OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Toyota Camry engine problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Toyota Camry have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 42,000 miles 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 →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Camry | 17 |
| 2016 Camry | 8 |
| 2017 Camry | 9 |
| 2018 Camry | 49 |
| 2019 Camry (this page) | 32 |
| 2020 Camry | 33 |
| 2021 Camry | 6 |
| 2023 Camry | 4 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 32 engine complaints filed for the 2019 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 32 engine 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 engine 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 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.
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause "Engine Maintenance Required" to be displayed on the instrument cluster or cause the A/C not to function normally. Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Camry models describe a cluster of serious engine problems. The most severe involve head gaskets blowing and water pumps failing at mileages as low as 29,000 to 60,000 miles—well short of typical component life. One owner at 116,598 miles reported a sudden blown head gasket with a check engine light as the only warning, despite regular Toyota dealership service and no prior overheating symptoms. Temperature gauges appear unreliable; several owners found their engines running dangerously hot while gauges showed normal readings.
Power loss and hesitation during acceleration are widespread. Owners report the engine struggles to deliver throttle response, takes 1–5 seconds to accelerate from a stop, and loses power during highway merges and turns in traffic—creating dangerous driving situations. Dealerships often cannot replicate these issues in the shop, though some directly link them to a fuel pump recall (NHTSA 20V682000) that lacks a remedy.
Engine stalling while driving—sometimes three times in a week—appears repeatedly. One owner experienced jerking and check engine lights accompanied by steering wheel lock-up. An unintended acceleration incident caused one driver to lose control and hit a building. Engine block cracking, misfire codes, ECM failures, and fuel line separation while driving have also been reported. Service advisors mention coolant bypass valve failures (P28AE code) as a recurring high-volume issue at dealerships. Most troubling: owners cannot obtain repairs because dealers refuse warranty coverage, mechanics refuse to rebuild transmission or engine due to known defects, and Toyota has not notified all owners of applicable recalls.
Same Toyota Camry engine reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Head Gasket Failure / Engine Overheating
Engine overheating leading to blown head gaskets, coolant leaks into cylinders, and engine damage. Owners report the temperature gauge failed to indicate overheating while the engine ran hot. Water pump failures also contributed in several cases.
When: 116,598 miles; 160,000 miles; 55,000 miles; 53,537 miles; 29,090 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Temperature gauge rising rapidly or reading abnormally; Engine running hot with no gauge warning; Coolant leaking into bank two; Engine noise and vibration; ABS and service brake lights illuminating
Codes mentioned: P26CB71 (Engine Coolant Pump Actuator Stuck), No code (temperature gauge malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement ($5,335); water pump replacement ($500 parts and labor); head gasket repair attempted but not completed in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 24TE04 (coolant pump); Federal Emissions Warranty referenced but dealers refused coverage in some instances; Toyota conducted internal investigation in one case; Extended Warranty did not cover water pump failure
Loss of Power / Hesitation During Acceleration
Engine loses power or hesitates during acceleration, especially at stops, turns, and when merging into traffic. Owners report inconsistent throttle response, the engine feeling like it's not getting enough fuel, and dangerous driving conditions during turns and highway merging.
When: Early in ownership (20,000 miles mentioned); recurring throughout ownership; at stops and during turns
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when pressing gas pedal; 1–5 second delay before acceleration registers; Engine jerking and shaking during acceleration; Power loss during turns in traffic; Engine seems to die when accelerating; Check engine light illuminating; High RPM jumps (100–700 RPM swings); Sluggish performance
Codes mentioned: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), Fuel pump recall mentioned by owners (remedy not yet available)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement or repair pending; dealerships unable to duplicate issue in service bays
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel pump recall issued (20V682000) but remedy not yet available; Toyota did not notify all owners of recall; lawsuit pending due to lack of recall notification
Engine Stalling While Driving
Engine stalls or loses power completely while vehicle is in motion on city streets and highways. Owners report the car coasting without power, jerking, check engine lights, and in one case the steering wheel locking.
