2018 vs 2019 Toyota Camry

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

Nothing that 2019 lacks.

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

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

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
25V028000 2018
The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. NHTSA

19V097000 2019
The fuel filler pipe may not have been reconnected to the tank after a factory inspection. NHTSA
19V567000 2019
The passenger seat occupant sensor may be miscalibrated, so the passenger front and knee airbags may not deploy as they should. 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

After 2018, up to and including 2019.

Nothing that 2019 lacks.

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

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: Lithium-ion, 1.0 kWh Toyota, a published reference, Nickel-metal hydride, 1.6 kWh Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions: 8-speed automatic Toyota, a published reference, Electronic continuously variable (e-CVT) Toyota, a published reference
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims: L (2018–2020) Toyota, Edmunds, 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

Nothing that 2019 lacks.

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

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

Nothing that 2018 lacks.