OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota Camry electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Toyota Camry have filed 56 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 34,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Camry | 3 |
| 2015 Camry | 19 |
| 2016 Camry | 18 |
| 2017 Camry | 17 |
| 2018 Camry (this page) | 56 |
| 2019 Camry | 21 |
| 2020 Camry | 58 |
| 2021 Camry | 7 |
| 2022 Camry | 6 |
2crashes
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 56 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 56 electrical 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 electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 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 electrical 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.
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with A25A-FKS and M20A-FKS engines may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) upon cold soak start up with engine coolant temperatures between 14°F – 41°F: •P030027 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected (Emission) Signal Rate of Change Above Threshold •P030000 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected •P030100 – Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected •P030200 – Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected •P030300 – Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected •P030400 – Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested by FTS and/or FPE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a wide spectrum of electrical failures in the 2018 Camry. Battery issues dominate: rapid discharge when parked, requiring replacement within months of purchase, and complete failure to start without warning. Multiple owners describe jump-starting the vehicle or finding key fobs unresponsive—an unacceptable safety issue for a vehicle with low mileage. Cluster and display failures cause critical loss of visibility to odometer, fuel economy, cruise-control status, and maintenance alerts. Rodent damage to wiring harnesses has emerged repeatedly; owners report wiring insulation made from soy-based material attracts rodents, leading to chewed harnesses and electrical malfunctions that trigger warning lights and sometimes render the car undrivable. Advanced safety systems—lane departure, collision prevention, pre-collision warning—malfunction intermittently or fail to deploy when needed. Some owners report the vehicle applying brakes or coming to a full stop without cause. Backup cameras, door locks, window controls, and sunroofs fail intermittently. Power steering cuts out suddenly. Ignition systems refuse to engage after multiple attempts. Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously with no clear root cause or dealer resolution. Owners describe paying for repeated repairs—battery, MAF sensor, throttle body, water pump, wiring harnesses—without lasting fixes, and dealerships unable to diagnose or reproduce faults during testing.
Same Toyota Camry electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Battery discharge and starter failure
Battery dies when vehicle parked for short periods; rapid depletion despite low mileage; starter fails due to low battery power; key fob becomes unresponsive when battery depleted.
When: Early ownership; repeated within 4-6 months of replacement; vehicles with under 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dead after one day of non-use; No lights or engine cranking when attempting to start; Key fob unable to unlock doors or trunk; Requiring jump-start or jump box to start vehicle; Weak, high-pitched engine sound after jump-start
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement; some owners report aftermarket deep-cycle battery installed; dealer provided only low-charge diagnosis without repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty extension mentioned by owners
Rodent-damaged wiring harness (soy-based insulation)
Rodents chew through wiring harness insulation in engine compartment; soy-based coating on wires attracts rodents; occurs even after prior repair; repeated damage to same vehicle.
When: As early as 700 miles; recurs within months of prior repair; vehicle parked outside overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light and traction control warning illuminated; Vehicle shaking when accelerating; Multiple warning lights all go off simultaneously; Engine stalling or loss of power; Vehicle undrivable or requires towing
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Traction control malfunction, ABS warning
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement quoted $5,000 in some cases; some owners report insurance covered expense; dealers claim not responsible as external animal damage; repeated repairs unsuccessful as rodent damage recurs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not assist after being made aware; no recall issued; owner reports class-action lawsuit exists but not for 2018 Camry model
Instrument cluster display failure (blackout)
Multi-information display goes completely black, rendering instrument panel and safety features unreadable; cluster defective and requires replacement.
When: 53,252 miles at time of repair; occurs randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Screen flashes red BRAKE warning then goes 100% black; Odometer not visible; Fuel economy not visible; Cruise control status unknown; Gear selection indicator not visible; Safety feature warnings cannot be read; Maintenance messages not visible
Repairs/costs cited: Instrument cluster replacement; owner paid portion despite extended warranty; dealership charged diagnostic fee of $187; dealer stated replacement part carries only 1-year warranty despite being designed to last vehicle lifetime
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair offered with 1-year warranty on replacement part; manufacturer did not offer lifetime coverage or warranty extension
Idle control and fuel system malfunction
Rough, fluctuating idle both at stop and while driving; stalling at red lights and stop signs; sputtering and rattling after refueling; engine dies after being gassed up; multiple sensor replacements fail to resolve.
