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 Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded.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 ↗2015 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Toyota Camry have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 78,000 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
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Camry | 43 |
| 2012 Camry | 143 |
| 2013 Camry | 64 |
| 2014 Camry | 6 |
| 2015 Camry (this page) | 33 |
| 2016 Camry | 18 |
| 2017 Camry | 5 |
| 2018 Camry | 183 |
| 2019 Camry | 110 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 33 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 7 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: Certain 2013-2015 Camry U760 vehicles may exhibit a transmission fluid leak from the transmission oil pan gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TechTip: Certain 2013-2015 Camry U760 vehicles may exhibit a transmission fluid leak from the transmission oil pan gasket.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Torque converter shudder dominates these complaints. Owners describe a vibration or shaking felt in the gas pedal, steering wheel, and doors while accelerating between 20–50 mph—the same failure mode that triggered recalls for 2012–2014 Camrys. The shudder vanishes when the driver accelerates harder or releases the pedal. Toyota dealers confirm the torque converter is bad but refuse to repair it without a diagnostic code or check engine light—which rarely appears. Repair estimates run $2,000–$3,000. Owners report temporary fixes (battery disconnect, transmission relearn) that fail within hours.
Beyond shudder, owners report transmission shifts into 2nd gear on its own while Drive is selected, delayed acceleration of 1–2 seconds at stops, and erratic upshifting to high gears at low speed. Several owners describe the vehicle rolling backward while in Drive on slight inclines—a consistency issue compounded by gear shift indicator illegibility in sunlight, making drivers unsure which gear they've actually selected. One owner reported simultaneous brake and transmission failure when attempting to reverse. Dealership inspections frequently find no problem or decline to diagnose without a trouble code.
Owners are frustrated that Toyota claims the 2015 model fixed the defect, then refuses recall coverage while quoting thousands in out-of-pocket repairs for the identical failure pattern that affected previous years.
Same Toyota Camry powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Torque Converter Shudder/Vibration
Shuddering or vibration felt throughout the vehicle during acceleration, typically between 20–50 mph, often accompanying torque converter lockup. Sensation described as driving over rumble strips or a rough road. Owners report the shudder disappears when they accelerate harder or release the accelerator. Multiple dealers and technicians have confirmed torque converter failure as the cause. No check engine light typically illuminates despite the issue. Owners note this is the same defect that prompted recalls for 2012–2014 Camry models but was supposedly fixed for 2015; however, 2015 models exhibit identical symptoms.
When: Typically between 20–50 mph during normal driving; some reports at higher speeds (40–60 mph) as the failure progresses; mileage ranges from 30,000 to 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering or vibration felt in gas pedal, steering wheel, and doors; Vehicle feels like it's driving over rumble strips or rough road; Shudder occurs during acceleration between 20–50 mph; Shudder stops when accelerator is pressed harder or released; RPM drops before or during the shudder; Shudder worsens and spreads to higher speed ranges over time; No check engine light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement cost estimates range from $2,000 to $3,000. Dealers initially refused to diagnose or repair without a diagnostic code or check engine light. Some owners reported temporary relief from battery disconnect/relearn procedures, but the issue returned within hours. One dealership performed transmission replacement but shudder persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued a software update for 2012–2014 Camry torque converter shudder (Recall T-SB-0312-17 referenced in narratives). Toyota stated the issue was fixed for 2015 models but refuses to issue a recall for 2015 model year. One dealer demanded $250 for a software update for the 2015 model, which it claimed was not covered under warranty.
Transmission Shift Indicator Display Failure
Shift indicator on dashboard and/or instrument cluster becomes illegible or invisible in bright sunlight. Owner cannot reliably determine which gear the vehicle is in, increasing risk of unintended gear selection. In one incident, the digital dash display of gear selection only appeared for about one second, making it impossible to verify gear position during driving. Indicator is visible only when manually shielded from sunlight.
When: Occurs intermittently, triggered by bright sunlight or high glare conditions; no specific mileage mentioned
Symptoms owners cite: Shift indicator illegible in bright sunlight; Digital gear display on dash visible for only ~1 second; Indicator visible only when hand-cupped around it to block glare; Owner cannot determine current gear selection
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Unintended Transmission Shift to 2nd Gear
Transmission shifts into 2nd gear on its own while shifter remains in Drive, regardless of speed or driving conditions. Owner documented the issue with over 30 videos. This occurs both on highways and streets at various speeds, creating a sudden loss of power and raising safety concerns.
When: Occurred on showroom floor vehicle with only 13 miles at purchase; no specific mileage provided for subsequent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to 2nd gear without driver input; Shifter remains in Drive during unintended shift; Occurs at both fast and slow speeds; Occurs on highway and street driving; Multiple episodes documented
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Transmission Slip During Gear Change
Transmission slips when changing gears, causing hesitation and loss of power delivery. One owner reported transmission problems not found by Toyota dealer despite repeated visits. Another reported 4–5 second hesitation at speeds below 20 mph during 2nd to 3rd gear shifts.
