2008 Toyota CAMRY SOLARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 83 complaints (18.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 7.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Structure: 15; Unknown Or Other: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Structure:Body: 8; Exterior Lighting: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 7; Electrical System: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2007: 1; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 9; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 23; 2015: 5; 2016: 6; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10290834 · 2009-11-03 (November 3, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA. WHILE RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR, AND THEN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11900. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/08/09
Owner-reported narrative. 11,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292294 · 2009-11-16 (November 16, 2009)
HELLO, I HAVE A 2008 SOLARA. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAD REPORTED SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATION. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THEY RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS AND THAT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T JUST PUSH THE PEDAL TO HARD IN OTHER WORDS HE SAID DON'T GUN IT. THIS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE ANY RECALL WAS DONE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR UNLESS I CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I DRIVE IN WASHINGTON DC AND WHEN YOU STOP AND GO AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT GOES IT PICKS UP ACCELERATION AND I HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10292294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219277 · 2008-02-27 (February 27, 2008)
PURCHASED A NEW 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA FROM COLEMAN TOYOTA IN BETHESDA, MD. ON 1/19/08. FROM DAY 1, TRANSMISSION IS JERKY, HESITATES, HAS NOT POWER WHEN NEEDED. CAR STALLS WHEN WAITING TO TURN AND FLOODS. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 2X. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219281 · 2008-02-27 (February 27, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA. WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER 2-3 MINUTES. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR 2-3 SECONDS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644789 · 2014-10-15 (October 15, 2014)
CAR FAILED VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A STEERING RACK LEAK AND TORN RACK BOOT. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER.......UPDATED 01/12/15*BF *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970010 · 2017-04-02 (April 2, 2017)
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY HOME AROUND THE LAST WEEK IN JANUARY AND THE 4TH OF FEBRUARY 2017. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND A SQUIRREL UNDERNEATH AND HAD A LOT OF DEBRIS. I FOUND THE COVERINGS CHEWED OFF THE WIRES SOME WIRES CHEWED INTO AND SOME HOSES CHEWED. THE INJECTOR WIRES WERE CHEWED TO THE #6 INJECTOR CAUSING IT TO RUN VERY SLOW UPHILL. THE INSULATION UNDER THE HOOD, OUTER COVER WAS CHEWED OFF AND PART OF THE INSULATION. I HAVE LIVED HERE MANY YEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970010 at NHTSA ↗