When: Mid to late July 2024 onwards; 4 months of repeated failures; under 200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough, fluctuating idle while parked and driving; Car stalls at red lights and stop signs; Sputtering and rattling after refueling; Engine dies three separate times after gassing up; Jerking and rough gear changes when not in Sport mode; Acceleration lag; Check engine light illuminates after parts replacement; Vehicle stranded at gas stations in unsafe locations
Codes mentioned: PO607 ECM, Multiple unspecified codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced twice in 6 months; air filter replaced; spark plugs replaced; O2 sensors (both) replaced; throttle body replaced; idle air control sensor replaced; MAF sensor replaced (new sensor triggered immediate check engine light PO607, requiring reinstallation of old sensor); repeated repairs over 4 months without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall mentioned
Brake system failure
Complete brake system failure on two separate occasions without warning; brakes unresponsive to pedal pressure; brake fluid bursts and leaks; emergency brake non-functional.
When: Separate incidents with no prior warning; braking failure when approaching other vehicle and later in residential driveway
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed to floor with no response or stopping power; Vehicle continues to accelerate instead of braking; Vehicle rear-ends another vehicle; Emergency hand brake non-functional; Brake fluid bursts under hood and leaks onto street and driveway
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to Toyota dealership; parts reported on back order with shortage cited as reason; no repair completed after over 3 months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued by Toyota for 2018-2019 Camry brake failure; parts on back order; Toyota service manager, customer relations manager, and corporate office unwilling to assist per owner; repair delayed indefinitely due to parts shortage
Power steering loss
Power steering functionality cuts out suddenly and returns just as suddenly; intermittent loss of assist during operation.
When: Intermittent failures; around 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering function; Power steering returns suddenly without driver action; Vehicle becomes difficult to steer during loss
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
SRS airbag and restraint system malfunction
SRS malfunction light and airbag warning lights illuminate; wiring harness torn; rear seatbelt alarm continuously sounds when no one seated; airbags may not deploy in accident.
When: Early ownership; purchased 2/17/20 and issue began two weeks later
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag malfunction light illuminated; Air bag malfunction warning light on; Rear seatbelt alarm continuously sounds with no occupant; Service vehicle warning light remains after battery replacement; Torn wiring harness in SRS system
Codes mentioned: SRS malfunction code, Service vehicle warning
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement required; quoted cost $4,900; owner states airbags may not deploy in accident if harness not replaced; vehicle not driven after discovery due to safety concern
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance offered; repair burden placed on owner
Advanced driver assistance system failures
Lane departure warning system fails to alert or assist; collision prevention system malfunctions repeatedly; blind spot detection stays illuminated after vehicle passes; pre-collision braking applies without cause; radar sensors malfunction.
When: Early ownership at 400 miles; intermittent throughout ownership; repeated failures during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Lane departure feature failed to prevent collision at low speed; Airbags did not deploy in collision; Collision prevention system disables intermittently on highway; Collision prevention system requires vehicle power cycle to restore; Radar sensors disable parking assist, lane assist, and rear traffic sensors; Pre-collision braking applies without cause or vehicle in path; Blind spot detection alert persists after vehicle passes; Vehicle applies full emergency brakes without obstacle
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump for automatic brake assist replaced April 2024; automatic brake assist failed while on vacation requiring drive without assisted brakes from New Orleans to Jackson, MS; software updates attempted but did not resolve issue; technician drove vehicle and reproduced problem but Team Toyota unable to fix even after field tech involvement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Four TSBs issued for lane departure but no recall campaign; manufacturer notified but no resolution provided per owner report
Transmission shifting and power loss issues
Transmission glitches and improper shifting; rough gear changes when not in Sport mode; transmission shifts erratically; loss of drive power intermittently; engine revs but car behaves as if in neutral.
