The 2022 Toyota Camry sits in an unusually attractive position in the XV70 generation. By this point, Toyota was five model years into the platform introduced for 2018, the major 2021 refresh had already arrived, and the familiar four-cylinder, V6, and hybrid powertrains continued without a major mechanical overhaul for 2022.
That makes the 2022 Camry interesting for a used-car buyer. You get a relatively late version of a proven generation without necessarily paying the premium commanded by a 2023 or 2024.
More importantly, the reliability evidence supports the reputation. Consumer Reports describes the 2022 Camry as more reliable than other vehicles from the same model year, while J.D. Power gives it an 87/100 Quality & Reliability score.
But does that make 2022 the best used Camry to buy? Very possibly—but the answer depends on price, powertrain, and what you value most.
Why 2022 Is One of the Camry’s Sweet-Spot Years
The eighth-generation Camry arrived for 2018 on Toyota’s TNGA-K architecture. Buying the 2022 means buying the fifth year of that basic design rather than its first.
That’s valuable because there wasn’t much mechanically new to introduce additional uncertainty.
Toyota offered the familiar 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder, the 3.5-liter V6, and the Camry Hybrid. Front-wheel drive remained standard on gasoline models, with AWD available with the four-cylinder. Toyota’s own 2022 documentation shows that most changes centered on equipment, colours and the addition of the SE Hybrid Nightshade rather than fundamental powertrain changes.
For reliability-focused buyers, boring is often good.
The 2022 also comes after the more meaningful 2021 refresh, which means you’re getting the updated version of the XV70 without moving into a substantially different mechanical package.
The 2.5-Liter Camry Is Still the Sensible Choice
If reliability and ownership cost come before performance, the regular 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the configuration I’d start with.
The A25A-FKS engine and eight-speed automatic had already accumulated several years of real-world use by 2022. Earlier XV70 Camrys generated some criticism for the eight-speed’s shift behaviour and hesitation, but that should be distinguished from evidence of widespread transmission failure. The important question isn’t whether somebody dislikes the way a transmission shifts; it’s whether the transmission is routinely costing owners thousands of dollars.
There is little evidence that this has become a defining 2022 Camry problem.
The naturally aspirated engine also avoids the turbocharging used by some competitors. That doesn’t automatically make every naturally aspirated engine more reliable than every turbo engine, but it does give the Camry a comparatively straightforward drivetrain for an owner planning to keep the car well beyond 100,000 miles.
What About the Camry Hybrid?
The 2022 Camry Hybrid may actually be the better long-term choice for high-mileage drivers.
Toyota’s hybrid system replaces the conventional eight-speed automatic with its electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, or eCVT. Mechanically, this should not be confused with the belt-and-pulley CVTs used in many conventional gasoline cars.
Toyota had already accumulated decades of experience with its hybrid architecture by 2022. The Camry Hybrid therefore wasn’t an experimental alternative to the gasoline model—it was a mature powertrain in its own right.
The tradeoff comes later in the vehicle’s life. Hybrid batteries eventually age, and replacement can be expensive. But battery replacement is a potential long-term cost, not evidence that the 2022 Camry Hybrid has a widespread battery-failure problem.
For someone driving 15,000–20,000 miles annually, especially in urban traffic, the fuel savings can make that additional long-term consideration worthwhile.
Does the 2022 Camry Have Any Serious Problems?
This is where the 2022 performs particularly well.
There isn’t a convincing pattern of widespread engine failures, transmission replacements, head-gasket failures, chronic oil consumption, or hybrid-system failures defining this model year.
That distinction matters more than simply counting complaints. Individual vehicles can develop electrical faults, rattles, sensor problems, infotainment glitches, or other defects without the model having a systemic reliability problem.
Consumer Reports’ owner-survey data still places the 2022 Camry above other vehicles of its model year for reliability. J.D. Power’s 87/100 Quality & Reliability rating points in the same direction.
