2009 Toyota Camry
The Verdict
The 2009 Toyota Camry has 1,401 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (804 complaints) and engine (272 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Camry, consider the 2014 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2014 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2014 Toyota Camry dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 CAMRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2009, AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 VENZA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2008, THR...
Risk
INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Reported Jul 3, 2012
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 234 | 71 | 91 | 98 | 39 |
| 2001 | 142 | 31 | 63 | 84 | 12 |
| 2002 | 483 | 174 | 121 | 202 | 63 |
| 2003 | 389 | 110 | 89 | 187 | 41 |
| 2004 | 452 | 79 | 123 | 90 | 54 |
| 2005 | 398 | 82 | 76 | 81 | 81 |
| 2006 | 230 | 43 | 104 | 34 | 21 |
| 2007 | 1691 | 692 | 339 | 635 | 246 |
| 2008 | 731 | 135 | 96 | 170 | 42 |
| 2009 | 804 | 157 | 129 | 272 | 39 |
| 2010 | 373 | 49 | 72 | 77 | 39 |
| 2011 | 374 | 51 | 92 | 61 | 42 |
| 2012 | 247 | 58 | 123 | 86 | 128 |
| 2013 | 124 | 24 | 53 | 40 | 58 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 2015 | 128 | 35 | 39 | 34 | 32 |
| 2016 | 82 | 18 | 44 | 23 | 15 |
| 2017 | 69 | 19 | 37 | 19 | 4 |
| 2018 | 182 | 133 | 59 | 211 | 141 |
| 2019 | 101 | 31 | 30 | 138 | 85 |
| 2020 | 60 | 8 | 88 | 84 | 22 |
| 2021 | 38 | 15 | 81 | 8 | 11 |
| 2022 | 26 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 5 |
| 2023 | 26 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 5 |
| 2024 | 29 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| 2025 | 78 | 10 | 27 | 12 | 6 |
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Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2009 Toyota Camry stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
The HV battery cooling fan on the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid has no protective filter and no cleaning or inspection interval in Toyota’s published Scheduled Maintenance Guide. Toyota acknowledged this exact problem in TSB T-SB-0087-13 (July 2013) for 2012–2016 Camry HV vehicles, stating the cooling fan ‘may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or other debris that can reduce the efficiency of the HV Battery Cooling System.’ However, Toyota excluded the 2007–2011 generation — which has the same unfiltered cooling fan design — from this TSB. My 2009 Camry Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] , 208,000 miles) has now failed with code P0A80, requiring full battery replacement. The failure is consistent with the cooling fan clogging defect Toyota acknowledged for later model years but never addressed for this generation. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether Toyota should extend TSB T-SB-0087-13 or issue a recall covering the 2007–2011 Camry Hybrid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving my seat squeaks as if the bolts are loose.
Excessive oil consumption, a sticky dash and power window switch
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky, causing a shiny glare on the windshield, preventing the driver from seeing through the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with the drivers front side of the vehicle and the air bags did not deploy as intended. The contact's daughter sustained chest, knee, and right wrist injuries, and she received medical attention. The contact added that the driver's door was not able to open fully after the collision. The fire department arrived, and a police report was filed, but the report number was not available at this time. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, where it was later deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. In addition, the contact was told that they could not determine what caused the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I drove my son’s 2009 Toyota Camry recently and encountered a serious safety concern. When driving into direct sunlight, visibility was significantly impaired due to intense glare reflecting off the dashboard and onto the windshield. The reflection made it difficult to clearly see the road ahead. This is not a cleaning or maintenance issue. The dashboard surface is no longer matte as designed. It has become glossy and reflective due to the well-documented Toyota “melting” or “sticky” dashboard defect that affected many 2009-era Toyota and Lexus vehicles. As the dashboard material degrades, it creates a reflective surface that directly contributes to dangerous glare while driving. This condition presents a genuine safety risk, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when glare is already a known driving hazard. Unfortunately, I understand that Toyota’s warranty enhancement program for this issue has expired, despite the defect continuing to pose a safety concern. I wanted to formally document this issue as a visibility and safety hazard and request guidance on whether Toyota will address this condition given its direct impact on safe vehicle operation.
The vehicle was involved in a rollover crash at 60 mph that ended in striking a tree, which intruded upon the entire backseat area. The driver/passenger airbag(s) did not deploy despite conditions where deployment should have occurred. There were no signs of prior deployment or tampering: to my knowledge, the airbag system had not previously deployed or been serviced for that. The airbag system is available for inspection, as the vehicle was sold to the insurance company. My safety was put at risk as I sustained physical injuries that may have been prevented by airbag deployment. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives. There were no prior warning lamps regarding the airbags prior to the crash.