When: Early ownership; intermittent failures in hot weather; multiple incidents within first few months
Symptoms owners cite: Rough, jerking gear changes; Transmission hesitates to engage when accelerating from stop; Car loses power and behaves as if in neutral; Transmission glitches and failure to shift properly; Loss of drive power after leaving a stop for about one car length before regaining power; Left turns from stop sign leave car powerless in cross traffic for several seconds; Engine revs but no forward movement; Occurs intermittently in hot weather; did not occur in winter; No warning lamps; dealership could not reproduce problem
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; dealership unable to reproduce problem; battery disconnection for 15 minutes reset ECU but required owner to retrain transmission over several days
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner reports fear of driving vehicle and selling as-is
Electric water pump and coolant system failure
Electric coolant pump actuator mechanically stuck; engine overheating warning; ICS malfunction light illuminated; pump failure documented under Toyota TSB-0323-17 as covered under Federal Emission Warranty.
When: At relatively low mileage; 54,500 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminates; ICS malfunction light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Engine overheating warning with instruction to park in safe place; Vehicle stalling when accelerating; Engine pulling and hesitation; Vehicle able to drive less than one mile before requiring dealership assistance
Codes mentioned: P26CB71 – Electric Water Pump Speed Stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Electric coolant pump actuator replacement quoted at $1,257.81; TSB-0323-17 explicitly covers this repair under Toyota Federal Emission Warranty for 96 months or 80,000 miles; owner reports dealer and EPA refused to honor warranty despite vehicle within time and mileage limits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSB-0323-17 December 8, 2017 stating repair covered under Federal Emissions Warranty 96 months/80,000 miles; dealer and EPA refused to honor warranty per owner report; violates 40 CFR §85.2107(a) per owner assertion
Door lock system failures
Touch-active door lock switches fail to respond; doors do not lock or unlock remotely or manually; inconsistent locking behavior.
When: Intermittent failures throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger door stopped locking car; Driver door lock stopped working; Remote door lock beeps but doors remain unlocked; Door unlock signal fails after car is locked; Doors must be locked manually; Inconsistent unlock response
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner must manually lock/unlock doors
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Backup camera failure
Backup camera stops transmitting video feed to vehicle screen; camera circuit fails without warning lamp; screen works intermittently.
When: Intermittent failures; no warning prior to failure
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera video feed stops appearing on screen; No check engine or warning lamp when camera circuit fails; Screen works intermittently; fails for entire ignition cycles; Screen functions normally when vehicle not in reverse; Owner must access hidden diagnostic menus to troubleshoot
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Rear cross-traffic sensor adhesion failure
Left rear cross-traffic sensor falls into rear bumper due to adhesion failure; occurs on same sensor for second time; constant dashboard alarm cannot be disabled.
When: First incident during Covid lockdown when loading groceries; recurred later
Symptoms owners cite: Rear cross-traffic sensor falls into bumper; Rear sensor failure alarm blinks constantly on dashboard; No way to disable sensor failure alarm; Service manager claims external force knocked sensor loose despite owner noting adhesive failure
Repairs/costs cited: Service department previously repaired same sensor claiming adhesive failure; repeated failure indicates design or material defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealer attributes to external damage despite evidence of adhesive failure
Panoramic sunroof motor failure
Sunroof stuck in open position; motor clicks continuously but roof does not close; sunroof not frequently used indicating lack of durability.
When: Vehicle not old at time of failure; sunroof not used often
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof stuck in open position; Motor clicks continuously without closing roof; Top portion only can be closed; motor must be disconnected; Sunroof cannot be opened or closed normally
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealership able only to close top portion and had to disconnect motor; repair cost described as outrageous
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage or manufacturer assistance documented
Windshield electrical fire
Windshield caught fire approximately 30 minutes after replacement installation; fire initiated at windshield attachment point to vehicle frame; electrical engineer retained by insurance.
When: 3/2/2021; 30 minutes after windshield replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Fire above rear view mirror at windshield attachment; Balls of fire dropping down inside vehicle; Fire occurred 2 inches from driver's right arm while driving on interstate highway during morning rush hour
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance provider retained electrical engineer to investigate; no repair resolution documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; appears to be electrical issue related to windshield installation or vehicle wiring
Exterior lighting failures
Multiple exterior light systems fail simultaneously; taillights, license plate lights, parking lights, and headlight parking lights all non-functional at same time.
