2008 Toyota Camry Solara Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Toyota Camry Solara has a complaint index of 25, the second-lowest among model years with data, and carries a Good verdict relative to other Solara years. It has 83 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #4 of 5 Camry Solara years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 83
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2008 Toyota Camry Solara problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body29 (35%)
- Engine17 (20%)
- Other13 (16%)
- Electrical System12 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (11%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (5%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
- HVAC2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unexpected acceleration or engine surge while parking or backing up at low speed, sometimes ending in a crash into bushes, curbs, or another vehicle.
- Some describe the vehicle catching fire while parked in the garage, with the fire reportedly starting in the dashboard or seating area and destroying the vehicle and attached structure.
- One owner reported the airbags failing to deploy in a frontal crash at 45 mph despite heavy front-end damage.
- Owners describe the automatic-dimming mirrors dimming unexpectedly in low light and rainy conditions, obscuring visibility.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling forward on its own after releasing the parking brake at a stop light, resulting in a rear-end collision.
2008 Toyota Camry Solara recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
2008 Toyota Camry Solara fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,850
- 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 Solara years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Solara reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Camry Solara ranks 4th out of 5 model years with data and earns a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 25, well below the 2006 and 2007 model years.
- What problems does the 2008 Camry Solara have?
- The top problem area is Structure & Body, with 29 complaints (35% share), followed by Engine (17 complaints) and Electrical System (12 complaints), which included two reported fires.
- Does the 2008 Camry Solara have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2008 Camry Solara: one covering seat heaters under campaign 16V396000, and one covering tire and rim labeling issues under campaign 10V035000. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2008 Camry Solara?
- Across all complaints, the median mileage at failure is 40,600 miles, though this varies by problem area, with Engine complaints reported at a median of 13,500 miles and Electrical System complaints at 72,000 miles.