2019 vs 2020 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.

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

Nothing that 2019 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

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
21V890000 2018–2019
The vane cap inside the brake booster vacuum pump may break, causing a sudden loss of brake assist. NHTSA

20V064000 2020
Porosity in the engine castings may crack and let coolant leak inside or outside the engine. NHTSA
23V865000 2020–2022
A short circuit may develop in the passenger seat occupant sensor, stopping the passenger front airbag from deploying. NHTSA

20V682000 2018–2020
The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. It is replaced. NHTSA

After 2019, up to and including 2020.

2020Android Auto becomes standard. All-wheel drive is offered with the 2.5L on the LE and up, and a V6-only TRD and an SE Nightshade Edition join the range. Edmunds

Nothing that 2020 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 2020 lacks.

Nothing that 2019 lacks.