AI Damage2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 117 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 117
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 12 complaints (43% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Engine: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Steering: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Wheels: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 23 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 21 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The problem leads to jerky stop/go/stop/go/stop situations. Vehicle also has a tendency to bolt forward or backward when releasing brakes which has led to running into garage while backing up.
One time before the braking system applied itself and the dashboard light came on and I seem to recall there was a beep or some sound that was very brief.
The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. The VIN was not available.
The steering stiffens up tremendously and then loosen. Took car to toyota for service and was told a steering shaft (believe that was what he called it) is the problem and it is going to be $770.
Since I bought the car in august 2018 until now, I have been driven it in normal condition, but have never gotten fuel consumption above 41 mpg. The sticker advertised at 48 mpg or higher for hwy/local. Toyota dealer has ran diagnostic on the vehicle but refuse to admit the false advertisement.
Car jerked forward a few times as if it was being choked on gas. The hybrid dial was bouncing erratically as if it was confused and car was not accelerating beyond 40 mph. Took it to dealer 1x they could not replicate issue, called toyota care and was told error needed duplicating to be addressed.
For first minute or two after starting vehicle, the brakes prevent smooth operation causing "lurching" especially during slow speed backing. Toyota declares "normal" behavior of the brakes.
Issue #1 radio/bluetooth fails to sync with phone forcing me to hand hold the phone in violation of state law. Issue #2 radio/bluetooth/microphone has so much background noise that it's difficult for people to hear/understand me.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,085 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Camry Hybrid has 68 complaints (21 years in the data). This year has 28, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Under certain conditions, debris can accumulate inside the fuel cap causing potential fuel vapor leaks…
Under certain conditions, debris can accumulate inside the fuel cap causing potential fuel vapor leaks that can cause increased evaporative emissions to exceed the regulated limits. This issue will not trigger the…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV)…
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or…
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is…
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TF01 Certain 2018 – 2024 Model Year Camry HV…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TF01 Certain 2018 – 2024 Model Year Camry HV and 2019-2022 Avalon HV Fuel Cap Negative Pressure Valve & Fuel Filler Dust Intrusion
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Camry and 2018 – 2026 model year Camry Hybrid vehicles may exhibit the…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Camry and 2018 – 2026 model year Camry Hybrid vehicles may exhibit the weatherstrip on the panoramic roof center glass peeling on the edges of the glass.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the…
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause "Engine…
- Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may…
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information…
NHTSA lists 117 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Camry Hybrid 2007602 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2008162 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2009118 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201010 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201123 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201255 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201327 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201425 sources
- Camry Hybrid 201515 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2016138 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2017107 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2019132 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2020147 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2021137 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2022115 sources
- Camry Hybrid 202378 sources
- Camry Hybrid 202473 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2025242 sources
- Camry Hybrid 2026178 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (18%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (4%), A/C or heater (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 117 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.