TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Toyota Camry have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 25,555 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Camry | 22 |
| 2007 Camry | 250 |
| 2008 Camry | 41 |
| 2009 Camry | 41 |
| 2010 Camry (this page) | 39 |
| 2011 Camry | 43 |
| 2012 Camry | 143 |
| 2013 Camry | 64 |
| 2014 Camry | 6 |
4crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 39 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature. Note: The following adjustment procedures are for U660E/F and U760E/F transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) was introduced to reduce maintenance costs and increase the mileage between scheduled maintenance checks. Here are some important tips when working with ATF-WS in Toyota vehicles requiring it's use.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Camry's powertrain troubles center on the new 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners describe harsh, jerky shifting between 0–50 mph in city traffic—feeling like a manual car with poor coordination. RPM surges, downshifts that yank the vehicle to a halt, and sudden forward lurches during final braking are common. Many report transmission recalibration at the dealer provides only temporary relief before problems return within days.
A critical complaint: the car rolls backward on inclines while in Drive, a safety issue dealers repeatedly dismiss as normal for this transmission. Owners also report transmission slipping, loss of engine braking feel, and in cold weather, transmission slipping paired with warning lights.
Beyond transmission issues, owners cite unexplained acceleration or difficulty slowing down—some crediting the sticky-pedal recall, others saying the problem persisted after repairs. One owner reported a cam gear breaking at 15,878 miles; the mechanic said he'd seen multiple such failures and noted a national backorder on cam gears. Excessive oil consumption appears in several complaints, with one owner burning 5+ quarts per 5,000-mile interval and another facing a $5,000 engine overhaul at 76,000 miles. Toyota denied warranty coverage, though the company had offered it for the 2009 model.
Dealers consistently deny defects, claim normal behavior, or cannot recreate intermittent issues. Owners frustrated by repeated dealership visits and Toyota's lack of response.
Same Toyota Camry powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Harsh or jerky transmission shifting at low speeds (0–50 mph)
Transmission shifts roughly or inconsistently in city or stop-and-go driving, with noticeable jerking, surging, or RPM fluctuations. Owners report the car drives like a manual transmission or feels rough during gear changes. Dealers often cite it as normal downshifting behavior, though some perform shift recalibration without lasting effect.
When: Typically within first 25,000 miles; varies by owner
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or surging between 0–50 mph; Rough or clunky shifting at traffic lights or stop signs; Noticeable RPM jumps; Feels like driving a stick shift; Transmission downshifts abruptly when coasting to a stop
Repairs/costs cited: Shift recalibration performed at dealership; some owners report temporary improvement only. Transmission replacement at 23,000 miles in one case (manual trans, $2,600 later overhaul quoted).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers deny defect, claim normal behavior or new 6-speed transmission design. Shift recalibration offered but does not resolve issue long-term.
Transmission loss of engine braking / inability to hold on inclines
Vehicle rolls backward on inclines or slopes when stopped in Drive, foot off brake. Behavior mimics neutral despite transmission in Drive position. Dealers claim this is normal for 2010 Camry 6-speed transmission; owners report safety concern if another vehicle is behind them.
When: Reported from first weeks to months of ownership; occurs intermittently or consistently
Symptoms owners cite: Car rolls backward on slight or steep inclines while in Drive; Occurs when foot is off brake; No warning lights; Happens more in cold weather in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs made; dealers deny defect and claim normal transmission behavior.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers assert this is normal for 2010 Camry with new 6-speed transmission; no recall or service bulletin issued.
Transmission slipping or disengagement
Transmission intermittently slips out of gear, loses grip, or fails to hold load, reducing engine braking effect. Occurs at various speeds and temperatures. One owner reported transmission filter clogged; another experienced slipping with stability control light activation in cold weather.
When: Variable; one case at 35 mph on 25 miles; another at 130,000 miles; cold-weather cases mentioned
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine braking sensation; Transmission slips at low or highway speeds; Engine and stability control light illuminate (cold weather case); Vehicle does not hold back when coasting; Near-miss accidents when car fails to slow adequately
Repairs/costs cited: One transmission replaced with rebuilt unit (problem persisted); another transmission filter cited as faulty and clogged; one owner quoted $2,600 for transmission overhaul.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised torque converter as normal; technician attributed one case to pollution control system; no recall issued.
Unexplained acceleration or unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates on its own or fails to slow despite braking. Owners describe it as car having a 'mind of its own.' Some report confusion with sticky pedal recall issues. One case involved vehicle reversing and moving on cold mornings despite being in Drive.
