2018 Toyota Camry transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 5, 202669,000 miGATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and was able to reproduce the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11769124 · source
2. Filed Oct 1, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   2018 Toyota Camry approx 126,000 miles. Transmission had always been rough-- previously jerking and was told by dealer technician that shocks needed to be replaced soon. While out of state and traveling in remote area, the car gave out. Was advised by out of state Toyota dealership technician that the transmission had blown and the inside of the mechanism had imploded and the car could not be moved at all. According to review of other consumer complaints Toyota was aware of…

   NHTSA complaint #11768335 · source
3. Filed Sep 21, 2026ALBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission quit moving the car forward in traffic which could have caused a collision. When the transmission started shifting weird and not accelerating normally, the ABS Sensor malfunction light came on. I towed the car to a toyota dealership in [XXX] and they said I needed the transmission replaced for $10000(new), which I could not afford. I was expecting it to be a sensor since that was the light that came on. I had the transmission rebuilt by an independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11766000 · source
4. Filed Sep 19, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

   My regularly serviced 2018 Toyota Camry is now in need of a $10,000 transmission replacement. Based on research, it is not normal for a modern Toyota Camry to need a new transmission at 125k miles. Toyota has DOCUMENTED complaints that the 2018 Camry's 8-speed automatic transmission has a known history of premature failures and is the subject of thousands of owner complaints. A recall needs to be enforced as Toyota has sold DEFECTED 2018 vehicles! I purchased this vehicle in…

   NHTSA complaint #11765476 · source
5. Filed Sep 7, 2026NYBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   After taking the car on a short drive: Pre-collision malfunction; parking brake malf; ICS malf; chk eng reduced power; secondary collision brake malf; rough idle and driving; sometimes won't accelerate (revs only); cruise control won't work; battery drained when off (12.5 v to 10.5 in one day; battery just under 3 years old); after replacing battery: OBD 2:P0302

   NHTSA complaint #11762531 · source
6. Filed Aug 29, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle has developed a high-pitched whine that is most noticeable around 30 to 55 mph. The pitch increases directly with vehicle speed, not engine RPM. The sound occurs whenever positive throttle is applied and disappears immediately when the accelerator is released, before vehicle speed noticeably decreases. Gear changes do not appear to affect the pitch. I am concerned this may indicate a transmission/transaxle or final-drive problem. No warning lights are currently…

   NHTSA complaint #11760528 · source
7. Filed Aug 24, 2026DETransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2018 Toyota Camry SE with approximately 120,000 miles. The vehicle is equipped with the 2.5L engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. I have recently developed a noticeable whining noise from the vehicle's drivetrain during acceleration. The noise is most noticeable at lower speeds, approximately 10–60 mph, particularly when accelerating from a stop or at lower speeds. The noise becomes less noticeable or disappears when cruising at higher speeds. The noise is…

   NHTSA complaint #11759057 · source
8. Filed Aug 21, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission has begun failing, with less than 60,000 miles and a perfect maintenance record. While driving I noticed a "whine" while accelerating and it would go away when not pressing the accelerator. It also did not make the noise when in neutral. This is a known issue with the 2018 Toyota Camry and the manufacturer did not send out a notice, any type of additional support or maintenance recommendations to make customers aware.

   NHTSA complaint #11758575 · source
9. Filed Jul 29, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   My transmission is experiencing slipping, which causes the engine to rev up without delivering power to the wheels when I accelerate. This delay in gear engagement creates a high-safety risk during merges and passes because my vehicle cannot match traffic speeds predictably. Also, when pulling out onto a busy road I am not able to do it normally, I have to do it very slowly because it will miss and the engine revs up. This is a huge concern for all of us Toyota owners with…

   NHTSA complaint #11753527 · source
10. Filed Jul 24, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    The transmission in my 2018 Toyota Camry XSE with 124k miles went out even after getting regular maintenance. There is currently a class action law suit for this issue and a recall needs to be initiated.

    NHTSA complaint #11752699 · source
11. Filed Jun 29, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission began jerking and sputtering which caused the vehicle to lose acceleration ability while traveling at highway speeds. Transmission was confirmed to have failed by an independent shop and required a complete rebuild. No warning lamps or notifications prior to failure

    NHTSA complaint #11747211 · source
12. Filed Jun 24, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain

    2018 XSE Camry 4Cyl, 114k Miles, 2026. Transmission is failing, and I bought the car used in Oct of 2025, 86k Miles. As of 2026 the car has started to make a noise that sounds like a jet engine when accelerating, and the transmission fluid is black. Went to a local transmission shop, and they told me the transmission is on its way out. I'm disappointed in Toyota's engineering this time around. I have a 2008 Tacoma with 320k miles, and I know a family member with an 2006…

    NHTSA complaint #11746311 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology