I have never owned a Toyota Camry, but I have driven one at work, and it’s easy to see why they are one of the best-selling cars in America. If you are shopping for a midsized sedan, chances are good that your considerations list will include a Toyota Camry, but before you make any final decisions you should find out if the parts for your new Toyota will be expensive.
Toyota Camry parts are inexpensive in comparison to the other leading brands in the same category, making the Toyota Camry one of the most inexpensive cars to own in 2021.
Let’s learn more about the most common repairs a Toyota Camry might need along with the average price for those parts and repairs.
How Much Will It Cost to Maintain a Toyota Camry?
Vehicle maintenance costs vary based on several factors, such as the type of vehicle you drive, its age, and how you use the vehicle. According to CAREDGE, Camry owners can expect to spend an estimated $589 a year on maintenance, and an average of $4,203 during the first ten years of service. This is $2,636 less than the average cost for other popular mid-sized sedans.
Additionally, reports estimate an 11.89% chance that your Camry will need a major repair during the first ten years of service, which is 9.61% better than the other popular sedans.
Below you will find more detailed information about what you could expect to spend depending on the age of your vehicle.
| Year | Major Repair Probability | Annual Costs |
| 1 | 1.23% | $160 |
| 2 | 2.04% | $183 |
| 3 | 2.28% | $220 |
| 4 | 4.03% | $278 |
| 5 | 5.78% | $327 |
| 6 | 6.50% | $404 |
| 7 | 7.01% | $561 |
| 8 | 9.06% | $623 |
| 9 | 10.01% | $681 |
| 10 | 11.89% | $766 |
Following your car’s maintenance schedule could reduce the chance of your car needing a major repair.
Maintenance Schedule for Toyota Camry
Owners can often find a “Factory Scheduled Maintenance” list in their car’s user manual, which outlines what you should have inspected/repaired and when. Most manufacturers will use a 30-60-90 schedule, which indicates which things owners should address every 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles. One of the most known examples of a maintenance schedule involves oil changes. For example, oil changes are often based on a 3,000-mile schedule (about the width of the United States), which means owners should change their oil every time they drive the vehicle 3,000 miles.
Toyota generally recommends that owners have their car serviced every six months or 5,000 miles (about twice the width of the United States). If you cannot find the service schedule in the user manual, you can contact a Toyota dealership and ask for a copy of the service schedule for a certain type of vehicle. Additionally, if you are buying from a dealer, they should be able to access that information for you.
Do I Have to Follow the Service Schedule?
Obviously, Toyota will not send anyone out to find you and drag you and your car in for servicing. However, it is highly recommended that you follow the service schedule if you want to ensure that your vehicle stays in excellent condition. Moreover, having documentation that proves you have kept up on the car’s suggested maintenance will allow you to get a better deal when selling/trading the car in the future.
That being said, the schedule is often more of a guide that simply reminds users to have certain things inspected. The companies who build cars and their parts do extensive testing on the products, and they have a pretty good idea when something might need to be fixed or replaced. Furthermore, there are some cases when a worn or damaged part can cause unnecessary wear or damage to other areas of the vehicle, so while there may be some things you can ignore until they become a significant problem, it is not a good idea.
Are Maintenance Repairs for a Toyota Camry Expensive?
Repair costs vary depending on age, model, parts, brands, and the shop where you have the vehicle services. However, we will look at the average cost for some of the most suggested maintenance below.
Also, it should be noted that a maintenance inspection itself can cost owners anywhere from $100-$250 dollars, depending on the vehicle and shop, and that price does not include any added parts or repairs.
Scheduled Maintenance
Scheduled maintenance is maintenance that is expected and done at regular intervals. Users can predict these repairs/replacements and prepare for them.
| Repair or Service | Average Cost |
| Oil change | $40 – $120 |
| Alignment | $120 – $200 |
| Tire Rotation | $35 – $44 |
| New Tires | $500 – $800 |
| Brake Pads | $100 – $300 |
| Headlight Replacement | $100 – $200 |
| Cabin Air Filter Replacement | $70 – $98 |
Unscheduled Maintenance
Unscheduled maintenance involves repairs/replacements that were not planned for. This includes parts wearing down or breaking unexpectedly or on an irregular schedule. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. These repairs are often not predictable, and users are unprepared for the costs associated with unscheduled maintenance.
