Is the 2008 Toyota Camry a bad year?
932 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 140, 7.4× a quiet Camry year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 63k–140k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Camry 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 88,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 141 (15%) | 45k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 140 (15%) | 63k–140k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 82 (9%) | 38k–105k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 48 (5%) | 49k–138k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 46 (5%) | 55k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 11 (1%) | 79k–137k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (1%) | 15k–110k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 6 (1%) | 37k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 290 (31%) | 39k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 119 (13%) | 15k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 40 (4%) | 2k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 35 (4%) | 36k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 32 (3%) | 31k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 14 (2%) | 14k–38k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 88,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 932 complaints: 87 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 48 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
In summer of 2013, power steering pump failed on 2008 Toyota camry. Car was very difficult to steer, turn and park but had to be driven, though unsafe to drive, for 3 days while pump was ordered and replaced.
Excessive oil use requires vehicle pull over, possibly in traffic when oil light comes on. High oil consumption has been noted during entire life of vehicle.
I have owned my Camry for several years, and I bought it from the original owner (Family), who purchased it new off the lot in 2009.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 88,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Toyota Camry: 8
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring. 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.
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.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Certain all weather floor mats (Awfm) specifically sold as an optional accessory for use on the 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES350 and Toyota Camry vehicles. The awfm includes two grommet holes and retaining hooks (Clips) to secure the mat to the vehicle's carpet. The accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position when returning to the idle position. If this condition occurs, it may increase the possibility of a crash.
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: 201
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Toyota Camry. 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
In limited cases vehicles being serviced for ZE7 will require a replacement short block
There has been some concern with 3 Piece Ring installations for 2AZ-FE and 2AZ-FXE engines
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Unwanted acceleration, floor mat
Neighbouring years
2007 Camry: 2,882 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2009 Camry: 1,293 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Camry a bad year?
932 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 140, 7.4× a quiet Camry year. At 88,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 63k–140k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (141), engine (140), brakes (82), electrical system (48), air bags (46). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 63k–140k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Camry have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Seats (NHTSA 14V-743), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 12V-491), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-036) and more. 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.