YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota Camry Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 78 of 157 complaints (50%) on the 2021 Toyota Camry, the highest share of any model year. Owners report frontal, side, and curtain airbags failing to deploy in real crashes, with 11 crashes and 13 injuries logged, plus recall 23V865000 tied to a sensor issue.

Airbags complaints
78
50% of 157
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
13
Median mileage
52,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed frontal or T-bone collisions, even with visible frontal damage and total-loss vehicles.
  • Side curtain and knee airbags reportedly stayed inactive during side-impact and rollover crashes despite recorded crash forces from the Airbag Control Module.
  • Some owners describe airbag warning indicators becoming defective only after a non-deploying crash.
  • Several owners received recall notice 23V865000 for the airbag sensor but reported long waits because replacement parts were not yet available.
  • Non-deployment incidents are associated with injuries to occupants, including arm, back, and neck injuries requiring medical attention.

When 2021 Toyota Camry airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 29, 2022, latest Aug 19, 2026.

2021 Toyota Camry airbags complaints: complaints filed per month5Jan 2022Jan 2024May 2024Sep 2024Jan 2025May 2025Oct 2025Mar 2026
78 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2022 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2025 (5).

Airbags recalls for the 2021 Toyota Camry

  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.

Airbags complaints by Camry model year

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

  1. 201049 (8%)
  2. 201171 (12%)
  3. 201275 (13%)
  4. 201336 (13%)
  5. 201442 (9%)
  6. 201521 (8%)
  7. 201631 (17%)
  8. 201724 (16%)
  9. 201822 (3%)
  10. 201924 (6%)
  11. 202048 (18%)
  12. 202178 (50%)
  13. 202210 (17%)
  14. 20235 (8%)
  15. 20246 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

Are there a lot of airbag complaints for the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Yes. NHTSA lists 78 airbag complaints for the 2021 Camry, which is 50% of all 157 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among Camry years shown in the data.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Yes, recall campaign 23V865000, reported December 20, 2023, covers an airbag sensor issue. The recall is not a do-not-drive or park-outside order, and the remedy is dealer inspection and sensor replacement if needed.
Do the airbag complaints involve crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data shows 11 crashes and 13 injuries associated with the 78 airbag complaints for the 2021 Camry, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do airbag problems get reported?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2021 Camry is 52,500 miles.
Is the 2021 Camry worse than other years for airbag issues?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Camry's 50% airbag complaint share is far higher than other years listed, such as 18% in 2020 and 17% in both 2016 and 2022.

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.