Toyota Camry Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for XV50 and XV70, Petrol and Hybrid

The Toyota Camry is about as safe as used sedans get. Drive says the hybrid driveline "doesn't affect reliability or durability" and the 2.5 petrol will "run forever". The real risks are history, not engineering: ex-taxi, rideshare and fleet cars with huge kilometres, early hybrids with ageing batteries, and the 2013–2019 fuel pump recall. Check the history, test the battery, then get it inspected.

Which Toyota Camry generation are you looking at?

XV50 (2012–2017). The seventh-generation Camry went on sale in Australia in November 2011, built at Altona in Victoria. The petrol used a 2.5-litre four with a six-speed auto. The Camry Hybrid arrived a few months later with 151kW/350Nm combined outputs and a CVT, in H and HL grades, and from 2015 the hybrid was offered across the range. A 2015 facelift brought revised springs, dampers and a faster steering rack. Australian production ended on 3 October 2017 (carsales, buying used 2007–2017). carsales lists towing at 1,200kg braked for petrol cars and just 300kg for hybrids. CarsGuide notes the Camry has a timing chain, so there's no belt to change (CarsGuide, Camry reviews).

XV70 (late 2017 on). The imported eighth-generation Camry launched in late 2017 with a 2.5 petrol (133kW/231Nm, six-speed auto), a 2.5 hybrid (160kW combined, CVT) and a 3.5 V6 (224kW/362Nm, eight-speed auto), all front-wheel drive, with a three-year/100,000km warranty at launch (CarExpert, 2018 Camry). Drive notes Toyota moved to a five-year/unlimited-km warranty for cars from 1 January 2019 (Drive, best year RAV4).

What are the most common Toyota Camry problems?

These are reported by Australian motoring experts and owners. They're not failure rates. With the Camry, the list is unusually short, and most of it is about how the car was used.

Ex-taxi, rideshare and fleet history

Drive points out that governments and fleets bought the Camry Hybrid in large numbers, and that you'd want to know whether a car was executive-driven or an office pool car. carsales notes the fuel savings made the hybrid popular with taxi operators (Drive, Camry Hybrid used review; carsales). A six-year-old hybrid with 400,000km of taxi work is a different car from a private one with 90,000km, even if they look the same in the ad.

Hybrid battery age

carsales says batteries in early Camry Hybrids "will be close to or beyond their eight-year limit of effective life", and that a newer hybrid with years of battery life left can effectively cost less than a cheap old one that needs a pack (carsales). Drive is more relaxed: it says it isn't seeing packs "dying young", and that second-hand packs are available from wrecks. Both agree the battery is the wild card. We measure it rather than guess. See our Toyota hybrid battery guide.

Oil changes and CV joints

carsales' checklist leads with servicing: make sure not too much time has elapsed between oil changes. It also says to listen for clicking from the front end while cornering under power, a sign of a worn CV joint on higher-kilometre cars (carsales).

The CVT "flare"

Drive says the hybrid's CVT "seems to be pretty trouble free (unlike similar transmissions in other brands)", but that it flares under hard acceleration and can feel like a slipping clutch. That's normal behaviour, not a fault (Drive).

Boot space on hybrids

Not a fault, but a surprise for buyers. carsales says the battery takes a big chunk of boot space on XV50 hybrids. Check a pram fits before you buy.

What Toyota Camry recalls should I check?

We confirmed these on the federal register at vehiclerecalls.gov.au. Check by VIN with a Toyota dealer or the Toyota Recall Assist line.

What this means for you: on any 2013–2019 Camry, confirm the fuel pump recall is done. On a 2019 car, check the brake booster. Toyota fixes recalls free.

What our inspectors check on a Toyota Camry

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the car has these faults.

1. 1.OBD-II scan of stored, pending and live codes across engine, transmission, ABS and, on hybrids, the hybrid control module. We look for recently cleared codes. (All packages)
2. 2.Engine bay and leak check, oil level and condition, plus 12-volt battery, starter and alternator tests. (All packages)
3. 3.Brake pads and tyre tread measured, with remaining life. (All packages)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection. Engine, cooling, belts, mounts, exhaust, driveline and steering. (Comprehensive and Elite)
5. 5.Transmission checks. Shift quality on the six and eight-speed autos, CVT behaviour on hybrids, CV joints on full lock. (Comprehensive and Elite)
6. 6.Undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted, with underbody photos. (Comprehensive and Elite)
7. 7.Suspension bushes, mounts, shocks and steering play. A taxi-life Camry shows it here first. (Comprehensive and Elite)
8. 8.Full electrical test and interior electronics, including camera, sensors and driver aids. We also look for drilled holes, worn seat bolsters and other fleet or taxi fit-out traces. (Comprehensive and Elite)
9. 9.Exterior paint and body repair indicators, plus an odometer rollback check. (Comprehensive and Elite.) Elite adds a paint thickness gauge on every panel.
10. 10.PPSR check. (Comprehensive and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
11. 11.Cold-start assessment by a senior inspector, when the seller leaves the engine cold. (Elite only)
12. 12.History deep-dive (odometer, owners, stolen or written-off status and recalls) and a valuation. (Elite only)
13. 13.Hybrid battery health. This needs the EV/Hybrid Battery Test add-on (+$199). It isn't included in any package. See our EV and hybrid battery inspection.

Road tests are 3–5km on Essential, 6–10km on Comprehensive and 10–12km on Elite.

How should you test-drive a used Camry?

