VehicleVerdict

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 171 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.6 times the median Camry Hybrid year — the 2009 model ranks #3 of 21 Camry Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 61 reports (36% of the total).

171

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Camry Hybrid years?

Camry Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6136%
Electrical System2313%
Speed Control1911%
Body & Structure169%
Engine138%
Visibility & Wipers116%
Other95%
Airbags64%
Tires & Wheels32%
Steering32%
Transmission21%
Latches & Locks21%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid have recalls?

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

15V689000Visibility & WipersOctober 22, 2015 · 1,814,284 units

Defect

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. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

13V014000SeatsJanuary 16, 2013 · 3,235 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

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 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON A CITY STREET TURNING INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO LET OPPOSITE WESTBOARD TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES AND I HIT THE CENTER CONCRETE MEDIAN THAT DIVIDES EAST AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 4, 2017 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER DETECTED BURNING PLASTIC SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET, STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE WINDOW MASTER SWITCH AND THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I REMEMBERED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FIRE HAZARD OF THE MASTER SWITCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 25, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 8, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE TRUNK HANDLE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRUNK HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 26, 2013 · fire

“EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. HAVE TO ADD OIL AT 830 MILES. BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD IT PASSED THE TEST. RECEIVED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA BUT IT'S ALREADY EXPIRED. IT WAS NOT EXPIRED WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2016

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 171 complaints put the 2009 model at #3 of 21 Camry Hybrid years. It is one of the Camry Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Camry Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (61 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), speed control (19 complaints).

Does the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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 2009 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.