YearToAvoid

2018 Toyota Camry Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 196 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Toyota Camry, 26% of its 741 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 9,750. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
196
26% of 741
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
9,750 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report erratic downshifting and upshifting with sudden high RPM revs, in one case leading to a low-speed parking lot collision.
  • Several owners describe jerking or hesitation during slow acceleration and rolling stops, with the transmission seeming to pause before engaging gear.
  • Some drivers report a whining noise from the transmission that grows worse over time, sometimes preceding shifting problems or reported failure.
  • At higher mileage, owners describe odd shifting and limp mode activation during hard acceleration, even after dealer software updates and a fluid change.
  • One owner reported the transmission failed twice and the vehicle was eventually given up entirely.
  • Engine and transmission shaking or stalling was reported during gradual acceleration between 20 and 40 mph.

When 2018 Toyota Camry transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 13, 2017, latest Sep 21, 2026.

2018 Toyota Camry transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter202017 Q42018 Q42019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42023 Q12024 Q42025 Q4
196 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q1 (20).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Toyota Camry

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Camry model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201045 (8%)
  2. 201149 (8%)
  3. 2012142 (24%)
  4. 201367 (24%)
  5. 2014128 (28%)
  6. 201536 (13%)
  7. 201618 (10%)
  8. 20176 (4%)
  9. 2018196 (26%)
  10. 2019113 (29%)
  11. 202033 (12%)
  12. 202112 (8%)
  13. 20226 (10%)
  14. 20237 (11%)
  15. 20243 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2018 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA lists 196 complaints under Transmission & Powertrain for the 2018 Camry, which is 26% of the 741 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Toyota Camry transmission?
NHTSA data provided here lists no related recalls tied to this Transmission & Powertrain problem area for the 2018 Camry.
At what mileage do 2018 Camry transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 9,750 miles.
What kind of transmission symptoms do 2018 Camry owners report?
Owners describe erratic shifting, jerking or hesitation at low speeds, whining noises, and in some cases limp mode activation or repeated failures.
How does the 2018 Camry compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2018 Camry's 26% share of transmission complaints is higher than most other years listed, though 2019 (29%) and 2014 (28%) are similar or higher.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.