2021 Toyota Camry problems
The 2021 Toyota Camry has 154 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Toyota Camry has 154 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 75 complaints, typically surfacing around 59,514 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Camry | 727 | 2 |
| 2019 Camry | 387 | 2 |
| 2020 Camry | 263 | 0 |
| 2021 Camry (this page) | 154 | 0 |
| 2022 Camry | 57 | 1 |
| 2023 Camry | 60 | 1 |
| 2024 Camry | 46 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Toyota CAMRY 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Toyota Camry? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 75 owner reports · tends to show around 59,514 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 21,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 9,069 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 20,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,514 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Toyota Camry
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that after starting the engine, the warning message "Engine Maintenance Required" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there were no recalls or extended warranties related to the failure. The…
My car had parts eaten by rodents. Practically parts of the car are made from rodent food. The car also lacks a protection system against animals getting in the car. All systems started failing.
My 2021 Toyota Camry Se at 79,000 miles threw a PO705 code, neutral safety switch. I replaced it with a new part and it worked for about 10 minutes and then proceeded to throw code again and slip in the transmission
had brake issues a year into getting vehicle went back multiple times and blackstone toyota couldn’t fix issue still can’t and still there at dealer and now there’s airbag safety recall car has been at dealership for 4 months no resolution
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Toyota Camry is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Toyota Camry?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Toyota Camry does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Toyota Camry?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 75 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,514 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Toyota Camry a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 154 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 59,514 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 75 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,514 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,514 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Camry has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Toyota Camry?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 154 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.