RepairPal provides another useful perspective, although its figures apply to the Camry nameplate rather than specifically the 2022 model. It rates the Camry 4.0 out of 5.0, with average annual repair costs of $388, compared with $526 for the midsize-car category. Camry owners average about 0.28 unscheduled repair visits annually, while 11% of repairs are classified as severe.
No single score proves reliability. Taken together, however, the data paints a consistent picture: major repairs are not a prominent part of the Camry ownership experience.
There Is One Recall You Should Check
The 2022 Camry is included in NHTSA recall 23V-865, covering the Occupant Classification System sensor in certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
A short circuit in the sensor can prevent the system from correctly determining the front passenger’s weight, potentially preventing the passenger airbag from deploying as intended. The recall includes certain 2020–2022 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles.
That doesn’t make the 2022 unreliable, but it gives you something specific to check before buying.
Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall database and confirm that any applicable remedy has been completed.
2021 vs. 2022 vs. 2023 Camry: Which Should You Buy?
This is ultimately more important than asking whether the 2022 is reliable.
| Model year | My take |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Excellent value if meaningfully cheaper |
| 2022 | Best balance of maturity, age and price |
| 2023 | Equally compelling if the price difference is small |
| 2024 | Best final-year option, but often costs more |
There isn’t enough mechanical difference between these years to justify paying thousands more solely because the odometer says 2023 or 2024.
That’s the key to buying a used Camry intelligently.
A well-maintained 2021 with 45,000 miles can easily be a better purchase than a neglected 2022 with 30,000. Likewise, if a comparable 2023 costs only a few hundred dollars more than the 2022, I’d take the newer car.
Model year should break the tie—not override condition, history and price.
What Should You Inspect Before Buying One?
A 2022 Camry doesn’t require an exotic inspection strategy. Look for evidence of regular oil changes, check for accident repairs, verify tire wear and alignment, test every electronic feature, and make sure the transmission behaves normally during both cold and fully warmed operation.
On hybrids, inspect the vehicle just as carefully rather than assuming the drivetrain makes condition irrelevant.
And regardless of the reputation on the trunk lid, get a pre-purchase inspection. Reliability statistics tell you what usually happens to a population of cars. They cannot tell you what happened to the particular Camry parked in front of you.
Final Verdict: Is the 2022 Toyota Camry the Best Used Camry?
It is one of them.
I’d hesitate to call the 2022 objectively better than the mechanically similar 2023 or 2024 because the evidence doesn’t justify that distinction. What makes it especially attractive is the combination of mature mechanicals, strong reliability evidence and greater depreciation than the newest XV70 Camrys.
For most buyers, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the safest all-around recommendation. High-mileage drivers should seriously consider the Camry Hybrid, while the V6 makes sense for buyers willing to trade fuel economy for considerably more performance.
The larger lesson is that you shouldn’t pay a large premium just to get the newest possible Camry.
Find a clean 2022 with documented maintenance, no serious accident history, a completed recall where applicable, and a sensible price, and there are few midsize sedans that make a stronger case for another decade of ownership.
Some Quick 2022 Camry FAQ
Is the 2022 Toyota Camry reliable?
Yes. It remains one of the highest-rated midsize sedans for long-term reliability and low ownership costs.
Is the 2022 Camry better than the 2021 model?
Mechanically, the differences are minimal. Buyers usually choose the 2022 because of lower average mileage and a longer remaining service life rather than major engineering improvements.
Does the 2022 Camry have transmission problems?
Serious transmission failures remain uncommon. Toyota’s eight-speed automatic had fully matured by this point in the XV70 generation.
Is the 2022 Camry Hybrid reliable?
Very much so. Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive continues to demonstrate excellent long-term durability, while the eCVT remains one of the industry’s most dependable hybrid transmissions.
How long will a 2022 Toyota Camry last?
With routine maintenance, reaching 200,000 miles should be expected, and many examples are likely to exceed 250,000 or even 300,000 miles.
- 2022 Toyota Camry Reliability: Is It the Best Used Camry?
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