VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Toyota Camry sits mid-pack among Camry years: 377 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 373, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 42 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (67), other (47), and airbags (37), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

377

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

64

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

42

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted3,669 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 798 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,669 complaints2008: 1,139 complaints2009: 1,611 complaints2010: 764 complaints2011: 779 complaints2012: 807 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 637 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,082 complaints2019: 551 complaints2020: 374 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 87 complaints2023: 85 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 198 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission6718%
Other4712%
Airbags3710%
Speed Control359%
Electrical System359%
Engine308%
Steering267%
Body & Structure267%
Brakes205%
Fuel System123%
Visibility & Wipers103%
Seat Belts103%
Suspension62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Seats41%
Lighting41%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 Toyota Camry have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V442000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)October 17, 2013 · 802,769 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence

A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

13V505000Visibility & WipersOctober 17, 2013 · 9,795 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Consequence

A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY LESS ENTRY FOB AND DID NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 22, 2013 · crash

“I WAS DROVE THE CAR FOR SHOPPING 25 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AT 9:00 AM. AT 11:50 AM, ON THE WAY BACK, THE BACK SHOOK SLIGHTLY AND MADE SMALL NOISES THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE SHIFT GEAR WAS SET CORRECTLY AND WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, WHICH THEY WERE. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL BLINKING OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 9, 2016 · crash

“CAR STEERING WENT OUT-STARTED GOING TO THE LEFT-I COULD NOT TURN IT BACK-CAR CROSSED THE LEFT LANE-HIT THE DITCH EMBANKMENT-TURNED DOWN THE DITCH-HIT A CULPRIT-CAR FLEW INTO THE AIR-ALMOST HIT A TREE TRUNK-FLEW THROUGH TREE BRANCHES-CAME DOWN AND HIT THE NEXT CULPRIT,-THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 15, 2016 · crash

“CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE UNABLE TO GET OUT THE BACK DOOR BECAUSE THE LOCKS WOULDN'T WORK, THIS IS HAPPENED WITH MY 2002 CAMRY ALSO THEY TAKE TURNS WORKING AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL I HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY WHICH IT DOESN'T HAVE A KEY TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 4, 2018 · crash

“I WAS PARKING ON MY CHURCH PARKING LOT, PULLING UP TO THE BUILDING AND BARELY MOVING. SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SLAMMED INTO THE CHURCH BUILDING. I THEN PUT IT IN REVERSE TO SEE THE DAMAGE, AND IT SHOT BACKWARDS INTO A CAR AND THE CHURCH VAN.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 22, 2018 · crash

2013 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Camry reliable?

It is close to typical for the Camry: 377 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (67 complaints), other (47 complaints), airbags (37 complaints).

Does the 2013 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2013 Toyota Camry?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Toyota Camry earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.