2009 Toyota CAMRY: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25-60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MOVED UPWARD AND MADE THE CONTACT UNCOMFORTABLE. AS A RESULT, SHE DROVE WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT ATTACHED. THE CONTACT COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY SEEING OTHER VEHICLE'S IN HER BLIND SPOTS. SHE CAN SEE WHILE PARKING, BUT HAS TO OPEN THE DOOR TO DO SO. THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSES DISCOMFORT TO THE CONTACT'S LOWER BACK. SHE IS DISTRACTED BY THE PAIN WHILE D…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236330 at NHTSA ↗

IN THIS COLD MORNING, THE REAR WINDOW OF MY CAR WAS COVERED WITH FROST. I TURNED ON THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST. I FOUND THE FROST NEVER MELT IN ABOUT ONE-FOURTH (OR EVEN ONE THIRD) OF THE REAR WINDOW FROM THE TOP, WHILE THE FROST OF THE REST OF THE REAR WINDOW IS COMPLETELY DISSOLVED BY HEAT WIRE. THE HEAT WIRE DID NOT WORK FOR THE UPPER PART BUT WORKED FOR THE REST PART OF THE WINDOW. IT IS REALLY A HAZARD WHEN YOU DRIVE AND YOU CAN NOT REALLY SEE CLEARLY FROM YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249143 at NHTSA ↗

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HAD A DEFECTIVE PART REPLACED WITH A PART TAKEN FROM ANOTHER CAR ON THE DEALERS LOT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF A SAFETY PROBLEM WAS INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT ALSO WHAT PART WAS REPLACED AND IF IT WAS NEW OR USED PART. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10250289 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. I GOT AN OIL CHANGE. A DAY LATER THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST ASSUMED THAT THEY DIDN'T RESET MY OIL CHANGE LIGHT. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THEN TOOK A 300 MILE ROUND TRIP. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME, I WAS HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT THE OIL FILTER WAS NOT ON THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS OIL UNDER THE BODY OF THE CAR AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THIS ONE BURNED UP. HAS ANYONE EVER HAD AN OIL FILTER BLOWN OFF THE VEHICL…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254965 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED MY 2009 CAMRY IN 2008 MID SUMMER, EVERYTHING IS FINE EXCEPT THAT AT OR ABOUT 8000 MILES I NOTICE THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND IT WOULD PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. AT OR ABOUT 12,000 MILES, THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT AGAIN. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT AND I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263346 at NHTSA ↗

APPROX. 3PM CAR WAS PARKED, BLOCKHEATER PLUGGED IN, UNLOADED, LOCKED APPROX. 3:30PM NEIGHBOR INFORMS US THAT CAR IS ON FIRE. FIRE IN FRONT SECTION OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. APPROX. 3:45PM FIREMEN AND POLICE ARRIVE APPROX. 4PM FIRE EXTINGUISHED, POLICE INTERVIEW ME AND NEIGHBORS. RULE OUT ARSON. APPROX. 4:30PM CAR IS TOWED TO POLICE COMPOUND. MAR. 2 INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTED. INVESTIGATION PROCEEDS WITH TOYOTA PRESENCE. TOTAL WRITE OFF. MAR. 23 PRELIMINARY REPORT - INDETERMINATE TO MUCH DAMAGE. BEGIN IN DRIVER FRONT CORNER, IN FRONT OF RADI…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263779 at NHTSA ↗

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I GUESS YOU CAN CALL IT WINDSHIELD BUBBLES. REAL BAD AT SUNRISE AND AT SUNSET. KIND OF LOOKS LIKE HAIR SPRAY RESIDUE ON THE WINDSHIELD. WAITING FOR THE FACTORY REP. TO LOOK AT IT. LOOKS LIKE IT IS EMBEDDED IN THE GLASS. NOT A CLEAR VIEW WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10265424 at NHTSA ↗

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY PASSENGER WINDOW FELL WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF HAVING THE VECHILE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 7,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265619 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-10-05 (October 5, 2009)

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.

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2012-03-07 (March 7, 2012)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 CAMRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2009, AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 VENZA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE CONTACT-TYPE STOP LAMP SWITCH, SILICONE GREASE MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE SWITCH WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTACT RESISTANCE. IF THIS OCCURS, WARNING LAMPS COULD ILLUMINATE, A NO START CONDITION COULD RESULT, THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT FROM THE “PARK” POSITION, OR THE VEHICLE’S BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2012-10-10 (October 10, 2012)

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.

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

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.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2015-10-22 (October 22, 2015)

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.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.