TT: Currently under investigation. Please contact TAS if you have a vehicle that exhibits a leak from the Transmission Side Cover with no signs of damage or other conditions unrelated to regardless of miles or months in service. If it?s a Sunday or holiday continue with diagnosis and repair, save all parts and details, contact TAS on the next available work day and review details with TAS engineer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Toyota Camry have filed 183 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 16,800 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
183
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Camry | 6 |
| 2015 Camry | 33 |
| 2016 Camry | 18 |
| 2017 Camry | 5 |
| 2018 Camry (this page) | 183 |
| 2019 Camry | 110 |
| 2020 Camry | 30 |
| 2021 Camry | 11 |
| 2022 Camry | 5 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 183 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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 183 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.
Among the 21 model years of Toyota Camry in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
TT: Some 2018-2020 model year UA80/UB80 transmission equipped models may experience a leak from the Transmission Side Cover. This issue is currently under investigation. Vehicles are being sought regardless of months in service or mileage. Only seeking vehicles with leaking transmissions with no other signs of damage to the side cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗TT: For some repairs on 2017-2018 Sienna and Highlander and 2018 Camry vehicles equipped with the 8-speed transmission, it is necessary to determine transmission serial number and understand production date.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Camry powertrain, particularly the 8-speed automatic transmission, exhibits widespread and documented failures across the owner base. Owners describe jerking, harsh shifts, and 2–5 second delays when accelerating from stops or during traffic merges—a combination that creates real safety hazards. The transmission whines under load, sometimes before complete failure. Engine revs without proportional acceleration; when it finally engages, the vehicle may surge unpredictably.
Complete transmission failures occur from 65k miles onward, often without warning lights. The engine keeps running, but the vehicle won't move—dangerous when stuck in highway traffic. Repair costs run $6,000–$10,150, with 3–6 month wait times reported; one owner found transmissions on 60–90 day backorder across dealers due to volume.
Owners also report engine knocking, high idle, hesitation, and overheating without prior warning. The drive-by-wire throttle system lags 3–5 seconds before responding, compounded by the transmission logic upshifting during coast and then requiring multiple simultaneous downshifts, causing lurching. One master technician confirmed this as design-inherent but stated no fix exists.
Dealership responses are consistently dismissive: "within spec," "normal for this transmission," "computer needs to learn your driving," or "no codes, can't fix it." A handful of Technical Service Bulletins exist but provide limited relief. Toyota acknowledges 8-speed transmission issues in the Sienna and notes the 2018 Camry was an early application of this design. Owners report feeling abandoned; many note ongoing litigation and class-action concerns.
Same Toyota Camry powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Slipping, Hard Shifting, and Delayed Engagement
The 8-speed automatic transmission exhibits unpredictable jerking, harsh shifts between gears, delayed response when accelerating from stops, and loss of power. Engine revs without corresponding acceleration; when transmission finally engages, it may surge forward unexpectedly. This creates dangerous situations in traffic, particularly on highways and at intersections.
When: Symptoms reported from 20k miles through 178k miles; some failures occur very early (1.5k miles on new vehicles); typically worsens over time, with complete failure happening across the mileage range (65k–178k).
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or lurching when accelerating from stops; Delayed 2–5 second hesitation before transmission engages; Hard or rough shifting between gears; Engine revs without acceleration response; Clunking or thudding sounds during shifts; Unpredictable surging once transmission engages; Whining noise while accelerating; Loss of power during merge attempts
Codes mentioned: P26CB (detected in one report), P26CB71 (detected in one report), Check engine light (intermittent or absent in many cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement cited at $6,000–$10,150; repair times 3–6 months reported. Some owners report software updates and transmission fluid changes attempted without resolution; one report of transmission replacement not resolving underlying condition, requiring computer replacement as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota acknowledges the 8-speed transmission as new to 2018 Camry; some dealers claim behavior is 'normal' or 'within spec.' One dealer issued TSB-0043-19 (Technical Service Bulletin); however, limited success reported. Recall mentioned in one narrative; software updates attempted but often ineffective. Transmission parts reported on 60–90 day backorder due to volume of replacements needed.
