Toyota Camry problems
1,408 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.
- 2 fatality reports and 2 fire-related complaints on the cruise-control
- Brakes: 97 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,531–100,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The dashboard on the vehicle started melting and peeling. If touched the plastic on the dashboard will come off. *js
Purchased this car from drive time 10/2016. Last two years oil consumption in between oil changes has reached putting 4 to 10 quarts of oil in this car. Recently had gaskets, radiator, coil and sparks changed (10/2019). I now as of this day (12/21/2019) have the same problem…
At dealership getting my 25,000 mile service and was told that my water pump was failing and needed to be replaced. Dealer rep said that they have seen a lot of water pumps failing on camary's prematurely recently. *tr
This car has oil consumption problem. It burn 1.5 quarts every 1000 mile. The oil has to be constantly changed. The was a recall for this car, but for Toyota to fix this issue; the vehicle has to meet certain requirement depending on the year of the car and the mileage. I…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Camry reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 1,408 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Camry has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota Camry?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Toyota Camry is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 2 fatality reports and 2 fire-related complaints on the cruise-control; Brakes: 97 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,531–100,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Camry?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 243 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 31,207 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 31,207 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Camry has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Camry?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,408 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.