Is the 2013 Toyota Camry a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 67, 3.7× a quiet Camry year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 3.7× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 14k–96k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Camry owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 58,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 67 (25%) | 14k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 36 (13%) | 8k–58k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 35 (13%) | 5k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 29 (11%) | 16k–91k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 26 (10%) | 3k–70k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 12 (4%) | 7k–58k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 10 (4%) | 26k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 30 (11%) | 6k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 26 (10%) | 2k–26k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 20 (7%) | 13k–53k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (4%) | 3k–38k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | 1k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 58,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 272 complaints: 42 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 21 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
CVT transmission start shuddering then and B/4 at 40 to 50 miles per hour Toyota mfg refuses to repair.car only has 58k miles!
Toyota recalled my 2013 Toyota Camry for a torque converter that is causing a shudder in the car when driving between 5-50MPH that they are claiming is expired.
Purchased car in april with 14,000 miles. Vehicle hesitates at random times - this is especially dangerous when making a left turn at a busy intersection.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 58,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Toyota Camry: 2
In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 240
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Toyota Camry. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A80/P1AC000 and/or P0A7F/P1A8000 stored due to dust or debris buildup…
TechTip: Certain 2013-2015 Camry U760 vehicles may exhibit a transmission fluid leak from the transmission oil pan gasket
Some vehicles may exhibit a brief shudder intermittently while driving under light loads between approximately 40 - 80 kph (25 and 50 mph)
Neighbouring years
2012 Camry: 591 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2014 Camry: 455 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Camry a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 67, 3.7× a quiet Camry year. At 58,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 3.7× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 14k–96k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (67), air bags (36), speed control (35), electrical system (29), steering (26). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 14k–96k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Camry have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 13V-505), Equipment (NHTSA 13V-442). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.