general problems of the 2020 Toyota Camry - part 1

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.

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 engine/throttle/transmission. ’ the vehicle became unsafe to drive because it would barely accelerate. If this had happened while I was merging onto a highway, it could have caused an accident. Lakeland Toyota told me the transmission has ‘internal failure’ and quoted me over $8,000 for a replacement. They did not provide detailed diagnostic codes or open the transmission to confirm the mechanical failure — they just saw a code and declared it dead. As a student with limited income, this puts me in a terrible financial situation. I still owe monthly payments on this car and now cannot even drive it. After researching online, I learned that many 2018–2020 Camry owners are experiencing similar transmission problems (ua80/ua80e), including hesitation, shuddering, harsh shifting, and early failure. Some owners have reported full transmission failure under 100k miles. There is even a public petition documenting these issues. This appears to be a pattern, not an isolated case. A transmission should not fail this early on a Toyota, and this sudden loss of power poses a serious safety risk. The vehicle is currently at a transmission specialist for a second opinion, but this may become a widespread issue affecting thousands of Camry owners. I am asking NHTSA to investigate the 2018–2020 Camry transmission problems before more drivers experience unexpected failures in traffic.

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 with the battery draining. The vehicle was diagnosed with a battery failure, and the battery was replaced several times; however, the check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was not available.

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 available.

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 following the incident, I brought the car to a Toyota dealership for diagnosis and repair. I spoke with a service advisor named rebecca, explained the situation, and clearly stated that I did not hit or touch the gear. The vehicle was kept for inspection, repair and I communicatied with Toyota. Vehicle picked up – July 16, 2025 I picked up my car from the Toyota dealership on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. I had not yet heard back from Toyota about coverage or resolution. I chose to wait for further communication regarding whether they would take responsibility for the malfunction. Toyota corporate follow-up call – July 23, 2025 on Tuesday, July 23, 2025, Toyota corporate called to inform me that the repair would not be covered, citing that the vehicle is out of warranty. What disturbed me most was that the representative claimed I had told rebecca that I might have “bumped the gear,” which is completely false. I made it clear from the beginning that I never touched the gear shifter, and that the malfunction occurred while I was driving normally. This false statement was either a miscommunication or a lie — and it minimizes the seriousness of a potential safety defect. Response to Toyota’s misrepresentation – July 23, 2025 during the call, I told Toyota that misrepresenting my account was unacceptable and dangerous. If Toyota is aware that this vehicle model may experience uncommanded gear changes while in motion and fails to report. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This vehicle, and models with the same throttle body and air filter/air duct assembly have an issue. Where plastic parts from the vacuum box attached to the air duct come loose and get stuck in the throttle body. Causing the engine to rev up then die. I have dealt with this same issue twice in the last three weeks. Thank you for your time.

This was a recall due to the coolant valve Thursday, my vehicle had went in for the recall I picked up my vehicle Friday morning I checked to make sure the part that they have changed nothing wrong with it or not. When I looked at the part a day after I noticed pink stuff is leaking from around it this was announced by Toyota this is the new part they had just made I’m assuming and it is still leaking I have a 2020 Toyota Camry. With 141,000 miles. And now I am having issues. Toyota needs to redesign this piece or have a further investigation on it.

Vehicle will stall out in the middle of driving as if it does not have any fuel. Toyota could not pull the error code a second time replaced a random part and the next month the car continued to stall out.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer made the contact aware of an unknown NHTSA recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Low pressure fuel pump defective. Engine dies and/or surges under load at cruise speeds, sometimes dies at idle. Engine shuts down merging onto highway. Occupant(s) could be hit when pulling out into traffic if engine dies. Problem has been reproduced. Dealership said fuel pump is not covered under previous recall, but Toyota has a TSB stating the VIN# is in the TSB range for the above mentioned concerns. No dtc's are set, no messages set.

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 to ryburn Toyota and was told to replace the charcoal canister and vent valve . That was $1000. Problem not fixed. All my lights stay on, I often get a charging system error notification. It goes into reduced power mode. And has left me stranded numerous times on the side of the road. I want whatever is wrong with my car fixed. I have never owned a vehicle with this many problems. I thought Toyota’s were good vehicles but I promise if I ever get rid of this one, I will not purchase another Toyota vehicle again.

Coolant bypass valve.

The coolant bypass valve has failed and my car is at 30,000 miles. This seems like a common problem as I see a lot of other people mention needing this replaced on their Camrys and rav4s. The dealership said they are replacing all of them on Camry’s, rav4’s, and corolla’s.

