2013 Toyota Camry Transmission Problems

67 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2013 Toyota Camry to NHTSA — 24% of all 274 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 57,000 miles. That ranks #8 of 30 Camry model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 35). No transmission recall has been issued for this model year.

67complaints
57ktypical miles
0related recalls
4crashes
0fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission › Torque converter
    1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1938%
  • 25k–50k
    36%
  • 50k–75k
    918%
  • 75k–100k
    816%
  • 100k–150k
    714%
  • 150k+
    48%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the battery four times within 8 years, and the water pump and the alternator had been replaced within 18 months. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered, hesitated, and failed to respond as needed, and lost automotive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to the Toyota Warranty Enhancement Program Number: ZE5. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty because the program had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

57,000 miles · Sep 2018

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the torque converter. The torque converter was flushed, and it was stated by the dealer that the torque converter might have caused damages to the transmission and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

205,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shuddered, with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact became aware that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

187,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder and jerk while the vehicle accelerating at speeds of 45 MPH or above. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure as torque converter shudder. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,555.

110,000 miles · Jan 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the vehicle would hesitate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle to his destination. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

171,000 miles · Aug 2021

The transmission malfunctioned during acceleration. Toyota acknowledged the defect torque converter was used for 2012 - 2014 Camry. However, the manufacturer refused to repair or replace it because the car haven't been driven during COVID pandemic, and warranty expired. During the acceleration after traffic light or lane merging, the car would shudder, stall, jerk and shake. This could get others or myself killed because the car suddenly slows down or stops. The defect torque converter has been inspected and confirmed by a local Toyota dealer (Bernardi Toyota), but they refused to address voluntarily. There was no warning, or error prior to the failure. It happened suddenly from a few months ago, with ~100,000 miles. So basically, the manufacturer (Toyota) is aware that they sold a defect product, which could get someone killed, but refused to repair or replace it. …

Mar 2023

My 2013 Camry shudders when I am accelerating, usually between 15-30 mph. It can be alarming since I expect the car to accelerate quickly but instead it shudders. I was making a right hand turn at a stop light, I went to accelerate and my car shuddered so badly and failed to accerelate so I was almost rear ended. This is a major safety concern when the gears do not properly change during operation. My local Toyota dealership diagnosed it as being a problem with the torque converter. I am aware that Toyota issued a Warranty Enhancement Notification - ZE5 to do three things, put in a new torque converter, additional transmission pan magnets, and update the software. I purchased my vehicle in 2019 and was not made aware of this by the Toyota dealership at the time of purchase nor did I receive anything in the mail. …

Feb 2024

Torque Converter started shuddering a couple of weeks ago. I was stranded in busy intersection for just long enough to scare me into understanding that this issue is dangerous. I found that Toyota had issued LSC E03 - Limited Service Campaign and I was not notified. There was no recall. Instead there was a window of time that I missed, apparently. How many 100's of thousands of Camry's are having this same issue but were unable to afford the cost after Toyota's Warranty Extension ended? I would bet it's alot. This will impact young peoples, and the working poor especially hard because they are the ones buying used cars, and they typically don't have the time or the money for expensive repairs. Even if the repairs are for safety. So, they will be driving the cars with a known safety flaw designed and sold by Toyota.

Dec 2021

While driving have noticed shuddering at random times. Car just now has 134k on it and the service records never showed what computer update was done. Was unaware of any issues with torque converter issues. Have had cruise control set to speed limit and had car acceleration up to 25miles over speed set, car has also slowed down without anything being changed. Went to dealership because torque converter tsb and was told it was out of warranty in Aug 2021. had ecm reprogrammed with original owner in 2014... toyota knew this was an issue and never corrected parts

Dec 2021

I have a vehicle in which a safety recall was issued for models In that body type and year range. The recall was issued in response to a software glitch that causes a shudder when acceleration. I called my local dealer and was told I do not qualify for a recall even though I have the exact same symptoms listed in the recall. I have spent over 3k trying to resolve this issue and have tried to reach out to corporate with no luck. My car is getting more unstable and nearly lost control due to the shudders. What can I do?

Oct 2024

Transmission complaints in other Camry years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’242521351618331568404884182664051464914267128361861991153312773
Transmission complaints per model year, Toyota Camry.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Toyota Camry?

NHTSA has 67 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Toyota Camry, 24% of the model year's 274 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2013 Toyota Camry transmission problems?

No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.