Toyota Camry airbag problems, 2016–2026
250 of the 2,441 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Camry 2016–2026 name the airbags (NHTSA’s “Air Bags” heading — airbags, their sensors and warning lights). The loudest years: 2021 (86), 2020 (57), 2016 (33). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Camry airbag problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the airbags | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 11 | 17% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 86 | 52% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 57 | 20% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 | 28 | 7% | 14k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | 60k | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 24 | 16% | 50k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2016 | 33 | 17% | 50k | 1 recall | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the airbags. Nothing here is a rate.
When the airbag complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 65 · 2025: 85 · 2026: 16
Across the model years, half of the 83 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the airbag problem between 15,000 and 69,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the airbags, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact had been in contact with the dealer for over a year and was informed that the parts needed to complete the recall were not yet available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail on the front passenger side. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.
What is on file about the airbags, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V865000 HighDec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- 19V567000 HighAug 1, 2019 · 680 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Camry vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag and knee air bag, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- 16V906000 HighDec 16, 2016 · 12 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
- 16V215000 HighApr 14, 2016 · 58,515 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Other systems with a record on the Toyota Camry
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Toyota Camry problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Camry years have the most airbag complaints?
2021, 86; 2020, 57; 2016, 33. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (52%).
Is there a recall for the airbags on the Toyota Camry?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V865000 (2022), 19V567000 (2019), 16V906000 (2017), 16V215000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do airbag problems show up on the Toyota Camry?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 41,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 15,000 and 69,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Air Bags" heading cover?
Airbags, their sensors and warning lights. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.