Complete Transmission Failure—Vehicle Unable to Accelerate or Stops on Highway
Transmission suddenly fails to engage any gears; engine runs but vehicle will not move. No warning lights precede failure in most cases. Occurs while driving, including on highways at highway speeds, creating acute safety hazard—vehicle can become immobile in traffic lane, risking rear-end collision or accident.
When: Reported at mileage ranging from ~65k to 178k miles; failures described as sudden, with no prior warning in many instances.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine running but transmission disengaged—no power to wheels; Complete loss of acceleration despite pressing gas pedal; Engine RPM increases without vehicle movement; Vehicle stops in traffic or on highway without warning; No check engine light or warning lights (in most reports)
Codes mentioned: DTCs for Torque Converter failure (in one report), No codes in many other reports
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required ($8,900–$10,150 cited); one owner had vehicle towed and transmission awaiting diagnosis/replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealers have confirmed transmission failure requiring complete replacement. One dealer confirmed 'internal failure' via video inspection. No recall specifically noted for this failure mode, though owners cite ongoing litigation and class action concerns.
Engine Hesitation, Loss of Power, and Sluggish Acceleration
Engine lacks immediate response to throttle input; car feels sluggish or underpowered, particularly during acceleration or merge attempts. Engine may hiccup, sputter, or misfire during normal driving. Some reports describe a 'dead cylinder' feel or loss of smooth power delivery.
When: Reported from early ownership (within first week to first 1,000 miles) through higher mileages; symptoms can persist or worsen over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Sluggish engine response to accelerator pedal; Hesitation or delay in acceleration; Engine hiccupping or sputtering while driving; Loss of power, especially on inclines or during merge; Overall lack of smoothness in power delivery; Decrease in fuel economy (37 MPG down to 35.8 MPG reported in one case)
Codes mentioned: No codes reported in most cases, Computer diagnostics show 'nothing found' per dealer statements
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or repair without active error codes; one owner self-diagnosed and planned to replace spark plugs; no confirmed repairs in provided narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers typically state 'no codes' and cannot perform repairs; suggestion made to warm up vehicle or allow 'computer learning time,' which proves ineffective in most cases.
Engine Noise—Knocking, Ticking, Rattling, and Valve Train Sounds
Engine produces abnormal metallic sounds including knock, ticking, cracking, rattling, and shaking from startup and during operation. Sounds like metal or debris in engine or insufficient lubrication. Severity varies; some shake at cold startup, others persist or worsen. Can accompany check engine light or occur without warning lights.
When: Reported from first week of ownership through operation; one report notes problem starting in November 2017 (shortly after purchase in October 2017) and worsening over months to present day.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking, ticking, cracking, or rattling from engine; Sounds consistent with metal in engine or valve train noise; High-pitched whining at startup; Engine shaking or vibration, especially during cold start or acceleration; Loud noise while idling; Check engine light may or may not appear
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (intermittent, not always present)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership pulled engine in one case but could not identify root cause. No confirmed repairs; owner documented videos of noise but file format incompatibility prevented submission to NHTSA.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer response reported as 'couldn't find anything' and 'vehicle needs a light on or needs to be currently showing the problem' to diagnose. No repairs offered without active diagnostic codes.
High Idle and Throttle Response Issues
Vehicle idles at abnormally high RPM and remains in high-idle mode for extended periods, as if throttle is sticking. Vehicle may take several moments to respond to accelerator input; pedal feels stiff. Behavior suggests drive-by-wire system malfunction or throttle control fault.
When: Reported from first week of ownership through normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: High idle RPM persisting for extended time; Throttle appears to be sticking; Stiff accelerator pedal feel; Delayed response to pedal pressure; RPM does not match acceleration time
Codes mentioned: No codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealer visits noted but unable to diagnose without active codes.