When: Variable; some within first weeks; others after repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Car accelerates independently at low or highway speeds; RPM surges (one case to 2500 rpm at 40 mph); Car difficult to stop despite heavy brake pressure; Vehicle continues to accelerate while braking; Car reverses on cold mornings despite foot off brake
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recalibration or sticky-pedal recall repair did not resolve issue in some cases. One owner experienced problem after recall fix for sticky pedal and floor mats.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Sticky pedal and floor mat recall issued and performed; dealers unable to recreate or diagnose unintended acceleration. One case: vehicle shifted to neutral on its own despite driver never touching selector.
Broken cam gear
Cam gear fractured internally at relatively low mileage (15,878 miles). Mechanic reported seeing multiple instances of this failure. Service advisor noted national backorder on cam gears for this model.
When: At 15,878 miles, highway driving at 60–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise while driving; Engine warning or loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Entire engine apart for inspection; confirmed broken cam gear. National backorder on replacement cam gears reported at time of service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; dealer service advisor reported backorder status but no proactive notification to owners.
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns oil at abnormal rate, progressing over time. One 76,000-mile owner burned 2.5 quarts in 2,800 miles; another burned over 5 quarts per 5,000-mile interval and reported it worsening from 1–2 quarts per change to 5+ quarts. Suspected piston or ring defect.
When: One case at 76,000 miles; another over 4+ years of ownership with progression
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption between scheduled changes; Oil burning worsens over time; No external leaks apparent
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer recommended full engine overhaul ($5,000) with no manufacturer coverage. Another owner noted Toyota offered extended warranty for 2009 Camrys but refused to extend it to 2010 owners despite same issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied; Toyota offered extended warranty for 2009 model but not 2010. No recall issued for 2010 model.
Gear shift mechanism or transmission selector failure
Gear shift selector moves on its own from Drive to Neutral without driver input, preventing acceleration. One case involved vehicle rolled away from parked position while off and in Park.
When: Variable; one case at 7,000 miles; rollaway case at ~10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gear selector moves to Neutral without driver action; Vehicle fails to accelerate; Parked vehicle rolls away despite being off and in Park
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle not inspected; rollaway rental car not repaired, owner charged for damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised no reason for rollaway if car is off and in Park; no defect acknowledgment or recall.
Transmission reluctance to downshift or aggressive downshift behavior
Transmission either resists downshifting or downshifts too aggressively, creating sudden braking sensation or unexpected forward lunge. Owners report difficulty maintaining smooth speed or unexpected jerks.
When: Ongoing; multiple complaints across early mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden strong downshift / braking sensation when coasting; Transmission pushes vehicle forward in final braking moments; Nearly causes collisions; Gas pedal highly sensitive at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission recalibrated multiple times with only temporary relief (problem returns within 24 hours in one case).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers perform recalibration; manufacturer has not issued recall despite multiple complaints of safety concern.
Manual transmission slave cylinder leakage
Clutch slave cylinder leaks after transmission replacement at 23,000 miles. Owner reports this is secondary failure following transmission rebuild.
When: At 23,000 miles (transmission replaced), leakage noted afterward; still occurring at 76,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch fluid leak; Loss of clutch engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed slave cylinder leak; second transmission overhaul quoted at $2,600.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage; issue treated as wear item.
Gear shift panel overheating near headlight circuit
Bottom left corner of gear shift panel becomes excessively hot when headlights are on. Dealer claimed this is normal for 2010 Camry but declined to investigate root cause. Owner concerned about potential electrical fire hazard.
When: First noticed at 500–1,000 miles (early ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Heat buildup in gear shift panel when headlights on; No diagnostic performed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer denied any repair; claimed normal behavior without explanation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed this is normal 2010 Camry behavior; no investigation or remedy offered.
ABS actuator noise / popping sound
New vehicle begins making loud popping noise the day after purchase. Dealer initially unable to identify cause; later identified as ABS actuator. Dealer service manager claimed this is normal for all 2010 Camrys.
When: One day after purchase (brand new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping noise from under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Identified as ABS actuator noise; no repair performed. Dealer advised turning radio up to mask noise.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed normal behavior for model; no repair offered.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota camry. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the vehicle began to independently accelerate. The engine rpms increased to 2500 as the contact attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was finally able to be stopped once the contact continuously applied extreme pressure to the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and advised the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Toyota camry. While the vehicle was stopped in drive, the vehicle rolled backward and stalled. The failure occurred everytime the vehicle was idling in drive. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000 and the current mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the transmission filter was faulty and clogged. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the transmission needed to…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2010 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,000 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 25,555. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 76,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.