Toyota Camry

2018 Toyota Camry

The Camry was redesigned for 2018.

The center got narrower, which will make it harder to find car seats and boosters that can fit there – but at least the buckles for all 3 seats remain flexible. If the buckles were rigid the center wouldn’t be usable for a car seat or booster as any car seat or booster would surely sit on top of the seat belt buckles for all 3 seats in back.

For 2012-2017, all the head restraints were fixed and protruding. For 2018, the head restraints for 2D & 2P on the more expensive Camry trims (the XSE & XLE) are now removable… but on the less expensive models (SE & LE) they remain fixed and protruding. The XSE & XLE models will better accommodate forward-facing car seats & high back boosters in 2D & 2P compared to the SE & LE models as a result of having removable head restraints in the XSE & XLE. 2C’s head restraint on all models remains fixed & protruding.

For those with the SE & LE models who need to install a forward-facing car seat, we’d recommend choosing a car seats with a V-shaped tether – like is found on Britax car seats and the IMMI Go – as these will work best with the fixed head restraints as the V-shaped tether will route around the head restraint. This is in contrast to straight tether straps that will go over top these fixed head restraints, and in a crash can slide off to the side of the head restraint, which significantly compromises the effectiveness of the tether in keeping the child’s brain and spine safe.Screen Shot 2015-12-30 at 3.21.38 PM

New for 2018, Toyota allows borrowing of the innermost lower anchors to install a car seat in 2C in the Camry. Interestingly, Toyota does not give the spacing between the lower anchors – which is important as for the car seats that do allow a wider spacing for the lower anchors they typically specify how wide is too wide. We aren’t huge fans of borrowing lower anchors as this often affects the use of 2D & 2P either because the lower anchor straps cross over the buckles for 2D & 2P or the car seat in 2C sits on top of the seat belt buckles for 2D & 2P.


2012-2017 Toyota Camry

The head restraints for all 3 seats are fixed and not removable and protrude forward – which will interfere with some forward-facing car seats (in particular ones that have their own head rests that move up as the child gets taller) and high back boosters. Car seats with V-shaped tethers – likes is found on Britax car seats and the IMMI Go – will work best with these head restraints as the V-shaped tether will route around the head restraint. This is in contrast to straight tether straps that will go over top these fixed head restraints, and in a crash can slide off to the side of the head restraint, which significantly compromises the effectiveness of the tether in keeping the child’s brain and spine safe. 


2005-2011 Toyota Camry

The Camry was refreshed for 2005 – with the notable addition of a head restraint for 2C. Now all 3 seats have head restraints that are adjustable & removable! Otherwise, the back seat is unchanged from the prior model year range.

The seat belt buckles continue to be on a fairly long piece of seat belt webbing – you may find the need to twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full revolutions) to shorten it in order to get some car seats installed tightly – as shown here.


2002-2004 Toyota Camry

Lower anchors were first introduced in 2002 for the Camry. Otherwise the back seat looks identical to the prior model year range. 

The seat belt buckles continue to be on a fairly long piece of seat belt webbing – you may find the need to twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full revolutions) to shorten it in order to get some car seats installed tightly – as shown here.


2000-2001 Toyota Camry

Tether anchors were factory installed in the Camry starting with the 2000 model year. Otherwise the back seat is identical to the 1997-1999 model year range.

The seat belt buckles continue to be on a fairly long piece of seat belt webbing – you may find the need to twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full revolutions) to shorten it in order to get some car seats installed tightly – as shown here


1997-1999 Toyota Camry

The Camry was redesigned for 1997. Changes include adjustable, removable head restraints in 2D & 2P (sadly there is no head restraint in 2C). Also, 2C gains a shoulder belt – making 2C now suitable for kids in high back boosters, but not ideal for adults as they are at risk for severe whiplash injuries due to the absence of a head restraint.

The seat belt buckles continue to be on a fairly long piece of seat belt webbing – you may find the need to twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full revolutions) to shorten it in order to get some car seats installed tightly – as shown here

While tether anchors are not factory installed in this model year range, they can be retrofitted. Below are pictures of retrofitting a tether anchor in a 1998 Toyota Camry – which will apply for prior model years as well. For 1999 models, the dealership must modify the rear filler panel to allow for tether anchor retrofitting.


1992-1996 Toyota Camry

The Camry was redesigned for 1992. There continue to be shoulder belts in 2D & 2P, but only a lap belt in 2C. There are rudimentary fixed head restraints in 2D & 2P, but nothing in 2C. 2C is best suited for rear-facing car seats (and forward-facing ones if a tether anchor is retrofitted).

The seat belt buckles are on very long webbing stalks – and with many car seats you will need to twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full revolutions) in order to shorten it and enable you to get a secure installation – as shown here