YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota Camry Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2021 Toyota Camry ranks 13th of 20 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 37 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 157 complaints, 1 recall, and airbags as the top problem area at 50% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
37/100
#13 of 20 Camry years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
157
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
21
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
16
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
25 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
16 / 1

Top 2021 Toyota Camry problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags78 (50%)
  2. Other21 (13%)
  3. Brakes16 (10%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain12 (8%)
  6. Electrical System10 (6%)
  7. Engine10 (6%)
  8. Structure & Body7 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers6 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report brakes that fail to respond or lose power assist during low-speed maneuvers, sometimes resulting in a crash.
  • Several complaints describe the automatic emergency braking or collision-avoidance system failing to engage before a rear-end collision.
  • Multiple owners say airbags did not deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including T-bone and front-end impacts.
  • Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or driving slowly in confined spaces, with the brake failing to stop the vehicle.
  • An electrical system complaint describes the car lurching forward without warning while attempting to park.
2021 Toyota Camry complaints: complaints filed per quarter162021 Q32022 Q22023 Q12023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
157 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q3 (16).

2021 Toyota Camry recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good47395632
2020Caution53274328.5
2021Good37157128
2022Best560128
2023Caution11642 !28.5

All Toyota Camry years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Camry earns a Good verdict with a complaint index of 37, ranking 13th out of 20 model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 50% of the 157 complaints and involving 11 crashes, based on NHTSA data.
Does the 2021 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Camry, covering an airbag sensor that Toyota says dealers will inspect and replace as necessary.
How does the 2021 Camry compare to other Camry years?
The 2021 Camry's complaint index of 37 is lower than years like 2007 (100) and 2005 (89), which are rated Avoid, but higher than newer years like 2022 and 2024, both rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Camry?
EPA rates the 2021 Camry at 28 mpg combined, 25 mpg city, and 34 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $2,300.

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.