Comprehensive guide to Toyota Camry lemon law claims, common defects, NHTSA recalls, and your legal rights as an owner.
Model years covered: 2018-2024
The Toyota Camry is widely regarded as one of the most reliable midsize sedans on the market, but even this dependable model is not immune to manufacturing defects. For the 2018-2024 model years (the eighth generation), owners have reported a range of significant issues, from stalling engines and jerky transmissions to malfunctioning safety systems. When these problems persist despite multiple repair attempts, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon under state consumer protection laws.
Owners should be aware that a recall is not the same as a lemon law claim. While Toyota has issued recalls for serious issues like failing fuel pumps and brake assist loss, a vehicle can still be a lemon if a warranty-covered defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and cannot be fixed. If your Camry has spent an extended period in the shop or requires repeated visits for the same issue, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement.
Total recalls: 15
The 2018-2024 Toyota Camry has been subject to approximately 15 NHTSA recall campaigns. The most significant recalls involve the fuel system and braking components.
A major recall (NHTSA Campaign 20V012000 / 20V682000) addressed a defective low-pressure fuel pump in 2018-2020 models that could fail and cause engine stalling. Another critical recall (NHTSA Campaign 21V920000 / 18V211000) affected 2018-2019 models due to a failing brake booster vacuum pump that could result in a sudden loss of braking assist. Other notable recalls include issues with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor preventing airbag deployment, loose lug nuts on 2023 models, and improperly welded seat brackets on 2023-2024 models.
View all Toyota recalls and NHTSA safety alerts
Toyota has issued hundreds of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018-2024 Camry. A significant portion of these address the 8-speed automatic transmission in 4-cylinder models, providing software updates to the transmission control module to mitigate rough shifting and hesitation.
Other notable TSBs cover infotainment system glitches (freezing, rebooting, or losing Bluetooth connectivity), HVAC system odors, and various electrical system resets. These bulletins indicate that many common complaints are addressed through software patches rather than hardware replacements, which often leads to repeated dealer visits if the updates do not fully resolve the underlying issues.
The 2018-2024 Toyota Camry has been involved in several major class action lawsuits. Most notably, Toyota agreed to a $287 million nationwide settlement to resolve claims regarding the defective low-pressure fuel pumps that caused engine stalling in millions of vehicles, including the Camry.
Additionally, Toyota is currently facing class action litigation over the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission used in 2018-2024 4-cylinder Camrys. The lawsuits allege that the transmissions are defective, causing hesitation, jerking, and premature failure. Another settlement was reached in California regarding the HVAC system in Camry vehicles, reimbursing owners for out-of-pocket costs related to mold growth and foul odors.
Yes, if the 8-speed automatic transmission in your Camry continues to hesitate, jerk, or shudder after multiple repair attempts (including software updates), it may qualify as a lemon. This is a common complaint that substantially impairs the vehicle's drivability.
Yes. A recall provides a free repair, but if the repair does not fix the stalling issue, or if your vehicle spends an extended amount of time in the shop waiting for parts, you may still have a valid lemon law claim.
It varies by state, but generally, if the dealer has tried to fix the same substantial defect 3 to 4 times (or just 2 times for a serious safety issue like engine stalling or brake failure), the vehicle may qualify as a lemon.
In many states, yes, provided the vehicle was purchased with an active manufacturer's warranty and the defects occurred during the warranty period. Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles often have strong lemon law protections.
In most states, including California, the lemon law requires the manufacturer (Toyota) to pay your attorney's fees and costs if you win your case. This means you can hire an attorney with no out-of-pocket expenses.