2020 Toyota Camry transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. Filed Jul 30, 2026GAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Went in to get a service done for my vehicle and all the highlighted areas were the problem. They stated models from 2019-2022 The Camrys all have had transmission issues. I still have my car and it’s working, but I don’t want to pay for a new transmission when Toyal manufacturing has been aware of these models and issues.

   NHTSA complaint #11753736 · source
3. Filed May 26, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission began failing. Whining coming from transmission when accelerating and shifting becoming more rough. Dealership said transmission is failing and needs to be replaced. Mileage is at 89,000 miles. Rough shifter made it dangerous to drive on the highways. Was inspected by warranty adjuster. No warning lamps or lights ever appeared.

   NHTSA complaint #11740255 · source
4. Filed May 21, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   This 2020 Camry's transmission will be fine and then when you let off the throttle it will begin to slow as it should. However, when you reapply the throttle the transmission slams very forefully into gear and jolts the car forward violently. Idl'd heard about this on numsrous Camry's before, but until I owned one I had no idea how bad this is... it is not safe. Toyota needs to correct this problem for all their vehicles.

   NHTSA complaint #11739363 · source
5. Filed May 14, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The check engine light illuminated on my 2020 Toyota Camry XSE 2.5L with approximately 132,798 miles. An OBD2 scan revealed fault code P26AE — Engine Coolant Bypass Valve 'B' Control Circuit High. This is a known widespread defect affecting 2018-2022 Toyota Camry, RAV4, and Corolla vehicles equipped with the 2.5L Dynamic Force engine. The plastic valve casing is prone to cracking, allowing coolant to seep into the electrical connector and corrode the pins, triggering the…

   NHTSA complaint #11737879 · source
6. Filed Mar 14, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased my vehicle from a certified used car dealership in Connecticut in 2020 with a little over 1800 miles. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has been very reluctant to down shift and had slight transmission whine. I was notified of a recall for I believe the TCM a few months after purchasing it, which i had remedied by the dealership. Over the years, my car has been maintained completely to Toyotas manufacturer standard. Around 50,000 miles i started experiencing…

   NHTSA complaint #11724323 · source
7. Filed Feb 5, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain

   Around 67,000 miles I've been noticing a whining sound whenever accelerating. Sound disappears whenever foot is off the gas pedal.

   NHTSA complaint #11716022 · source
8. Filed Jan 8, 2026MATransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2020 Toyota Camry is experiencing a premature and progressive transmission failure that creates serious safety risks. Symptoms include hesitation and loss of power during acceleration, harsh and delayed shifting, RPMs increasing without vehicle movement, failure to properly engage gears (including reverse), and loud whining/grinding noises. These issues make the vehicle unsafe to drive, especially when merging, crossing intersections, or accelerating from a stop. Toyota…

   NHTSA complaint #11709566 · source
9. Filed Dec 31, 202582,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the local dealer was performing preventive maintenance on the vehicle, there was an abnormal winding sound detected. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had not experienced a failure prior to the service appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11708017 · source
10. Filed Dec 8, 2025ILAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    Have whining from transmission. When trying to accelerate the car does not shift into gears correctly and there is hesitance and delay. Have issues merging on highway and regular traffic due to hesitance and delay. Car can jerk when accelerating. Had dealership inspect twice at different dates. The dealership said nothing was wrong and that the hesitance and delay was just how the car operates. Discovered that other Toyota Camry's had same issue under T-SB-0008-21. Would…

    NHTSA complaint #11703783 · source
11. 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
12. Filed Dec 2, 2025NJTransmission & Drivetrain

    transmission just stopped shifting yes its available for inspection. car suddenly wouldnt accelaerate on the highway. independant service center. has not been inspected by them. no warning lights prior to the incident also the junkyards want double the amount of money for these transmissions cause they say theyre in high demand because they tend to fail

    NHTSA complaint #11702556 · 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