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2016 Toyota Camry Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2016 Toyota Camry carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering labels and occupant classification. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal failure to stop vehicle.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #16V420000 · Sep 6, 2016

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign #16V215000 · Apr 14, 2016

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Toyota Camry.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake pedal failure to stop vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2020-06

“I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC ON THE BELTWAY GOING BETWEEN 5 -10 MILES PER HOUR ON A DRY ROAD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND IT CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL I REAR ENDED THE OTHER CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10934015
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FORCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873023
“IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME UP IN 2 PLACES INDICATING CHECK BRAKES. WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKES THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10991889

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering pull linked to weak battery

STEERING

15 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2024-03

“CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO RIGHT, WOULDN'T HOLD CENTER. REALLY FELT IT DRIVING IN TOWN. STEERING FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS GRABBING AND RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL. READ ON A FORUM THAT IT COULD BE THE BATTERY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11318484
“Erratic steering issue related to weak car battery. I have a 2016 Toyota Camry XLE. The car began pulling to the left then to the right while driving down a straight and even road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11574845
“THE STEERING STARTED PULLING LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN . WOULD STOP AFTER THE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11206815

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2021-10

“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the glass sunroof suddenly exploded causing glass pieces to enter the cabin of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11438356
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOTHING HIT THE CAR AT ALL TO CAUSE THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10914527
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT FROM THE INSIDE. GLASS PARTICLES EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10906068

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exterior paint and clear coat delamination

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2026-08

“Paint delamination. It's a known issue. Toyota extended warranty to cover but the local dealership who sold the car is no help. First noticed the paint pealing a few months ago”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741520
“THE ORIGINAL EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON MY VEHICLE. SMALL RUSTY SPOTS CAN BE SEEN ON THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309528
“1. Component / System Failed: - The primary exterior paint and clear coat layer completely separated from the factory electro-coat (E-coat) primer on the vehicle's body structure (specifically near the rear quarter panel, roof pillar, and doors)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754611

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

25 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2026-05

“Airbags did not deploy after an accident that resulted in the hood crumpling. Car was at a complete stop when hit from behind at approximately 45mph, resulting in the car being pushed forward into the back of another vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730079
“This was a T-Bone accident. My front airbags did not deploy as the hit happened at 40 mph”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11549588
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11152381

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2026-02

“WAS GLIDING INTO MY GARAGE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, (SO NO SPEED AT ALL) WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN ENGINE ROAR AND CAR PICKED UP SPEED AND WAS PROPELLING ME TOWARD THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719007
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903212
“I was stopped at a traffic light, on an uphill grade, for roughly thirty seconds when my 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid just started slowly accelerating. I looked down and my foot was still on the brake”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463328

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Acceleration hesitation and stalling

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2024-02

“WHILE BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD (WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL) THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ACCELERATION (BEGINS TO DECELERATE) DESPITE CONTINUED PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300345
“WHILE IN SLOW MOTION AS TRYING TO MOVE OVER FROM AN ENTRANCE LANE TO A TRAFFIC LANE THE CAR WILL STALL (BOGS DOWN) WHEN ACCELERATING THE GAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11302204
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995200

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption in 2.5L engine

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2024-11

“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR HAS LESS THE 50K AND USES A QUART OR MORE PER 1000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11217769
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10874188
“Despite regular maintenance and timely oil changes, my vehicle began consuming oil excessively around 120,000 miles, leading to significant safety risks”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11625944

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

185 crashes 1990–2024

How the 185 occupant deaths break down

131

driver deaths

54

passenger deaths

185

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

41

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Toyota Camry reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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