2016 Toyota Camry engine problems

ENGINE

The engine quit running whenever the headlights, turn signals, or wipers were turned on. This was obviously a serious safety problem when driving! It began intermittently on 6/30/25, but it became a consistent problem by 7/7/25, so I took the car to the closest Toyota Dealership for evaluation. I can provide their service report to you if requested. It took them 6 hours and $1000 to diagnose the problem as bad electrical grounding points (high resistance), which were only revealed after they removed the front bumper. In my opinion, it is an unsafe design to have poor grounding for headlights cause the engine to die.

NHTSA complaint #11672467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Subject: Investigation Request: Excessive Oil Consumption in 2012-2017 Toyota 2.5L Engines To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to request an investigation into a critical defect with Toyota’s 2.5L 4-cylinder engines in 2012-2017 vehicles, including my 2016 Toyota Camry SE. Despite regular maintenance and timely oil changes, my vehicle began consuming oil excessively around 120,000 miles, leading to significant safety risks. The problem began with sluggish acceleration and grinding noises, both hazardous in city traffic. After hearing grinding noises, I checked the oil level, and the dipstick was completely dry, despite still having 3,000 miles until my next scheduled oil change. The engine was consuming one quart of oil per week under normal driving conditions. Despite multiple visits to Toyota-certified dealerships, the issue was overlooked or minimized. Eventually, a dealership diagnosed worn piston rings, but by 130,000 miles, my engine had completely failed. I’m thankful [XXX] that my engine never quit while I was driving at highway speeds or in city traffic, as it could have been a serious accident. This issue is well-documented among owners of 2015-2017 Toyota Camrys and other models equipped with the same engine, even when vehicles are properly maintained. This defect not only threatens engine reliability but also endangers drivers by causing performance failures, such as grinding noises, sluggish acceleration, and unexpected power loss. Toyota has issued recalls for similar engine defects in other vehicles but has failed to address this issue for the 2.5L 4-cylinder engines in the 2012-2017 models. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this widespread issue and hold Toyota accountable for ensuring the safety and reliability of these vehicles. Many drivers, including myself, are at risk without proper action. Thank you for addressing this pressing matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11625944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Just at 70,000 miles a service light came on. After checking I found the oil was very low, about 2 quarts. I took it to the dealer for the oil change on 10/17/2022 and the service tech said that the hybrids use (burn) a little oil. That seems excessive to me. I just check my oil and it is a quart low with 3800 miles after the last oil change. Could have been burning oil for some time and didn't know it due to the fact I always took it to the dealer for the oil changes. They never said anything about the car burning or using oil, There is no leak as no oil in my driveway and on the engine. I'm afraid it might lock up on me when I on the road and could cause me to wreak.

NHTSA complaint #11507345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Micro leaks in radiator top plastic, could be defect with any camrys. Had to replace radiator.

NHTSA complaint #11502266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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. The car then accelerated quickly. I turned into the left hand turn lane in order to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. The car then jumped the center divider and slam in the curb on the other side of the street before it stopped. At no time did I take my foot off the brake. There was only minor damage to the front bumper, but I destroyed two plants in the center divide. (I do not know, as of yet, if there was any damage to underneath of car.) As I was less than two miles from home, I drove the vehicle home. The next business day I had the vehicle towed to the Toyota dealership in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I told them of the problem and they immediately notified corporate. Corporate TOOK possession of the car and did not issue its report until June 1, 2022 (31 days after the incident).

NHTSA complaint #11467063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the radiator was leaking antifreeze and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure was present and replaced the radiator. The cause of the failure was not determined. In addition, a message indicating that cylinder number two had misfired was displayed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #11424336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WILL NOT START

NHTSA complaint #11375782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SHUTS OFF. NEED TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE LAST 30 OR SO DAYS EVEN AFTER IT WAS IN THE DEALER TWICE.LAST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED IT DIED ON THE SERVICE MANAGER. LUCKILY IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR.NOTE: THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT CAN ONLY PUT IN 1 DATE.