When: Sudden multiple failures of unrelated light circuits
Symptoms owners cite: Both taillights non-functional; License plate lights non-functional; Parking lights non-functional; Headlight parking lights non-functional; Only brake light, turn signal, and brake light working; Vehicle not visible at night except by reflectors
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Brake light switch installation defect
Original brake light switch nut installed upside-down at factory; causes brake switch misalignment; leads to intermittent inability to shift into gear and likely intermittent brake light failure.
When: From factory; detected at 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle intermittently would not go into gear; Brake light switch misaligned due to reversed nut; Likely intermittent brake light non-function
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light switch replaced during replacement; original switch nut was installed backwards from factory
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; appears to be factory assembly defect
Active grille air shutter actuator malfunction
Active grille air shutter actuator failure in 2018-2020 Camry HV with A25A-FXS engine; Toyota TSB T-SB-0017-23 released April 2023 after warranty expiration for many vehicles; warranty coverage dispute with owner.
When: Issue identified April 2023; affected vehicles 2018-2020 model years; warranties expired 2021 for 2018 models
Symptoms owners cite: Active grille actuator failure
Repairs/costs cited: TSB T-SB-0017-23 addresses repair; no cost stated as dispute centers on warranty coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota released TSB T-SB-0017-23 April 2023 after 36-month/36,000-mile warranty expired; California Emission Warranty extended 180 months/150,000 miles for similar issue in Prius Prime (TSB T-SB-0319-17 November 2017); owner argues similar extension should apply to Camry HV vehicles; currently manufacturer places repair burden on out-of-warranty owners
Fuel pump and ignition system failures
Vehicle fails to start with ignition system warning; multiple start attempts required; fuel pump recall exists but some vehicles not covered; vehicle stalls or fails to start after gassing up.
When: Multiple incidents; owner had not changed battery in over 4 years; some incidents occur after gassing up
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start despite adequate battery charge; Ignition system not ready warning displayed; Multiple error codes display on screen; Requires 8-10 start attempts before engine turns over; Car dies after being gassed up three separate times; Vehicle will not start at all on some occasions; Vehicle stalls without warning; Vehicle fails to start after remaining parked
Codes mentioned: Multiple fuel pump-related codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: Key fob battery changed; owner notes fuel pump recall exists but their VIN not covered; no permanent repair solution provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel pump recall issued for some 2018 Camry models; owner's VIN found not under recall despite symptoms matching recall description
Electronic system wide failures (multiple systems simultaneously)
Multiple unrelated electronic systems fail at same time; widespread electrical malfunction affecting safety and comfort features.
When: Intermittent; can occur while driving or parked
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows non-functional; Air bags non-functional; Windshield wipers non-functional; Heads-up display non-functional; Climate control non-functional; Lane assist non-functional; Auto lights non-functional (must manually turn on); Seat warmers non-functional; Collision sensors non-functional; Traction control malfunction lights; Check engine lights; ABS warning lights; Lights turn off after 20 minutes despite manual activation; Multiple warning notifications continuously illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Traction control, ABS warnings, Multiple system malfunction codes
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement; battery terminal replacement; engine wiring harness replacement attempted; dealer unable to determine root cause; multiple repairs attempted without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented despite multiple dealership visits
Steering feel inconsistency (power steering stiffness)
When turning steering wheel at low RPM during complete left or right turns, steering alternates between stiff and loose; dealership unable to diagnose.
When: Intermittent; low-speed turning maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels hard and stiff; Steering wheel then feels loose; Stiff-loose pattern repeats during complete turn at low RPM; Occurs during complete left or right turns
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to find anything during inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response; dealership unable to diagnose
Electric power steering system malfunction light
EPS (Electric Power Steering) system malfunction warning light illuminates intermittently; comes on and off at different times.
