TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota Camry suspension problems
moderate 64 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
64
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 64 suspension complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 64 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 14 model years of Toyota Camry in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: THIS BULLETIN IS NO LONGER APPLICABLE AND IS NOW OBSOLETE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some Avalon, Avalon HV, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise when turning and/or driving over uneven road surfaces. A new improved service part insulator for the front strut is available to reduce the possibility of the dust boot becoming wedged between the strut shaft bumper and strut shaft.; Follow the procedures in this bulletin to address this condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Camry suspension is plagued by leaking struts that appear early and persist across the model's life. Owners discover leaking hydraulic fluid on struts as early as 10,000 miles but most commonly between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. Toyota dealerships tell owners the leakage is "normal," that struts are "misting" not leaking, or that Toyota specifications allow a certain amount of seepage—claims independent mechanics and owners reject outright. Toyota even issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0145-11 acknowledging the problem but issued no recall.
Leaking struts cause severe uneven tire wear on the inside tread, forcing owners to replace tires multiple times; one owner went through three sets by 64,000 miles on mostly highway driving. The bad struts also degrade handling, creating a floating or rough ride and pulling to one side.
Coil springs attached to the struts break and shatter, sometimes catastrophically, producing loud clanging or rattling noises from the front end. Strut mounts also wear out prematurely. One owner had struts replaced, then months later needed strut mount replacement—the noise and poor handling persisted, suggesting possible deeper design faults.
Repair costs run $768 to $1,671+ per dealer estimate, though independent shops charge less. Once a car passes 36 months or 36,000 miles, Toyota refuses warranty coverage, even if the leak began during warranty. Owners report Toyota customer service denies responsibility and offers no assistance or recalls despite hundreds of identical complaints.
Same Toyota Camry suspension reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Front and rear struts leaking hydraulic fluid
Struts losing oil/fluid, often visible as wet residue or misting on the exterior. Occurs as early as 10,000 miles and common by 30,000–50,000 miles. Toyota dealers tell owners a small amount of leakage is 'normal' or 'within specification.' Owners and independent mechanics disagree, noting struts should be sealed. The company issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0145-11 acknowledging the issue but provided no recall or warranty coverage.
When: 10,000–60,000 miles, frequently around 30,000–40,000
Symptoms owners cite: Visible oil or fluid on strut exterior; Excessive uneven tire wear (inner tread); Soft or floating ride quality; Vehicle pulling to one side; Clunking or creaking noise over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics recommend replacement of all four struts; dealer cost ~$768–$1,671.55; some owners replaced struts at their own mechanic for less. Owners also report needing tire replacement due to wear caused by leaking struts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota TSB T-SB-0145-11 exists but no recall issued. Dealers instructed owners that small leakage is acceptable. Toyota refused warranty repairs if vehicle was out of 36-month/36,000-mile warranty, even if leakage began during warranty. No recall or extended warranty program offered despite owners' complaints.
Front coil spring breakage
Coil springs attached to strut assemblies fracture and break, typically at the larger end coil. Owners report complete or partial coils shearing off and remaining loose inside the spring assembly. Occurs across mileage range from 50,000 to 234,000 miles.
When: 50,000–234,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling, clanging, or banging noise from front end; Unstable or rough ride; Visible broken coil sections inside spring when inspected; Vehicle handling worsens after other suspension repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealer quoted $660 to replace both front springs; independent mechanics recommended full strut assembly replacement at ~$350–$500 per side or less. One owner replaced all four struts for cost less than Toyota's spring-only quote.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers refused warranty coverage after 50,000 miles. One owner stated dealer would not cover cost because car had exceeded 50,000-mile service life threshold. No recall issued.
Strut mount wear and failure
Upper strut mounts deteriorate, causing creaking and clunking noises and poor handling. One owner's narrative documents sequential replacement of struts, then strut mounts, neither resolving the underlying noise and poor handling, suggesting possible design or assembly defect.
When: Post-strut replacement (secondary failure mode)
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noise from front wheel wells over bumps; Floating or unstable handling; Poor ride quality that worsens after strut replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Strut mount replacement cost quoted at $200 less than full strut replacement. One owner required replacement of both strut mounts after struts were replaced, suggesting possible design issue with mounts or insufficient durability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage mentioned. Manufacturer did not offer assistance beyond warranty period.
Wheel bearing failure (rear passenger side)
Rear passenger side wheel bearing fails or deteriorates, causing loud popping or grinding noise. One owner's vehicle was taken to dealer three times; bearing was replaced but noise persisted, later diagnosed as strut assembly issue.
When: 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping noise at low speeds (5 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear passenger side wheel bearing replaced but did not resolve noise; technician later advised strut assembly replacement needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and helped identify the underlying strut issue; vehicle being repaired by dealer.
Premature and uneven tire wear
Tires wear unevenly and prematurely, particularly on inner tread. Owners report replacing tires multiple times despite regular rotation and balance. Directly linked to leaking struts and suspension misalignment. One owner replaced tires three times by 64,000 miles; another at 30,000 miles despite highway-only use.
When: Begins as early as 18,000–30,000 miles; evident by first rotation/balance service
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy wear on interior tread; Excessive wear despite regular rotation and balance; Tire pressure warning light remaining on; Vehicle pulling to one side
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement cost not stated by owners, but multiple replacements indicate significant out-of-pocket expense. Independent mechanics noted alignment adjustment would only be temporary fix without addressing strut leakage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealers denied connection between strut leakage and tire wear in at least one case, stating tire wear was normal for the tire type. No warranty extension or recall issued despite clear pattern.
Front strut spring detachment
Coil spring detaches or separates from strut assembly during driving, causing loss of suspension support and vehicle control. One owner at 70,000 miles heard clinking noise and vehicle pulled to left.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clinking noise from front; Vehicle pulls sharply to one side
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not report repair completion or cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure but no further action reported.
Synthesized from 64 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota camry. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the mechanic noticed that the rear struts were leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,489. Updated 04/06/16*lj *cn
Had suspension trouble with your 2009 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2009 Toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 64 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 56 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 34,000 and 56,489 miles, with the median around 43,053. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 56,489. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.