Pre Purchase Inspection for 2024 Toyota Camry
Check the 2018 build recalls, the brake vacuum pump and fuel pump fixes, and how the 8-speed shifts. Hybrids from 2020 carry a longer battery warranty. We check the known trouble spots before you pay.
Buying a 2024 Toyota Camry? Smart move to check it first. The engine it has changes what matters most.
Transmission: 8-speed automatic; hybrid transaxle. Last year of this generation and of the gas Camry. Check the rear head restraint recall (24V-128).
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- 3.5L V6
- 2.5L hybrid
Toyota told dealers that some 2018 Camrys can shift hard from Park to Reverse on the first start, or hesitate and jolt when you speed up right after slowing down. The fix is an engine computer update (bulletin T-SB-0330-17). A later bulletin says a mismatch between transmission hardware and computer software on some 2018 cars can cause harsh shifts after a repair. NHTSA's complaint file for the 2018 Camry lists 196 complaints coded to the power train as of September 2026.
WE CHECK We road test from a cold start, shift Park to Reverse, and roll to a near stop then accelerate to feel for jolts or delay. We scan for stored transmission codes and ask for records of the software update.
SOURCE Toyota TSB T-SB-0330-17 summary (2018 Camry shift shock) · Toyota TSB T-SB-0122-20 (filed with NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2018 Toyota Camry
Two recalls cover the pump that powers the brake booster. Recall 18V-211 (2018) says a badly machined part can cause a sudden loss of brake assist. Recall 21V-890 (2018 and 2019) says a vane cap inside the pump can break with the same result. Dealers replace or repair the pump for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls and feel the brake pedal for a hard pedal on the road test. We look for records showing the pump was replaced.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-211 · NHTSA recall 21V-890 · NHTSA recall data, 2018 Toyota Camry
Toyota recalled the low pressure fuel pump in the tank on 2018 to 2020 Camrys in three campaigns (20V-012, 20V-682 and 25V-028). NHTSA says a failed pump can make the engine stall while driving. Dealers replace the pump for free.
WE CHECK We run the VIN for all three campaigns, listen for rough running or hard starting, and check for stored fuel system codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-012 · NHTSA recall 20V-682 · NHTSA recall 25V-028
Some 2018 four cylinder cars were recalled because the pistons could be larger than specified, which can make the engine stall. Toyota replaced the whole engine if the pistons came from the affected batch (18V-200). Some 2018 V6 cars were recalled because fuel pipes may not have been properly connected (18V-108).
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls and look for a dealer record. With the hood up, we look for fuel smell or wetness around the V6 fuel lines.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-200 · NHTSA recall 18V-108
Recall 20V-064 covers some 2020 Camry and Camry Hybrid four cylinder engines. NHTSA says porosity in the castings can crack and leak coolant inside or outside the engine. Dealers inspect and replace the engine as needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall, look for coolant leaks and low coolant, and watch the temperature gauge on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-064
The seat sensor that decides whether to turn on the passenger air bag has two recalls. Recall 19V-567 recalibrated the sensor on some 2019 cars. Recall 23V-865 covers some 2020 to 2022 Camry and Camry Hybrid cars whose sensor can short circuit and stop the passenger air bag from deploying. Toyota mailed remedy letters in phases through January 2026.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls and watch the passenger air bag status light with the seat empty and with an adult seated.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-567 · NHTSA recall 23V-865
Toyota's Customer Support Program 24TE04 covers a small coolant leak from a flow shut off valve on certain 2018 to 2021 Camry and Camry Hybrid cars. The leak can bring up an Engine Maintenance Required message or make the A/C work poorly. Toyota says the extra coverage runs 10 years from first use or 100,000 miles.
WE CHECK We look for coolant residue in the engine bay, check the coolant level, scan for codes and test the A/C output. We note if the valve was already replaced.
SOURCE Toyota Customer Support Program 24TE04 (dealer letter filed with NHTSA)
Recall 23V-432 covers some 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid cars whose lug nuts may be loose, which can let a wheel come off. Toyota told owners not to drive them until fixed. Recall 24V-128 covers some 2023 and 2024 cars whose rear seat head restraint brackets may be poorly welded.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls, look at the wheels and lug nuts, and check that the rear head restraints are solid.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-432 · NHTSA recall 24V-128
Toyota extended the hybrid battery warranty from 8 years or 100,000 miles to 10 years or 150,000 miles for 2020 and newer hybrids, and it passes to later owners. A 2018 or 2019 Camry Hybrid does not get the longer coverage.
WE CHECK We confirm the in service date, scan the hybrid system for stored codes, and watch the hybrid system on the road test.
SOURCE Toyota newsroom: hybrid battery warranty extended for 2020 models
- Open recall check on the VIN, since 2018 to 2020 cars have many
- Cold start and low speed road test of the 8-speed automatic
- Brake pedal feel for any loss of brake assist
- Coolant leaks and the Engine Maintenance Required message
- Passenger air bag status light with the seat empty and occupied
- Scan of the engine, transmission and hybrid systems for stored codes
- Wheels, lug nuts and rear head restraints on 2023 and 2024 cars
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a 2024 Camry? A pre purchase inspection checks these trouble spots on the car in front of you.
Does the 2018 to 2024 Camry have a CVT?
Why does my 2018 Camry shift hard?
Which Camry years have all wheel drive?
Is the Camry hybrid battery still under warranty?
What does Engine Maintenance Required mean on a Camry?
How do I check a Camry for open recalls?
When did Toyota stop making the gas Camry?
We'll check it first
Pre-tagged for the 2024 Toyota Camry. One call and a tech is on it.
951-267-8500Call nowRequest a 2024 Camry inspection
Pre-tagged for the 2024 Toyota Camry.
Buying a 2024 Camry? Let us check it first.
Engine-specific checks, a live recall pull, and a clear report.