Took my 2020 Camry to Toyota they told me the catalytic converter had issues and the engine cooling bypass valve as well. They also stated that they have a ton of Camrys and rav 4 coming in with the same issue.

I had a feeling sick while driving my car. I placed a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the cabin. The detector went off. I tried different things windows up windows down, recuperate open and close and detector alarmed. I brought my car to doggett Toyota they found a leak in engine that was running to exhaust. I paid for $117 for estimate and $337 for part. The service department is pressing me to let them use my carbon monoxide detector. I refuse. When I went pick up the car fumes plus soap smell is still in the car. Detector still alarm 229ppm. They only offer to rent a ccar which I cannot drive because of health reasons. Other 2020 are carmys are recalled because oil leak and possibly damage to engine block. I requested my car be examined for the same problems as recall. The service department says I need ask corporate to send there own mechanic and I pay for it. Hours of run around miscommunication. That car is not safe to drive. Dealership doesn't have carbon monoxide detector or means to detect the smoke in the cabin. Service members all over the place, texting on cell phone, walking away while on phone with corporate etc.

Started vehicle and went to back up. Car slammed into reverse and disply showed drive start control malfunction. The service engine light came on. I removed the battery to reset the error message and the following dayi took it to the dealership. They checked it out and told me that they didnt find anything wrong with it since it wasnt displaying a service engine light. So I went home with it. The next day it did it again so I took it back to them while the condition was happening. Which insisted of the error message, serv eng light, gearshift indicator displaying drive and park at the same time. Also the door locks were continually locking and unlocking. They put a new water valve plus a neut switch assy and a new xmission lever in it and told me it was fixed. I picked it up and the next day it did it again. Returned it to them and they said that the new part was possibly bad from Toyota, ordered a new one, put it in and said it was all good now. I picked car up and 9 months later its happening again. Not sure what to do. Please help.

Constant "engine maintenance required" warning. Dealer identified the engine coolant bypass valve as the source of the problem. Replacing the part resolved the issue.

Ecm, fuel filter, fuel pump issues reduced engine power lane departure alert system suspended pre-collision system secondary collision brake system vehicle stability control system check engine - malfunction in electronic control engine, throttle or automatic transmission.

2020 Camry has 34000 miles and the engine maintenance required comes on. The dealer says it is the coolant bypass valve. They will replace it but after looking online there are many reports of this happening to Toyotas with low mileage. Coolant can corrode the electric components.

Engine: fault code p268115 - engine coolant bypass valve control circuit/open: circuit short to battery or open. This is a huge ongoing problem with Toyota vehicles. You can do a simple search and find 100s of people with the same issue. This must be addressed and a recall issued for repair.

Incident: just driving along when all of a sudden, the car engine turned off and check engine light came on along with warnings about brake system failures, fuels system failures and message to contact your dealer. Any attempts to restart the car failed. The vehicle was a 2020 Toyota Camry xse with 75000 miles. The vehicle was inoperable. Cause: there is a small air intake resonator box that connects to the air flow between the air filter compartment and the throttle. This resonator is made of plastic and the part that connects to the airflow main tube, had cracked and broken off and the broken piece got stuck in the throttle causing the vehicle to become disabled. This part is never touched when performing air filter maintenance and it was determined that over time, it just cracked and eventually broke off. This is a defect in the design and if this had happened at highway speeds could have had serious consequences.

Coolant bypass valve my check engine light turns on when the ac is activated. I took it to my dealership on 5/22/2023 and was informed there’s a back order on the coolant bypass valve because it is a national issue. My car has been determined as unsafe to drive until the part can be replaced in 2-3 weeks.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with needing a new fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched the failure and is relating it to NHTSA campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags) NHTSA campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline) NHTSA campaign number: 20v064000 (engine and engine cooling) the dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in those recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 72,299.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle was making an abnormal clicking noise from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the noise was constant and the clicking sound happened at various speeds. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and smelled a strong coolant odor. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20v064000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Did not happen to this vehicle, but others the same year. I am a tech who has seen multiple failures of the crankshaft position plate which is mounted between the flywheel and crankshaft brake causing engine to shut down while driving due to crank position sensor not receiving signal. I am concerned because my wife drives one which is the VIN I gave, that her car may cut off in traffic causing a accident. This part is defective with holes cut around it where the new replacement part is solid. This should be replaced at no cost to customers when vehicle warranty coverage has run out. Information below is for a vehicle that I worked on and have seen 3 others. One resulting in engine & transmission replacement due to excessive damage from plate coming apart. I work for Toyota & don't want my identity shared with them.

