2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a complaint index of 89, ranking 3rd worst out of 20 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 52% of its 118 complaints, followed by engine issues at 27%, with four recall campaigns on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 Camry Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 118
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 34
- 33 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes61 (52%)
- Engine32 (27%)
- Structure & Body18 (15%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (9%)
- Electrical System9 (8%)
- Other9 (8%)
- Airbags6 (5%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration during braking or reversing, in some cases reaching high speed before impact.
- Brakes reportedly require extra pedal pressure and take longer than normal to stop the vehicle.
- Frontal and side airbags allegedly failed to deploy in moderate-speed front and side collisions.
- Owners describe a burning plastic smell and smoke coming from the driver door area tied to the power window master switch.
- The trunk handle reportedly melted while the vehicle was parked.
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
- NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
- 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.
2009 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.
2009 compared with other Camry Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?
- Compared to other Camry Hybrid model years, 2009 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 89, the 3rd worst of 20 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 52% of the 118 complaints filed with NHTSA, with a median failure mileage of 92,212 miles.
- Does the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2009 Camry Hybrid, covering the power window switch, occupant detection sensors, an accelerator pedal entrapment issue, and a related switch lubrication fix.
- How does the 2009 Camry Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 89 is close to the 2008 model (84, also Avoid) but better than 2007 (95, Avoid) and much worse than later years like 2016 and 2017, both rated Best with indexes of 16 and 21.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2009 Camry Hybrid?
- Yes, NHTSA received complaints describing crashes in which frontal or side airbags did not deploy; airbags account for 5% of total complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 82,829.