2018 Toyota Camry

While driving my 2018 Toyota Camry through Bowers Hill interstate interchange, where multiple major highways merge, my vehicle completely lost the ability to accelerate or maintain speed despite pressing the accelerator pedal. The engine continued to rev and RPMs increased, but the vehicle would not respond with forward acceleration. At the time of the failure I was traveling in an area with heavy, fast moving interstate traffic. I was forced to maneuver across four lanes of moving traffic to reach the far right shoulder while my vehicle was rapidly losing speed and unable to accelerate. This created an extremely dangerous situation because I could not maintain the speed of surrounding traffic or accelerate to safely change lanes. I was at significant risk of being struck by another vehicle. The failure occurred very suddenly with very little time to react. There was no check engine light on and otherwise my car seemed to be operating normally prior to this incident with the exception of a few hard shifts between first and second gear. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to a repair facility. The mechanic informed me that the transmission was not functioning and that a replacement transmission may be necessary. I was also informed that Toyota transmissions were on national backorder and that a service bulletin existed concerning the transmission. The exact cause of the failure has not yet been confirmed. I am reporting this incident because the sudden and complete loss of acceleration at interstate speeds presents a serious safety hazard. Had I been unable to reach the shoulder, or had surrounding traffic been less accommodating, this failure could have resulted in a serious or potentially fatal collision. Me vehicle was purchased from a Toyota dealership used with 42,000 miles and has only 114,000 miles currently. It is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11776755

Incident

Nov 5, 2026

The vehicle transmission became inoperable while driving and the car stalled. After towing to a local Toyota dealership, the service department noted that it failed the stall test. Code P0745F identified. Vehicle required entire transmission assembly replacement at 88K miles.

NHTSA ID

11776399

Incident

Oct 18, 2026

The steering wheel has become extremely stiff and difficult to turn, making it very difficult to steer the vehicle in either direction (left or right). This occurs while the engine is running and the vehicle is in operation. The steering issue makes it extremely difficult to control the vehicle, especially when making turns. This creates a serious safety hazard and significantly increases the risk of an accident. I believe this is a potentially dangerous steering system defect that needs immediate investigation.

NHTSA ID

11775818

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2018 Toyota Camry On October 26, 2026, the driver was operating a 2018 Toyota Camry on a public roadway at approximately 45 mph when the vehicle unexpectedly activated its automatic emergency braking system. The dashboard displayed a “BRAKE!” warning, immediately followed by extremely forceful braking, comparable to someone suddenly slamming their foot on the brake pedal. The vehicle rapidly decelerated from approximately 45 mph to a complete stop, despite there being no vehicles, pedestrians, or visible obstacles in front of or near the vehicle. The sudden braking caused the driver’s body to lurch forward. According to the driver, the seat belt did not noticeably tighten during the incident. After the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes released, and the car slowly began rolling forward without the driver pressing the accelerator. The driver did not intentionally initiate the emergency braking. This unexpected activation created a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a rear-end collision, loss of vehicle control, or serious injury. The incident raises concerns about a possible malfunction of the vehicle’s Pre-Collision System (PCS), including its radar sensor, forward-facing camera, calibration, or associated software. A VIN search through the NHTSA database indicated zero outstanding safety recalls for this vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this incident as a potential safety defect involving unintended automatic emergency braking in the 2018 Toyota Camry.

NHTSA ID

11773862

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

Not sure if i'm reporting this correctly. my camry started making noise and it was a transmission issue. i went online and it seems to be a common complaint for 2018 and 2019 toyota camry's, when they reach approx 125k to 135 k. don't know if anything can be done but it would be nice to find out if this is more common then expected and corrections are being made. I even had a routine service i believe last month and all they indicated was it needed a transmission service. thanks

NHTSA ID

11773735

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

transmission failure and power loss while driving

NHTSA ID

11773732

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

This vehicle is experiencing the same problems since 2022 despite multiple attempts to have the vehicle repaired. The fuel pump was part of the recall and it was replaced in 2020. When these problems started in 2022, I was told they need the codes to figure out what’s going on but yet they still couldn’t give me an answer. There was only one code that they addressed which was to replace an engine coil but the car continues breaking down. This most recent time, I fueled the vehicle and it would not start when I was finished. This had happened at least 3 times, all after fueling the vehicle. The car will also shut down while driving, and it is extremely dangerous when power steering fails and there is no acceleration even with the pedal pushed down all the way to the floor in the middle of traffic. I am terrified that I will not only hurt myself but others when this failure causes an accident. One time, the vehicle broke down on a major highway during rush hour, but I was able to get to safety. Other times I had to call a tow because the car was inoperable. The dash lights up with “check engine” and “ics malfunction visit your dealer” each time. I have called corporate and made 15+ trips to get the vehicle diagnosed/fixed but still do not have any answers.

NHTSA ID

11773119

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11771693

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

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), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Camry and 2018 – 2026 model year Camry Hybrid vehicles may exhibit the weatherstrip on the panoramic roof center glass peeling on the edges of the glass.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.