Is the 2019 Toyota Camry a bad year?
403 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 116, 6.4× a quiet Camry year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 0k–9k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 2 of 116 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 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 1,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 116 (29%) | 0k–9k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 86 (21%) | 9k–31k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 42 (10%) | 5k–91k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 82 (20%) | 11k–44k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 27 (7%) | 3k–39k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 24 (6%) | 9k–75k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed control | 22 (5%) | 2k–22k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 11 (3%) | 11k–56k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (2%) | 3k–45k miles · ahead | — |
| Collision avoidance | 22 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 6 (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 1,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 403 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 15 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
77 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
Reaccelaration shock, transmission lag, especially upon re-acceleration from coasting or when trying to overtake someone on the highway, dangerous.
Purchased my 2019 Toyota Camry xle couple of weeks back with 5 miles on it. Noticed the vehicle had issues with acceleration.
While driving up a hill, the Camry would not accelerate with the gas pedal fully pressed. At the top of the hill, the Camry with the transmission in drive began rolling backward down the hill at what was approximately 25-30 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 1,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Toyota Camry: 6
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 Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag and knee air bag, in the event of a crash. In the event of a crash, if the air bags do not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.
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.
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk 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: 120
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 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
2018 Camry: 755 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2020 Camry: 276 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Toyota Camry year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Camry years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Toyota Camry a bad year?
403 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 116, 6.4× a quiet Camry year. At 1,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 0k–9k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 2 of 116 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (116), fuel system (86), brakes (42), engine (82), electrical system (27). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 0k–9k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Camry have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 21V-890), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-012), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-567) 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.