2016 Toyota Camry Engine Problems

The engine quit running whenever the headlights, turn signals, or wipers were turned on. This was obviously a serious safety problem when driving! It began intermittently on 6/30/25, but it became a consistent problem by 7/7/25, so I took the car to the closest Toyota Dealership for evaluation. I can provide their service report to you if requested. It took them 6 hours and $1000 to diagnose the problem as bad electrical grounding points (high resistance), which were only revealed after they removed the front bumper. In my opinion, it is an unsafe design to have poor grounding for headlights cause the engine to die.

NHTSA ID

11672467

Incident

Jun 30, 2025

Subject: Investigation Request: Excessive Oil Consumption in 2012-2017 Toyota 2.5L Engines To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to request an investigation into a critical defect with Toyota’s 2.5L 4-cylinder engines in 2012-2017 vehicles, including my 2016 Toyota Camry SE. Despite regular maintenance and timely oil changes, my vehicle began consuming oil excessively around 120,000 miles, leading to significant safety risks. The problem began with sluggish acceleration and grinding noises, both hazardous in city traffic. After hearing grinding noises, I checked the oil level, and the dipstick was completely dry, despite still having 3,000 miles until my next scheduled oil change. The engine was consuming one quart of oil per week under normal driving conditions. Despite multiple visits to Toyota-certified dealerships, the issue was overlooked or minimized. Eventually, a dealership diagnosed worn piston rings, but by 130,000 miles, my engine had completely failed. I’m thankful [XXX] that my engine never quit while I was driving at highway speeds or in city traffic, as it could have been a serious accident. This issue is well-documented among owners of 2015-2017 Toyota Camrys and other models equipped with the same engine, even when vehicles are properly maintained. This defect not only threatens engine reliability but also endangers drivers by causing performance failures, such as grinding noises, sluggish acceleration, and unexpected power loss. Toyota has issued recalls for similar engine defects in other vehicles but has failed to address this issue for the 2.5L 4-cylinder engines in the 2012-2017 models. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this widespread issue and hold Toyota accountable for ensuring the safety and reliability of these vehicles. Many drivers, including myself, are at risk without proper action. Thank you for addressing this pressing matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11625944

Incident

Nov 20, 2023

Just at 70,000 miles a service light came on. After checking I found the oil was very low, about 2 quarts. I took it to the dealer for the oil change on 10/17/2022 and the service tech said that the hybrids use (burn) a little oil. That seems excessive to me. I just check my oil and it is a quart low with 3800 miles after the last oil change. Could have been burning oil for some time and didn't know it due to the fact I always took it to the dealer for the oil changes. They never said anything about the car burning or using oil, There is no leak as no oil in my driveway and on the engine. I'm afraid it might lock up on me when I on the road and could cause me to wreak.

NHTSA ID

11507345

Incident

Feb 13, 2023

Micro leaks in radiator top plastic, could be defect with any camrys. Had to replace radiator.

NHTSA ID

11502266

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

I was stopped at a traffic light, on an uphill grade, for roughly thirty seconds when my 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid just started slowly accelerating. I looked down and my foot was still on the brake. The car then accelerated quickly. I turned into the left hand turn lane in order to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. The car then jumped the center divider and slam in the curb on the other side of the street before it stopped. At no time did I take my foot off the brake. There was only minor damage to the front bumper, but I destroyed two plants in the center divide. (I do not know, as of yet, if there was any damage to underneath of car.) As I was less than two miles from home, I drove the vehicle home. The next business day I had the vehicle towed to the Toyota dealership in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I told them of the problem and they immediately notified corporate. Corporate TOOK possession of the car and did not issue its report until June 1, 2022 (31 days after the incident).

NHTSA ID

11467063

Incident

Apr 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the radiator was leaking antifreeze and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure was present and replaced the radiator. The cause of the failure was not determined. In addition, a message indicating that cylinder number two had misfired was displayed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11424336

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

70,000 mi

WILL NOT START

NHTSA ID

11375782

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

126,500 mi

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SHUTS OFF. NEED TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE LAST 30 OR SO DAYS EVEN AFTER IT WAS IN THE DEALER TWICE.LAST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED IT DIED ON THE SERVICE MANAGER. LUCKILY IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR.NOTE: THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT CAN ONLY PUT IN 1 DATE.

