Parts for your 2020 Toyota Camry-Throttle position sensors

2020 Toyota Camry throttle position sensor (TPS): what it does and how to look after it

Short answer: yes, the 2020 Toyota Camry does use a throttle position sensor. Toyota’s technical documentation for the XV70-series Camry (New Car Features, ETCS-i section) and the Toyota Repair Manual list dual throttle position sensing built into the electronic throttle body across the 2.5-litre petrol, 3.5-litre V6 and hybrid variants. The system uses an electric throttle actuator plus two internal TPS tracks and a dual accelerator pedal position sensor, with fault monitoring via DTCs such as P0121–P0124 and P2135.

On this Camry, the TPS is integrated into the throttle body assembly rather than being a separate, serviceable bolt-on. Its job is to report the exact angle of the throttle plate to the engine control module (ECM), so fueling, ignition and idle control are spot on whether the driver is cruising, overtaking or coasting. With Toyota’s ETCS-i, the ECM constantly compares the pedal sensors with the throttle position sensors, if they ever disagree, it can limit power to keep things safe.

Because the TPS is part of the throttle body, replacement generally means swapping the complete throttle body unit. During regular servicing in Australia and New Zealand, a workshop will usually check for stored fault codes, verify live data (Throttle Position Sensor No.1/No.2 agreement and correlation with pedal input), and inspect the throttle bore for deposits. If cleaning is needed, a technician will carefully clean the throttle plate and housing without flooding the sealed electronics, then perform an idle/throttle learn drive cycle or use a scan tool so the ECM recentres its targets.

• Common symptoms of TPS issues: erratic idle, flat spots on take-off, limp-home mode, higher than normal fuel use, or the MIL/engine light on with codes like P0121 or P2135.
• Good practice: keep the air filter fresh, avoid aggressive solvent use on the throttle body, and have live data checks done if drivability feels off.
• When replacement is needed: fit a quality throttle body assembly, renew the gasket, torque fasteners correctly, reconnect and clear codes, then complete a learn procedure.

Owners can expect the TPS to be largely “fit and forget”, but age, contamination, or wiring/connectors can still trip faults. If the engine light pops on or the Camry feels doughy off the line, a quick diagnostic session will tell whether it’s the throttle body/TPS, the pedal sensor, or something else upstream.

Popular questions about 2020 Toyota Camry throttle position sensors

Does the 2020 Camry have a separate TPS or is it built in?
The TPS is built into the electronic throttle body. Toyota doesn’t list it as a standalone replaceable sensor for this model, so if the sensor circuit fails internally, the fix is to replace the throttle body assembly and carry out the appropriate learn procedure.

What are the signs the TPS on a 2020 Camry is failing?
Drivers may notice uneven idle, hesitation, sudden loss of power with a limp mode, or the engine light on. Scan results often show DTCs like P0121–P0124 (TPS range/performance) or P2135 (pedal vs throttle correlation). Live data will typically show mismatched TPS tracks or disagreement with pedal position.

Can I clean the TPS to fix rough idle?
You can clean the throttle bore and plate carefully, which often helps with idle quality if deposits are the culprit. Don’t spray harsh cleaners into the electronics. If a TPS circuit is failing electrically, cleaning won’t fix it—the throttle body assembly will need replacement.