This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Camry engine problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Camry have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Camry | 224 |
| 2010 Camry | 49 |
| 2011 Camry | 28 |
| 2012 Camry | 32 |
| 2013 Camry (this page) | 13 |
| 2015 Camry | 17 |
| 2016 Camry | 8 |
| 2017 Camry | 9 |
1crash
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Any HVAC repair requiring reassembly of the quick connect fitting between the suction hose sub-assembly and the suction pipe sub-assembly located at the top right of the engine compartment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
A/C odor complaints center on a stagnant, foul mildew smell from vents, especially on warm-weather startups. Toyota issued a service bulletin recommending a charcoal cabin air filter and running the A/C on vent mode before shutdown, but owners say the underlying drainage problem persists. One owner's wife developed a severe sore throat after extended driving; the couple expressed concern about mold and bacteria accumulation.
Excessive oil consumption afflicts at least one 2AR-FXE hybrid at 134,000 miles, burning a quart every 2,000 miles despite regular service intervals. The owner alleges defective low-tension piston rings stick and scar cylinder walls—a known issue Toyota fixed in the 2007 2AZ but has not corrected in the newer 2AR variant. No recall or warranty relief is offered.
Engine hesitation during acceleration from a stop is reported as intermittent and dangerous, especially when pulling into traffic. One driver felt the car would stall; another experienced a sudden unintended reverse while shifting from Park to Drive in a parking lot, striking another vehicle. A more serious complaint describes an engine that cracked (4–5 inches long) at under 100,000 miles, filling the cabin with smoke and flames.
One owner's car lost all power—both gas and electric motors shut down—while in heavy traffic; the engine restarted normally with no fault codes. Dealers have been unable to reproduce or identify the root causes of these electrical and drivability issues in most cases.
Same Toyota Camry engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
A/C condensation odor and mold/bacteria buildup
Stagnant, foul mildew odor from A/C vents, particularly after warm weather use or on first morning startup. Owners report the smell is nauseating and causes headaches. Root cause alleged to be improper A/C condensation drainage. Toyota issued a service bulletin recommending charcoal-lined cabin air filter replacement and running A/C on vent mode before shutdown, but owners report the odor persists despite these measures.
When: Warm weather, on startup or during A/C use; noticed as early as 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stagnant, foul mildew odor from A/C vents; Nauseating smell that causes headaches; Odor worse on each startup; Odor goes away after extended A/C run; Occurs only when A/C in use (not in winter)
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota service bulletin recommends charcoal-lined cabin air filter replacement and running A/C on vent mode before engine shutdown to allow drainage; drying A/C system with heater also attempted. Owners report these measures do not resolve the underlying condensation drainage issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued for charcoal-lined cabin air filter replacement and A/C vent-mode drainage procedure; no permanent fix identified by Toyota
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns oil at an accelerated rate. Narratives allege the 2AR-FXE engine has defective low-tension piston rings that stick, scarring cylinder walls and causing oil loss. Owners report Toyota had the same issue with the 2007 2AZ engine and corrected it, but has not addressed the 2AR variant. Owners cite this as a chronic, known problem affecting many 2AR/1AR-equipped Toyotas.
When: Chronic condition; one hybrid at 134,000 miles burns 1 quart per 2,000 miles despite regular 5,000/6-month oil changes
Symptoms owners cite: Quart of oil consumed every 2,000 miles; Low-tension piston rings sticking; Cylinder wall scarring; VVT-i rattle (mentioned as accompanying issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota charges owners for short-block replacements ($thousands per owner report); no warranty coverage or recall mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or fix offered; Toyota historically corrected this on 2007 2AZ engine but has not applied fix to 2AR engine despite widespread complaints
Engine hesitation during acceleration
Car hesitates or loses power when accelerating from a stop, particularly in traffic or at intersections. Engine initially starts then hesitates and feels as if it will stall. Driver must press accelerator hard ('floor it') to regain power; engine revs loudly but produces little forward motion. Condition is intermittent with long stretches between occurrences. One narrative notes a torque converter software update had no effect.
