TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Toyota Camry airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry have filed 75 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
75
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Camry | 20 |
| 2018 Camry | 19 |
| 2019 Camry | 22 |
| 2020 Camry | 45 |
| 2021 Camry (this page) | 75 |
| 2022 Camry | 10 |
| 2023 Camry | 4 |
| 2024 Camry | 4 |
| 2025 Camry | 5 |
9crashes
12injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 75 airbags complaints filed for the 2021 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Airbags accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 75 airbags 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Camry's airbag system shows two distinct problem clusters: a widespread recall that remains unresolved, and isolated but serious deployment failures.
Most complaints stem from NHTSA recall 23V865 (issued December 20, 2023), affecting the front passenger OCS sensor. Owners receive recall notices confirming parts are not available, then face a runaround: dealers say "come back when parts arrive," Toyota says "contact the dealer," and months to over a year pass with no remedy. The airbag warning light stays on, sometimes obstructing the speedometer. Owners report financial consequences—inability to refinance, register salvage-title vehicles, or return rental cars—while Toyota offers no alternate documentation. One owner paid $8,000+ for a misdiagnosed electrical repair that turned out to match the eventual recall fix.
Separately, three owners describe collision crashes where airbags failed to deploy entirely (one involving certified crash data showing delta-V -9.3 mph frontal impact and rollover conditions), resulting in occupant injuries. Toyota stated one system "worked as designed" but owners cite federal safety standards suggesting deployment should have occurred. A fourth owner's deployed driver airbag lacerated his forearm (wound larger than 50 cents), requiring EMS intervention.
Dealers confirm parts non-availability; Hertz rented at least one affected Camry despite claiming no open recalls are sent out. No timeline for remedy is confirmed.
Same Toyota Camry airbags reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
OCS Sensor Defect – NHTSA 23V865 Recall (Passenger Airbag)
Front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors improperly manufactured, preventing passenger airbag deployment or causing improper deployment timing during collision. This is the core of NHTSA Campaign 23V865 issued December 20, 2023. Owners report the airbag warning light illuminating and remaining on, with dealers confirming parts unavailable for extended periods.
When: Recall issued December 2023; complaints span 2023–2024 timeframe; failure mileage varies 50,000–149,000 miles on affected vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument cluster; Audible chime accompanying warning light; SRS airbag system malfunction message displayed; Warning light partially obscures speedometer and instrument cluster visibility; Seatbelt chime activating constantly
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 23V865, Manufacturer 23TB15
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota and dealers confirm parts not available for repair as of complaint dates through 2024. One owner reported paying $8,000+ for dealership electrical harness repair initially misdiagnosed as non-recall issue; subsequent recalls used the same repair. No official remedy timeline confirmed beyond estimate of Q3 2024, which remains uncertain.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V865 / 23TB15 issued December 20, 2023; remedy status 'Not Yet Available.' Toyota has declined out-of-warranty repairs citing lack of current recall applicability. Manufacturer offered rental vehicle assistance in one case. Multiple references to parts distribution disconnect.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Collision
Airbags failed to deploy during frontal and multi-impact crashes despite impact forces that should have triggered deployment. One certified crash data event recorded delta-V -9.3 mph frontal collision and rollover (roll angle 9.8°, roll rate 45.6°/sec); no frontal, knee, or curtain airbags deployed. Another crash at 35 mph involved front passenger side impact with no deployment. Toyota stated one system 'worked as designed' but owners assert federal safety standards (FMVSS 208, 226) suggest deployment should have occurred.
When: Incidents reported 2022, 2024 timeframe; mileage 35,000–unknown
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment upon frontal collision impact; No knee airbag deployment; No curtain airbag deployment during rollover; No airbag warning light prior to crash (in some cases); Occupant injuries sustained (arm, wrist lacerations, back/neck injury, whiplash, concussion)
Codes mentioned: Airbag Control Module (ACM) crash data recorded
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed post-crash; one deemed total loss. Owners request formal investigation and black-box examination. One owner sustained arm laceration >50 cent piece size with heavy bleeding requiring EMS bandaging; knee abrasion below impact site.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated one system worked 'as designed' with no defects found. No formal recall or remedy issued for non-deployment incidents. Owners pending formal NHTSA investigation response.