Drive-by-Wire System Lag and Interaction with 8-Speed Transmission
Electronic accelerator (drive-by-wire) system introduces perceptible delay between driver's foot pressure and engine response. When combined with 8-speed transmission logic (which upshifts during deceleration to 6th or 8th gear), a second acceleration request forces multiple gear downshifts simultaneously, creating sudden lurching or tire spin. Technician confirmed this as design interaction rather than component failure.
When: From early ownership onward; one master technician acknowledged the issue as inherent to the system design.
Symptoms owners cite: 3–5 second hesitation between foot pressure and engine acceleration; Sudden jerking or lurching when accelerating after deceleration; Tire spin on ice or wet roads once transmission engages; Inconsistent response to pedal input
Codes mentioned: No codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; owners report workarounds: disabling eco mode, using mid-grade fuel, warming up vehicle, gradual acceleration, maintaining distance from other vehicles. These reduce but do not eliminate the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota acknowledges the problem but states it is 'normal' because other similar vehicles exhibit the same behavior. One master technician explained the design interaction but stated no fix is available.
Engine Overheating and Coolant Loss
Engine overheats without owner awareness of coolant loss. Heat gauge climbs to full 'hot' without warning; check engine light appears only after vehicle is already overheating. Dealership noted engine was 'very close to blowing up.'
When: Reported while driving on highway; owner attempted to drive on local roads home before addressing.
Symptoms owners cite: Heat gauge indicates 'HOT' without prior warning; Check engine light appears after overheating begins; Coolant level at zero with no visible leak; Engine smell of burning; Trouble accelerating during overheating state
Codes mentioned: P26CB (associated with overheating event)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner added coolant; vehicle ran fine for ~1 week before check engine light returned. Dealership scanned and found P26CB71 code; advised vehicle should have shut off automatically to prevent engine damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; dealership diagnosis only.
Transmission Shaking and Loss of Drive While Slowing/Stopping
While slowing or coming to a stop, transmission cannot decide which gear to engage, causing vibration, lurching, and potential stall. Transmission jerks forward unexpectedly at stops, creating risk of rear-ending vehicle ahead. Occurs intermittently, reproduces when transmission is in drive but not when shifted to neutral.
When: Reported at low mileages (1,500 miles on new vehicle) through normal ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration or shaking throughout car when slowing; Lurching forward while braking or at stops; Transmission cannot decide which gear to engage; Nearly stalling at low speeds or stop-and-go traffic; Nearly caused rear-end collisions due to unpredictable lurch
Codes mentioned: No codes reported (issue is intermittent and difficult to diagnose)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to fix; spent a full day on vehicle and could only reproduce issue once or twice after extended test drive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledged hearing other complaints about same issue on 2018 Camry but states they cannot fix intermittent failures without reproducible codes.
Accelerator Pedal Unresponsive or Non-Functional
Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive or non-functional, especially when backing up or turning. Engine runs, but pressing pedal produces no effect; vehicle does not accelerate. Issue resolves after shifting or restarting vehicle. Can occur multiple times over ownership.
When: Reported from early ownership; one report documents four separate incidents.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal does not respond to pressure; No acceleration despite pressing pedal; Master warning light and buzzer may appear; Message on display appears then disappears; Issue more common when backing up in reverse gear
Codes mentioned: Master warning light and buzzer (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership states no codes present; owner provided video evidence of fourth incident; dealership then showed increased interest but no repair outcome documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota initially refused to repair without error codes; showed more interest after video evidence provided.
Transmission Whining Noise Preceding Internal Failure
Consistent whining sound from transmission during acceleration, especially under load or at higher speeds. Sound becomes louder as vehicle speeds increase. Often precedes complete transmission failure or internal slipping/gear engagement issues.
When: Reported at 65k, 70k, 90k, and 94k miles; vehicle purchased used at 100k miles already exhibiting noise.
