8th Generation · 2018–2024 (XV70)

Toyota Camry: Owner & Buyer Guide

What breaks, what it should cost to fix at an independent shop versus a dealer, when routine service comes due, and what to check before you buy.

Last reviewed: July 2026Reviewed by a drivway-verified technicianCovers 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L V6 & 2.5L Hybrid

The short version

The XV70 Camry is one of the most dependable midsize sedans on the used market — RepairPal puts its average repair cost around $388 a year, well below average. Two things define ownership: the 8-speed's shudder and harsh-shift quirk on 2018–2021 cars (usually cured by a software update and fluid service) and two early-year safety recalls worth verifying by VIN. Neither is a dealbreaker.

Reliability: Excellent — RepairPal ranks it 3rd of 24 midsize cars, with repair costs well below average.

What owners like

Outstanding reliability; ~$388/yr average repair cost, well below the midsize average
Strong resale value and cheap, everywhere parts
Great economy — especially the 50+ mpg Hybrid
Timing-chain engines with no scheduled belt service

What to watch

8-speed shudder / harsh shifts on 2018–2021 cars
Two early-year safety recalls (fuel pump, brake vacuum pump)
Entune infotainment can freeze or the screen can delaminate
V6 trims trade ~6 mpg for the extra power

Common problems & what they should cost

Independent ranges reflect typical parts + labor at a competent independent shop. Dealer ranges reflect published estimator averages. Your quote depends on your area, parts choice, and related work.

8-speed harsh shifting / low-speed shudder

2018–2021 · any mileage, worse when cold

The 8-speed can jolt on the 2–3 upshift and shudder at 20–40 mph under light throttle — an ECM calibration and valve-body quirk. The fix is Toyota's TSB-0043-19 software update plus a genuine ATF WS drain-and-fill; the 2022+ refresh largely cured it from the factory.

Independent$300–450fluid drain-and-fill; ECM update is dealer-onlyDealer / chain$308–413

Low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)

2018–2020 · NHTSA 20V682000

A Denso fuel-pump impeller can deform and stop the pump, stalling the engine. It's a free recall repair — verify the VIN at safercar.gov before buying. Out of recall scope, an independent replaces the pump for less than a dealer.

If not recall-covered$350–600If recall applies$0

Brake vacuum pump failure (recall)

2018–2019 · NHTSA 21V890000

The vacuum pump's vane cap can fracture, suddenly raising brake-pedal effort — braking still works but takes more force. Another free recall; confirm by VIN it was completed. If a car is outside scope, budget an independent replacement.

If not recall-covered$300–550If recall applies$0

Entune infotainment freeze / screen delamination

2018–2020 · Entune 3.0

The software can freeze or reboot (fixed by a free firmware update), and the touchscreen's edge coating can bubble or peel over a few years. A third-party digitizer repair is far cheaper than a dealer head-unit swap.

Screen repair$150–400third-party digitizerOEM head unit$1,500–2,500

Heads up: the recall repairs (fuel pump, brake vacuum pump) are free at a dealer for covered VINs — the independent figures apply only to cars outside recall scope. All ranges are illustrative, not quotes; price the specific job for your car and ZIP through a drivway inquiry.

Maintenance milestones

Interval	What's due
Every 10,000 mi / 12 mo	Oil & filter (full synthetic — 0W-20 for the 2.5L and V6, 0W-16 for the Hybrid; don't substitute), tire rotation, quick look-over.
~30,000 mi	Engine air filter; cabin air filter (the factory one runs small); brake and suspension inspection.
Every 60,000 mi	Transmission fluid drain-and-fill with genuine ATF WS — Toyota calls it 'lifetime,' but changing it is the cheapest insurance against the shudder. The Hybrid e-CVT uses the same fluid.
Every 2–3 years	Brake fluid (DOT 3) — time-based, not mileage. Frequently skipped on low-mileage cars.
~100,000 mi / 10 yr	Engine coolant (Toyota SLLC). Hybrids: also service the separate HV-battery and inverter coolant loops — skipping them risks major repair bills.
~120,000 mi	Spark plugs (iridium). Some shops do them sooner on non-hybrids — check your owner's manual.

Good to know: every XV70 engine — the 2.5L, the 3.5L V6 and the Hybrid — uses a timing chain, so there's no scheduled timing-belt replacement. They're interference designs, so keep up with oil changes and the chain lasts the life of the engine.

Buying a used one? Check these first

A 20-minute inspection catches the issues that actually cost money on this generation. Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

Run the VIN at safercar.gov first. Check recalls 20V682000 (fuel pump, 2018–2020) and 21V890000 (brake vacuum pump, 2018–2019) — an 'incomplete' status is a free dealer fix, but settle it before you buy.
Test the 8-speed from a stop through 40 mph. A shudder at 20–35 mph or a hard 2–3 jolt on 2018–2021 cars means the TSB update and fluid service likely weren't done — a negotiating point.
Inspect the infotainment screen edges (2018–2020). Bubbling or a peeling coating is delamination; power it on and watch for freezes or reboots. Undisclosed, it's worth $300–600 off.
Check the oil level cold. Pull the dipstick before driving; a low level on a car that's overdue for service points to a gap worth asking about.
Test brake-pedal feel at idle (2018–2019). An unusually hard pedal can mean the vacuum-pump recall wasn't completed.
Ask for transmission-fluid records. No drain-and-fill near 60k? Budget $300–450 to do it right after purchase — dark ATF WS is a leading shudder indicator.

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Frequently asked

Is the 2018–2024 Toyota Camry reliable?

Yes — measurably so. RepairPal ranks it 3rd of 24 midsize cars with an average ~$388/yr repair cost, and J.D. Power scored every model year above 80/100. The main things to check are the 8-speed calibration on 2018–2021 cars and two early-year safety recalls.

Does the Toyota Camry have a timing belt?

No. The 2.5L four, the 3.5L V6 and the Hybrid all use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine, so there's no scheduled belt replacement — just keep up with oil changes.

How much does it cost to fix the Camry transmission shudder?

The first step is an ATF WS fluid drain-and-fill (about $300–450) plus Toyota's TSB-0043-19 ECM update, which is usually free at a dealer. That resolves it for most 2018–2021 owners; only if it persists would a rebuild ($2,800–4,500) come into play.

Is the Camry V6 or Hybrid worth it over the 2.5L?

The Hybrid is the better long-term value for most buyers — 50+ mpg with a strong record, provided the extra hybrid coolant loops get serviced around 100k. The V6 adds real power but costs about 6 mpg, so it's worth the premium only if performance is the priority.