When: First week of ownership (pre-owned purchase); during city and highway driving; at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving; Jerking motion before stall; Check engine light; Steering wheel lock-up (one case); Vehicle coasts without power; Recurring stalls (multiple incidents in a week)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; one vehicle taken to AutoZone but no repair details provided
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own while owner had foot on brake, causing loss of control and collision with curb and building. Serious safety incident with potential for injury.
When: During slow-speed right turn into drive-through
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration with foot on brake; Loss of vehicle control; No warning before event
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to local repair shop; $8,500 estimated damage; not yet repaired; owner states will not trust driving vehicle again
Engine Misfire (Cylinder Bank Failure)
Cylinder misfire detected in bank two and other cylinders, causing rough running, shaking, and power loss. One case involved fuel injector failure in bank two; another involved head gasket failure with coolant in bank two.
When: Not specified; diagnosed during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shakes and runs rough; Reduced power, especially during acceleration; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire), Bank two fuel injector failure (diagnosed), Head gasket failure with coolant leaking into bank two
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replaced; head gasket repair refused by dealer; misfire not resolved after first repair
Coolant Pump / Coolant Bypass Valve Failure
Engine coolant pump actuator stuck or coolant bypass valve fails, risking overheating, sudden engine failure, and emissions non-compliance. Service advisors report this is a widespread issue at dealerships.
When: Not specified; reported as ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Temperature gauge abnormalities; Engine overheating risk; Emissions warning
Codes mentioned: P28AE (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve B), P26CB71 (Engine Coolant Pump Actuator Stuck)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement required; one dealer quoted $1,616.46 and refused to cover under warranty; owners report weekly repairs at service centers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 24TE04 mentioned; Federal Emissions Warranty referenced but denied by dealers; Toyota corporate ignored formal demand letter
Water Pump Failure
Water pump fails, causing overheating and engine damage. Multiple owners report failure at relatively low mileage for a component with this responsibility.
When: 53,537 miles; 60,000 miles; 55,000 miles; 29,090 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Temperature gauge rising; Overheating message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: $500 parts and labor quoted; replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended Warranty does not cover water pump; not covered under standard warranty
Fuel System Issues (Fuel Pump, Fuel Line)
Fuel pump malfunction or fuel line separation causing hesitation, power loss, and engine entering limp mode. One owner's fuel line came out while driving, creating fire risk.
When: Various; fuel pump recall (20V682000) issued but remedy not yet available
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation and power loss; Check engine light; Fuel line disconnection (one case); Limp mode activation; Fire risk (fuel line separation case)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel line replaced in one case; fuel pump replacement pending for recall campaign (no remedy available yet)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued (20V682000); remedy not yet available; Toyota did not proactively notify some owners
Engine Block / Internal Engine Damage
Engine block cracked or pieces shattered, causing oil leaks and engine failure. One owner reported technician noted vehicle 'looked like it had been in an accident' despite no collision history, raising questions about internal defects.
When: 30,000 miles; 116,598 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from engine; Engine failure and stalling; Loud clicking noise; Vibration and shaking
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required ($5,335 in one case); pieces of engine shattered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota corporate investigating in one case; technician noted possible accident damage (disputed by owner with no collision history)
Engine Control Module (ECM) Failure
ECM fails without apparent cause or prior warning, requiring replacement. Dealer unable to determine root cause of failure.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No prior warning or symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement required
Engine Noise (Loud Clicking)
Engine makes loud clicking noise and vibrates heavily during operation. One case noted vehicle may not have correct motor installed.
When: 1,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking noise from engine; Vibration and shaking while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer suspected incorrect motor installation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; second dealer unable to replicate issue during test drive
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Toyota camry. The contact stated that the engine made a loud clicking noise. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle vibrated and shook. The vehicle was taken to swope Toyota (1085 north dixie highway, elizabethtown, ky 42701, 270-737-2181) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle may not have the correct motor. The vehicle was also taken to oxmoor Toyota (8003…
Had engine trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 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?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,000 and 53,537 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 53,537. 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 $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/2019/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.