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 ↗2019 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Toyota Camry have filed 110 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 5,000 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
110
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Camry | 33 |
| 2016 Camry | 18 |
| 2017 Camry | 5 |
| 2018 Camry | 183 |
| 2019 Camry (this page) | 110 |
| 2020 Camry | 30 |
| 2021 Camry | 11 |
| 2022 Camry | 5 |
| 2023 Camry | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 110 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 110 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.
Powertrain accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report a transmission that hesitates, lurches, and shifts harshly—problems that can worsen or culminate in complete failure. The most dangerous scenario: delayed acceleration from a stop or while merging, where the vehicle takes several seconds to respond, then jerks forward abruptly. Multiple owners describe near-miss accidents when the car failed to accelerate quickly enough to clear traffic.
A whining or buzzing noise from the transmission during acceleration is another red flag, sometimes accompanied by burnt transmission fluid and metal particles inside. Many failures occur around 65,000–85,000 miles, often just outside the 5-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty. The transmission may slip out of gear, get stuck in one gear, or quit entirely with little to no warning—no check engine light until after it's too late.
Dealerships frequently dismiss the hesitation and harsh shifting as "normal" or a "characteristic" of the transmission, or claim the car is still "learning." Service bulletins exist for earlier model years describing the exact same problem, yet dealers deny applicability to 2019s. No software update or recall has been issued. When the transmission fails completely, Toyota has refused goodwill assistance in multiple reports, and replacement units are on national backorder, leaving owners stranded for weeks without a vehicle and facing five-figure repair bills.
Same Toyota Camry powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Delayed acceleration and hesitation during gear shifts
Owners report significant delays when pressing the accelerator, particularly from a complete stop or at low speeds. The transmission hesitates before engaging, sometimes lasting several seconds, then lurches or jerks forward abruptly. This occurs in all driving modes and during normal driving conditions, not just aggressive acceleration. Multiple owners describe this as a safety hazard when merging onto highways or accelerating through intersections.
When: Occurs from purchase/early ownership through various mileages; reported as early as 5 miles and continuing at higher mileages. Some owners note it worsens over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Delay when pressing accelerator from complete stop; Hesitation before transmission engages; Abrupt lurching or jerking forward after delay; Inconsistent response to throttle input; Occurs during normal driving, not just aggressive acceleration; Happens in stop-and-go traffic and highway driving; Dangerous during merging and intersection crossings
Codes mentioned: No codes in many cases, P27137f, P08BB, P0746
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; Toyota dealerships claim it is normal operation or a characteristic of the transmission. Some owners report the issue persists after dealer inspections. Owners cite service bulletins like T-SB-0330-17 describing the same problem in 2018 models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin T-SB-0330-17 (referenced for 2018 models); dealerships deny the problem or call it 'normal' or a 'learning' phase. No recalls issued. Some dealers suggest no fix is available until Toyota releases a software update.
Transmission whining noise under acceleration
A persistent whining or buzzing sound emanates from the transmission during acceleration, increasing in pitch and volume as the accelerator is pressed, and ceasing when the accelerator is released. This occurs during normal acceleration and is reproducible under regular driving conditions. One owner reported burnt black transmission fluid with metal pieces when a transmission shop inspected the vehicle.
When: Can begin as early as 25,000 miles (warranty coverage end) and continue through 150,000+ miles. One owner reported whining starting a couple weeks after transmission service that did not include a fluid change.
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent whining or buzzing from transmission during acceleration; Noise increases in pitch and volume with accelerator pressure; Noise ceases when accelerator is released; Occurs during normal driving conditions, all speeds; Reproducible and consistent behavior
Codes mentioned: No warning codes in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shop found burnt black fluid with metal pieces; transmission requires full replacement. One owner reported the transmission shop advised that if fluid had been changed as scheduled, the service tech should have noticed the burnt fluid and flagged transmission concerns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Technical Service Bulletins T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21 acknowledge this issue in UA80F/E transmissions. Dealership service may not resolve the issue; full transmission replacement is required.
Complete transmission failure with loss of power
Transmission abruptly fails, resulting in total loss of power and inability to shift into any gear or maintain gear engagement. Vehicle stalls in traffic or becomes immobilized. Some failures occur with minimal warning; others follow a short period of rough shifting or hesitation. Multiple owners report no check engine light until after complete failure.
