Toyota Camry
2021 Toyota Camry
Gasoline trims run LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XLE, XSE, XLE V6, XSE V6 and TRD, with hybrid versions of LE, SE, XLE and XSE. All-wheel drive was available on four-cylinder trims, and the TRD adds a stiffer suspension, larger brakes and a body kit over the V6 XSE.
Overview
The 2021 Camry is a mid-cycle car in the eighth generation, which is usually the best place to buy in a model run: the platform has been in production since 2018, the early software and assembly issues are behind it, and nothing major had yet been redesigned. Toyota's changes for 2021 were mostly cosmetic and equipment-level — revised front-end styling on SE and XSE trims, a standard 7-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto added across the range, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ replacing the earlier 2.0 suite.
Mechanically, this is the conservative choice in the segment. The 2.5-liter four is naturally aspirated with both port and direct injection, which means intake valve carbon does not build up the way it does on direct-injection-only engines. Behind it is a conventional 8-speed torque converter automatic rather than a CVT or dual-clutch. The V6 is the same 3.5-liter used across the Toyota and Lexus range and is one of the most durable engines the company makes.
What owners consistently report is that nothing goes wrong and nothing is exciting. The two most common complaints in this generation are road noise — the TNGA shell transmits more tire roar than the 2012–2017 car did — and a ride that firms up noticeably on the 19-inch wheels fitted to XSE and TRD trims. Neither is a defect; both are worth a test drive on a rough road before you commit to a sportier trim.
Reliability & running costs
One of the lowest-risk used cars you can buy. No systemic engine or transmission failure has emerged on this generation, parts are cheap and universally available, and high-mileage examples are routine rather than notable. The realistic budget items are brakes, tires and a 12-volt battery.
- Reliability score
- 5.0 / 5
- Maintenance + repairs, per year
- $400–$700 maintenance and repairs per year
Recalls
Toyota has issued recalls affecting various 2021 vehicles. Recall applicability depends on the specific VIN and build date, not the model year, so enter your VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup or check with a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are performed at no cost regardless of how old the vehicle is or how many owners it has had.
Known issues on the 2021 Toyota Camry
Reported by owners of this model year specifically — not generic advice.
- ModerateTypically 35,000–60,000 milesSteering wheel shudder when braking from highway speedFront rotor thickness variation shows up earlier on the XSE and TRD than on cloth-seat LE cars, because of wheel size and pad compound rather than any defect.Typical fix $230–$550 per axle
- ModerateTypically 60,000–110,000 milesAir conditioning blows warm or cools only while movingAlmost always a slow refrigerant leak at the condenser, which sits low and unprotected behind the Camry's very open lower grille.Typical fix $180–$1,500
- ModerateTypically 30,000–60,000 miles, or roughly 3–4 yearsClicks or does nothing when you press the start buttonThe 2018-and-newer Camry ships with a physically small 12-volt battery that struggles with short-trip driving and the car's always-on telematics module.Typical fix $200–$650
- LowTypically Any mileage; most common on cars averaging under 10 miles per tripBattery goes flat repeatedly despite being newShort-trip driving plus a continuously connected telematics module means some Camrys never fully recharge, and the charging system is deliberately conservative.Typical fix $200–$500
- ModerateTypically 90,000–160,000 milesP0420 catalyst efficiency below thresholdOn the 2.5-liter Camry the front catalyst is close-coupled to the exhaust manifold, which makes this a much more expensive code than it is on older cars.Typical fix $180–$2,400
Engines offered
| Engine | Layout | Output | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| A25A-FKS2.5L | Inline-4, naturally aspirated | 203 hp | gasoline |
| 2GR-FKS3.5L | V6, naturally aspirated | 301 hp | gasoline |
| A25A-FXS2.5L | Inline-4 with two-motor hybrid system | 208 hp | hybrid |
Service schedule
What this vehicle needs and roughly when.
5,000 miles / 6 months
- Rotate tires and inspect tire condition and pressure
- Inspect brake pads, rotors and lines
- Visual inspection of fluid levels and steering linkage
10,000 miles / 12 months
- Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16 full synthetic on the 2.5L, 0W-20 on the V6
- Rotate tires
- Inspect exhaust, fuel lines and brake system
15,000 miles
- Inspect engine air filter and cabin air filter
- Inspect drive belt condition
- Inspect ball joints and dust covers
30,000 miles
- Replace engine air filter
- Replace cabin air filter
- Inspect fuel tank cap gasket and vapor lines
- Inspect drive shaft boots and steering gear housing
60,000 miles
- Brake fluid flush
- Inspect automatic transmission fluid for condition and leaks
- Replace transfer case and rear differential oil on all-wheel-drive cars
- Inspect hybrid inverter coolant on hybrid trims
100,000 miles
- First engine coolant flush with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, then every 50,000 miles
- Replace serpentine belt if cracked or glazed
- Inspect water pump and cooling hoses
120,000 miles
- Replace iridium spark plugs
- Inspect valve clearance if a tick is present
- Inspect PCV valve and clean throttle body
Codes this vehicle sets most often
Where the same code has a vehicle-specific root cause.
- P0420
Expensive on this car because the 2.5L primary catalyst is integrated into the exhaust manifold rather than being a separate bolt-in converter. Verify with live oxygen sensor data before replacing anything. Read the P0420 guide.
- P0455
Usually a gas cap that was not clicked tight or a tank overfilled past the first pump shutoff, which floods the charcoal canister. If it repeats with a properly tightened cap, suspect the canister vent valve. Read the P0455 guide.
- P0171
On the A25A-FKS this is most often a contaminated mass air flow sensor or a cracked PCV hose. The dual injection system keeps intake valve carbon low, so that common cause of lean codes on other engines is much rarer here. Read the P0171 guide.