2008 Toyota Camry Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#5 most-complained of 20 Camry years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Toyota Camry has 933 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 79 out of 100 — #5 highest of 20 Camry model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is visibility & wipers (289 complaints, 31% of the total). Complaints report 87 crashes, 13 fires, and 60 injuries.
- Complaints
- 933
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 87 / 13
- Injuries / deaths
- 60 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 31 hwy
Top 2008 Toyota Camry problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers289 (31%)
- Engine253 (27%)
- Structure & Body144 (15%)
- Other110 (12%)
- Brakes89 (10%)
- Electrical System53 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires52 (6%)
- Airbags46 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (4%)
- Steering32 (3%)
2008 Toyota Camry recalls
7 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 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- 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.
2008 Toyota Camry fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota Camry a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Toyota Camry ranks #5 of 20 among Camry model years (Complaint Index 79/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 933 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Camry?
- The most reported problem areas are visibility & wipers (289 complaints), engine (253 complaints), and structure & body (144 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 55,500 miles.
- Does the 2008 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Camry, most recently reported 2016, covering structure & body, visibility & wipers, other, and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Toyota Camry?
- EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Camry at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.