the 100,000-mile warranty threshold, stating the dashboard light had to be on first, which directly allowed this hazardous electrical degradation to progres”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11756265
“While driving the car just shut-off in the middle of the road. If you tried to restart the car it would turn on rev the engine and shut off. The dash display displayed a message " precollision system malfunction" and "secondary brake collision malfunction". Safety wise if this had happened on the highway could have been very dangerous or worse. The car was inoperable and required a tow truck. Luckily we were not on a very busy road during the incident. The problem has been replicated and is currently being tested at Joe Meyers Toyota in Houston, Texas. When the message displayed on the dash, check engine light came on as well as the brake light on the dash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11716750
“It’s reading the LDA warning lights, secondary collision break malfunction, pre collision break malfunction, check engine light. Car is misfiring and could possibly cut off in mid traffic. Dealer said that the Motor has a cracked head gasket. There were no problems prior to these issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Back over preventionODI 11710039
“I went a few months ago to Toyota to get an air flow valve replaced from a safety campaign for Toyota. My car engine light came on. Afterwards it never went off. My car shuts off after getting gas . Car doesn’t start for 20 mins. Coolant is leaking . Car idling high as if the valve that was replaced was faulty. The car acts like it’s gonna shut off. I take good care of my car & several people have the same complaints please investigate this. I don’t have the money to replace something that isn’t my fault.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11707221

Showing 6 of 60 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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