Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems

Owners filed 1,095 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid with NHTSA between Sep 2007 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is visibility (206).

Complaints
1,095
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
100
Reported by owners
Fires
15
Reported by owners
Injuries
67
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility206
  2. Structure160
  3. Vehicle speed control158
  4. Engine141
  5. Service brakes117
  6. Visibility/wiper113
  7. Air bags51
  8. Electrical system50
  9. Power train42
  10. Steering41
  11. Suspension41
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic27
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)25
  14. Tires15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20076
200830
200924
2010144
2011144
2012112
201372
2014195
201562
201661
201763
201861
201943
202027
202117
202213
20238
20244
20255
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility

206 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V491000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2020Visibility, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11373470

Structure

160 reports7 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact received a warranty-enhanced program related to the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the repair was performed, but the vehicle experienced the failure approximately two years later. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, a sticky film on the dashboard created a glare, obstructing the driver's vision of the driver. On one occasion, while attempting to lower the sun visor, the contact’s left arm got stuck on the dashboard, and force was needed to remove the arm from the dashboard. The contact’s arm was burning after being removed from the dashboard, and there were marks on the left arm. The contact used burn ointment on the arm, but no medical attention was needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026StructureODI 11749929

Vehicle speed control

158 reports45 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“CAR LURCHES FORWARD AFTER TOUCHING AN ICE PATCH AND SCARILY WANTS TO SPEED AHEAD. EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SPEED FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN IT MERELY TOUCHES A SHEET OF ICE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE PEDESTRIANS BECAUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY SEEMS OUT OF CONTROL. MY SOLUTION IS TO GO AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE UNTIL I AM ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A DEALER ON A NONICY DAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2020Vehicle speed control, WheelsODI 11384570

Engine

141 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The contact's sister-in-law owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while his sister-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon inspecting the engine, the contact noticed there was no engine oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle had consumed an excessive amount of engine oil, causing the engine to fail. The independent mechanic advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as there was no recall associated with the VIN and the vehicle warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2022EngineODI 11456009

Service brakes

117 reports8 crashes1 fire
“am writing to report a critical safety issue with my 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid's ABS module. The problems I've encountered include failing ABS modules, weak braking, VSC light illumination, a ringing sound, and occasional brake failure, requiring excessive force to regain control. This ABS module problem is alarmingly common in Toyota Camry Hybrids from 2007 to 2011. Repair costs are exorbitant, and the widespread nature of this issue poses a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers. I urgently request the NHTSA's immediate investigation and collaboration with Toyota to address this matter and ensure the safety of affected vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2023Service brakesODI 11534462

Visibility/wiper

113 reports1 crash2 fires
“The dashboard in my 2008 Toyota Camry LE has deteriorated over time and has melted, becoming sticky and glossy. This condition causes sunlight to reflect off the dashboard onto the windshield, creating a strong glare. This glare significantly impairs my visibility while driving, especially in bright daylight conditions. At times, I am unable to clearly see traffic, road conditions, or other vehicles. This creates a dangerous situation and increases the risk of a crash. The issue has progressively worsened over time. There were no warning messages or indicators prior to this condition developing. The problem appears to be caused by the dashboard material degrading under normal use and heat exposure. I reported this issue to Toyota dealers, including Fremont Toyota and Milpitas Toyota, but no corrective action was taken. The condition remains unresolved. The defective dashboard is available for inspection upon request. This issue represents a safety hazard due to reduced driver visibility.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026Structure, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11731209
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.