Acceleration felt weird when is performed from full stop or moderate speed to a “chase” speed (high revolutions), it doesn’t respond according to the action taken to the gas pedal. Also the crash sensor went off from time to time.

I have owned 5 Toyotas and a Lexus SUV and never had so many problems. This is a 2020 Camry hybrid with only 20492 miles on it. It has had to be jump-started 3-4 times so far, but now it has a new issue: while on a road trip with my wife thru utah, the car suddenly shuts down, bells ringing and messages appearing. Cruise control, lane departure, and headlight system failure. This happened on a 2-lane highway with very minimal shoulder. I pulled over as far as I could, but still slightly in the lane. Turned off the ignition and after a minute or so, was able to restart the car. Noted that the sign on the road said "next services 129 miles"! this was on July 11, 2022 at about 3 pm. Once car was restarted, we drove to our destination without further issues, however I would not use cruise control for fear it would happen again. Got back to California the next day and took it to dealer to investigate the cause. Their conclusion: "extreme heat caused the warning lights to come on, but history code indicates that the issue resolved itself. The vehicle is operating normally at this time but the system will be affected by high temperatures and direct sunlight"!!! the temperature on the road at the time was 95 degrees. Dealer contacted Toyota's technical assistance hot line to document concern case #221930394. Per the service department, they called the field rep who said if everything was functioning at this time, then there was no action to be taken. First of all, I am 75 years old and do not expect this from a car with only 20492 miles on it, and especially not from a Toyota. I find the "solution" to be completely foolish - avoid high temperatures and direct sunlight!! temperatures over 95 degrees and direct sunlight are common in many states. Can someone please get to the bottom of this? I am beginning to think that I bought a lemon. I am also reporting it to NHTSA, as it is a safety issue that must be dealt with. Thank you,.

Car is regularly maintained, vehicle had to be what was a software or fuel supply issue. In hotter weather car stutters and engine will completely shut off while driving. It will begin to throw errors for second brake system malfunction, check engine, lane departure assist. Codes from obd2 read p12d5 and p107d. Seems like fuel stops is being cut off or extreme software issue. Regardless it has left my pregnant wife and 3 yr old son stranded in the middle of the road in 100 degree plus weather or then runs extremely rough. Have gone to a mechanic twice each time engine codes had shut off and there was nothing to be done at the moment. Issue still persists, it is still a danger and often it is difficult to have enough momentum to pull over somewhere safe. This issue may also cause further engine problems.

Fuel pump failure 1st. Car immediately stopped while driving on main road almost causing collision, engine light appeared only. Car had been inspected by local repair codes identify fuel pump malfunction. Fuel pump was replaced . Car was driven less than 5 minutes and overheated. Overheating light on dashboard , exclamation light and engine light appeared. Reason is still yet unknown.

Smells like engine coolant when exiting vehicle.

Dead battery at 21000 miles. Car is less than 2 years old and didn't drive it for 36 hours and the battery completely drained. Even after jump start electronic dash wouldn't function properly.

First time went to get in my vehicle and the car would not even open, not even the trunk. Had been parked over night. The car was deader than a door nail. The Toyota dealer had a tow truck dispatched to me with a charge box. The charge box would not even crank the vehicle. Had to use his tow truck to jump the car took to Toyota they said it needed a software update. Did it seemed fine now fast forward several months later now when it cranks doesn’t want to crank, dies then have to try again finally it crank. Took in today at dealer they tested battery said it’s showing 100% testing so not the battery then they say the update didn’t take back months ago so needs to be updated again ??. So now I’ve been shuttled home as it will take 2 plus hours. I’ve googled and seen so many complaints that are identical to mine and wondering why my vehicle has no recall when my vehicle has same issues apparently or I’m being lied to by the dealer cause I’ve got a complete lemon. I’ve owned many Toyota’s and never once had issues like this.

After 2 days parked in garage with lights off and doors closed the car wouldn't start. After jump staring the car in the screen in the dashboard a video was playing stating that an electronic board is affecting the engine and transmission. The car has just 15,500 miles. In March 2020 the same happen. Dealer said was fixed. I talked to Toyota (jeffrey) company and he said there is no recall or software upgrade.

Coolant smell coming from engine.

Twice recently 2020 Toyota Camry with less than 8,000 miles on it would not start after being parked in a garage. In both cases, we charged the battery and car started right away. No doors were left open, no lights on, etc. What is causing the battery to drain after a day or two not being driven? my older Toyota with 150,000 is more reliable, sadly. Have read about a battery drain issue with this car, but Toyota customer service says my VIN number is not part of the recall. Seems like I am not the only one with this problem. Taking to dealership this week to see if problem can be identified.