NHTSA ID

11297799

Incident

Dec 6, 2019

Mileage

36,400 mi

TAKATA RECALL I WAS IN A CAR COLLISION, HIT FROM BEHIND AT A VERY HIGH SPEED AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY TO HEAD AS WELL AS MY BACK. CAR COLLISION WAS AUGUST 3, 2019 IN SACRAMENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STATIONARY POSITION WAITING AT A LIGHT. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT, INSURANCE CLAIM FORMS AND ALL OTHER APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MY CAR TO BECOME A TOTAL LOSE. *DT *DT *DT*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

11253966

Incident

Aug 3, 2019

Mileage

93,000 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR HAS LESS THE 50K AND USES A QUART OR MORE PER 1000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11217769

Incident

Jun 4, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED WHILE IDLING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED GERMAIN TOYOTA OF COLUMBUS AT (614) 686-0300 (LOCATED AT 5711 SCARBOROUGH BLVD, COLUMBUS, OH 43232) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11133508

Incident

Sep 28, 2018

Mileage

41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SLOANE TOYOTA OF PHILADELPHIA (1546 COTTMAN AVE, PHILADELPHIA, 19111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,355.

NHTSA ID

11104137

Incident

Sep 25, 2017

Mileage

20,355 mi

UPDATE TO NHTSA ID - 10937419 MY 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY SE HAS SINCE BEEN BACK IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP WITH THE SAME SINCE THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES. EACH TIME WAS SIMPLY TOLD "NORMAL OPERATION" OR "COULD NOT DUPLICATE"...IT IS INTERMITTENT HAD RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY PULLED CODES SHOWING THE FOLLOWING; P1604 - STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION P2610 - ECM/PCM INTERNAL ENGINE OFF TIMER PERFORMANCE B1507 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND IDLE CONTROL RELATED HE INFORMED ME IT WAS LIKELY A BAD ECM AND WAS WAITING ON TOYOTA TO APPROVE THE REPAIR. SHORTLY AFTER I WAS INFORMED TOYOTA DENIED THE REPAIR STATING DRIVER ERROR... AND THE SERVICE INVOICE SAYS NO CODES? I HAVE REPORT SHOWING OTHERWISE!!! IN APRIL, MY CAR ACCELERATED PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, GRILL AND BUMPER OF MY VEHICLE. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT AND TOYOTA TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR 20 DAYS FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND BROUGHT IN A "3RD PARTY" TO PULL THE EDR BOX INFO. WHEN THE 3RD PARTY SENT ME THEIR READINGS...ALL CODES INCLUDING FREEZE CODES WERE NON-EXISTENT? HOWEVER I DEMANDED THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM DAYTONA TOYOTA AND HAVE THAT TO PROVE THEY WERE INDEED THERE TO BEGIN WITH. WHERE DID THEY GO? I SPOKE WITH WENDY OLSEN THE VICTIM AND WITNESS COORDINATOR OF THE US ATTORNEYS OFFICE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK REGARDING THIS MATTER. HONORABLE WILLIAM H. PAULEY III US DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ARRANGED A DEFERRED PROSECUTION OF FRAUD CHARGES ON TOYOTA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE IN 2014 AND UPON COMPLETION OF MONITORING FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE CASE WAS TO BE NULLIFIED, HOWEVER THAT WAS CHANGED AND WAS NOT...THERE MUST BE A REASON WHY!!! I HAVE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS TO SHOW SERVICE RECORDS WITH OBVIOUS PERSONAL INFORMATION BLOCKED FOR PRIVACY REASONS!

NHTSA ID

11023574

Incident

Jul 11, 2017

Mileage

19,289 mi

I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST JULY I BOUGHT A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY (VIN:[XXX]) FROM TOYOTA OF SARASOTA (7435 S TAMIAMI TRAIL SARASOTA, FL 34231). LAST NOVEMBER, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON I75, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AND THE DASHBOARD WAS DEAD AS WELL . I WAS SO SCARED AND PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I CALMED DOWN , I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND IT WORKED AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW CAR AND DID NOT REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WHEN MY FIRST SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT ON JANUARY THIS YEAR, I TOLD THE DEALER WHAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CAR CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY. THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HEAR OF THE THING I TOLD THEM EVER HAPPENED ON CAMRY BEFORE AND AGREE TO TAKE A LOOK. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. BUT TWO WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN WHEN I DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY I75. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I CALLED TOYOTA THOUGH THE NUMBER 800-331-4331, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SIMILAR CASE REPORTED AND SUGGESTED ME TO CHECK MY CAR AT THE DEALER. I STOPPED BY THE DEALER AND THEY DROVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT FAILED. THEY ALSO CHECK THE CAR THOROUGHLY AND FOUND NOTHING UNNORMAL. YESTERDAY(7/2/2017), I WENT THE DEALER FOR MY SECOND SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD FOR MY CAR. BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I75, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER REPORTING THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY CHECK THE CAR AGAIN AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AGAIN. ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND THE PICTURES I TOOK YESTERDAY WHEN I PULLED OVER MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD WAS DEAD AND THE KEY WAS STILL AT THE ON POSITION. PLEASE HELP ME TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11002739

