2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 7, 2023 · 162 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Camry Hybrid years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid. That ranks 3rd out of 21 Camry Hybrid model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes (61 complaints, 38%), typically at around 97,000 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Toyota Camry Hybrid
2007-2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes61 · ~97,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control39 · ~67,475 mi
Visibility20 · ~55,250 mi
Structure19 · ~86,762 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)14 · ~125,403 mi
Unknown or Other13 · ~60,000 mi
Engine10 · ~125,000 mi
Steering9 · ~63,000 mi
Visibility/wiper9 · ~50,000 mi
Suspension6 · ~61,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes problems6138%97,000“check vsc” (46%)$2,700
Vehicle Speed Control3924%67,475——
Visibility2012%55,250——
Structure1912%86,762——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)149%125,403——
Unknown or Other138%60,000——
Engine106%125,000——
Steering96%63,000——
Visibility/wiper96%50,000——
Suspension64%61,500——
Air Bags53%56,090——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic53%48,000——
Electrical System21%112,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling21%60,690——
Exterior Lighting21%125——
Power Train21%67,000——
Equipment11%56,000——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility11%50,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline11%57,000——
Fuel System, Other11%28,000——
Latches/locks/linkages11%89,523——
Service Brakes, Electric11%20,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 55 complaints
2009: 4200942010: 152010152011: 162011162012: 142012142013: 132013132014: 552014552015: 7201572016: 6201662017: 152017152018: 102018102019: 720197

n = 162 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Visibility:power window devices and controlsOct 10, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles

Problem: 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. 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.

Risk: 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.

Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalOct 5, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · 4,445,056 vehicles

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
  • Brake Actuator malfunction (PE14001) — opened Jan 23, 2014, closed Aug 22, 2014.
  • Power Window Master Switch Fire (EA12006) — opened Jun 14, 2012, closed Feb 12, 2013, led to recall 12V491000.
  • Power Window Master Switch Fire (PE12002) — opened Feb 6, 2012, closed Jun 14, 2012.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS MOM WHO OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND STICKY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED A GLARE IN THE DRIVER'S FACE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. TOYOTA WALNUT CREEK (2100 N BROADWAY, WALNUT…

Structure · received Aug 29, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11252261

The dashboard pad has deteriorated within the last two years. It is gooey. When i have brought the vehicle in for service at the local dealership and mentioned it, it was not addressed. I called toyota headquarters twice and they said that there was a notification but it has expired. So, they will…

Visibility/wiper · received Jul 1, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11228677

Dash headboard is very sticky and when driving in sunny conditions there is a really bad glare.

Structure · received May 15, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11207937

On or about mid april 2018 this vehicle was left parked and unattended outside in upstate ny for approximately 2 weeks. The outside temperature at the time was from the mid 20s to the mid 30's with some snow. After 2 weeks, i came back and attempted to drive it from it's parked spot when i…

Service Brakes · received May 14, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11207516

I'm having a glare on my windshield (when i'm driving and particularly in sunny conditions) from my dashboard that has melted. It's become very shiny and makes it difficult to see when driving. I have tried cleaning it but because of the substance it is not possible to clean it.

Structure · received Apr 29, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11204420

Other Toyota Camry Hybrid years

← 2007 Camry Hybrid · 2009 Camry Hybrid →

See all Toyota Camry Hybrid problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid?

Owners most often report service brakes, vehicle speed control, visibility problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 61 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Camry Hybrid model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.