When: No specific mileage provided; one report at speeds below 20 mph during low-gear shifts
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips during gear changes; Loss of acceleration responsiveness; 4–5 second hesitation during 2nd to 3rd gear shift at low speed; Dealer unable to diagnose problem
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Erratic Automatic Transmission Downshift Behavior
Transmission shifts to unnecessarily high gears at low speeds (e.g., 4th or 5th gear at 15–30 mph), behaving as if a manual transmission is in too high a gear. Transmission fails to downshift appropriately for acceleration or road conditions, resulting in poor throttle response and dangerously slow acceleration. Over time, the issue worsens and becomes almost undrivable.
When: Mileage not specified; issue worsens progressively over time
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission upshifts to highest gears at very low speed; Poor acceleration response; Dangerously sluggish acceleration or none at all; Feels like driving a manual transmission in too high a gear; Issue progressively worsens
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Vehicle Rollback While in Gear on Incline
Vehicle rolls backward even though transmission is in Drive, especially on slight inclines or when shifting from Brake to Accelerator. This occurs consistently and predictably, creating danger of rear-end collision. One incident involved the vehicle rolling back into a parked car while attempting parallel parking on an incline.
When: Consistent occurrence since purchase; one specific incident on parallel parking on an incline; another report of consistent rollback on small inclines
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while in Drive on incline; Rollback occurs when foot is removed from brake pedal; Rollback occurs during transition from brake to accelerator; Consistent, reproducible behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle struck parked car; $3,000+ damage estimate not attributed to repair but to collision damage
Brake and Transmission Simultaneous Failure During Reversing
Owner reports that while attempting to back out of a parking spot, the vehicle moved forward instead of backward, and the brakes did not respond. Two identical complaints from the same owner/situation suggest either a duplicate complaint or a systemic issue where transmission and brake system fail together. Toyota dealership performed a quick inspection and test drive but found no problem, leaving the owner with unresolved safety concerns.
When: August 13, 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moves forward instead of backward when Reverse is selected; Brakes do not respond when pressed; Simultaneous failure of transmission and brake system
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; Toyota dealership determined car was in normal condition after quick inspection and test drive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealership performed quick inspection and test drive, found no defect, and advised owner to return if problem recurs
Transmission Delayed Acceleration/Hesitation
After accelerating from a stop (e.g., at a stoplight), the vehicle hesitates for 1–2 seconds before responding to throttle input. This delay creates a safety risk when attempting to merge, turn, or pass. Engine revs without proportional increase in vehicle speed.
When: Mileage not specified; vehicle had 30,000 miles when issue first noticed
Symptoms owners cite: 1–2 second hesitation from stoplight; Engine revs without speed increase (RPM kicks in with delay); Dangerous in traffic scenarios requiring quick acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Check Engine Light and Transmission Failure
Check engine warning light illuminates while driving at undisclosed speeds. Dealer diagnosis indicated complete transmission replacement needed. Vehicle was not repaired and manufacturer was notified.
When: Failure mileage approximately 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; not performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified and case was opened
Engine Losing Power with Check Charging System Warning
Vehicle loses motive power immediately after startup, with 'Check Charging System' warning illuminating. Engine revs but car does not move in Drive or Reverse. Issue resolves after engine restart. Dealership unable to diagnose or replicate the problem.
When: 10 a.m. on a bright sunny morning; occurred once over a 6-day period
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but vehicle does not move; Occurs in both Drive and Reverse; Check Charging System warning light illuminates; A/C produces hot air instead of cold; Issue resolves after engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; dealership quality inspection found no problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership requested owner report back with specific conditions (time, temperature, weather) if issue recurs
Vibration at Sustained Speed (Non-Torque Converter)
Vehicle vibrates at approximately 55 mph. Initial diagnosis suspected tire issue; replacement did not resolve it. Subsequent dealer service replaced drive shaft and transmission, but vibration persisted. Manufacturer notified but vehicle was not repaired.
When: Failure mileage approximately 7,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibrating motion while driving at ~55 mph; Vibration recurs multiple times; Persists after tire replacement; Persists after drive shaft and transmission replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Drive shaft replaced, transmission replaced; issue not resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; vehicle not repaired
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When I accelerate to about 40 MPH there is shudder and rough ride like running over rough road. The car has 79,500 miles on it. The Toyota dealer says the problem is the torque converter. I have seen other reports of the problem on the internet.one person indicated it might need a software update but that is the only report like that I have seen. The dealer, team Toyota of princeton says it will…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 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 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 31,372 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,372; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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/2015/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.