10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 97,796 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
12/28/13 - elsrode ave. Baltimore, md 21214, side street next to our house. [xxx], wife, was parallel parking this vehicle driving in reverse. Vehicle had unintended acceleration. Brakes did not work. Vehicle went up a set of cement steps and stopped for a second, but then accelerated in drive down steps into street. Again brakes did not work. [xxx] drove vehicle into an alley and hit a stone wall where it stopped. Engine was smoking. In reverse and in drive, [xxx] had her feet on the brakes. The brakes did not work. This was witnessed by her son, [xxx], who was the front seat passenger. [xxx]. suffered fractured ribs and bruised legs. Passenger, [xxx], was not injured. Vehicle was totaled by insurance company. Toyota inspected vehicle on 2/24/14 who said " based on our inspection of your vehicle it was determined that it was not the result of any type of manufacturing or design defect". information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Baltimore, MD, USA
My brakes needed replacing at approx. 40-44K miles. My belts/water pump broke/cracked at approx 50K miles. The mechanic said the water pump, if it ever broke at all, shouldn't break till min. 100K miles. I am about to take the Camry to a mechanic to check engine racing and grinding front passenger side window motor. This car has been a money pit with awful visibility. I've spent many thousands on this car before it reach 50K miles.
- Metairie , LA, USA
In summer of 2013, power steering pump failed on 2008 Toyota Camry. Car was very difficult to steer, turn and park but had to be driven, though unsafe to drive, for 3 days while pump was ordered and replaced. In the week before the power steering pump failed, the engine was found to be burning oil and had to be rebuilt. During this same month (August, 2013), the gas cover could not be opened to refill the gas tank while out of town, requiring a temporary cable fix by an out-of-town dealer. In the summer of 2014, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) actuator failed, also causing loss of speedometer, temperature and tachometer functions. ABS actuator part was ordered and replaced. Then a week later, the brake booster failed (check engine light on multiple times), leaking when brake was depressed. These are just the major safety failures of this 2008 Toyota Camry, which has had other problems, purchased new in 2007 and maintained by the same dealer. This car is not safe or reliable to drive.
- Nashville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 35 mph, the ABS and brake warning indicators illuminated, and the speedometer malfunctioned. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the indicators were still illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
- Margate, FL, USA
It is extremely difficult to understand why Toyota has not been advised and demanded to recall Toyota Camry year models 2008 when there are so many issues with regard to the brake actuator assembly failing in these vehicles. After reading an extended volume of complaints on many sites and blogs with regard to the failing of these assemblies, I now see that NHTSA has demanded Toyota and Lexus recall 2013 and 2014 year models because of this same defective issue. Why is Toyota not being demanded to recall all year models that have these defective brake actuator assemblies"??" it is incomprehensible to me that a recall can be made or demanded for a current year model however all of us who own 2008 Toyota vehicles (especially and no explainable reason, Camry's) have the exact same problem with no concern. Will it take a death or mutilation to further NHTSA to mandate that Toyota to recall a totally defective brake system part. Toyota demands approximately $4,000 to replace the brake actuator assembly in these 2008 Toyota Camry's. that is robbery without a weapon. Why will current year 2013 and 2014 Toyota and Lexus owners get their cars repaired "gratis". I would love to hear an explanation of why 2013 and 2014 Toyota and Lexus owners will receive a "complimentary" recall of the brake actuator defect while we all drive a 2008 Camry with squeaking, jerking, slams to a stop when starting in reverse and short of it sounding like it will break at any moment with all the brake warning lights beaming (and cannot get the car inspected for legal road use because of the brake issue). Please please value the 2008 Camry owners. Bottom line is that this defect is not created by the car owner. It is a defective part that Toyota placed within these 2008 Camry models and they will not remedy the situation. Please help. Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Houston, TX, USA
The warning lights went on and immediate the vehicle shut down while I was traveling a city street in san francisco, California (dewey blvd). Fortunately the street is fairly level and I wasn't on a hill. I loss power to the brake, steering and everything as everything was dead. I was able to coast to a curb putting all my effort to stop the car. I tried starting and moved about 10 feet before everything went dead again. I did not move it further I called for a tow (aaa) and the initial diagnosis was that the alternator was dead. The car was towed to a mechanic who also said that this alternator was dead and it was replaced. I told him where it happened and he said I was lucky that I wasn't on the freeway.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
On my way home from work, at approximately 4:00 pm, while driving at approximately 35 mph, I noticed my dashboard panel lights fluttering, and that the panel instruments were moving up and down (specifically my tachometer and temperature gauge). My speedometer was not registering any speed, even though I was doing about 35 mph, and the brake and ABS lights were on and bright red. I took the car to the dealer next day, and I was told that the ABS actuator was defective and it would cost me $2492, plus labor to replace the ABS actuator. I was also told that regular braking would work, but the ABS would not. I like my Toyota Camry 2008. My prior 1996 Camry is still running well, and I also liked it. That's why I bought the 2008 model. What I don't like a is a car with under performing, unsafe, faulty engineered or substandard parts, which may lead to accidents, loss of life and customer frustration.
- San Juan, PR, USA
I was slowing to a stop at a red light. The warning light check vsc came on. The brakes were very weak and did not stop the car. I had to escape on to the shoulder and have the car slow down.
- Excelsior, MN, USA
Upon no warning, the power assist module in my 2008 Camry failed. Fortunately my daughter was able to maneuver the vehicle off road and avoid rear ending someone when the Camry brakes failed to provide proper and safe breaking force as typical prior to this event...
- Palm Coast, FM, USA
Check vsc system warning and brake and other warning lights lighting up on dashboard. Difficulty braking with lurching forward when at a complete stop. Needed to pump on brakes several times to come to a complete stop, loss of braking ability.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the brake sensor and ABS sensor lights both illuminated. The contact also indicated that the odometer and tachometer malfunctioned. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the internal ABS unit had failed. The manufacturer was not notified however, the defect was not remedied. The failure mileage was 82,000.
- Aguanga , CA, USA
The ABS light on my 2008 Toyota Camry came on Monday, June 24th. The ac started blowing warm air, and the RPM and temperature gauges started fluttering. Stadium Toyota in tampa, fl had me bring it in and diagnosed that the ABS actuator had gone out. This backfeeds electricity into the entire vehicle. I did some research online and have found this is a fairly common problem on Toyota. I have to pay $2300 for the repair, which is for a computer of which I had nothing to do with it malfunctioning. The ABS is obviously one of the most important features, and I can't imagine everyone can afford it. Is Toyota setting up the roads to be filled with vehicles without ABS?
- Tampa, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance. The dealer replaced the front brake pads, the front rotors were turned and resurfaced, the rear brake pads and booth was replaced, and the rear rotors were turned and resurfaced. The technician also noticed that the brake booster was exhibiting an abnormal a noise but he advised the contact that at the next scheduled maintenance, the brake booster should be checked. The contact stated that the brake booster later failed while attempting to stop. As a result, the brakes failed to engage. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The failure was located at the brake booster. The brake booster assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 63,158.
- Hutersville , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact stated that the brake calipers malfunctioned due to the sudden acceleration. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the brake calipers repaired. After the brake calipers were repaired the vehicle continued to accelerate without warning. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer could not duplicate the acceleration issue. In addition, the engine completely failed due to a fracture in the water pump, also causing all of the electric components to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000.
- Newark, OH, USA
- San Jose, CA, USA