Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We purchased Toyota Camry in 2013. Currently, it has a mileage of less than 100K. We regularly serviced it at Landers Toyota dealership, and the last maintenance was performed a week before the accident. Driving home from work, my wife heard a bang and felt a jolt after which she was forced to stop. There were no warning signs. The car was filled with smoke and seconds later the flames appeared from underneath the car (luckily, she managed to escape without injuries). I towed the car to the garage for inspection and a large (about 4-5 inches) and wide (about 1 inch) crack was found on the engine. I contacted my insurance rep and the adjustor will inspect the vehicle within 1-3 business days.
2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE, 2AR-FXE. 134,000 miles. The car burns a quart of oil every 2,000 miles. This issue is from the low-tension piston rings sticking up and leading to scarring of the cylinder walls, causing oil consumption. Toyota had this issue with the 2007 2AZ engine and fixed it, but hasn't done a thing about the 2AR engine with the same problem. Hundreds and thousands of owners have complained but Toyota does not care enough to solve the problem! TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU, they only care about themselves and the money they make for charging people thousands of dollars for short blocks out of the owner's pocket for an issue that is not the owner's fault. The car has had 5,000/6 month mile oil changes all its life. Don't buy a 1AR/2AR-equipped Toyota if you expect it to last. …
I had this car for 5 months, the dealer lied to me about the engine being repaired, the coverage he has on the vehicle. The electronic doesn't work front driver/ passenger doors, we have to unlock the back doors to get into the car and hop over to the front. The hood doesn't have a holder to keep the hood up on its own, the electrical sound blows out and I had to buy more wires and sound system to equip. The day it started tripping, first was when the car didn't start, it made an awful clicking noise. I got a jump it started. I decided to buy new battery; however, the check engine light is on, and check service soon light on. I checked to see if there was any oil, there's no oil. I called the dealership advise him of the problem and he blows me off as if it's not his concern. I'm extremely upset because I trusted that his word to sell me a good and no bad conditions car. …
I am sending this msg in regards to my 2013 Toyota Camry SE that I leased and decided to purchase after the lease ended from Toyota Heritage in Catonsville. I am experiencing problems with my torque converter. This is an issue that Toyota knew that would happen to my car and now that I am experiencing this problem Toyota doesn't feel that they are responsible for the fix since the warranty has expired. I notice this problem in February 2019 when driving to work every morning at the same spot it felt like I was driving on the edge of the road. I figured it was road damage, because it would happen at the same spot every morning curve in the road. On March 16, 2019 due to COVID-19 we were sent home to work from home until Feb 2022. I wasn't driving my car much due to COVID. We are now back in the office 1 day a week. …
Unexpected acceleration on January 30, 2017, at 7:50 am, my car experienced ua in my office parking lot at 4917 waters edge drive, raleigh, nc 27606 while backing into a parking space. My car increased speed, knocking down a wooden retaining wall and attempting to climb a hill. I then after several attempts was able to placed the car in drive only to have it shoot across the parking lot, t-boning a car entering and knocking it on the sidewalk while I continued onto the yard. I was finally able to placed car in drive and the motor continued to rev until after several attempts was able to shut it down. Of note, none of my car's airbags deployed. However, the other vehicle's both side passenger air bags deployed. I went on line and reported my problem to Toyota with pictures and police report the next day. They asked for a written consent to allow them to get the data recorder. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Toyota Camry hv. While driving at low speeds, the brake pedal was applied but was stiff and the engine reeved up. The vehicle went across a three lane highway and crashed into a curb without warning. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to cloninger Toyota located at 511 jake alexander blvd s, salisbury, nc 28147, phone number: [phone] but was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.
This incident occurred on October 14, 2014 at approximately 2 pm. I was leaving my dentist's parking lot. I backed out of my parking spot, stopped and with my foot on the brake to shift into drive, the car shot backward at a very high rate of speed. To avoid hitting the building I turned the wheel sharply, but could not avoid hitting a parked car. Damage to my vehicle was almost $3000. I reported the incident to Toyota and they did an inspection on my vehicle and said they found nothing wrong so I must take responsibility for the accident.
When accelerating from a stop the vehicle will sometimes move about 10 feet and then hesitate for about 1 to 2 seconds. It will then accelerate normally. One time the vehicle accelerated to about 20 MPH and then the engine RPM returned to idle. The accelerator was pushed to the floor and the RPM remained at idle. The accelerator was released and pushed down again. The vehicle accelerated normally. This happened only one time. The intermittent hesitation is very dangerous when trying to cross a busy intersection when the cross traffic is uncontrolled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for the problem. The technician could not duplicate the condition. The u760e torque converter shudder recall upgrade was performed. This did not fix the problem. The service advisor said that the technician said that some transmission hesitation was normal. …
On a cold start, the engine sounds rough for about a second or two. Grinding type noise. Completely different from the normal warm-engine start-up sounds. Also, the engine does not sound right for about the first mile or so after a cold start, sort of a whining noise from the front right side of the engine compartment. Clearly audible when lightly revving between 1500-2000 rpms. Although TSB-004-13-a has not yet been expanded to include the 2013 Camry, it sounds a lot like that exact issue May be affecting the 2013s. This 2013 was built in the same plant as the 2010-12 camrys that are part of the TSB. I have taken it to the dealer twice and was told that 'these sounds are within the normal range of noises an engine can make'. I disagree. The vehicle now has 37K miles on it, I am hoping it will be fixed prior to the expiration of the powertrain warranty (60K).
The dates above are approximate as my car is back at the dealership. The car would vibrate at 20, 40 and 60 MPH it would also lose power when taking off from a stop. I got the run around I bought new tires had an aligned changed the fuel being used. Finally they said it was my tranmission. They replaced the tranmission and did a software update. I am now at 100,000 and having the exact same problem. I am convinced this is a known issue from what I see online I have no idea why Toyota hasn't officially ordered a recall! I believe I have a lemon and they should replace my car! My 16 year old daughter was driving she took off from a stop sign and was almost hit from the side the car was vibrating and wouldn't accelerate. This is a very dangerous issue. My car is currently back at pat lobb Toyota waiting on their diagnosis once again!
Engine complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Toyota Camry, 11% of the model year's 274 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Toyota Camry engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Toyota Camry, though it has 2 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 2013 Toyota Camry engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.