Is the 2018 Toyota Camry a bad year?
755 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 200, 11× a quiet Camry year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 2k–27k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 6 of 200 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 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 10,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 200 (26%) | 2k–27k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 105 (14%) | 8k–47k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 75 (10%) | 2k–17k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 165 (22%) | 16k–120k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 142 (19%) | 5k–42k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 68 (9%) | 5k–42k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 27 (4%) | 0k–42k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 62 (8%) | 18k–61k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 22 (3%) | 15k–76k miles · ahead | — |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 46 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | 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 10,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 755 complaints: 46 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 55 say the car was towed.
106 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I bought 2018 Camry le the problem is jerkey shifts from the transmission, and sometimes is dosen't accelerate from a slow down if you are merging on the highway.
This car has a very jerky transmission. On an intermittent basis when I'm slowing down to a stop, the transmission can't decide what gear to go in and a vibration occurs and lunges the car forward a bit.
Transmission stalls when accelerating and revs when accelerating to higher speeds.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 10,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Toyota Camry: 8
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The vane cap inside the vacuum pump may break, causing the pump to fail, which could result in a sudden loss of braking assist. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The pistons on these vehicles may be larger than specified, possibly causing the engine to stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles have fuel delivery pipes that may not be properly connected to the fuel hoses in the engine compartment. The improperly connected hoses may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
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: 201
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Toyota Camry. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first)…
Some vehicles may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
Some 2018 - 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an "Engine Maintenance…
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Neighbouring years
2017 Camry: 148 complaints, keep it · 2019 Camry: 403 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2018 Toyota Camry a bad year?
755 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 200, 11× a quiet Camry year. At 10,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 2k–27k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 6 of 200 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (200), fuel system (105), speed control (75), brakes (165), engine (142). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 2k–27k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Camry have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 25V-028), Brakes (NHTSA 21V-890), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-012) and more. 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.