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

8,736 mi

AT STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV CONSIDERABLY & THEN STOP. AS WE APPROACHED OUR DRIVEWAY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, THEN STOPPED. WE GOT TO OUR GARAGE-ENTRY CONTROL BOX & THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ON OUR PARKING DECK, GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, & WE HIT A BRICK WALL. WE THEN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE & IT LURCHED BACKWARDS SO WE STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF & CALLED THE POLICE. MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES (BLACK & BLUE, INJURED STERNUM, MARK ON HIS COLLARBONE FROM THE SEAT BELT NOT RESTRAINING HIM SUFFICIENTLY, DIFFICULTY BREATHING/STANDING/DRESSING/WALKING - GENERAL PAIN & SUFFERING) WHICH WEREN'T VISIBLE TO THE EMTS AT THE TIME & HE DIDN'T NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL ALTHOUGH HIS REGULAR DOCTOR ADVISED HIM TO SEE ANOTHER AT AN EMERGENCY CARE CENTER. I REFUSED HIM MOVING IT ELSEWHERE AS I DIDN'T WANT TO DO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE POLICE. I, AS THE PASSENGER, WAS NOT AFFECTED AT ALL PHYSICALLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER WHERE IT'S BEEN SITTING SINCE 3/21/17 AWAITING A TOYOTA INSPECTION ON APRIL 21ST - WHY IT SHOULD TAKE SO LONG IS INCONCEIVABLE AS IT'S OUR ONLY CAR!

NHTSA ID

10971070

Incident

Mar 21, 2017

Mileage

7,817 mi

IN JULY 2016 I WAS CRESTING THE TOP OF A HILL WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO HIT MY BRAKES. UPON BRAKING AND DECELERATION, I FELT THE CAR MOMENTARILY TRY ACCELERATING THROUGH THE BRAKES. THIS FREAKED ME OUT AND I PULLED OVER TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. CHECKED MY FLOOR MAT AND EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD BE. SO I STARTED MY CAR BACK UP, WITH IT IN PARK GAVE IT A LITTLE REV. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE MOTOR IS COMING BACK DOWN ON THE RPM'S, IT IS ACTUALLY HANGING UP, AND SOMETIMES ACTUALLY JUMPING AT OR AROUND 1500 RPMS. IT DOES IT EVERY SINGLE TIME. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO TWO DEALERSHIPS NOW TO BE TOLD NOTHING WE CAN DO. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A SINGLE VEHICLE ISSUE...I AM THE ONLY ONE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD MY CAR MOMENTARILY ACCELERATE THROUGH THE BRAKES AND SAID ANYTHING SO FAR! I HAVE SAT IN NUMEROUS BRAND NEW TOYOTAS WITH THE 2.5L LIKE THE CAMRY AND RAV4 AND EVERY NEW TOYOTA DOES THIS WEIRD RPM JUMP ON THEIR OWN AND ALL THE DEALERS SAID TO ME WAS "IF THE OTHERS ARE DOING IT ON THE LOT....IT IS OBVIOUSLY NORMAL" THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF SOMETHING IN TOYOTA'S 2.5L ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE JULY TO WORK WITH TOYOTA AND HAVE NOW DECIDED TO ESCALATE IT THROUGH THE NHTSA BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!!!! I HAVE TAKEN A VIDEO AND UPLOADED IT TO YOUTUBE. THE LINK IS AS FOLLOWS BELOW. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=K9JUTPQV2U8&T=11S

NHTSA ID

10937419

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

Mileage

5,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM USING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR MIRRORS. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,422.

NHTSA ID

10916392

Incident

Oct 15, 2016

Mileage

5,422 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. ...UPDATED 09/15/16 *BF CONSUMER STATED REPLACEMENT OR BUY OUT IS STILL IN PROCESS UPDATED 6/7/18*JB CONSUMER STATED HE NOTIFIED DEALER AFTER CALLING NHTS AND STARTED THE PROCESS. INCLUDED IS THE COURSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND LACK OF FIXING AS OF 08/31/16. UPDATED 06/12/18 *JB

NHTSA ID

10874188

Incident

May 31, 2016

Mileage

12,000 mi