When: Occurs from stopped position during acceleration; intermittent with no clear pattern reported at 2+ years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when accelerating from stop; Engine feels like it will stall; Requires 'flooring' accelerator to gain power; Engine roars but little acceleration; Intermittent; long gaps between occurrences
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter software update applied; did not resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technician unable to reproduce issue at dealership; torque converter software update offered and completed without resolution
Engine crack and fire
Engine developed a large crack (approximately 4–5 inches long, 1 inch wide) causing catastrophic failure. Vehicle was regularly serviced and maintenance performed one week before failure. Owner heard a bang and felt a jolt, then vehicle filled with smoke followed by flames underneath. No warning signs preceded the failure.
When: At less than 100,000 miles; vehicle was regularly serviced with last maintenance one week prior
Symptoms owners cite: Bang and sudden jolt while driving; Vehicle filled with smoke; Flames appeared underneath vehicle; Large crack on engine block
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed for inspection; large 4–5 inch by 1 inch crack found on engine; insurance claim filed
Unintended transmission downshift and sudden acceleration
While traveling at approximately 26 mph, vehicle suddenly began slowing for no reason. When entering an intersection, driver pressed accelerator multiple times to escape oncoming traffic. Transmission suddenly downshifted into a lower gear, causing vehicle to lurch forward abruptly, nearly colliding with another car. Vehicle then stalled repeatedly afterward. Dealership stated they had never heard of such a problem.
When: October 2015 (reported; updated October 2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Unexplained slowdown while driving; Sudden hard downshift of transmission; Abrupt forward lurch; Repeated stalling after incident
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership reported never hearing of similar issue
Intermittent fuel feed hesitation
Slight hesitation felt while driving normally. In more severe instances, when pulling onto busy streets, car loses power and will not accelerate despite pressing the gas pedal hard. Condition is intermittent and appears most likely to occur when vehicle has been driven briefly, then sits idle for a time, then is driven again.
When: Intermittent; most likely after short drive followed by idle period
Symptoms owners cite: Slight hesitation while driving; Loss of power when pulling into traffic; No response to accelerator pedal; Intermittent, recurring condition
Unintended reverse while shifting from Park to Drive
With foot on brake, while shifting from Park to Drive in a parking lot, vehicle shot backward at high speed unexpectedly. Driver unable to control vehicle; turned wheel sharply but struck parked vehicle, causing approximately $3,000 damage. Toyota performed inspection and found nothing wrong, placing responsibility on driver.
When: October 14, 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shot backward at high speed; Occurred while shifting from Park to Drive; No warning or loss of brake control reported by driver
Repairs/costs cited: Damage to vehicle ~$3,000; struck another parked car
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota inspection found nothing wrong; manufacturer placed responsibility on driver
Sudden loss of power and shutdown in traffic
While driving in heavy single-lane traffic with limited shoulder, indicator light flashed, alarm sounded, and both gas and electric motors shut down simultaneously. Driver was able to pull off road safely and stop. Engine restarted normally with no further indicators observed. Dealership service could find nothing wrong upon inspection.
When: Date unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard indicator light flashed; Alarm sounded; Both gas and electric motors shut down; Engine restarted normally after incident; No indicators or codes found after restart
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership inspection found nothing
VVT camshaft gear rattle
VVT (Variable Valve Timing) camshaft gear makes rattling noise, indicating potential defect. Owner reports this is a common, known issue among many Toyotas. Toyota has issued recalls on Lexus models for the same VVT camshaft gear problem but has not recalled the same part in Camry. Owner expresses concern this defect could lead to engine failure.
When: At 67,000 miles; reported as common knowledge issue
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from VVT camshaft gear; Noise indicates potential defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued recalls on Lexus models for VVT camshaft gear defect but has not recalled same issue in Camry; Camry owners report Toyota does not address the problem
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 22,043 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.