When: Mileage range: 61,900 miles to 150,098 miles, with many failures clustering around 65,000–85,000 miles. One owner reported failure at 81,000 miles; another at just 4 months of ownership. Several failures reported just outside the 5-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty window.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of all power while driving; Vehicle stalls and will not re-engage gears; Vehicle cannot be shifted into any gear; Vehicle stuck in one gear or slips out of gear; No acceleration capability; Check engine light appears after failure, not before; In some cases, rough shifting or hesitation precedes complete failure by days or weeks
Codes mentioned: P107A2A (fuel sensor issue), P12D501 (fuel pump control and electrical failure), C1201 (ABS fault), C1A50 (brake system fault), Solenoid-related codes, Pressure control solenoid faults, No codes until after failure in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required, with costs ranging from $9,000 to $10,599.67 as cited by owners. One owner reported transmission fluid was burnt and contained metal particles. Toyota transmissions are on national backorder; repairs delayed 3+ weeks. One owner reported dealer refused coverage despite correct maintenance, citing expiration of 5-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No goodwill assistance or recalls offered. Multiple owners report Toyota refused to cover repairs under warranty or goodwill. Owners cite multiple class action lawsuits filed against Toyota. Some dealers acknowledge this is a known issue with the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission in 2019 Camry and multiple Toyota/Lexus models. Technical Service Bulletins exist but do not address the root cause.
Harsh, jerky, or clunky shifting
Transmission exhibits rough, hard, or clunky shifts between gears, with noticeable jolting or jerking motion. Downshifting feels aggressive, as if the brakes were tapped. Shifts are delayed or unpredictable. One owner reported the issue occurs more systematically when re-accelerating from a rolling stop. Owners describe the sensation as the transmission not knowing what gear to be in.
When: Reported from early ownership (25,000 miles) through higher mileages. Some owners purchased vehicles new and experienced the issue shortly after.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, clunky, or jerky shifts between gears; Delayed downshifting; Aggressive braking sensation during downshift; Transmission uncertain about which gear to engage; Jerking back-and-forth when accelerating; Lurching forward in an aggressive manner during re-acceleration from low speed; Sluggish or slow downshift response
Codes mentioned: No codes in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available. Owners are told by dealers that the behavior is normal or a characteristic of the transmission. One owner reported being told the transmission is 'learning' and will improve over time; however, the issue persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships claim rough shifting is normal operation. Service bulletin T-SB-0330-17 reportedly describes the same problem for 2018 models but dealerships deny applicability to 2019 models.
Transmission slipping and failure to maintain gear
Transmission slips out of gear or fails to remain engaged in the selected gear during acceleration or cruising. Engine revs without corresponding vehicle acceleration. Vehicle may suddenly downshift to a lower gear or shift erratically without driver input. Fluid may leak, causing further slipping.
When: Reported across a wide range of mileages from 25,000 to 150,000+ miles. One case cited slipping followed by complete failure within 2 weeks.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revving without vehicle acceleration; Transmission slips out of gear; Erratic shifting without driver input; Inability to maintain selected gear; Transmission fails to find correct gear during acceleration; Vehicle loses power or speed despite engine revving
Codes mentioned: No codes in many cases until failure is complete
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required. One owner reported transmission fluid was burnt with metal particles. Another reported fluid leak causing loss of power.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No preventive recalls or service bulletins reported for this specific failure mode. Owners must pay out-of-pocket after warranty expiration.
Transmission fluid degradation and metal particulates
Transmission fluid becomes burnt, discolored, or oxidized, and contains metal shavings or particles. This indicates internal wear or failure within the transmission. In one case, despite the fluid being changed at the correct service interval, the replacement fluid appeared burnt and contained metal, suggesting the transmission was already degrading at the time of service.
When: Detected during transmission service or inspection, often after owner reports other symptoms. One owner noted burnt fluid found 2 weeks after transmission service that was supposed to include a fluid change.
Symptoms owners cite: Burnt or discolored transmission fluid; Metal shavings or particles in fluid; Black, burnt-smelling fluid; Oxidized fluid appearance
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shop found burnt black fluid with metal pieces, requiring full transmission replacement. One owner reported the service advisor acknowledged the fluid did not appear to have been changed properly during the scheduled service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota recommends against flushing the sealed transmission; fluid is not normally changed unless failure is evident. Service bulletins T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21 address transmission issues in UA80F/E units but do not specify preventive fluid management for early degradation.
No warning lights until complete failure or safety-critical event
Owners report little to no warning before transmission failure. Check engine light may not illuminate until after the vehicle has lost power or become immobilized. Other safety-related warning lights (pre-collision system, brake system, lane departure) may illuminate only after transmission failure is imminent or after other electrical issues cascade.
When: Consistently reported across failure scenarios. In most cases, no warnings appear until the transmission has already failed or is about to fail catastrophically.
Symptoms owners cite: No check engine light prior to failure; No warning messages until after failure begins; Safety system warnings appear only after transmission failure is imminent; Sudden failure without prior diagnostic indicators
Codes mentioned: CEL codes may appear after failure, Pre-collision system malfunction codes after failure, Secondary collision brake system malfunction after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Lack of early warning makes it difficult to prevent catastrophic failure. One owner reported that after a transmission fluid change, the dealership noted no fluid change on the service receipt and claimed they could not prove it was done, yet the car exhibited burnt fluid shortly after.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No proactive diagnostic or warning protocol mentioned. Owners indicate Toyota lacks a means to alert owners to imminent transmission failure.
