Toyota Camry Best and Worst Years (2005–2024)
Toyota Camry model years 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 are rated Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with 2007 topping the list at a complaint index of 100. The best years are 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2024, all with complaint indexes under 22.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2011Best 2015Best 2017Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 11,013
- Recall campaigns
- 40
- Crashes reported
- 1,453
- Fires reported
- 151
- Top problem area
- Engine
Camry Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Camry problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 89 | 721 | 223 | 10 | 5 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 42 | 317 | 101 | 4 | 5 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 2,886 | 270 | 64 | 9 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 79 | 933 | 87 | 13 | 7 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 95 | 1,293 | 150 | 19 | 10 | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 74 | 602 | 100 | 1 | 9 | Engine | 26 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 84 | 600 | 106 | 7 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 63 | 589 | 84 | 6 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Good | 26 | 274 | 42 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 58 | 455 | 60 | 4 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Best | 21 | 271 | 33 | 3 | 1 | Steering | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 32 | 183 | 41 | 2 | 2 | Engine | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 16 | 148 | 28 | 5 | 3 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 68 | 741 | 46 | 4 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 47 | 395 | 22 | 1 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 274 | 14 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 37 | 157 | 21 | 2 | 1 | Airbags | 28 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 5 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 28 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 11 | 64 | 9 | 2 | 2 ! | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 0 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 28 | 5★ |
Camry years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 Toyota Camry Index 100 · 2,886 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2007 Camry is the worst-ranked year in the lineup, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,886 total complaints, the highest of any Camry year. Engine problems account for 35 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Visibility and wipers issues follow at 19 percent, with a median mileage of 70,000. Structure and body and brakes round out the top problem areas. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for 2007, and owners reported 270 crashes and 64 fires.
2007 engine problems →2007 visibility & wipers problems →2007 structure & body problems →
2009 Toyota Camry Index 95 · 1,293 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2009 Camry ranks second worst with a complaint index of 95 and 1,293 total complaints. Engine problems dominate at 39 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000, notably lower than other Avoid years. Structure and body issues follow at 18 percent, with failures around 60,500 miles. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for 2009, the most of any Avoid year, including recalls tied to accelerator pedal issues. Owners reported 150 crashes and 19 fires.
2009 engine problems →2009 structure & body problems →2009 visibility & wipers problems →
2005 Toyota Camry Index 89 · 721 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2005 Camry carries a complaint index of 89, the third worst of all 20 model years covered. Engine problems make up 44 percent of its complaints, with owners reporting failures around a median of 40,000 miles. Brakes and transmission and powertrain issues follow, and steering complaints appear at a median of 47,000 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including engine and structure and body components. Total complaints for 2005 reach 721, with 223 crashes and 10 fires reported.
2005 engine problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Toyota Camry Index 84 · 600 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2011 Camry has a complaint index of 84, ranked fourth worst. Visibility and wipers problems are the top issue at 20 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 65,000. Engine complaints follow at 19 percent, with a lower median mileage of 26,000. Structure and body and airbag complaints also appear, with airbag issues reported around 53,000 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for 2011, including one for a front suspension ball joint issue specific to this model year.
2011 visibility & wipers problems →2011 engine problems →2011 structure & body problems →
2008 Toyota Camry Index 79 · 933 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2008 Camry has a complaint index of 79, ranked fifth worst. Visibility and wipers problems lead at 31 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. Engine issues follow at 27 percent, with failures reported around 59,808 miles. Structure and body and brakes complaints are also present. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including a power window switch recall covering multiple Toyota models. Owners reported 87 crashes and 13 fires for 2008.
2008 visibility & wipers problems →2008 engine problems →2008 structure & body problems →
Most common Toyota Camry problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine3,343 (30%)
- Other1,438 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,321 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers1,289 (12%)
- Brakes1,270 (12%)
- Structure & Body1,249 (11%)
- Electrical System987 (9%)
- Airbags915 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires661 (6%)
- Steering651 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota Camry years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 Camry years are rated Avoid. The 2007 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, with 2,886 total complaints.
- What is the best Toyota Camry year to buy?
- The 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2024 Camry years are rated Best relative to other years, with complaint indexes of 21, 16, 5, and 0 respectively.
- What is the most common problem with the Toyota Camry?
- Across all 20 model years, engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 30 percent of the 11,013 total complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 12 percent.
- Does the 2023 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
- The 2023 Camry has 2 recall campaigns, including one Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, which caps its verdict at Caution despite a low complaint index of 11.
- Is the 2007 Toyota Camry reliable?
- The 2007 Camry has the highest complaint index of any Camry year at 100, with 2,886 complaints, 270 crashes, and 64 fires reported to NHTSA, making it the year rated worst in the lineup.