Service Bulletin

2021-2024 Toyota Engine Oil Pressure Warning & Milky Oil TSB

A Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) addresses engine oil pressure warnings and milky/discolored engine oil in certain 2021-2024 Toyota vehicles. This condition is often observed during short trips in extreme cold weather, leading to potential Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P05202A and…

ByAhmet Topcu — Founder & Editor-in-ChiefAutomated summary2024 Toyota Camry
2024 TOYOTA Camry — 2024 TOYOTA Camry manufacturer_communication
Editorial illustration generated for this article.
P05202AP052477Oil Pressure LowEngine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch 'A' Signal Stuck in RangeEngine Oil Pressure Too Low [Severe]A25A-FKS engineA25A-FXS engineM20A-FKS engineM20A-FXS engineToyota engine oil pressure warning
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Symptoms

Owners of certain 2021-2024 Toyota vehicles may notice one or more of the following issues, especially during cold weather and short driving trips:

  • The engine oil appears milky or discolored.
  • An "Oil Pressure Low" warning message is displayed on the Multi-information Display (MID).
  • The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), also known as the Check Engine Light, illuminates.

These symptoms are typically linked to a drop in oil pressure caused by frozen moisture within the engine oil.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When the MIL is illuminated, technicians may find specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle's system. These codes indicate issues related to engine oil pressure:

Code Description
P05202A Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch 'A' Signal Stuck in Range
P052477 Engine Oil Pressure Too Low [Severe]

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of these conditions is moisture accumulation in the engine oil. During short trips in extremely cold weather, blow-by gases can introduce moisture into the engine oil. This moisture then condenses and, under freezing temperatures, can turn into ice. When the moisture in the oil freezes, it can lead to a drop in oil pressure, triggering the "Oil Pressure Low" warning and the associated DTCs. This issue is specifically noted for vehicles equipped with A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engines.

Repair Procedure Summary

Toyota has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to address these conditions. The TSB outlines specific procedures for dealerships to diagnose and resolve the issue. While the exact steps are detailed for technicians, the general approach involves addressing the moisture accumulation and its effects on oil pressure. Owners experiencing these symptoms should not attempt DIY repairs but rather seek professional service.

Owner Action

If your 2021-2024 Toyota vehicle, particularly a 2024 TOYOTA Camry manufacturer_communication, exhibits milky engine oil, an "Oil Pressure Low" warning, or an illuminated MIL, it is recommended to contact your authorized Toyota dealership. Inform them of the symptoms you are experiencing and mention the potential for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P05202A or P052477. The dealership will be able to perform the necessary diagnostic checks and apply the repair procedures outlined in the relevant TSB to resolve the issue.


Source: NHTSA ID 10252251

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an 'Oil Pressure Low' warning mean in my Toyota?
An 'Oil Pressure Low' warning in your 2021-2024 Toyota, especially during cold weather, indicates that the engine's oil pressure has dropped. This can be caused by moisture freezing in the engine oil, as described in Toyota's TSB.
Why is my Toyota's engine oil milky or discolored?
Milky or discolored engine oil in affected Toyota models is often a sign of moisture contamination. During short drives in extreme cold, moisture from blow-by gases can condense and mix with the oil, leading to this appearance and potentially affecting oil pressure.
What are DTCs P05202A and P052477, and how are they related to this issue?
DTC P05202A ('Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch 'A' Signal Stuck in Range') and P052477 ('Engine Oil Pressure Too Low [Severe]') are diagnostic trouble codes that indicate a problem with the engine's oil pressure system. These codes are commonly triggered when frozen moisture in the engine oil causes a significant drop in oil pressure, as identified in the 2024 TOYOTA Camry manufacturer_communication.
Which Toyota engines are affected by this cold weather oil issue?
This issue primarily affects Toyota vehicles equipped with A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engines, particularly those from the 2021-2024 model years.

Other revisions of this TSB

What Toyota Camry owners report

Counted from the records in our database across 44 model years.

19,642
Owner complaints
74
Recalls
1,998
Service bulletins
2,952
Crashes reported
433
Fires reported
2,097
Injuries reported

The 2024 model year

52 complaints, the 40th most of 44 model years on file. Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries for this year, which also has 1 recall on file.

Electrical System and Service Brakes and Hydraulic and Lane Departure and Engine And Engine Cooling, the system this article covers, accounts for 5,220 of 19,642 complaints (27%), including 6 for 2024.

Complaints by model year

Model years with the most complaints for the Toyota Camry
2002953
2003782
2004638
2005721
20073,490
20081,095
20091,412
2012645
2018782
202452

Most-reported systems

  1. Vehicle Speed Control — 3,431
  2. Service Brakes — 2,805
  3. Structure — 1,910
  4. Power Train — 1,796
  5. Air Bags — 1,712

Latest recalls for the 2024 model year

  • 24V128000 — Seats (Feb 2024)
All 2024 recalls →

Recent owner reports about electrical system and service brakes and hydraulic and lane departure and engine and engine cooling

The Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems went out on my new vehicle at about 3500 miles. There are warnings for both that come up on my dashboard. I brought my vehicle in for its 5000 mile check-up and asked Toyota to check into it.

2024 Toyota Camry owner, Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle during the day at unknown speeds, the instrument panel lights failed to operate as intended, making it difficult to view.

2024 Toyota Camry owner, Apr 2024
Read owner complaints →

Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.

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