Engine over-revving and unintended acceleration
Engine revs excessively or vehicle accelerates unexpectedly despite driver attempting to maintain steady speed or brake. One owner reported the vehicle revving continuously while idling. Another reported the car lunging forward abruptly after hesitation, simulating intentional hard acceleration when the driver was merely attempting a normal turn.
When: Reported in early ownership and during various driving conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine over-revving at idle or during normal driving; Continuous high idle RPMs; Abrupt, unintended acceleration after hesitation; Vehicle lurches forward without corresponding driver input; Engine revs and jumps RPM significantly
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported the dealership found no warning codes despite the issue being present, and the owner was advised to continue driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins mentioned for this specific symptom.
Transmission failure with braking and safety system involvement
Transmission failure occurs in conjunction with or triggers failure of braking, anti-lock braking, and pre-collision safety systems. Vehicle may experience unintended braking, refusal to accelerate, and loss of vehicle control. ABS and brake system fault codes appear alongside or after transmission failure.
When: Reported in cases where transmission failure cascades into electrical or mechanical failures of related systems.
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended braking during normal driving; Refusal to accelerate despite driver input; Loss of vehicle control; Brake actuator producing loud whining or buzzing noise; Pre-collision system malfunction; Secondary collision brake system malfunction; ABS warnings illuminate; Traction control warnings illuminate
Codes mentioned: C1201 (ABS fault), C1A50 (brake system fault), Pre-collision system malfunction codes, Secondary collision brake system codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend transmission replacement despite active brake and ABS fault codes. Condition temporarily resets after battery disconnect but returns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No clear manufacturer response to address the interconnection between transmission and brake/safety system failures.
Cold-start transmission issues and warm-up related failures
Transmission exhibits poor performance, slipping, harsh shifts, or hesitation until the vehicle warms up, particularly during cold weather or morning starts. One owner reported the issue worsens early in the morning (around 6:30–7:00 AM) with shaking and rattling.
When: Occurs during cold starts and in winter or morning conditions. One owner reported the issue happening consistently between 6:30–7:00 AM.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips during cold starts; Slow, difficult shifting until vehicle warms up; Stuck in 3rd or higher gear during cold operation; Abnormal transmission noise when cold; Vehicle shaking or rattling on early morning drives; Engine RPM increases but vehicle does not accelerate normally
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had the transmission diagnosed with internal failure including pressure control solenoid faults and burnt fluid with metal shavings.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No service bulletins or recalls specifically address cold-start transmission issues.
Torque converter failure
Torque converter loses functionality, resulting in loss of power and inability to accelerate. Vehicle coasts to a stop with no propulsion. One owner reported the dealership confirmed torque converter failure but was unable to pull diagnostic codes.
When: One case reported on-ramp at highway speed (50–75 MPH) with no prior warning.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power during acceleration; Vehicle will not accelerate despite engine running; Loss of all forward propulsion; No prior warning lights or indicators
Codes mentioned: No codes pulled by dealership; confirmed by independent shops
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required (torque converter is part of the assembly). One owner noted that multiple independent shops confirmed the issue where the dealership could not pull codes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins mentioned.
Synthesized from 110 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that during the cold season, the vehicle would need to warm up to function as intended. The contact stated that while driving while the vehicle had not warmed up, the transmission slipped and slowly shift gears. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it…
There is a very widely known issue with Toyota Camrys 2018 to 2024 due to the 8 speed automatic transmission. My safety reason for reporting is without warning I was accelerating to pull out at a intersection and it just started reving up to a high rpms and would not hardly move . This is gonna get some one killed this is very dangerous. Toyota already has 2 class action lawsuits due to these…
I purchased my Toyota Camry in 2020 with only 4995 miles on it from the Toyota dealership. It is now 2024 and I only have 69,000 miles on it and the transmission is bad. I took it Toyota and they revealed it is an inner transmission issue and I would need a completely new transmission. This is insane considering that Toyota makes money off of saying they have reliable cars. I have gotten…
The transmission in my 2019 Toyota Camry went from normal, expected operation to complete transmission failure in less than 2 weeks! There was no advanced notice of the issue until the transmission issues became so pervasive that I was already taking it in to be looked at. That was when the dashboard lit up with notifications of pre-collision system malfunction, drive-start control malfunction…
My 2019 Toyota Camry experienced a progressive transmission failure that created a safety concern. The issue began with intermittent loss of shifting on cold starts, where the vehicle became stuck in 3rd gear. Engine RPM would increase but the vehicle would not accelerate normally. Shifting into Park and back into Drive would temporarily restore operation. Over time, the condition worsened and…
My 2019 Toyota Camry SE experienced a transmission failure due to slipping gears. The issue became apparent when the car hesitating during acceleration, with noticeable jerking and a lack of smooth shifting between gears. Despite routine maintenance, the transmission’s performance progressively worsened, with the slipping becoming more frequent and severe. Now i'm unable to drive my car anymore.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2019 Toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 110 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 1,200 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 5,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,200; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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/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.