Below you will find some of the more common major repairs that Camry users have reported along with the average price for each repair. Remember, the price may vary depending on the car and the shop that services your vehicle.
| Repair or Service | Cost |
| Blower Motor Replacement | $246 – $257 |
| Clutch Replacement | $1,390 – $1,623 |
| Exhaust Manifold Replacement | $948 – $1,016 |
| Timing Belt Idler Pulley Replacement | $290 – $423 |
| Air Conditioning Expansion Replacement Valve | $359 – $491 |
| Wheel Hub Assembly Replacement | $473 – $740 |
| Air Bag Control Module Replacement | $587 – $613 |
| Axel/CV Shaft Assembly | $682.03 |
| Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement | $124 |
| Brake Shoe Replacement | $242 |
| Alternator Repair | $544 |
| Window Motor/Regulator Assembly | $785 |
| Throttle Body Replacement | $1442 |
| Control Arm – Rear Lower | $465 |
Toyota also offers free maintenance through ToyotaCare for the first two years or 25,000 miles and can be transferred to secondary owners if the car has not exceeded the mileage/time limit.
Are Toyota Parts Expensive?
In general, Toyota Camry parts are less expensive than comparable parts for other brands, but it always depends on the year of the vehicle and the part in question. Toyota can maintain its low-price tag because they make cars and their parts in the United States.
Let’s look at some of the most needed parts for a Toyota Camry along with a comparison to other brands.
| Part/Service | Price: Toyota Camry | Price: Honda Accord | Price: Chevrolet Malibu | Price: Ford Fusion |
| Blower Motor Replacement Parts | $205 | $244 – $246 | $207 | $167 |
| Clutch Replacement | $532 – $541 | $734 – $773 | N/A | $382 – $386 |
| Exhaust Manifold | $814 – $847 | $692 | $351 – $396 | $663 |
| Timing Belt | $207 – $401 | $155 – $298 | N/A | $79 |
| Control Arm Replacement | $246 – $323 | $272 – $404 | $289 – $313 | $222 – $230 |
| Alternator | $362 – $492 | $439 – $587 | $367 – $512 | $467 – $528 |
| Brake Pad and Shoe Replacement | Pad: $171 – $184 Shoes: $105 – $116 | Pad: $122 – $127 Shoes: $113 | Pad: $99 – $154 Shoes: $140 | Pad: $96 – $99 Shoes: N/A |
The National Insurance Crime Bureau compared prices from over 24 million vehicle damage appraisals from 2016 and 2017. The picture below shows the average price for parts according to those appraisals as well as a comparison to other popular vehicles.
| Toyota Camry (value $15,438) | Nissan Altima (value $20,621) | GMC Sierra (value $28,230) | |
| Doors x 4 | $3,027 | $3,374 | $3,260 |
| Bumpers Front & Rear | $534 | $812 | $3,676 |
| Headlights x 2 | $575 | $2,027 | $2,289 |
| Wheels x 4 | $1,642 | $1,745 | $2,373 |
| Grille | $265 | n/a | $1,513 |
| Fenders & Liners | $652 | $726 | $3,421 |
| Hood and Trunk | $1,251 | $1,328 | $1,267 (hood + windshield) |
| Tail Lights x 2 | $338 | $473 | $817 |
| Body Panels & Moldings | $2,411 | $3,751 | $2,716 |
| Total Parts Value | $10,695 | $14,236 | $21,332 |
Do I Have to Buy New Parts or Can I Buy Used?
If there is one universal truth about cars, it’s that nobody wants to spend money on expensive parts. There are times when you can save money by buying used or gently used parts from individuals or a junkyard, but you could be taking a risk.
Pros Of Used Parts
There are a few advantages to buying and using used parts:
- Cost: It is often much cheaper to buy used parts than to buy the same part brand new, and in some cases, you may be able to find a newer part on a used vehicle for up to 75% off its new price.
- Availability: You might have to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a new part to be shipped to the store that you ordered it from. However, used parts are often much easier to find. This is especially true for more popular vehicles like the Toyota Camry because junkyards are full of them.
- Reliability: When you buy a part that you know was on a running vehicle, you know it will work in your vehicle. However, a lot of new parts in today’s market are created by third parties and sometimes do not fit the vehicle they claim to fit.
Cons Of Used Parts
Some of the disadvantages to buying used parts are:
- Function: Used parts are, well, used, and they may not always work. Buying refurbished parts from reputable dealers is a great way to ensure that a part will be in working condition. However, if you buy from a junkyard, you will often not be able to test the part until you have put it on your vehicle, and who wants to go through all the work of fixing something just to find out the part doesn’t work. One of the ways you can avoid this is by looking online to see if there is a way to test the life left in the part or to see if there are signs you should look for that show the part is not in great condition.
- Time: Used parts might not last as long as a new part would, and this can result in you having to do the same repair again more quickly than you might have if you had bought a new part. Depending on how much money you save on the parts, this might still be an acceptable choice. However, if you are only saving $20-$30 dollars on a part for a job that takes a full day of your time, it might be worth spending the extra money to guarantee you will not have to do the repair again for some time.
Ultimately, you should weigh the pros and cons of each purchase before deciding whether to buy parts used or new.
If you choose to buy a used Camry or any used car, it’s worth investing a few dollars to check the VIN number against the vehicle database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and a ton of other uglies.
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- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.