2021 Toyota CAMRY
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Toyota CAMRY has 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 373. The most common issue is air bags problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: i crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. the car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. but the airbags did not inflate. i was the only person in the car, but even the. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
191
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
76 complaints- • I crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. The car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. But the airbags did not inflate. I was the only person in the car, but even the
- • To the best of my knowledge the following information is true. The car accident was on June 1, 2022. My vehicle is at the Collision repair shop. Will provide their phone # upon request. It would be great if the black box was checked regarding brake assist and other safety features. You have my
- • Failed Deployment of AirBag during collision on drivers side of car.
“I crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. The car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. But the airbags did not inflate. I was the only person in the car, but even the”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Toyota CAMRY
Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 21K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
AIR BAGS
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Above-average theft risk
The Toyota CAMRY was the #9 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 10,200 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: High resale value + parts demand
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Toyota CAMRY
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Toyota CAMRY
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Toyota CAMRY Service Intervals
0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.
These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2021 CAMRY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 191 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: I crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. The car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. But the airbags did not inflate. I was the only person in the car, but even the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: Unstable wobble when driving at high speeds on some road surfaces. Steering feels as if you could lose control when this happens.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I was driving 20-24 mph, and while I was driving on yellow light there was another car came in-front of me from different intersection. And my car got hit really bad.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: The contact's wife leased a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. He stated that his wife continued to depress the brake pedal but it would not respond, causing the vehicle to crash into trees.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Toyota CAMRY — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 191
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 28
- Injury reports
- 19
- Segment avg
- 373
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Toyota CAMRY