2017 vs 2018 Toyota Camry

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2017

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

2018

  • Hesitant or harsh shifts in the 8-speed All years

    What to check: On a test drive from cold, pull away gently and firmly and drive in stop-and-go traffic, feeling for hesitation, lurches or harsh shifts. Shift from R to D and see that it engages without a delay, and look for a check-engine light.

    Toyota bulletin T-SB-0122-20 covers 2018 Camrys with the 8-speed that, after a delay engaging from R to D, show a lock-up concern and a check-engine light with codes P07407E or P27567F; the fix is new engine computer software. Bulletin T-SB-0010-18 warns that a mismatch of gearbox and software can cause harsh shifts or flare. In one CarGurus thread, an unofficial source, eight owners of 2018 and later Camrys report hesitation, lag, jerking or harsh shifts, and none says a software update cured it.

    Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Failing low-pressure fuel pump 2018–2020

    What to check: Ask a Toyota dealer whether fuel pump recalls 20V012000, 20V682000 and, on a 2018, 25V028000 were done.

    Three recalls replaced low-pressure fuel pumps in the tank that may fail.

    NHTSA

  • Brake booster vacuum pump failure 2018–2019

    What to check: Ask a Toyota dealer whether recalls 18V211000 and 21V890000 were done. A failing pump can take away the brake assist suddenly.

    NHTSA

Recalls

2017

  • 16V906000 2017

    The passenger knee airbag may be fixed with the wrong fasteners. NHTSA

2018

  • 18V108000 2018

    The fuel delivery pipes in the engine bay may not be properly connected to the fuel hoses. NHTSA

  • 18V200000 2018

    The pistons may be larger than specified, which could make the engine stall. NHTSA

  • 18V211000 2018

    The brake booster vacuum pump rotor may have been machined wrongly, which can cause a sudden loss of brake assist. NHTSA

  • 20V012000 2018–2019

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. It is replaced. NHTSA

  • 20V682000 2018–2020

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. It is replaced. NHTSA

  • 21V890000 2018–2019

    The vane cap inside the brake booster vacuum pump may break, causing a sudden loss of brake assist. NHTSA

  • 25V028000 2018

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2017, up to and including 2018.

  1. 20188th gen begins.
  2. 2018New model, in L, LE, SE, XLE and XSE trim and as a Hybrid LE, SE or XLE, with a 206 hp 2.5L four or a 301 hp V6 and an 8-speed automatic. Toyota

What it came with

2017

Transmissions
6-speed automatic Toyota, a published reference
Packages
Wireless phone charging (2017) Edmunds

2018

Batteries
Lithium-ion, 1.0 kWh Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
8-speed automatic Toyota, a published reference
Trims
L (2018–2020) Toyota, Edmunds

Both years

Engines
2.5L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference, 3.5L V6 Toyota, 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid Toyota, a published reference
Motors
Electric drive motor Toyota
Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride, 1.6 kWh Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
Electronic continuously variable (e-CVT) Toyota, a published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
LE Toyota, Edmunds, SE Toyota, Edmunds, XLE Toyota, XSE Toyota, Hybrid LE Toyota, a published reference, Hybrid SE Toyota, a published reference, Hybrid XLE Toyota, a published reference

Colors

2017

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

2018

  • Super White 2018–2022 Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2017

  • Sought after: The 7th gen as a whole All years One source so far

    SlashGear reports that Consumer Reports called these cars a wise used car choice. It notes the generation has the most service communications of any, though many are minor. SlashGear

2018

  • Watch for: 2018 Less sought after One source so far

    SlashGear notes the 2018 had eight recalls and hundreds of complaints, where 2019–2024 had few recalls. SlashGear