There was no issue with it, people complaint that the transmission does shift differently. There is a TSB that Toyota offered and by updating the software, that weird shifting feeling was taken care of. For newer models, you do not need the TSB at all.

2018 saw a large number of complaints because of transmission hesitation, shuddering, and shifting problems. Like @yaser mentioned, a TSB was issued (which can be found in the Bulletins link below to the left of my profile) but for the 2018 model year. Scotty also has a video on this. 2019 fixed this issue for the most part. If buying a used one, I would still have a mechanic check it out though because it was still the same unit and you never know. Of course this is short term. We still don't know about the long term reliability, and knowing the previous generation Camry, they might fail like hot cakes at 120k miles, or they might be on their original transmissions 30 years later. You never know. For the most part, I'd consider the 2019-2021 Camry a much better purchase when it comes to reliability than the 2018 Camry.

For more information, check out the Used Car Buying Guide, which again is linked below.

First batch of ‘18 Camry came out with bad, bad designed 8-speed transmissions! Most of those were replaced by Toyota with different, redesigned 8-speed transmissions that are being used in Camrys, and other vehicles, ever since. The new transmission has been a success.

Yes, there is a lot of bitching about that redesigned transmission, but it is primarily because this transmission is so called adaptive transmission. It reprograms itself to the habits of its user. Another words, you drive, transmission adopts to your style, … optimizes itself for your benefit. No trouble. Next, some other person - who drives differently, gets into your car and drives it for a longer while - reports to you - after - that your car drives goofy (Remember? It’s your car, adopted to your style of driving!). You say, Huh? Let’s jump in and see. You now go for a drive! You feel it, … transmission reprogrammed itself a bit (Remember, adaptive transmission!), … and so you are now concluding, yes, your transmission is acting goofy. Yet, … yet the transmission is simply doing its job: … adopting to a habit of the person at the wheel!

Anyway, … it takes about 300 miles of driving for 8-speed transmission to readopt. Yes, it’s pain in the rear. But, … that’s how it all works. fwiw.

F.S.

Many of the complaints about the transmissions on these Camrys appear to be small annoyances rather than actual problems. I have a 2019 Camry SE and I haven’t noticed anything strange. I’m loving the car so far. Even my dad’s 2018 Camry XSE feels pretty normal but then again, he bought it used only a couple months ago so maybe they fixed the “problem” before he bought it