Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry Hybrid years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid are in line with other Camry Hybrid years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Camry Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 97,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 67 (41%) | 74k–131k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 39 (24%) | 40k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 19 (12%) | 50k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 14 (9%) | 85k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 12 (7%) | 60k–136k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 9 (6%) | 60k–105k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 29 (18%) | 40k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 97,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 162 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 2
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. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 131
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A80/P1AC000 and/or P0A7F/P1A8000 stored due to dust or debris buildup…
Some vehicles may exhibit a lack of acceleration, potential rough engine idle, and possible engine stall condition while the vehicle is stopped
In limited cases vehicles being serviced for ZE7 will require a replacement short block
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Pedestrian alert sounds
Brake Actuator malfunction
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Neighbouring years
2007 Camry Hybrid: 601 complaints, keep it · 2009 Camry Hybrid: 118 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Camry Hybrid year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2025 · 2026 · All Camry Hybrid years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry Hybrid years. At 97,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (67), speed control (39), body structure (19), stability control (14), engine (12).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 12V-491), Speed control (NHTSA 09V-388). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.