The dashboard has turned into a sticky residue that reflects a blinding glair and is hazardous to see & drive. Toyota has declined to extend the recall warranty to replace the dash even though this is a hazard and has nearly caused accidents. Please help me get Toyota to make good on replacing.
My son wrecked cause of the stickiness of the dashboard the light reflected and he was in an accident . You guys mailed the safest notice to his grandmother at a assisted living facility and I have proof she didn’t get mail there so my son shouldn’t have to suffer we have already put a new motor in it and can’t deive
My grandma bought a 2009 Toyota Camry well kept she passed away in 2019 and she gave me the car what I read second owner has a 10 warranty they said there was a safety recall on the dashboard she was in a nursing home facility and that where her mail went and she was Bedfast and we have proof of that the dashboard is so sticky there is so much glare from it I’ve wrecked and I know the time frame has past but I read the owner had 10 years it is such a great car but I can’t drive it please help me I can provide proof of everything but I’m scared I will get killed
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and melting. The contact stated that since moving to the desert, the dashboard coating had degraded and deteriorated. The shine created a glare on the windshield, preventing the contact from driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that it was an aesthetic issue, and the Customer Support Program warranty period had ended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I purchased a 2009 Toyota Camry on [XXX]. After a few years, the dashboard became soft and sticky. During the summer of 2018, I noticed it melting on a hot sunny day. I looked into having it replaced. There was a warranty enhancement notification letter previously sent to me, which stated this type of known problem would be covered for up to 10 years since car was first placed in service. Unfortunately, I didn’t determine this was enough of a problem to me until [XXX]. I missed the warranty extension by 5 days. I contacted Newbold Toyota on June 29, 2018, and the service manager said that after the 10 years, it was the manufacturer's responsibility and there is nothing they can do, except to charge me for the repair. The repair was estimated at approx. $1,500 for the dashboard replacement. At first, I thought "Oh well, I can live with this." But now the dashboard has melted so much that it now reflects sunlight into the windshield so badly that it is has become a safety hazard. It is very difficult to see through the windshield when driving towards the sun or with the sun directly above on a sunny day (even while wearing sunglasses). So the defective dashboard is now causing a very hazardous driving condition. So I contacted the national Toyota Customer Service Center, and they said essentially the same thing as Newbold Toyota. There was nothing they can do now. Since this design/material flaw has caused such a serious hazard when driving the car, and this is now a safety issue, I believe Toyota should be held responsible and should pay for the repair to fix this safety issue. When I purchased this car, I had no idea the dashboard had an expiration date. Had I noticed the melting a few days earlier they would have paid for the replacement. So why does their responsibility to fix this defect/safety issue end after 10 years? I don’t believe Toyota considers this a safety issue, or I believe they would fix it. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving, the "Check Oil" warning light illuminated. The contact added oil to the engine. The contact was informed that the check oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where an oil consumption test was performed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding several quarts of oil every 1,000 miles driven. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Extended Warranty had been exceeded. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reflection from the melted dashboard impaired his view while driving. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and shiny and reflected on the windshield while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the Extended Warranty coverage on the vehicle had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The engine burned excessive oil and finally the rings and head gasket failed causing the engine to misfire and finally break down at 186,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to fracture in several places. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled; however, the vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
I have 2009 Toyota Camry LE, the problem is engine oil, if I changed/filled the engine oil in certified stores, but after 400 miles the engine oil is not in the engine chamber I checked the leaks or any other sort of damage but there's nothing like that I verified the same thing with the dealership too. Basically my point is due to extensive consumption of engine oil the engine will brake in the middle of driving and there are chances it will explode and there's a DANGER while driving the car it's like pulled the granite pin and sit above it. And due to this the braking system will fail and the person loose his life and the dependses will be suffered a lot. Please look at this issue. Thank you.
Dashboard Melted. Causes a glare and tacky texture. The dash board emits a chemical smell in the car
The replaced dashboard ( the first dashboard was replaced due to a recall about melting dashboards) is now melting just like the first one and is causing significant glare in on the windshield. Avoided two (2) near accidents when the glare from the sun impaired my vision of the traffic in front of me.
Dash board has become sticky due to the adhesive seeping out; causes major visual impairments while driving due to the reflection of the sun off of the sticky/disgusting/shiny dashboard.
1401 total