• Ask for the engine cold. It should start first time and idle smoothly.
• On a hybrid, watch the battery gauge. Big swings or a petrol engine that never shuts off at a warm idle are worth noting.
• Accelerate hard once on a hybrid and expect the CVT to flare. That's normal. Shudder isn't.
• Corner under light power both ways and listen for clicking.
• Steady 80–100km/h cruise. Feel for vibration through the wheel and listen for wheel bearing hum.
• Brake firmly a few times on a 2019 car. The pedal shouldn't change.
• Check every seat, belt and switch. Fleet cars get worn in odd places.
• After the drive, check under the car for drips.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check for finance owing, write-off and stolen status. Fleet cars are often financed. It's in Comprehensive and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• Full service history with oil change dates, not just stamps.
• A Service NSW vehicle history report. It shows past use such as taxi or hire car, the number of registered operators in NSW and recent odometer readings. That's the cheapest way to catch an ex-taxi.
• Hybrid battery health-check records, which Toyota's extended battery cover depends on.
• Recall completion by VIN, using the table above.
• Warranty status. Cars first registered from 1 January 2019 have five years. Rideshare and rental use is capped at 160,000km on those cars.

How do you negotiate on a used Camry?

• Ex-taxi or rideshare history that the seller didn't mention is your strongest lever, or your reason to walk away.
• An early hybrid with no battery test carries real risk. Our test gives you the number to negotiate with.
• Clicking CV joints are a modest job, but still money off.
• Gaps in the oil change record matter more on a high-kilometre car.
• Open recalls must be done before you pay.

Our Elite inspector can negotiate on the spot, using the findings.

Is a used Toyota Camry a good buy? Our verdict

Yes. It's one of the most reliable used cars you can buy, which is exactly why so many have been worked to death.

• XV50 petrol: simple, roomy, tows 1,200kg. Buy on history.
• XV50 Hybrid: superb economy, but carsales warns early batteries are near the end of their effective life. Test it.
• XV70 2.5 petrol: the simplest XV70. Confirm the fuel pump recall.
• XV70 Hybrid: the pick for most buyers. Check prior use and battery health.
• XV70 V6: quick and rare. Go Elite.

Drive's advice is to aim for a 2012 or later car for the five-star ANCAP rating (Drive). Learn more on our company facts page, see how our pre-purchase car inspections in Sydney work, or read about our Toyota inspections.

Toyota Camry FAQs

What are the most common Toyota Camry problems?

Very few mechanical ones. Australian experts flag ageing hybrid batteries on early cars, clicking CV joints on high-kilometre cars, stretched oil change intervals and ex-taxi or fleet wear. Recalls cover a 2012 fuel hose, the 2013–2019 fuel pump, a 2019 brake booster and the 2024–2026 instrument cluster. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

How long does a Camry Hybrid battery last?

carsales says early Camry Hybrid batteries have an effective life of about eight years and many will be near or past it. Drive says it isn't seeing packs dying young and second-hand packs are available. Toyota's extended battery cover depends on annual health checks. Our EV/Hybrid Battery Test (+$199) measures the actual condition.

Should I buy an ex-taxi Camry Hybrid?

Only with your eyes open and at the right price. Taxis rack up enormous kilometres, and Toyota caps the warranty on rideshare, taxi and rental cars at five years/160,000km. A Service NSW vehicle history report shows past taxi or hire use. If the price reflects the kilometres and the battery tests well, it can be fine. If the seller hid it, walk.

Can a Toyota Camry tow?

A petrol XV50 can tow 1,200kg braked. carsales says the XV50 hybrid is certified for just 300kg, which rules out almost any loaded trailer. On an XV70, check the compliance plate for the exact car, and make sure any towbar is rated and properly fitted before you tow anything.

Has the Toyota Camry been recalled in Australia?

Yes. REC-001320 (fuel pump, 2013–2019, shared with Corolla, Kluger, HiLux and others), REC-001306 (2019 brake booster pump), REC-006700 (2024–2026 instrument cluster software) and a 2012 fuel hose recall on early XV50 cars. Check the VIN on vehiclerecalls.gov.au or with a Toyota dealer.

Which Camry engine is best?

For most buyers, the hybrid. Drive says the hybrid driveline doesn't affect reliability and gives its biggest fuel advantage in city traffic. The 2.5 petrol is simpler, tows more and suits highway drivers. The XV70 V6 is quick but rare. On any of them, service history and prior use matter more than the engine.

Does the Camry have a timing belt?

No. CarsGuide confirms the Camry uses a timing chain, so there's no scheduled belt replacement. Servicing is the thing to check: carsales' first checklist item is making sure not too much time has passed between oil changes, which matters more on a high-kilometre fleet car.

Do you inspect Camrys in my area, and what does it cost?

Yes. We're mobile across Greater Sydney, Newcastle (including Maitland), the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra, 7 days. Essential is $199, Comprehensive is $329 and Elite Buyers' Protection is $449. The EV/Hybrid Battery Test is a +$199 add-on. No travel charges, the quoted price is the price, in every region we cover.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections, 7 days.

Sources

carsales, Buying a used Toyota Camry (2007–2017)

Drive, Toyota Camry Hybrid 2012–2017 used car review

Drive, What year of Toyota RAV4 is best to buy used (Toyota warranty dates and rideshare cap)

CarsGuide, Toyota Camry reviews (2006–2012 used review, timing chain, 2012 recall)

CarExpert, 2018 Toyota Camry models and range

REC-001320

REC-001306

REC-006700

Service NSW, Order a vehicle history report

PPSR