EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2001 Toyota Camry
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 272 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Toyota Camry, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and airbags categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 128 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 162 |
| Aug 2008 | 3 | 165 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 166 |
| Dec 2008 | 2 | 168 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 169 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 170 |
| Jun 2009 | 2 | 172 |
| Jul 2009 | 3 | 175 |
| Sep 2009 | 2 | 177 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 178 |
| Dec 2009 | 2 | 180 |
| Feb 2010 | 15 | 195 |
| Mar 2010 | 8 | 203 |
| Apr 2010 | 2 | 205 |
| May 2010 | 4 | 209 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 211 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 213 |
| Nov 2010 | 3 | 216 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 217 |
| Feb 2011 | 3 | 220 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 221 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 222 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 223 |
| Oct 2011 | 2 | 225 |
| Jan 2012 | 2 | 227 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 228 |
| Jun 2012 | 2 | 230 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 231 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 232 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 233 |
| Jan 2013 | 3 | 236 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 237 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 238 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 239 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 241 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 242 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 243 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 245 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 246 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 247 |
| Feb 2015 | 3 | 250 |
| Mar 2015 | 2 | 252 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 253 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 254 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 255 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 256 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 257 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 259 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 260 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 261 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 262 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 264 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 265 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 266 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 267 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 268 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 269 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 270 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 271 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 272 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine6017.8%
- Driver assistance4613.6%
- Airbags3811.3%
- Brakes288.3%
- Tires & wheels236.8%
- Suspension226.5%
- Electrical205.9%
- Interior & seats195.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I do not feel engine braking effect when I apply brake instead I have to press brake hard to hold until engine idles. It is a serious issue in older cars. My car has 153000 miles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11673220
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2025
Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching vehicle over granite curb and into nearby tree. Damage: Passenger R.Front Fender, Passenger Headlamp Assy;Lower Control Arm Assy, Front Bumper cover, Passenger wheel rim bent, tire deflated. Unintended vehicle acceleration is a serious safety defect and can occur when the Idle Air Control Valve is defective or is provided incorrect engine rpm signal from Engine Control Computer causing sudden vehicle acceleration.
- NHTSA ID
- 11611210
- Incident
- Aug 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- NHTSA ID
- 11580895
- Incident
- Mar 30, 2024
Air bag light is on and won’t go off. Toyota service department said the sensor was discontinued no longer available to make the repair.
- NHTSA ID
- 11569015
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2022
After an alignment my steering wheel is not straight. If held straight, the car goes off the road to the right. Took it back, now it goes off to the left. Sitting still the steering wheel will turn 360 degrees around and hangs in spots when turning it back.
- NHTSA ID
- 11554610
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2023
SPEED SENSOR MELTED WITH PLUG AND KEPT BLOWING 10A GAUGE FUSE WITCH GAUGE STOPS WORKING WINDOWS WON'T GO DOWN AND BATTERY WILL DIE IF NOT HANDLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THIS WILL HAPPEN ONCE YOU TURN THE KEY JUST TURN THE KEY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED JUST THE KEY WAS TURNED INTO THE ON POSITION THEN THE FUSE WILL AUTOMATICALLY POP
- NHTSA ID
- 11374159
- Incident
- Nov 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11271515
- Incident
- Oct 27, 2019
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DR. S AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MAKING THIS LOUD NOISE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BUT IT HAD A CRUNCHY NOISE AND I KNEW THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT THE SAME WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW AND I HAD TO GO BUY DOT 3 AND PUT IT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. I KEPT DRIVING IT UNTIL I COULD FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A BRAKE BOOSTER, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 87,546 MILE'S ON IT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11230915
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2018
- Mileage
- 85,300 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
STRUCTURE:BODY
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 2024 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 49.6 |
| 2023 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 60.3 |
| 2022 | 58 | 1 | 0 | 56.6 |
| 2021 | 154 | 1 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 2020 | 268 | 3 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2019 | 389 | 6 | 0 | 58.6 |
| 2018 | 731 | 8 | 0 | 59.3 |
| 2017 | 148 | 3 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2016 | 180 | 2 | 0 | 59.9 |
| 2015 | 268 | 1 | 0 | 46.8 |
| 2014 | 453 | 3 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2013 | 274 | 2 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2012 | 588 | 2 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2011 | 598 | 5 | 0 | 59.4 |
| 2010 | 602 | 9 | 0 | 58.0 |
| 2009 | 1,291 | 10 | 2 | 63.4 |
| 2008 | 932 | 8 | 3 | 62.9 |
| 2007 | 2,885 | 10 | 3 | 63.7 |
| 2006 | 317 | 5 | 1 | 67.3 |
| 2005 | 721 | 5 | 2 | 69.0 |
| 2004 | 638 | 3 | 2 | 67.1 |
| 2003 | 780 | 1 | 3 | 59.7 |
| 2002 | 953 | 4 | 4 | 69.1 |
| 2001Viewing | 272 | 4 | 1 | 64.6 |
| 2000 | 454 | 4 | 2 | 68.2 |
| 1999 | 501 | 2 | 2 | 64.0 |
| 1998 | 600 | 3 | 2 | 61.4 |
| 1997 | 555 | 4 | 3 | 65.5 |
| 1996 | 417 | 7 | 2 | 63.2 |
| 1995 | 303 | 5 | 1 | 61.4 |
| 1994 | 287 | 3 | 2 | 64.4 |
| 1993 | 260 | 2 | 2 | 63.5 |
| 1992 | 565 | 2 | 3 | 62.1 |
| 1991 | 149 | 1 | 6 | 55.9 |
| 1990 | 134 | 2 | 9 | 58.4 |
| 1989 | 113 | 3 | 7 | 65.1 |
| 1988 | 64 | 4 | 8 | 67.9 |
| 1987 | 58 | 3 | 10 | 64.8 |
| 1986 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 42.5 |
| 1985 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 47.7 |
| 1984 | 8 | 2 | 3 | — |
| 1983 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.