The 2022 Camry is generally solid, but the 2.5L four-cylinder has a documented oil consumption and engine damage issue tied to manufacturing defects in certain production runs. The hybrid and V6 variants are notably more reliable.
2.5L I4 Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston/Bearing Damage)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Knocking or ticking from bottom end, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Check engine light with misfire codes, Sudden loss of power or engine seizure
Fix: Toyota has acknowledged defective pistons and rings in certain 2.5L A25A-FKS engines (TSB 0094-22). Warranty covers replacement with updated parts through short block or complete engine swap. Out-of-warranty requires full engine rebuild or reman long block—35-45 labor hours for R&R and installation.
Estimated cost: $8,500-14,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under vehicle (red or pink fluid), Low fluid level on dipstick (if equipped), Harsh shifting or delayed engagement when fluid gets low, Fluid visible along cooler lines near radiator
Fix: The quick-connect fittings on cooler lines can weep or crack, especially where they route near exhaust heat. Requires replacement of cooler lines and sometimes the external cooler itself. 2-3 labor hours, plus fluid refill and system flush recommended.
Estimated cost: $450-850
Rear Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding when shifting from park to drive/reverse, Vibration felt through cabin at idle (especially in drive), Excessive engine movement visible when revving in park, Transmission "rocking" feel during acceleration
Fix: The rubber isolator in the rear trans mount deteriorates faster than previous generations due to increased torque and heat cycling. Replacement is straightforward with the right support tooling—1.5-2 hours labor. OEM mount strongly recommended over aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $280-450
Fuel Delivery System Contamination (Clogged Filter/Injectors)
Rare · medium severitySymptoms: Rough idle or stumbling under light throttle, Hard starting after sitting overnight, P0171/P0174 lean codes with no vacuum leaks found, Loss of power under acceleration
Fix: Some early 2022s had reports of fuel system debris from tank/pump assembly. In-tank fuel filter isn't serviceable separately—requires pump module replacement if contaminated. Injector cleaning/replacement if debris passed through. Pump swap is 3-4 hours; add injectors and you're at 6-7 hours total.
Estimated cost: $900-2,200
Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor False Warnings
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Passenger airbag light flashing or staying off with adult passenger, Dashboard warning about airbag system malfunction, Intermittent operation—light works normally sometimes, fails others, Codes B0012/B0013 stored in airbag module
Fix: NHTSA recall 22V-846 covers OCS mat sensor in front passenger seat that can fail, disabling airbag. Dealer-only fix involves seat pad and sensor replacement—covered under recall. 1.5-2 hours labor if doing out-of-pocket for non-recalled VINs.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) / $650-900 (out-of-pocket)
Buy the hybrid or V6 without hesitation; avoid early-build 2.5L I4s unless engine replacement is documented or you confirm VIN is outside affected range.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.