Toyota Camry Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Toyota Camry model year (1997–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota Camry Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 2401 complaints
132 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 2677
6 recalls · 827 complaints
54 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 963
4 recalls · 738 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY
Problem score: 858
Best Toyota Camry Years to Buy
1 recall · 42 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 45
2 recalls · 39 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 59
0 recalls · 48 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 72
Found the right year? Verify that specific Camry with a free VIN report.
Toyota Camry — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 73 | 6 | — | 85 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 114 | 9 | — | 132 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 42 | — | — | 45 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 2 | 39 | 7 | — | 59 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 48 | 12 | — | 72 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 102 | 4 | 1 | 115 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 186 | 14 | — | 217 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 6 | 334 | 18 | — | 388 | Good |
| 2018 | 6 | 550 | 43 | — | 654 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 114 | 18 | — | 153 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 129 | 28 | — | 185 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 192 | 10 | — | 215 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 3 | 310 | 28 | 1 | 380 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 180 | 15 | 1 | 221 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 2 | 427 | 58 | — | 549 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 406 | 64 | — | 549 | Good |
| 2010 | 6 | 406 | 49 | — | 522 | Good |
| 2009 | 6 | 827 | 54 | 2 | 963 | Caution |
| 2008 | 4 | 738 | 54 | — | 858 | Good |
| 2007 | 4 | 2401 | 132 | — | 2677 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 3 | 249 | 123 | — | 504 | Good |
| 2005 | 4 | 522 | 101 | 15 | 811 | Good |
| 2004 | 3 | 488 | 109 | 3 | 730 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 486 | 78 | 3 | 660 | Good |
| 2002 | 4 | 625 | 78 | 5 | 818 | Good |
| 2001 | 5 | 216 | 40 | — | 311 | Good |
| 2000 | 5 | 324 | 60 | 2 | 469 | Good |
| 1999 | 4 | 399 | 78 | 2 | 577 | Good |
| 1998 | 3 | 397 | 21 | — | 448 | Good |
| 1997 | 1 | 378 | 44 | 3 | 484 | Good |
All 30 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Toyota Camry Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2024Recent Camry models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2024 stands out with just 45 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Camry units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Camry models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Camry should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2007 Toyota Camry if possible. It has 4 recalls, 2401 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 2677 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Camry to buy?+
The 2024 Toyota Camry is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 45. It has only 1 recall and 42 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Camry has the fewest problems?+
The 2024, 2023, 2022 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Toyota Camry Research
Check a Specific Toyota Camry VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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