2021 Toyota Camry Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#9 most-complained of 15 Camry years
The 2021 Toyota Camry has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 9th out of 15 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Camry years. Airbags are the top problem area, with 78 complaints (50% share) tied to 11 crashes, but only one recall (non do-not-drive) is on file.
- Complaints
- 157
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 21 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
Top 2021 Toyota Camry problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes, including rear-end and T-bone collisions.
- Some drivers describe the automatic emergency braking or brake assist system failing to engage before a collision.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly while parking at low speed, leading to crashes into gates, trees, or parked cars.
- One owner reported the collision avoidance system not preventing an intersection crash at low speed.
- A brake pedal was reported as unresponsive during a parking maneuver, resulting in a crash despite repeated pedal pressure.
2021 Toyota Camry recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
2021 Toyota Camry fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?
- Compared to other Camry model years, the 2021 has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 9th out of 15 years tracked, giving it a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What is the most common problem with the 2021 Toyota Camry?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 78 of 157 total complaints (50% share) and linked to 11 crashes, at a median mileage of 52,500 miles.
- Does the 2021 Toyota Camry have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 23V865000) covering an airbag sensor issue; it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- How does the 2021 Camry compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 43 is much lower than Avoid years like 2011 (100) and 2018 (93), but higher than Best years such as 2022 (7), 2023 (14), and 2024 (0).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Camry?
- EPA rates it at 28 mpg combined (25 city / 34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.