2020 Toyota Camry engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

64 owners have reported engine problems with the 2020 Toyota Camry, 23% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 12,000 mi.

Engine complaints
64
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
12,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine60
Engine and engine cooling3
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system1

Engine complaints across Toyota Camry years

320054416200841320101325201272120147920161096201874642020762022542024
Engine complaints by model year. The 2020 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

8Under 10k610k–30k130k–60k360k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 20V064000Feb 6, 202044,191 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

    Risk: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 9, 2026AZEngine
    2020 Toyota Camry XSE, VIN [XXX], 2.5L 4-cylinder A25A-FKS engine, built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) during the production window covered by NHTSA Recall 20V-064 (Toyota campaign 20TA04), which addresses porosity in engine castings that can cause internal and external coolant leaks, engine overheating, and possible engine failure. Toyota’s VIN lookup returns this vehicle as not affected by the campaign, but the failure pattern matches the recall defect…
    NHTSA complaint #11762945 · source
  2. Filed Aug 28, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The fuel pump has a malfunction. The car started jerking and started to accelerate by itself when I was driving it. Yes the problem reproduced. The vehicle is currently under inspection by the manufacturer. Yes there were multiple warning lights including the check engine light.
    NHTSA complaint #11760393 · source
  3. Filed Aug 11, 2026PAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle contains a known manufacturing defect where the engine coolant bypass valve cracks internally, leaking pressurized fluid directly into the main electrical connector (covered under Toyota CSP 24TE04). This fluid intrusion has caused active electrical short-circuits to the battery and ground networks. As a direct result of this progressive component failure, the vehicle is actively dropping into 'Limp Mode' and experiencing severe transmission shifting failures…
    NHTSA complaint #11756265 · source
  4. Filed Feb 9, 2026TXBrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    While driving the car just shut-off in the middle of the road. If you tried to restart the car it would turn on rev the engine and shut off. The dash display displayed a message " precollision system malfunction" and "secondary brake collision malfunction". Safety wise if this had happened on the highway could have been very dangerous or worse. The car was inoperable and required a tow truck. Luckily we were not on a very busy road during the incident. The problem has been…
    NHTSA complaint #11716750 · source
  5. Filed Jan 9, 2026ALDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine
    It’s reading the LDA warning lights, secondary collision break malfunction, pre collision break malfunction, check engine light. Car is misfiring and could possibly cut off in mid traffic. Dealer said that the Motor has a cracked head gasket. There were no problems prior to these issues.
    NHTSA complaint #11710039 · source
  6. Filed Dec 27, 2025NCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I went a few months ago to Toyota to get an air flow valve replaced from a safety campaign for Toyota. My car engine light came on. Afterwards it never went off. My car shuts off after getting gas . Car doesn’t start for 20 mins. Coolant is leaking . Car idling high as if the valve that was replaced was faulty. The car acts like it’s gonna shut off. I take good care of my car & several people have the same complaints please investigate this. I don’t have the money to replace…
    NHTSA complaint #11707221 · source
  7. Filed Dec 11, 2025CAEngine
    Known by manufacturer. There is a faulty coolant bypass valve that they are forcing customers to pay out of pocket for repairs totaling over $700
    NHTSA complaint #11704493 · source
  8. Filed Dec 9, 2025ARElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My 2020 Camry has been nothing but a problem and Toyota is noncompliant with helping me. The service recall for the fuel pump was fixed at Vaughn Toyota in Bastrop La .. a week later I still had the same issues. They refused to put another fuel pump on my car even thought the fuel pump had a one year warranty. I then took it to Landers in Little Rock and since I had “codes” I had to pay $180 diagnostic fee. Fast forward to now, still have the same crappy fuel pump. I took it…
    NHTSA complaint #11703888 · source
  9. Filed Dec 5, 2025FLElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2020 Toyota Camry SE suffered a sudden and premature transmission failure at only 114,000 miles. I am a college student and I cannot afford a major repair like this on top of my monthly car payment. The car began showing hesitation and sluggish acceleration on cold starts for a few months, but then suddenly went into limp mode with the Check Engine and Traction Control lights on. The screen displayed a warning saying ‘Malfunction in the electronic control of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11703172 · source
  10. Filed Oct 24, 202518,000 miMAElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine oil was changed, and the oil warning light was reset. The mechanic informed the contact that the wiring harness had been damaged due to rodent activity and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact reported an issue…
    NHTSA complaint #11695492 · source
  11. Filed Oct 14, 202570,599 miTXTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the engine, Forward Collision Avoidance, and brake malfunction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ECM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,599. The VIN was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11693376 · source
  12. Filed Jul 23, 2025OKEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Incident Highway Malfunction Occurs – [XXX] While driving at a steady speed on the highway, my 2020 Toyota Camry unexpectedly shifted gears on its own. I did not bump the gear shifter or interact with the controls in any abnormal way. The gear shift occurred without warning or driver input, while the vehicle was in motion. A “Drive Start Control Malfunction” warning appeared on the dashboard at the time of the incident. Vehicle Towed to Toyota Service Center – July 11 2025…
    NHTSA complaint #11675708 · source

Other 2020 Toyota Camry problem areas

Back to all 2020 Toyota Camry problems →

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