AC & Heater complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0% | 36,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 18,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% | 37,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% | 28,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 0% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% | 39,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% | 23,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 1% | 17,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% | — |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 7 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 1% | 87,000 miles |
| 1996 | 9 | 2% | 200,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. While the air conditioner was activated, there was an abnormal odor emitting into the vehicle from the vents. The failure recurred multiple times. As a result, the contact and the passenger required medical attention because of the odor. The vehicle was tested for mold and it was confirmed that mold was building up on the heating vents. In addition, water was not draining from the unit causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 900.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. When the air conditioner was acivated, an abnormal mold odor emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that bugs clogged the drain tube. As a result, the bugs had to be removed and the system needed to be drained and cleaned out. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred numerous times. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
News release that Toyota dealers stop sealing 2013 and 14 Toyota camrys as well as 5 other vehicle styles due to the flame retardant materials in the heated seats are not approved by the fda. My concern is does this flame retardant material give off a vapor or fume when the seat heater is operated. I am diagnosed as multiple chemical sensitive and my eyes burn or are irritated, as well as I experience breathing irritation when the seats are operational. I have stopped using the seats since the news release (last 2 days) but still notice milder irritation. I have noticed this since around October 2013, which would be the start of cooler weather in colorado. Is a chemical vapor produced, does it infiltrate the car interior?
Cpsc: i1420031a. 2013 Toyota Camry. Consumer states does the flame retardant material in the heated seats when the heater is in use give off vapor or fumes that cause eye and respiratory irritation? The consumer stated a new release was published, to stop Toyota from selling 2013 and 2014 Toyota Camry's, due to flame retardant materials in heated seats, not approved by the fda.
For the past several months my 2012 Camry A/C unit releases a foul mildew order. In-cabin filter as well as ozone depletion spray was completed twice over the span of one week at crown Toyota, however the foul smell shortly reappears when the car is turned on.
We received the recall notice in early December, 2013 regarding NHTSA campaign number: 13V442000 dealing with the air bag control module. At that time, we called our Toyota dealer for the related service and were told the replacement parts were in limited supply and the earliest we could have this safety issue fixed was in February, 2014. We made the appointment. We received a phone call today, 1/20/2014, that the appointment was being cancelled as Toyota could not meet the current demand for the replacement part. We were told to check back in a couple of weeks to see if the situation has changed. We asked what to do if a problem occurs in the meantime and we were told to then call the service department and they would fix the problem. When we asked how they would fix the problem since they are saying replacement parts aren't available, the question was left unanswered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Camry. The contact noticed an abnormal odor in the vehicle within a month of it being purchased. There was also white powder coming from the air vents whenever the air conditioner was activated. The contact stated that the odor was causing her and her family to become ill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times and stated that the evaporator system caused the failure. The dealer changed the evaporator system, but the odor persisted. The contact cleaned the vehicle and made sure all the windows were closed in order to eliminate the failures, but white powder continued to come through the vents. The contact was very concerned that the white powder could be toxic, especially since it was making her and her family nauseous. The contact attempted to use air fresheners in the vehicle, but the odor was still present. …
2011 Toyota Camry. Consumer states problem with air condition the consumer stated when the outside temperature exceeded 90 degrees, it took the A/C over 10 minutes to cool the inside of the vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle, but was unable to find a problem.
Related recalls (3)
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Camry years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (11), 1996 (9), 1997 (7), 1998 (7) and 2002 (7) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Toyota Camry ac & heater problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 16V-396 (seat heater/cooler, Jun 2, 2016); 14V-743 (seat heater/cooler, Nov 19, 2014); 13V-442 (air conditioner, Oct 17, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Camry ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles; 83% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the appliance › air conditioner (58 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system (21).
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.