When: Intermittent; began June 23, 2021 after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Electric Power Steering (EPS) system malfunction warning light illuminates; Comes on and off at different times; No other symptoms documented in narrative
Codes mentioned: EPS malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Door actuator failures
Door lock actuators fail; driver side actuator failed within first two years; front passenger door actuator now failing.
When: Driver side within first two years of ownership; passenger side failure occurring later
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side door actuator failed; Front passenger door actuator failing
Repairs/costs cited: Driver side actuator replaced within first two years of ownership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or warranty extension documented
Transmission shift quality and acceleration lag
Car can only be driven comfortably in Sport mode; jerking and rough gear changes in normal mode; acceleration lag; long time to pick up speed when accelerating.
When: Issue addressed since date of purchase; no serious concerns expressed by maintenance professionals initially
Symptoms owners cite: Concerning jerking and rough gear changes when not in Sport mode; Acceleration lag in normal driving modes; Car jumps forward at red light causing rear-end accident risk; Long acceleration time when entering highway; Transmission takes long time to pick up speed; Vehicle must be driven in Sport mode for acceptable performance; In normal mode, hesitation causes near rear-end incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Issue has been present since purchase and addressed multiple times; no permanent resolution; no serious concerns expressed by maintenance professionals despite ongoing issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall issued for this chronic condition
Forward collision warning and safety sensor false activation
Forward collision warning system triggers without vehicle in path; system activates when adjacent vehicle stops causing ego vehicle to brake suddenly.
When: Intermittent failures; multiple occurrences on highways
Symptoms owners cite: Pre-collision warning light and alarm activate without cause; Vehicle applies emergency brakes without obstacle in path; Forward collision system triggers when adjacent vehicle (not in path) stops; Vehicle executes full stop when car in adjacent lane stops; Terrifies passengers; Creates hazard as rear vehicles may not anticipate sudden stop
Repairs/costs cited: Software updates performed at $800+ cost; problem persisted; dealership unable to fully resolve despite multiple test drives and regional field tech involvement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No permanent solution provided; owner has case number with Toyota Brand Engagement but unresolved
Thermostat and forward collision warning intermittent issues
Forward collision warning light illuminates when raining; engine check light illuminates with code P01280; dealership diagnoses thermostat failure at low mileage; neither light reappears for weeks.
When: 54,500 miles; only occurs when raining
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision warning light illuminates only during rain; Check engine light illuminates with code P01280; Neither light reappears for weeks after initial occurrences
Codes mentioned: P01280
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealership diagnosed thermostat replacement needed; owner questioned diagnosis as thermostat should not fail at 54,500 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Fuel economy display inaccuracy
Fuel economy estimates inaccurate; mileage range shown decreases despite same fuel amount and same driving pattern; display shows 400 miles initially then drops to 320-350 miles on same tank.
When: Intermittent; multiple refueling cycles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel economy estimate inaccurate; Mileage range drops from 400 miles to 320-350 miles on same fuel amount; Inconsistent fuel economy calculations
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; dealership found everything okay with car
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Vehicle stability and shaking at highway speeds
Vehicle shakes at speeds above 65 mph; shaking severe enough that owner fears vehicle may flip over; occurs during passing maneuvers on highway.
When: At low mileage (38,000 miles); occurs every time speed exceeds 65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shakes at speeds above 65 mph; Shaking severe enough to fear vehicle will flip; Occurs during highway passing attempts; Shaking continues while maintaining highway speed above 65 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated everything okay with vehicle; no recall mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response; dealership failed to inform owner of fuel pump recall
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota camry. Upon starting the vehicle, the traction and check engine warning indicators illuminated. Also, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started shaking. The vehicle was taken to darcars 355 Toyota rockville (15625 frederick rd, rockville, md 20855 (301) 340-0900) where it was diagnosed that rodents chewed through the insulation and wiring,…
Electronic malfunction occurred while driving. Power windows, air bags, windshield wipers, heads up display, climate control, lane assist, auto lights, seat warmers, lane assist and collision sensors not working. Since auto-lights feature not working, I had to manually turn on lights and after 20 minutes of driving, they shut off.
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 electrical problem on the 2018 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 5,000 and 65,200 miles, with the median around 34,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 65,200. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2018/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.