NHTSA complaint #11297799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR HAS LESS THE 50K AND USES A QUART OR MORE PER 1000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11217769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED WHILE IDLING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED GERMAIN TOYOTA OF COLUMBUS AT (614) 686-0300 (LOCATED AT 5711 SCARBOROUGH BLVD, COLUMBUS, OH 43232) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA complaint #11133508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST JULY I BOUGHT A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY (VIN:[XXX]) FROM TOYOTA OF SARASOTA (7435 S TAMIAMI TRAIL SARASOTA, FL 34231). LAST NOVEMBER, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON I75, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AND THE DASHBOARD WAS DEAD AS WELL . I WAS SO SCARED AND PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I CALMED DOWN , I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND IT WORKED AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW CAR AND DID NOT REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WHEN MY FIRST SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT ON JANUARY THIS YEAR, I TOLD THE DEALER WHAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CAR CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY. THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HEAR OF THE THING I TOLD THEM EVER HAPPENED ON CAMRY BEFORE AND AGREE TO TAKE A LOOK. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. BUT TWO WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN WHEN I DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY I75. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I CALLED TOYOTA THOUGH THE NUMBER 800-331-4331, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SIMILAR CASE REPORTED AND SUGGESTED ME TO CHECK MY CAR AT THE DEALER. I STOPPED BY THE DEALER AND THEY DROVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT FAILED. THEY ALSO CHECK THE CAR THOROUGHLY AND FOUND NOTHING UNNORMAL. YESTERDAY(7/2/2017), I WENT THE DEALER FOR MY SECOND SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD FOR MY CAR. BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I75, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER REPORTING THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY CHECK THE CAR AGAIN AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AGAIN. ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND THE PICTURES I TOOK YESTERDAY WHEN I PULLED OVER MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD WAS DEAD AND THE KEY WAS STILL AT THE ON POSITION. PLEASE HELP ME TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11002739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

IN JULY 2016 I WAS CRESTING THE TOP OF A HILL WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO HIT MY BRAKES. UPON BRAKING AND DECELERATION, I FELT THE CAR MOMENTARILY TRY ACCELERATING THROUGH THE BRAKES. THIS FREAKED ME OUT AND I PULLED OVER TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. CHECKED MY FLOOR MAT AND EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD BE. SO I STARTED MY CAR BACK UP, WITH IT IN PARK GAVE IT A LITTLE REV. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE MOTOR IS COMING BACK DOWN ON THE RPM'S, IT IS ACTUALLY HANGING UP, AND SOMETIMES ACTUALLY JUMPING AT OR AROUND 1500 RPMS. IT DOES IT EVERY SINGLE TIME. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO TWO DEALERSHIPS NOW TO BE TOLD NOTHING WE CAN DO. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A SINGLE VEHICLE ISSUE...I AM THE ONLY ONE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD MY CAR MOMENTARILY ACCELERATE THROUGH THE BRAKES AND SAID ANYTHING SO FAR! I HAVE SAT IN NUMEROUS BRAND NEW TOYOTAS WITH THE 2.5L LIKE THE CAMRY AND RAV4 AND EVERY NEW TOYOTA DOES THIS WEIRD RPM JUMP ON THEIR OWN AND ALL THE DEALERS SAID TO ME WAS "IF THE OTHERS ARE DOING IT ON THE LOT....IT IS OBVIOUSLY NORMAL" THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF SOMETHING IN TOYOTA'S 2.5L ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE JULY TO WORK WITH TOYOTA AND HAVE NOW DECIDED TO ESCALATE IT THROUGH THE NHTSA BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!!!! I HAVE TAKEN A VIDEO AND UPLOADED IT TO YOUTUBE. THE LINK IS AS FOLLOWS BELOW. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=K9JUTPQV2U8&T=11S

NHTSA complaint #10937419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM USING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR MIRRORS. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,422.

NHTSA complaint #10916392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.