2019 Toyota Camry

My vehicle completely lost power and stalled on the freeway, requiring a tow. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed it with a total internal failure of the UA80 transmission and quoted me $9,000. This vehicle has been properly maintained, including a documented transmission fluid service at a Toyota facility in March of this year. A modern powertrain should not suffer a life-threatening failure at 130,000 miles. Because of this severe safety defect and my documented maintenance history, I am requesting a Corporate Goodwill Accommodation to cover or significantly cost-share this replacement.

Vehicle has 75,000 original miles. At around 73,000 miles, I began to hear a whining noise from the engine bay while accelerating at highway speeds. I took the car into the dealership where they confirmed the transmission has failed and needs to be replaced. All routine maintenance has been done on schedule and is on record with the dealership since original vehicle deployment. This vehicle has the UA80 transmission that is the center of multiple class-action lawsuits in the US due to early failure, allegedly due to design flaws.

At approximately 93,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction. About one week before the failure, intermittent warning messages appeared for Emergency Braking Malfunction and Forward Collision Warning Malfunction. These warnings appeared and disappeared several times over multiple days. About three days before the major transmission issues began, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership in North Brunswick, New Jersey, for a routine oil change. At that time, the vehicle was operating normally, and no transmission-related issues were reported. 3 days later, the warning messages returned, and the check engine light came on. Around the same time, the vehicle began experiencing serious transmission problems, including delayed shifting, harsh gear changes, and RPM flare-ups without corresponding acceleration. These issues created a serious safety risk because the vehicle could hesitate or fail to accelerate properly when merging into traffic, turning at intersections, or attempting to avoid hazards. The unpredictable shifting and loss of power increased the risk of a collision. After the check engine light appeared, the vehicle was returned to the same Toyota dealership. The dealership performed diagnostic testing and identified internal transmission and transmission control system faults, including solenoid-related failures and torque converter clutch issues. The dealership determined that the transmission requires full replacement and provided a repair estimate of approximately $12,000. The vehicle has no known prior accident damage related to this issue. there are numerous consumer complaints involving similar transmission problems in 2018–2019 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission. I am filing this complaint because this failure occurred at relatively low mileage for a Toyota vehicle and presents a significant safety concern due to unpredictable power delivery and loss of acceleration.

While driving the vehicle on a street it shut off on it's own in the middle of the road. It was terrifying. Had it pulled to my house. Once I was able to get it towed it went to Stockton CA Toyota Dealership and had it inspected with results of it needs a new transmission. They had no clue was was wrong with it just that it needed a new transmission. I have not driven the vehicle since this happened because it will not drive. It's going on 4 months now. The car at first was pulling and shaking and would not go into 3rd gear. It was stuck in acceleration. It was making a loud noise and it just got worse. I haven't had the vehicle for a year. I have researched this and there are many many having the same issue with this type of vehicle.

While driving the vehicle on a street it shut off on it's own in the middle of the road. It was terrifying. Had it pulled to my house. Once I was able to get it towed it went to the Stockton CA Toyota Dealership and had it inspected with results of it needs a new transmission. I have not driven the vehicle since this happened, which is about 3 months now. It is financed through CAR MAX and I haven't had the vehicle a year. I have researched this and there are many having the same issues with this type of vehicle.

June 9,2026 I was in gig harbor washington visiting my son. I pulled into the right side of the drive way as I have done a 1000 times over the years. I was slowly pulling up to the right side of the garage and the car surged forward at full speed 5 ft away. It smashed the front of the house. Filed a claim with USAA car insurance. Last year in August of 2025 I was in the Tag n Go car wash. I pulled up they stopped me and I put the car in neutral. This let the car wash pull my car throught the car wash on a one track driver side system. My windshield was covered with soap and the car surged forward and hit the SUV in front of me. When the soap rinsed off I wash under the car in front of me. I put the car in reverse from neutral. It caused no damage to the car in front but caused about $1700.00 damage to my car. The car wash had video that showed my car surge forward and hit the car in front of me. This is two incidents in 11 months of my camry surging forward.

Disgusted & deeply disappointed in my first (& last) experience owning a Toyota is an understatement. I confidently purchased a brand new Camry in 2019, based on their reputation for reliability. But, as soon as the warranty expired, the problems began. First, the electronic water pump failed, costing me $1200. The thermostat failed while I was on vacation last year, costing $300ish. Multiple battery issues. Then, a few months pass, check engine light pops up. Says it needs an O2 sensor. Replace it, light goes off, only to come back a few days later. Take to dealership where they charge me $200 to diagnose. They inform me the car will not accept after market parts & I'll need to purchase one from them instead for around $600. Yes. $600 for an O2 sensor. At only 129k miles, the transmission failed. The car stopped in the middle of an intersection & would not move forward, nearly causing me & my child to be hit. Mechanic informs me that it can be upwards of $7k to replace with a used transmission, $11k for new, & that's only WHEN they can get the part, which is on back order for MONTHS. This is because the supply can't keep up with the demand, as this model has widespread transmission issues. It was explicitly stated it is a "manufacturer defect." Yet, no recall. My online research absolutely supports that this is a large & very common problem that should warrant some responsibility from Toyota. It was on a rollback 4 times in 1 year. So, I was put in a position where I was forced to buy another car, since obviously I can't go without one for months. My 6 year old car (at time of breakdown) is now basically junk. It sits in my driveway, worthless, just 7 months after payoff.