2016 Toyota Camry problems
The 2016 Toyota Camry has 184 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Toyota Camry has 184 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 26 complaints, typically surfacing around 54,470 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Camry | 301 | 0 |
| 2014 Camry | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 Camry | 268 | 0 |
| 2016 Camry (this page) | 184 | 0 |
| 2017 Camry | 148 | 1 |
| 2018 Camry | 727 | 2 |
| 2019 Camry | 387 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 45,000–67,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Toyota Camry 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Toyota Camry? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 26 owner reports · tends to show around 54,470 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 25 owner reports · tends to show around 56,977 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 68,899 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 35,666 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 54,470 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Toyota Camry
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2016 Toyota Camry
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~15,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~25,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~41,000 micruise control~$600
- ~44,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~51,669 miairbags~$1,100
- ~61,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
In july 2016 I was cresting the top of a hill when another vehicle pulled out in front of me causing me to hit my brakes. Upon braking and deceleration, I felt the car momentarily try accelerating through the brakes. This freaked me out and I pulled over to try and figure out…
I was driving on the freeway when the sunroof shattered. The vehicle is 1-1/2 years old. The outside weather was about 50 degrees and I had the heat on. Not sure if the inside/outside temperatures caused this, or if the body had settled or changed in some way to create pressure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota camry. While the vehicle was parked with the engine running , the gear shifter moved from the park position into the reverse position. The vehicle rolled backwards, ran over the contact, and struck a light pole in a parking lot. The contact was…
If steering wheel is turned to the right or left when I start the engine, while driving the wheel pulls in that direction while going down the street. If the steering wheel is straight when I turn on the engine and drive, the car goes straight down the street, no pull left or…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Camry reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Toyota Camry is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Toyota Camry?
The 2016 Toyota Camry is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 45,000–67,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Toyota Camry?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 26 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,470 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Toyota Camry a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 184 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 54,470 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Toyota Camry?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 26 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,470 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,470 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Camry has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Toyota Camry?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 184 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.