2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
84/100
#4 most-complained of 20 Camry Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid ranks 4th worst of 20 model years with a complaint index of 84 and is rated Avoid. Brakes account for 43% of its 162 complaints, followed by engine issues at 30%, with two recall campaigns on file.
- Complaints
- 162
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 34
- 33 city / 34 hwy
Top 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes69 (43%)
- Engine48 (30%)
- Visibility & Wipers29 (18%)
- Structure & Body19 (12%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Steering9 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Airbags5 (3%)
- Electrical System4 (2%)
- Fuel System2 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners describe delayed brake response and shaking when slowing down, sometimes leading to rear-end collisions.
- Several complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or turning at low speed, resulting in crashes into trees, walls, or pedestrians.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front and side collisions despite significant vehicle damage and driver injuries.
- One complaint describes a hybrid system failure alert followed by engine compartment smoke and flames while driving on the highway.
- A window switch reportedly filled the cabin with smoke tied to the power window master switch recall.
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V491000Oct 10, 2012Visibility & Wipers2,519,424 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
- NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 33 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Camry Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2008 Camry Hybrid has a complaint index of 84 and ranks 4th worst out of 20 model years, earning an Avoid rating relative to other Camry Hybrid years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Camry Hybrid?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 43% of the 162 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 96,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Camry Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a power window master switch that can overheat, and one for accelerator pedals that can get trapped by unsecured floor mats.
- How does the 2008 Camry Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 84 is lower than 2007's 95 and 2025's 100, but higher than most other years, placing it among the worse-rated Camry Hybrid years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Camry Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2008 Camry Hybrid at 34 mpg combined (33 city/34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900.