Which Years Of Toyota Camry Are Best & Most Reliable?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Toyota Camry has been around for around 40 years, and it earned a reputation as a popular, reliable vehicle. Naturally, some years and configurations are built better than others, and even among the Camry model years are some years to avoid. but with exception of those few botched years, this is indeed a great sedan that can serve you for many years without asking much.

The best model years really depend on what you are looking for. For a new car, we recommend the 2021 Toyota Camry and 2022 Toyota Camry as the most reliable years. They are equipped with cutting-edge tech and were manufactured according to modern standards of safety, comfort and quality. These model years actually earned multiple awards for safety, resale value and, generally speaking, for meeting expectations.

However, for those who want to get an affordable used car, the pool of good options is even broader. The 2012-2015 Toyota Camry model years are just excellent in terms of reliability, maintenance costs and performance. No wonder Toyota Camry is one of the most popular midsize cars in the US.

What is the Best Toyota Camry Year to Buy?

To find the best years for both used and brand-new Toyota Camry, we used data from the NHTSA about recalls and common complaints, as well as ratings like J.D. Power and various credible awards. 

When we put all the information together we found the absolute best years so far:

• 2022 Toyota Camry
• 2021 Toyota Camry
• 2020 Toyota Camry
• 2015 Toyota Camry
• 2014 Toyota Camry
• 2013 Toyota Camry
• 2012 Toyota Camry

These years have the highest resale value and it’s justified by low maintenance cost, reliability and performance. This is a good midsize car with outstanding durability, especially in its seventh generation, fuel efficiency and unparalleled comfort inside the cabin regardless of the speed and driving conditions. Toyota Camry is a great car for its money.

That being said, there is a big “BUT” hanging in the air. And that is the 2008 Toyota Camry and a myriad of engine problems it can conjure seemingly out of nowhere. Beware of this model year because of its endless repair costs. Another bullet you would want to dodge is the 2007 Toyota Camry. This model year, along with a few others, suffers from excessive oil consumption. This little appetite problem can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 in repairs.

Toyota Camry Years/Generations

There are eight generations of Toyota Camry in total. Some of them, like the seventh generation, are a great range of model years to purchase even after being used for a while. But each has its story worth noting, so let's start at the beginning.

The Economical First Generation (1983-1986)

Toyota Camry started strong, it was a versatile car for an average family, a busy city life, and driving with comfort and confidence. But the hallmark of this generation was incredible gas mileage, even by today’s standards. This trend of frugal fuel consumption became a strong selling point for Camry in the next years. 

These early model years of Toyota Camry are durable, but we advise against buying anything older than 2000. Unless your heart belongs to the old cars that are not just a means of transport, but a wholesome hobby, steer clear of these models. Pick something more up-to-date instead.

The Second Generation: A Change of Heart (1987-1991)

The boxy style of the body was in vogue back in the 80th and 90th, so there was little change to the appearance. In contrast, the inside of the Toyota Camry underwent a serious makeover. This generation is the only one (except only the present eighth gen) to have all-wheel drive for a sedan. Another big step ahead was a new V6 engine, capable of producing more HP and torque.

The Third Generation: The Bigger, The Better (1992-1996)

The third generation continued the trend of giving the drivers more of the good stuff. Meaning, the style adapted to the new demands. The body became longer and wider to give more space for a comfortable ride inside, and the engine became more efficient.

It was around this time that Toyota Camry became a true midsize car undergoing its growth spurt. Another thing that changed was its engine. While the V6 was still available, most cars have a different 2.2L option made of aluminum to cut some weight off and get that sweet fuel efficiency.

The Fourth Generation: Growing Stronger (1997-2001)

In this generation, Toyota Camry found its course and started adapting to the US market primarily. It introduced some interesting body variations to keep up with the other popular models in the same category and boosted performance instead of changing too much and altering the already good parts. The engines became more powerful with a big performance boost but remained fuel-efficient all the same.

This generation is rather strong and durable despite having some issues pop up now and then. Normally, a Camry can last up to 200,000 or even 300,000 miles with proper care and timely maintenance. So, if you are looking for a budget used car, the 2000 and 2001 Toyota Camry can be an option. Take a closer look at the engine and wiring, if possible. 

The Fifth Generation: The Bestseller (2002-2006)

We will not talk you out of buying one of these beauties if you want to. The fifth generation of Toyota Camry is not its best generation if you compare it to the newer model years, but back in the day, it swooped over the nation, becoming the most popular model instantly. This gen has both an improved design and performance to offer. The interior and exterior became more stylish and spacious while the engine underwent another big upgrade in performance and horsepower.

