Avg. Price Paid:$12,132 - $15,621
Original MSRP: $18,570 - $28,120
MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
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Toyota Camry Recalls & Reliability

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall: 2008 Toyota Camry U.S. News Best Cars 9.0
Critics' Rating: 9.3
Performance: 7.5
Interior: 8.2
Safety: 9.3
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Satisfying engine power from the base four-cylinder, exciting power offered with the higher-end V6
  • Plenty of cabin space for people or cargo
  • Refined handling on city streets or highways
  • Not as thrilling on the road as an-often compared model, the Honda Accord
  • Reports of slipping reliability

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 3/10/09

Recalls

There have been 4 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSRecall Date: 01/26/2010
  • Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 10V035000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 271417
  • Summary: GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABEL, THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AND THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION (ADDENDUM) LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDALRecall Date: 10/05/2009
  • Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 09V388000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 3800000
  • Summary: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
  • Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE ANY DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND NOT REPLACE IT WITH ANY OTHER FLOOR MAT PENDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL-SPECIFIC REMEDIES. TOYOTA WILL MAIL A SECOND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES NOTIFYING THEM OF THE FREE REMEDY WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE. THE FIRST NOTICE IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED DURING OCTOBER 2009 AND TOYOTA WILL ADVISE NHTSA OF THE ESTIMATED DATE WHEN THE REMEDY PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSRecall Date: 10/01/2009
  • Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 10V036000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 153418
  • Summary: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION (ADDENDUM) LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-954-420-2000.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
EQUIPMENTRecall Date: 09/26/2007
  • Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION WHEN RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, IT MAY INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 07E082000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 55000
  • Summary: CERTAIN ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS (AWFM) SPECIFICALLY SOLD AS AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY FOR USE ON THE 2007 AND 2008 MODEL YEAR LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES. THE AWFM INCLUDES TWO GROMMET HOLES AND RETAINING HOOKS (CLIPS) TO SECURE THE MAT TO THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. IF THE AWFM IS NOT SECURED BY ITSELF OR IF IT IS PLACED ON TOP OF AN EXISTING CARPETING FLOOR MAT, THE MAT COULD MOVE FORWARD DURING THE VEHICLE USAGE AND IT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
  • Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL 2007 AND 2008 LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES ABOUT THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH NOT ALL OF THESE OWNERS WILL HAVE PURCHASED THE ALL WEATHER MATS. IF THE OWNER HAD NOT PURCHASED THE MATS, THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THIS LETTER WILL ADVISE OWNERS WHEN REPLACEMENT MATS WILL BE AVAILABLE. A SECOND LETTER WILL BE SENT AFTER MATS ARE AVAILABLE REQUESTING OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR MATS TO A LEXUS OR TOYOTO DEALER FOR EXCHANGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT. THE FIRST LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE SENT DURING EARLY OCTOBER 2007 AND THE SECOND IN LATE NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THE LEXUS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-255-3987 OR THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 1-888-270-9371.
  • Notes: TOYOTA RECALL NOS. 7LB LEXUS AND 70F CAMRY. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Dependability Ratings1 2008
Overall Dependability
Powertrain Dependability
Feature & Accessory Dependability
Body & Interior Dependability

1These scores come from consumer ratings of their vehicles after three years of ownership.

  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

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Warranty

The 2008 Toyota Camry is covered by a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

In years past, Toyota has had a strong reputation for nearly all its models, but some recent reviews report that gold standard is tarnished. Toyota fell from first place to fifth in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey, and the V6 Camry specifically received a "Below Average" rating. Consumer Guide lists the Camry as one of its Recommended Picks, but also reports a few mechanical issues with previous Camry models that range from improperly inflating or deploying air bags. Reviews are split between those who still uphold the Camry as a dependable model and those who express disappointment with inconsistent build quality in more recent models.

  • "Neither a rocket scientist nor a car critic is needed to figure out why the Toyota Camry has been America's best-selling car nine of the past 10 years. This mid-size sedan does just about everything well, and it's supported by Toyota's well-earned reputation for quality, reliability and value retention. Wash-and-wear, no-worries reliability is not a bad thing. Owners depend on the Camry, and they're seldom disappointed." -- New Car Test Drive
  • "Overall, the 2008 Camry is a nice package that should appeal to anyone who just wants to get from point A to point B. What the Camry lacks in excitement and performance it makes up with efficiency and dependability." -- Left Lane News
  • CNET determined the 2007 model's "buttoned-down styling is clean and contemporary, and the quality remains class-leading." -- CNET
  • In contrast, Edmunds leads those who note that Toyota's quality is slipping. "Build quality has fallen a notch on this generation." -- Edmunds
  • "Its reputation for quality has taken a few dents recently, along with Toyota's overall reputation. Last year, Consumer Reports removed the Camry fitted with a V-6 engine from its list of recommended cars following a surge of complaints about transmission trouble. … In comparison with the domestic brands, Toyota's reputation for reliability remains strong despite the recent knocks." -- Detroit News
  • Consumer Guide bridges between the two camps. "Nearly every model we've tested has displayed some combination of unsightly seams, misaligned plastic panels, and assorted interior squeaks and rattles. … Camry is no excitement machine -- not even the sporty SE version -- and test examples have suffered lapses in materials and workmanship. But every Camry is a class leader in powertrain refinement and passenger comfort, making it a clear Recommended pick." -- Consumer Guide

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