Airbag Cover Laceration / Physical Injury from Airbag Deployment
During a rear-end collision (vehicle hit at 45 mph cruise control set to posted limit), driver airbag and knee airbag deployed. Airbag cover edge cut driver's left lower forearm above wrist, creating a laceration larger than 50 cent piece with immediate swelling and bleeding. Knee airbag caused abrasion below knee with broken skin.
When: June 1, 2022; 45 mph rear-end collision
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag cover laceration on left forearm above wrist; Immediate swelling and profuse bleeding; Knee airbag abrasion below knee with broken skin; Occupant required EMS care and thick bandaging to control bleeding
Repairs/costs cited: EMS bandaged wrist with thick dressing to control bleeding; additional bandaging applied below knee. Vehicle towed to collision center for assessment. No pre-crash warning lamps or symptoms reported.
Recall Notification Delay / Non-Disclosure at Sale
Multiple owners report purchasing used 2021 Camry vehicles from authorized Toyota dealers without disclosure of open, unrepaired recalls (23V865). Owners discovered recalls independently via NHTSA VIN lookup or later notice. One used vehicle purchased July 2023 had recall issued December 2023. Owners cite breach of consumer transparency and safety responsibility. One owner unable to register salvage-title vehicle until recall remedy available or manufacturer letter provided; Toyota dealership unable to provide remedy or letter.
When: Recall 23V865 issued December 20, 2023; complaints filed 2023–2024
Symptoms owners cite: Discovery of open recall post-purchase without prior disclosure; Dealership staff stated 'no remedy available' when contacted; Inability to refinance vehicle due to unresolved recall; Inability to register salvage-title vehicle pending recall resolution; Dealership unable to provide written confirmation of parts non-availability for registration
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 23V865
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; VIN tool confirms parts not available across all dealers contacted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V865 issued with 'Remedy Not Yet Available' status. Toyota directed owners to dealerships; dealerships directed owners back to manufacturer. No alternative documentation provided for registration or refinancing purposes.
Rental Company / Third-Party Liability – Rental Vehicle with Open Recall
Owner rented 2021 Camry from Hertz after December 20, 2023 (most recent recall date). Owner specifically asked Hertz if recall applied; Hertz stated they do not send out vehicles with open recalls. Vehicle nonetheless had open 23V865 recall. Hertz has not contacted owner for vehicle return per recall status.
When: Post–December 20, 2023 rental
Symptoms owners cite: Rental vehicle had open recall unknown to renter; Rental company misrepresented recall status
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 23V865
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V865 has not been remedied.
Synthesized from 75 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and offered to pay for a rental vehicle for the contact; however, the…
There is an airbag recall with no remedy available. I’m very concerned about driving my car without this being fixed. Toyota shows the parts should have been available by now. How can they allow this to go unfixed when they are putting lives at risk? I called my dealer and they said it wasn’t fixable yet.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact…
This recall still has no solution from Toyota and I would like to submit a complaint that it has been a year and still no recourse.
My vehicle has had an open recall since December 20th, 2023 on the passenger airbag not deploying due to being manufactured improperly. I have reached out to Toyota and they still do not have a remedy for the issue and have no time frame on a fix. This is a major safety issue and negligent on their end. They have numerous vehicles that were affected by this recall. The increase in injury due to…
The SRS Airbag System Malfunction appears on the instrument cluster and will not go away. it hinders me from seeing my speed and other features on my car; it is annoying as well. The seatbelt dinger goes off constantly and will not stop, It has been long enough for Toyota to come up with a remedy to correct the issue. The issue right now is NHTSA not doing their job and making Toyota do their job…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the camera and side view mirror for the blind spot monitor alert message were displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local…
Had airbags trouble with your 2021 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 airbags problem on the 2021 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 75 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 75 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 59,514 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2021/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.