Diagsheet

2020 Toyota Camry · symptom sheet

Engine overheats or leaks coolant

  • 25owner reports
  • 30,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 9, 2026 · checked Sep 20, 2026

64 of the 273 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe overheating.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

4
23
3
2

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-064Feb 6, 2020
Engine And Engine Cooling

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Camry

PE02-079opened Oct 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1997 to 2002

Engine compartment fire. Closed mar 18, 2003.

NHTSA summary
ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.
DP02-004opened Apr 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1996 to 2000

Engine seizure. Closed jun 20, 2002.

NHTSA summary
EA91-027opened Jun 6, 1991
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1990

Engine compartment fires. Closed may 29, 1992.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 92,832 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.

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221
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323
424
425
426

What owners wrote

“Known by manufacturer. There is a faulty coolant bypass valve that they are forcing customers to pay out of pocket for repairs totaling over $700”

Filed Dec 11, 2025

“Coolant valve frailer coursing A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall and engine to be replaced , or car Heads to be replaced .the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine coolant leaking in to cylinders of engine”

Filed Mar 10, 2025

“The coolant bypass valve has failed and my car is at 30,000 miles. This seems like a common problem as I see a lot of other people mention needing this replaced on their Camrys and RAV4s. The dealership said they are replacing all of them on Camry’s, RAV4’s, and Corolla’s”

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · 30,000 miles

“Constant "ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" warning. Dealer identified the engine coolant bypass valve as the source of the problem. Replacing the part resolved the issue.”

Filed Jul 10, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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