2020 Toyota Camry Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 60 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2020 Toyota Camry, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 10,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “bypass valve” (18% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Bypass valve: mentioned in 11 of 60 complaints (18%)
  • Engine coolant: mentioned in 6 of 60 complaints (10%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 17 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles8 · 47%
10k–25k miles5 · 29%
25k–50k miles2 · 12%
50k–75k miles1 · 6%
75k–100k miles1 · 6%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 60 complaints, 1 a fire.

Toyota Camry engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 377 complaints
1995: 119951996: 11997: 61998: 319981999: 52000: 82001: 1320012002: 582003: 522004: 2620042005: 212006: 102007: 37720073772008: 1312009: 2082010: 4320102011: 362012: 592013: 2620132014: 572015: 242016: 1720162017: 112018: 1352019: 8020192020: 602021: 72022: 620222023: 52024: 4

n = 1,490 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2024 Camry48%—
2023 Camry58%38,500
2022 Camry610%93,000
2021 Camry74%205,000
2020 Camry6022%10,000
2019 Camry8020%20,000
2018 Camry13518%17,000
2017 Camry117%51,000
2016 Camry179%20,355
2015 Camry249%21,234
2014 Camry5713%24,945
2013 Camry269%17,000
2012 Camry5910%48,000
2011 Camry366%71,641
2010 Camry437%80,000
2009 Camry20816%96,000
2008 Camry13114%89,719
2007 Camry37713%102,897
2006 Camry103%94,847
2005 Camry213%95,994
2004 Camry264%104,000
2003 Camry527%128,400
2002 Camry586%117,450
2001 Camry135%80,250
2000 Camry82%95,000
1999 Camry51%210,000
1998 Camry31%174,500
1997 Camry61%100,000
1996 Camry10%—
1995 Camry10%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2020, with 14 complaints
2020: 142020142021: 102021102022: 5202252023: 5202352024: 6202462025: 142025142026: 620266

n = 60 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Engine and engine coolingFeb 6, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V064000 · 44,191 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Sep 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762945

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.

Received Aug 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760393

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…

Received Aug 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756265
Toyota Camry
A 2025 Toyota Camry LE at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2025.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2020 Toyota Camrys have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints about engine for the 2020 Toyota Camry (22% of the 275 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Toyota Camry engine?

Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 10,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2020 Toyota Camry?

The most frequent phrase is “bypass valve”, in 11 of 60 complaints, followed by “engine coolant” (6).

Other 2020 Toyota Camry problems

See all 2020 Toyota Camry problems or engine problems across all Camry years.