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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags78
- Service brakes13
- Power train12
- Forward collision avoidance10
- Electrical system8
- Engine7
- Lane departure5
- Structure4
- Steering4
- Tires3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Visibility3
- Visibility/wiper3
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
26
13
48
43
24
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 24 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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.