The 2005 Toyota Camry is one of the best model years you can find. There was a controversion situation with the unintended acceleration issue that received a lot of spotlight in media. In fact, it had such a strong effect that the data collected from concerned and perhaps overthinking drivers could be unreliable. But all the same, we recommend going through a thorough documented engine check if you want to buy or sell the 2005 Toyota Camry. This is not a cheap activity, but it should pay off.

The same goes for the 2004 and 2006 Toyota Camry, both being great years for Camry. Sometimes reports can be misleading, but we still cannot disregard them completely. The controversy had to start somewhere.

The Sixth Generation: Sit This One Out (2007-2011)

This generation is truly outstanding, but not in a good way. These years were the time of innovation, introducing the first Toyota Camry Hybrid. The horsepower, MPG and overall performance only grew to everyone’s delight. But while the sixth generation added a few extra safety measures that paved Camry’s way for high safety ratings in the future, it was also the time for the worst model years. 

Whatever you do, never buy the 2007 or 2008 Toyota Camry. These are the worst years you can possibly get and there is no helping it. Thousands upon thousands of complaints feature excessive oil consumption, which might seem like no big deal at first glance, but it is certainly not. In extreme cases, drivers had the oil level go down so fast the engine received irreparable damage. And a new engine might as well cost like another used Camry of a more reliable model year. Go for that instead, do not waste money and time on this time bomb.

The Seventh Generation: Innovation & Reliability (2012-2017)

This generation is much better than the previous one. It doesn’t just have fewer critical issues, it has the best Toyota Camry Years to buy. Pick literally any model year between 2012 and 2017, and you will land on a great choice for its money. 

The seventh gen added more comfort features to the infotainment system, upgrading it for smartphones and improving sound quality. It also has superior safety upgrades, putting it on another level of reliability in extreme situations.

The best years for the used Toyota Camry are 2013-2015. These model years have exceptional quality and rarely cause issues. We recommend this generation with confidence to those who want to get an affordable vehicle without any compromises like maintenance cost, design, compatibility with smartphone software and performance. This generation is a real bargain. 

There are, however, some issues that can manifest after years of service, no car is perfect. The most common issues are not that concerning for the most part. Sometimes it is just as bad as a faulty AC system can get. But even this generation is not completely immune to things like engine problems or poor transmission performance. Pay close attention to the early signs of problems like weird sounds, roughness, and dashboard lights. Do not ignore them and address them immediately to avoid costly repairs. 

Proper care can make Camry last for an extremely long time. Some would argue even about 300,000 miles.

The Eighth Generation: Great Choice (2018-Now)

The eighth generation took the best practices from the previous gens and sprinkled more innovation on top. Toyota's safety and efficiency standards evolve with time, including new features and making driving easier with automation, sensors and dynamic systems of control. 

With the new, improved body, better handling, safety measures and boosted performance, these Camry model years became award winners for their outstanding quality. Looks like we are going to see many more successful generations of Toyota Camry in the future too.

We love the 2021 and 2022 Toyota Camry for their high industry standards. These model years are perfect for new car purchases if you plan to get most of the money back in a few years after reselling. Simple, inexpensive maintenance will keep these cars in almost perfect condition, making them pretty marketable.

What Makes A Toyota Camry Reliable?

The simplest way to figure out if the car is reliable is to look at its resale value. Thankfully, Toyota Camry is one of the most reliable cars ever. In fact, with due care, it is so reliable you can get bored of it over the years and still be able to resell it for good money. It makes a great choice for an affordable used car or a new vehicle which plan to resell after a few years.

Their reputation is not spotless if you remember the notorious sixth generation. And yet, the majority of Toyita Camry will cost around $400 for annual maintenance, which is average, to say the least. Thanks to the quality of manufacturing, automation and innovative assembly techniques, these cars rarely need major repairs. 

Toyota Camry remains reliable after many years on the road. With just a little scheduled maintenance, it can last for as many as 300,000 miles. So the key to ensuring your Camry does not lose its marketability or performance is to take care of it and to respond to alarming symptoms in time.

What Toyota Camry has the best engine?

Camry always had some amazing engine options in store for the drivers who want to squeeze some more HP and torque out of their cars. And thankfully, Toyota provides options that can give you amazing performance without compromising fuel efficiency. Here are a few examples for comparison:

Are Toyota Camry good cars?

Yes, Toyota Camry has amazing cars with very few exceptions. If you avoid the sixth generation of Camry, you can get a great car with long life, durable systems and wonderfully balanced performance for city life. 

If you want to get the best out of it, carefully select the right trim level, engine and year. We recommend 2021-2022 for new cars and virtually anything except the sixths gen. All these Toyota Camry years are great for their money. This car is totally worth it!

Nick Marchenko, PhD

Industrial Engineer & Automotive Content Specialist

Nick writes in-depth guides on car clubs, engine specs, vehicle ownership, and modifications, combining engineering knowledge with automotive passion.

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