VehicleVerdict

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 225 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.3 times the median Camry Hybrid year — the 2008 model ranks #2 of 21 Camry Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 67 reports (30% of the total).

225

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Camry Hybrid years?

Camry Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted966 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 966 complaints2008: 225 complaints2009: 171 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 29 complaints2012: 76 complaints2013: 35 complaints2014: 32 complaints2015: 25 complaints2016: 5 complaints2017: 6 complaints2018: 37 complaints2019: 20 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 7 complaints2026: 101 complaints
Camry Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6730%
Speed Control4018%
Visibility & Wipers2913%
Body & Structure198%
Electrical System167%
Other157%
Engine125%
Steering94%
Suspension63%
Airbags52%
Fuel System21%
Lighting21%
Transmission21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V491000Visibility & WipersOctober 10, 2012 · 2,519,424 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Remedy

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.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED A DELAYED BRAKING FEELING IN MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED I NOTICE THE CAR SHAKING WHEN JUST APPLYING THE BRAKES TO EVEN GRADUALLY SLOW DOWN. THIS MORNING I REARENDED SOMEONE BECAUSE OF WHAT I FEEL IS THE DELAYED BRAKING. ABS DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 9, 2011 · crash

“DROVE IN TO A PARK PARKING LOT, PULLED IN TO A PARKING SPACE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, BRAKES WENT OUT, RAN IN TO A TREE ABOUT FIVE OR SIX FEET AWAY. IF THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE TREE THERE I COULD HAVE RUN IN TO THE SOCCER GROUP A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY AND INJURED OR KILLED THEM AND ME. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 11, 2009 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING ON I-94 HIGHWAY, TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW USING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. THE SWITCH DID NOT WORK. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER MY CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 1, 2012 · fire

“THE DASH HAS BEGUN MELTING IN THE SUN AND HAS BECOME STICKY AND AT TIMES IT MELTS AND RUNS DOWNWARDS. NOTHING WILL CLEAN IT AND EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT AND WITH THE MELTING IT HAS A SHINY GLOSS THAT AT TIMES WITH THE SUN COMING IN HAS A TERRIBLE GLARE. I AM AFRAID IF THIS CONTINUES THE AIR BAG ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 1, 2014

“I WAS DRIVING ON I-94 HIGHWAY, TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW USING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. THE SWITCH DID NOT WORK. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER MY CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2012 · fire

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 225 complaints put the 2008 model at #2 of 21 Camry Hybrid years. It is one of the Camry Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Camry Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (67 complaints), speed control (40 complaints), visibility & wipers (29 complaints).

Does the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Camry Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry Hybrid years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2009, 2026, 2012, 2018, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Camry Hybrid years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.