At the shop, Toyota visibility issues have a recognizable signature. 2,093 documented complaints across 153 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2008 Toyota Camry tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 1 fatality report on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Toyota vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 948 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 53,283 miles. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
ProblemsByVin TOYOTA / VISIBILITY
153 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Toyota visibility problems
2,093 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Toyota vehicles for visibility issues. 4 active recall campaigns. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
2,093
Recalls
4
Year-models
153
Avg fix
$350
16crashes
18fires
29injuries
1fatality
Worst-affected Toyota model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2008 Toyota Camry
273 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Toyota Camry
100 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2009 Toyota Camry
82 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
79 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 Toyota Venza
71 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2010 Toyota Camry
58 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Toyota RAV4
47 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2010 Toyota Highlander
38 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Toyota RAV4
35 complaints · ~$350 severe
2016 Toyota Prius
34 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Toyota RAV4
31 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Toyota Highlander
30 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Toyota Prius
27 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 Toyota RAV4
25 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2005 Toyota Highlander
24 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 Toyota Avalon
23 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2005 Toyota 4Runner
23 complaints · ~$350 severe
2018 Toyota Camry
22 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2009 Toyota Venza
22 complaints · ~$350 severe
2012 Toyota Camry
21 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 Toyota Highlander
21 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 Toyota RAV4
20 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2017 Toyota Prius
20 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2005 Toyota Sienna
20 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2019 Toyota RAV4
19 complaints · ~$350 moderate
Active recalls — Toyota visibility 5 on file
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014
Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc
A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles
If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles
An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB07 and 25TA07. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB04 and 25LA04. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-25.
Common questions
How many Toyota visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
2,093 complaints across 153 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 4 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the Toyota lineup.
Which Toyota model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2008 Toyota Camry leads with 273 complaints in this category. Next: 2011 Camry (100) and 2009 Camry (82).
What does it cost to fix Toyota visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the Toyota lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Toyota visibility recalls?
Yes — 5 active recall campaigns cover visibility on Toyota vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Toyota.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.