Despite Toyota’s famed reliability, there are some Camry model years that should be avoided. Late-2000s models struggled the most, with one serious recall involving a faulty accelerator pedal that could lead to an accident.
Key Points
- The 2007 Toyota Camry has the most NHTSA complaints, with a total of 1,010, and most address excessive oil consumption.
- Flaky paint finishes, heavy oil consumption, and even total engine failure have made the 2009 Toyota Camry the model year with the most expensive repair costs.
- Some 2007 through 2010 models may be affected by NHTSA recalls over floor mats that may cause the accelerator pedal to stick, and thus increase the risk of a full-speed crash.
Toyota Camry is a Reputable Midsize Car Known, but it Has Had Problems with Heavy Oil Consumption,
The Toyota Camry is a long-standing staple of reliability in the automotive world. With its affordable price point, reasonable power, solid fuel economy, and tendency to stay running without issue for hundreds of thousands of miles, it’s easy to see why. Sadly though, nothing is without fault, and the Toyota Camry is no exception. There are a couple of model years to tread lightly with, and some that should be flat-out avoided.
Some 2007 Toyota Camrys May Have Oil Consumption Problems and Issue with Melting Dashboards
The 2007 Toyota Camry has 1,010 NHTSA complaints, more than any other year. The overwhelming majority of these complaints are regarding the engine’s tendency to excessively consume oil.
Car Complaints lists oil consumption and oil-burning as the top two most prominent issues with the 2007 Toyota Camry. According to their data, these issues start to appear at an average mileage between 97,000 and 111,000 miles. Additionally, these problems have an average repair cost between $2,100 and $2,400.
The third most prominent issue with the 2007 Toyota Camry involves dashboard material that tend to melt when exposed to hot temperatures. The issue was the subject of a 2019 NBC News 5 report that notes that since 2006, the NHTSA has received more than 150 complaints about Toyota Camry dashboards melting. “It’s most prevalent in Florida and Texas,” reports NBC News 5.
2009 Camry May Be Worst Year of All, Continuing Oil Problems, and Adding Defective Paint and Failing Engines
Interestingly, despite its dominant number of complaints, the 2007 Toyota Camry does not carry the title of the worst model year. Instead, that goes to the 2009 Toyota Camry, which shares the oil consumption issue of the 2007 models. However, the 2009 Camry carries more expensive issues, too.
The 2009 Toyota Camry reportedly suffered from a defective exterior paint job. According to NHTSA complaints, owners began seeing fading in the clear coat and overall poor paint quality as low as 24,000 miles on average. According to Car Complaints, defective paint on a 2009 Camry carries an average repair cost of $3,000.
Perhaps the most concerning complaint regarding the 2009 Camry, though, regards complete engine failure. And it doesn’t get worse than needing an engine replacement. According to Car Complaints, the problem occurs at an average of just 116,000 miles. What’s worse is the average repair cost is a jaw-dropping $4,100.
2007-2010 Toyota Camrys’ Accelerator Pedal Recall Make the Era the Definitive Years to Avoid
In October 2009, Toyota and the NHTSA launched one of the most extensive recalls in automotive history. Toyota recalled over 4.4 million vehicles due to pedal entrapment. According to the recall details, Toyota suspected loose floor mats of pinning and entrapping accelerator pedals. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the car, which could cause a crash.
Furthermore, a second recall was issued for a similar issue–a sticky accelerator pedal–in January 2010. The recall affected 2007-2010 Toyota Camrys and states that accelerator pedals may become stuck in a depressed position without the interaction of a floor mat, once again, causing unintended acceleration and potentially lethal accidents.
According to a CBS News report in 2010, these two unintended acceleration recalls were responsible for the death of at least 89 individuals and 57 non-lethal injuries.
Late-2000s Camrys are Problematic, Especially 2007-2010 Models, but Aside from its Recalls, the Toyota Camry is a Trustworthy Vehicle
Overall, the Camry is a fantastic vehicle with a tragic bit of issues over a four-year span. Ultimately, used car shoppers should avoid the 2007 to 2010 model years altogether.
However, Car Complaints’ data shows that nearly all other model year examples net very few complaints and issues. You’ll find that the majority of Toyota Camry model years have fewer than 100 NHTSA complaints, with the number going as low as only 16 for the 2017 model year.
The Camry’s lengthy production run means that there is a Camry within the budget of nearly all shoppers. So, keep an eye on recalls and issues, and request service history. In general, buying a Toyota Camry will land you in a trustworthy vehicle that will reliably get you from A to B for years to come.
Photos: Toyota
