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2021 Toyota Camry VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2021 Toyota Camry has excellent reliability. There are 2 recalls and 144 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Camry. Severity signals include 20 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (78), Unknown Or Other (12), Power Train (8).

Camry reliability snapshot

82/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$388
Avg annual repair cost vs $526 category avg
#3/24
Ranking in midsize cars · better than 88% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Toyota Camry before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2021 Toyota Camry issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Air Bags78
  • Unknown Or Other12
  • Power Train8
  • Engine6
  • Electrical System6
  • Service Brakes6

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Toyota Camry

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect transmission for whining noise and delayed shifting
  • Check headlights for condensation and flickering
  • Verify airbag recall status and inspect for warning lights
  • Test parking brake for proper engagement
  • Inspect sunroof for popping noises or glass issues
  • Check for gasoline leaks near the gas cap
  • Test lane assist features for proper deactivation

What owners reported

2021 Toyota Camry owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 20 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Camry. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints78

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry frequently report issues related to the airbag system, with a significant number indicating that recall repairs are delayed due to unavailable parts. Complaints often describe the airbag warning light illuminating, and some mention specific malfunctions in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, which could affect airbag deployment. The issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some cases around 14,600 miles. There are reports of crashes where airbags did not deploy, resulting in injuries, highlighting potential safety implications. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these unresolved recall issues and the potential for airbag system failures.

Severity signals: 9 crash, 0 fire, 12 injury reports

Owner complaints12

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry report several issues related to vehicle components and safety features. Multiple complaints describe problems with the sunroof, including loud popping noises when opening and spontaneous glass explosions while driving, which could pose a safety risk. Some owners mention windshield issues, such as spontaneous cracking without impact and glare impairing visibility, with one case involving a windshield damaged by rock chips. There are also reports of the vehicle experiencing unstable handling and skidding at highway speeds, potentially linked to lane assist functions. A serious incident involving a crash and subsequent fire resulted in a fatality, highlighting potential safety concerns. These issues appear across various timelines, with no specific mileage range consistently reported.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints9

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly with the parking brake failing to engage and the brake pedal requiring excessive travel to stop the vehicle. Complaints often describe incidents where the parking brake does not hold the car on inclines and instances where the brake pedal depresses to the floor without sufficient stopping power. These issues have been reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 3,922 miles. Notably, four complaints involve crashes, with one resulting in injuries, highlighting potential safety implications. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should closely examine the braking system's functionality when considering this model.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints8

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving transmission failures and unusual vehicle acceleration. Complaints often describe transmission problems such as whining noises, delayed shifting, and slipping, with these symptoms appearing around 24,000 to 79,000 miles. Additionally, two crash incidents are linked to unintended acceleration, one resulting in an injury, highlighting potential safety concerns. These incidents involve the vehicle lurching or accelerating independently during low-speed maneuvers like parking or reversing. Buyers considering a used 2021 Camry should be aware of these reported issues and the associated mileage ranges.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints6

ENGINE

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry frequently report issues related to engine maintenance warnings, particularly when the air conditioning is activated. Some complaints suggest a possible fault with the engine coolant bypass valve or coolant sensor. Additionally, multiple owners describe significant oil leaks from the engine oil pan and valve cover gasket, with some reports indicating potential safety risks if the oil contacts hot components. These issues are noted at varying mileages, including one instance at 205,000 miles. A hybrid system failure, resulting in a loss of power in traffic, is also reported by one owner. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues, particularly concerning maintenance warnings and oil leaks.

Owner complaints6

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry report a range of electrical system issues, with several complaints involving unintended acceleration and vehicle shutdown problems. One incident describes a crash attributed to sudden unintended acceleration, where the vehicle continued to move despite the brakes being applied. Other owners mention recurring issues with the vehicle not shutting off properly, leading to a drained battery and starting problems. Additionally, there are reports of door locking malfunctions and rodent damage affecting electrical components. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control and compromised vehicle security.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints4

STEERING

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry report issues primarily related to the steering system, with several complaints involving the inability to turn off lane-keeping features like Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). These features sometimes remain active even when switched off, leading to unwanted steering corrections and warning beeps, which some owners find distracting and potentially hazardous, particularly in adverse weather conditions. One complaint describes a severe incident where a fire occurred following a steering-related malfunction, though the exact cause of the fire remains unclear. These issues often arise after the vehicle reaches approximately 24,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control due to unexpected steering inputs and the risk of fire, both of which are critical considerations for prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Camry report several structural issues. One complaint involves unintended acceleration at a car wash, resulting in a crash and significant front-end damage, with no airbag deployment. Another owner describes issues with front fender/bumper clips, similar to a recall affecting other Toyota models, noting a risk of the bumper or fender detaching in traffic. A third complaint highlights a design issue with the hood, where sunlight reflects into the driver's eyes, potentially impairing visibility. These issues appear at varied mileages and present safety concerns, particularly the unintended acceleration leading to a crash.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system in the 2021 Toyota Camry, including inoperability and failure to stop as designed, with one owner noting this since the vehicle was new at 100 miles. Complaints frequently mention a lack of warning lights and difficulties in duplicating the issue during dealer inspections. Additionally, one owner describes a crash with an injury occurring at low speed, although the details do not explicitly attribute the collision to a system failure. Another issue involves steering control loosening when using the radar feature with cruise control, which does not occur when the radar is deactivated. These reports indicate potential safety implications, including a crash and concerns about vehicle control.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints2

SUSPENSION

Owners report issues with the suspension of the 2021 Toyota Camry, particularly at high speeds. Multiple complaints describe an unstable wobble and a sensation of potential loss of control when driving on certain road surfaces. One incident involves a crash at high speed, though it primarily raises concerns about airbag deployment rather than suspension. These issues typically emerge during high-speed travel, but specific mileage ranges are not detailed in the complaints. Buyers should be aware of these potential suspension-related stability concerns, particularly when driving on varied road surfaces.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

2021 Camry recalls (1)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Camry. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. AIR BAGSNHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

Used-market value

2021 Toyota Camry resale snapshot

78.2%estimated value retained after 5 years
1,459listings in the model-level benchmark
$24,590median asking price from 100 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2021 Toyota Camry on the road

313,795 2021 Toyota Camry units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2021 Toyota Camry stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2021 Toyota Camry

With a 90/100 score against a 79/100 segment average, the 2021 Toyota Camry rates well above average for reliability. The recall count is limited, supporting a generally low buyer-risk profile for this model year. As year four of its generation, the data reflects a relatively mature point in the design cycle.

Complaint patterns are not broadly distributed. Reports cluster heavily around air-bag-related concerns, while other categories—unknown/other, service brakes, power train, and engine—show much lighter activity by comparison. That concentration suggests overall dependability is strong, but a single system accounts for a disproportionate share of reported problems.

Overall risk level: low, with attention warranted due to the complaint concentration in one area.

What you get in a 2021 Toyota Camry report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2021 Toyota Camry — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?

With a 90/100 score against a 79/100 segment average, the 2021 Toyota Camry rates well above average for reliability. The recall count is limited, supporting a generally low buyer-risk profile for this model year. As year four of its generation, the data reflects a relatively mature point in the design cycle.

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Camry have?

1 NHTSA safety recall has been issued for the 2021 Toyota Camry. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2021 Toyota Camry problems?

The most-reported 2021 Toyota Camry problem areas are: Air Bags (78), Unknown Or Other (12), Power Train (8).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Toyota Camry?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Toyota Camry, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.