Toyota Camry common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 12 faults the Toyota Camry is known for (2006–2012), 12 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Toyota Camry
Fuel pump failure causing stalling
Safety risk
2013–2020 · petrol · Engine
What to look for: Drive it, restart it fully hot, and feel for rough idle, hesitation or stalling, and ask for the fuel pump recall record.
Why it matters: Both the US and Australian recall documents describe a fuel pump that may stop operating, with warning lights, rough running, stalling and a possible failure to restart. A car that stalls on a test drive with a retail customer aboard costs you the sale, and the campaign fix is free at a Toyota dealer if the VIN is covered.
What to look for: Feel for a sticky or notchy driver's window switch, and smell and look for burnt or melted plastic around it.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states that grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the switch's sliding electrical contacts, and that unprotected contacts can let debris and moisture cause a short circuit so the switch assembly overheats and melts, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the switch, apply lubricant if nothing is wrong and replace the circuit board if it is.
What to look for: Check water drips under the front after running the air con, and feel under the front carpet edges for damp.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall describes a clogged A/C condenser drain hose letting water accumulate in the condenser unit housing and leak through a seam onto the airbag control module, potentially shorting it. NHTSA records the consequence as airbags becoming disabled or deploying inadvertently, and power steering assist becoming inoperable.
What to look for: Engine off, pump the pedal 4-5 times until firm, hold light pressure and start the engine.
Why it matters: Reports cluster from about 80,000 to 180,000 km. The fix is a new booster (often with master cylinder seals checked). It is safety-critical because stopping distance grows sharply when assist is lost. This applies to the petrol 2AZ-FE Camry and the V6 Aurion/Camry; the hybrid uses an electric brake actuator instead (see the hybrid entry). Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Key on and listen near the left front of the engine bay or under the bonnet for a pump buzzing for more.
Why it matters: Failures cluster from about 110,000 to 280,000 km. The cure is a new actuator assembly, an expensive part, and the car is unsafe to drive with reduced brake assist. Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Look along the oil lines running to the VVT-i on the cylinder heads (by the timing cover end).
Why it matters: Reports cluster around 50,000-150,000 km. Toyota's updated part is an all-metal line, and cars built from 2008 have it from the factory. An early car still on the rubber-section line is at risk, and if the line has already burst the engine may have been damaged. Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Check for a low dipstick level on a recently serviced car and for blue exhaust smoke at cold start.
Why it matters: Toyota published a warranty enhancement programme extending cover for excessive engine oil consumption on 2AZ-engined cars, with a parts replacement phase whose parts list includes pistons, piston rings and short blocks, gated on a dealer-performed oil consumption test.
What to look for: Feel for uneven steering assist in slow car-park turns, check for a power steering warning light, and ask for the recall record.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states a component of the EPS ECU may have been damaged during the manufacturing process and that over time this may result in failure of the electric power steering system. An unexpected loss of assist is a safety failure, and 'the steering went heavy' is a comeback you will wear.
What to look for: Check every wiper speed, each intermittent step, the washer and rear wiper work at the right speed with the screen wet.
Why it matters: Toyota recalled these because the windscreen wiper switch assembly may short circuit, which NHTSA records as a non-conformance with the US windscreen wiping standard; the remedy is a free switch replacement. Wipers that do not work across all settings are a warrant of fitness item, so this becomes your cost between purchase and retail.
What to look for: On the drive hold a steady 60-100 km/h with very light throttle and gently squeeze the accelerator up a slight incline.
Why it matters: Toyota's service bulletins (T-SB-0034-14, later T-SB-0312-17) fix it with an updated torque converter, new pan magnets and an engine computer reflash; US cars got extended cover. If ignored the converter and transmission can fail. Reports range from about 55,000 to 240,000 km. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Look along the roof, bonnet and boot lid for raised edges, flaking paint or a patched colour.
Why it matters: Any extended cover Toyota offered has ended for a car this age, so the buyer pays: a proper fix is stripping and repainting whole panels, and spot touch-ups usually lift again.
Got a question about a Toyota Camry? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.