Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Toyota Camry. While the contact's wife was attempting to drive the vehicle in reverse, it spontaneously accelerated and crashed into a stone wall. The driver sustained injuries to her wrist and ribs, which required medical attention. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot and deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1909121131. The manufacturer retrieved the data recorder box. The failure mileage was 47,000.
2011 Camry le - the vehicle doesn't seem to know what gear it wants to be in after a stop light or stop sign. I can press the gas pedal and the car minimally responds, slowly moving and then suddenly going as if the transmission is slipping. If I drive it like I stole off ever stop sign/stop light it would do alright but you really have to stomp it off the light and I don't drive that way. Again the transmission is messed up and Toyota doesn't acknowledge it! Also, on the highway at approx 70-75 and letting off the gas the car has a shudder which is unsettling while on the highway....sometimes I expect the engine to die or the transmission fall out. I have called Toyota and had the car serviced by the service manager, service dept etc without any resolution. I would have thought a transmission flush would be the first thing but they have never done that!! …
Upon doing research, I've noticed there are several complaints concerning the transmission on this vehicle. When my wife and I first bought the vehicle, I noticed the the vehicle would hesitate when shifting gears. Sometimes when I would drive the vehicle, it would rev up very quickly before it changed out. Just recently, it begun to rev up more often before it shifted gears. It did that for a few days before it wouldn't shift gears at all after 40mph.then ultimately, it wouldn't change gears at all. My vehicle has under 134,000 miles on it and it appears the transmission has burned out on it. After analyzing the reviews concerning this issue,I feel it is fair to say that Toyota has sold its consumer an inferior product. I, as a consumer, really wish Toyota would consider this issue because this is a major expense at the hands of the consumer. …
When accelerating the vehicle's RPM rev, hesitation and then the vehicle speeds up once transmission engages with the engine. The vehicle accelerates at a high speed. This has happened over the last three months on an incline, 1.0 grade while merging onto the freeway. On flat surfaces, this does not occur. No warning indicator light to indicate there was an issue. The last time the hesitation happened I was traveling at 50 MPH to gain speed to merge onto the freeway. The vehicles RPM was between 5-6 and the transmission would not engage however it did move forward and allowed me to pull off to the shoulder. At this time there is no invoice. We have a verbal estimation of $4,000 for the transmission, center city automotive in davis, ca.
I am writing about my Toyota Camry 2011.I have a manual transmission that has failed now for the third time. I am presently driving but yes if it fails again it could be a safety issue if im caught in the middle of a very busy highway and it fails again. I just wanted you to be aware. Also something totally unrelated is I would suggest every seat belt in any vehicle be a fluorescent orange so it is very obvious to everyone that you are not wearing your seat belt. This would help the police and anyone else in an accident or otherwise. I am just making the suggestion hoping someone will change this. [redacted]
Transmission will appear to disengage between 2nd and 3rd gear when first starting off in cold or after setting for long periods (9-10 hrs.). Starting from a dead stop the car will feel and appear to start off normally, then the transmission will disengage, and the rpms will shoot up if you do not take you foot off of the accelerator. After releasing the accelerator the transmission will engage and continue on normally. This is not constant or every time. This has been a problem since 3,000 mile - current mileage 87,000. Dealer can not resolve the issue or duplicate. I have duplicated it for them once during the cold weather when the vehicle was left with them for repairs and testing.
My car has been experiencing hard shifts when switching gears and sometimes going idle during gear shifts. I've taken it to the Toyota dealer several times and they can never replicate the issue. I took my car in for service a few days ago and they didn't notice a transmission leak that another third party mechanic did. Makes me wonder they are trying to avoid accountability here. The third party mechanic told me that his car had the same issue and he had to fight for Toyota to fix the issue. There are a lot of people having this transmission gear issue and it should be resolved by Toyota immediately. This can cause major issues which would cause the consumer a lot of money.
When first starting out with cold engine, stopping for traffic light, cars transmission does not fully engage properly. When leaving intersection, accelerating the engine, the car will creep very slowly for about 50 feet or so, then seems to slowly engage as it normally should. After car is warm, it seems to run fine for the rest of the day. This obviously irritates cars behind me, but even more so, creates a dangerous situation. Driving on today's highways is dangerous enough. I'd hate to have this happen, if I should ever need acceleration to avoid an accident in the making???
Car shudders at 35 to 40 MPH. If I speed up no problem. I heard it could be torque converter. I am not a mechanic but I told dealer and they never did anything. I also turn on ac an engine noise. They told me is wear an tear. Car is in good condition just those issues. I am original owner my car was also in accident but dealer fixed it and never told me about the issue. Dorschel group rochester ny. Is very upsetting that a car I paid over 25000$ is doing this and no recalls
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Camry. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to shake. Brown's Toyota of glen burnie (7167 ritchie highway, glen burnie, md 21061) diagnosed that the valve cover fractured and damaged the vvt gears and the timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not covered under the power train warranty. The failure mileage was 84,500.
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Toyota Camry, 8% of the model year's 601 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Toyota Camry, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Camry transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.