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous or intermittent whining from transmission; Noise increases with vehicle speed and acceleration; Noise loud enough to require music to mask it; Associated with slipping while shifting, inconsistent gear engagement
Codes mentioned: No check engine light (in most cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement quoted at $6,000–$10,000; owner unable to afford repair; one report confirms TSB-0043-19 issued but ineffective; transmissions on 60–90 day backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirms issue observed frequently in 8th generation Camry; confirms transmission failure diagnosis; TSB-0043-19 issued but limited success.
Transmission Failure Due to Torque Converter Defect
Transmission fails with internal diagnostic indicating torque converter failure. Vehicle loses ability to accelerate or hold gears; may shut off while driving.
When: Reported at mileages around 113k–115k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifting and gear slipping beginning ~11/04/2025 or ~11/08/2025; Sudden hesitation during acceleration; Engine revs but car fails to accelerate; Vehicle completely shuts off while driving on highway; Check engine light absent or appears late
Codes mentioned: DTCs for Torque Converter failure (confirmed by dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement at cost of $10,150; one owner's transmission awaiting replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealer diagnosed torque converter failure; no recall or warranty goodwill repair mentioned; owner requested goodwill reimbursement.
Park Shifter Malfunction—Vehicle Rolls in Park
Vehicle rolls backward down driveway despite shifter being in Park. Parking pawl appears to engage (heard clicking) as vehicle moves, but does not prevent motion. Vehicle nearly collides with neighbor's house and nearly strikes owner.
When: Reported at 33k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward in park down driveway; Engine running, doors unlock despite shifter in park; Parking pawl clicking/engaging as vehicle moves but not preventing motion; Vehicle continues to roll and engage parking pin along path; All doors relock as vehicle moves
Codes mentioned: None reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Harsh Downshift and Loss of Acceleration
Transmission downshifts abruptly and unexpectedly, particularly during highway driving or when maintaining steady speed. Loss of acceleration follows downshift; vehicle may require maintaining high RPM (3,000–4,000) to climb hills.
When: Reported at 66k miles and 80+ MPH highway speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt downshift without driver input; Loss of acceleration after downshift; Difficulty climbing inclines; Engine must maintain high RPM for low-speed power delivery
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (intermittent or subsequent)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission failure diagnosed; replacement required but parts on backorder at time of report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged failure; no other response documented.
Transmission Failure with Sudden Vehicle Deceleration
Vehicle suddenly decelerates from highway speed without driver input, nearly causing accident. Occurs twice in one ownership. May be related to forward collision avoidance system false activation or transmission fault.
When: Reported at 20k miles; vehicle purchased brand new; visited dealer 10–15 times.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration from 80 MPH to 50 MPH without brake application; No warning lights prior to first occurrence; Repeated event nearly caused crash second time; Brake rotors also failed
Codes mentioned: None reported (though manufacturer extracted black box data)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle remains at dealer; manufacturer extracting and researching black box data.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer extracting black box data; no repair completed; owner felt manufacturer was not willing to assist.
Synthesized from 183 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
My son was driving down Interstate 71 at approx 65 mph in our 2018 Toyota Camry when it lost power. He was able to pull off to the side of the road and turned the car off. Once the car was restarted, he was able to drive it (at a maximum speed of 35 mph) to the closest exit where he pulled into a gas station. While trying to back it into a parking spot, the car would not go into reverse. We had…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while on a construction site at work, the vehicle drove over a piece of rebar which damaged the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that after the issue the rearview camera failed to operate as needed with a blank or distorted image on the screen. The failure persisted and the traction control, check engine, and other various…
The automatic transmission has failed. The vehicle exhibits slipping, hard or delayed shifting, intermittent loss of drive, and most critically, the car completely shut off while I was driving on the highway, creating an immediate risk of a serious accident. Hard shifting and gear slipping began approximately 11/04/2025. The transmission warning light hasn't even come on. Sudden hesitation…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2018 Toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 183 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 64 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 6,900 and 31,000 miles, with the median around 16,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,900; a quarter make it past 31,000. 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/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.