Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Toyota Camry problems

Owners filed 158 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Camry with NHTSA between Jul 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (78).

Complaints
158
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
21
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags78
  2. Service brakes13
  3. Power train12
  4. Forward collision avoidance10
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Engine7
  7. Lane departure5
  8. Structure4
  9. Steering4
  10. Tires3
  11. Vehicle speed control3
  12. Visibility3
  13. Visibility/wiper3
  14. Seat belts3

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 3, 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
20214
202226
202313
202448
202543
202624

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

78 reports11 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a second vehicle T-boned the vehicle while driving approximately 60 MPH and crashed into the driver’s side of the vehicle. During the crash, no air bags had deployed inside the vehicle, including the side curtain air bags. Police and Emergency Services were called to the scene. The contact had to be extracted from the vehicle and was transported to a nearby hospital. During the crash, the contact sustained a concussion and left hip and left torso injuries. A Police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to a nearby salvage yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 83,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11757888

Service brakes

13 reports4 crashes
“Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2021 Toyota Camry • VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: May 4, [2025] Incident Time: Approximately 9:45 AM Incident Location: [XXX] toward [XXX] Description of Incident: While driving at approximately 25 MPH, multiple dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminated simultaneously. Immediately after, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own without any input from the driver. The driver applied the brakes repeatedly and forcefully, but the vehicle did not respond to braking. The car continued to accelerate uncontrollably until it abruptly stopped directly in front of another vehicle, narrowly avoiding a serious collision.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11740908

Power train

12 reports2 crashes
“I took it to a repair shop for a transmission issue, the technician noted the transmission fluid degraded or burnt fluid or And it is causing the torque converter shudder and transmission rpm to slip”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Power trainODI 11766822

Forward collision avoidance

10 reports6 crashes
“I was involved in a multi-impact collision while driving my 2021 Toyota Camry. Certified crash data from the Airbag Control Module (ACM) confirms five crash events including a frontal collision (delta-V of -9.3 mph) and a rollover (roll angle 9.8°, roll rate 45.6°/sec). Despite these conditions, no airbags deployed—not the frontal, knee, or curtain airbags. The driver was belted, there was no airbag warning light, and power was maintained. Toyota later stated the system worked “as designed” and found no defects. However, federal safety standards (FMVSS No. 208 and 226) suggest this type of crash should have triggered the airbags, especially due to the frontal delta-V and verified rollover. I request a formal investigation. Crash report available upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2025Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11691049

Electrical system

8 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. While the contact’s wife was inside the parked vehicle and attempting to open the sunroof, there was an abnormal sound coming from the sunroof while attempting to close it. The motor to open the sunroof was covered and made a sound; however, the sunroof failed to close. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rail had seized. The contact was advised that the sunroof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11723346

Engine

7 reports
“Power loss, had to pull off road. multiple fault codes on this event. 2 broken plastic parts in intake duct, one stuck in throttle body butterfly. cleared plastic parts from intake to get home. Later determined 2 of 4 intake resonator tube internal catch bevels broke off. The remaining 2 were very weak and easily broke off as well. Serious FOD hazard to engine!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026EngineODI 11763848
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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