VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Camry1997–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Camry
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Camry Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 2401 complaints
132 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
5 recalls · 828 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
5 recalls · 738 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 10 past investigations into the Camry became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Toyota Camry — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 110 | 12 | — | 55 | 34 | 48 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 127 | 13 | — | 52 | 49 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 45 | — | — | 62 | 62 | 62 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 41 | 7 | — | 62 | 72 | 66 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 51 | 12 | — | 62 | 79 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 103 | 4 | 1 | 57 | 82 | 66 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 3 | 193 | 14 | — | 43 | 81 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 6 | 343 | 18 | — | 37 | 77 | 51 | Good |
| 2018 | 6 | 569 | 43 | — | 37 | 71 | 49 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 114 | 18 | — | 52 | 64 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 2 | 132 | 28 | — | 47 | 57 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 192 | 10 | — | 45 | 50 | 47 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 310 | 29 | 1 | 37 | 44 | 39 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 180 | 15 | 1 | 44 | 39 | 42 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 2 | 427 | 58 | — | 37 | 35 | 36 | Good |
| 2011 | 4 | 408 | 64 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2010 | 6 | 410 | 49 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2009 | 5 | 828 | 54 | 2 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Caution |
| 2008 | 5 | 738 | 54 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2007 | 5 | 2401 | 132 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 4 | 251 | 123 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2005 | 3 | 522 | 101 | 15 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2004 | 1 | 488 | 109 | 3 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2003 | 0 | 487 | 78 | 3 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2002 | 2 | 625 | 78 | 5 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2001 | 2 | 216 | 40 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 2000 | 2 | 324 | 60 | 2 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 1999 | 2 | 399 | 78 | 2 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 1998 | 3 | 397 | 21 | — | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
| 1997 | 4 | 378 | 44 | 3 | 37 | 32 | 35 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Camry Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Camry compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 68).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 56).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Camry to buy?+
The 2022 Toyota Camry scores highest on our Buyer Score (68/100) — combining a reliability score of 62/100 with a value score of 79/100. It has 1 recall and 51 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Camry years have the most problems?+
The 2007, 2009, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2007 Camry leads with 5 recalls and 2401 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Camry problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Camry issues involve: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.