Choosing a used Toyota Camry is usually a smart choice because of the car’s great name for lasting a long time. However, even reliable cars have a few bad years you should know about. Skipping these problematic models can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.
The main years to avoid are generally the 2007, 2008, and 2009 models. They are often called the worst generation for the Camry. You should also be careful with the 2002 model and the newer 2018-2019 models, which had different but serious issues.
Why You Should Be Picky
Buying a used Toyota is a big decision, and you want your car to be as safe and cheap to run as possible. Toyota Camrys are highly valued because they hold their value well. This strong demand is true everywhere, even for cars for sale in japan, where used Toyotas are known for quality.
But when a specific year model has many problems, it breaks that promise of reliability. These bad years are known for major issues that are very costly to fix, like engine failure or a completely broken transmission. Knowing these years upfront lets you shop smarter and avoid the headaches that other buyers have already faced.
The Worst Group: 2007 to 2009
This three-year group of the Camry (the sixth generation) is the one that gets the most complaints. Owners reported problems with the engine, the inside of the car, and the safety systems.
1. Excessive Oil Consumption
The biggest problem with the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Camry models that had the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was that they burned too much oil. This was not caused by a leak, but by bad design of the engine’s piston rings.
- The Issue: The piston rings were too thin. This allowed engine oil to pass them and burn up inside the engine.
- The Danger: If the driver didn’t check the oil constantly and add more, the engine would run low on oil. Running a car on low oil can quickly ruin the entire engine, leading to a huge repair bill or needing a full engine replacement.
2. Melting Dashboards
Many owners of the 2007 to 2009 models had problems with the dashboard materials. In hot weather, the dashboard plastic would melt, become sticky, and look shiny.
- The Issue: This melting created a bright glare (shine) on the windshield, which made it hard to see the road when driving, making the car unsafe.
- The Cost: Replacing the entire dashboard is very expensive and difficult work.
Other Years to Watch Out For
While the 2007-2009 group is the worst, you should also be careful about a few other model years that had their own problems.
2002 Model Year
The 2002 Camry was the first year of a major new design for Toyota. The first year of any new design often has “bugs” or issues that the company did not find during testing. The 2002 model had a high number of complaints about the transmission (gearbox) failing and serious issues with the car’s airbag system. Buying the first model year of a new design is always a bigger risk.
2010 and 2011 Model Years
These years had fewer complaints than the 2007-2009 group, but they still suffered from safety-related problems. Many drivers reported sudden, unintended acceleration, where the car would speed up on its own, even when the driver was trying to brake. This serious safety risk led to major recalls and lawsuits for Toyota at the time.
2018 and 2019 Model Years
These are newer models, but they started a new set of problems with the newer eight-speed automatic transmission and the fuel system.
- Transmission Failure: Many owners of the 2018-2019 Camrys reported harsh shifting problems or a whining noise from the transmission. In some cases, the transmission failed completely, meaning the car could not move.
- Fuel Pump Issues: Both years were also part of a large safety recall for a faulty fuel pump. A bad fuel pump can cause the engine to stall while driving, which is very dangerous. Make sure this recall was fixed by checking the car’s history.
Final Advice Before Buying
To protect yourself, always do two things:
- Check the VIN: Use the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to see if there are any open recalls for that specific vehicle. This is easy to do on Toyota’s website or a government safety website.
- Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI): Before you hand over any money, pay an independent mechanic you trust to check the car from top to bottom. They can look for signs of the oil-burning problem or check the feel of the transmission. If the mechanic gives the car a clean bill of health, you can buy it with much greater confidence.
This video talks about the Toyota App and how you can look up your car’s service history, which is a good way to check if any of these problems were fixed: Toyota App – Service History.