Best and worst Toyota Camry years — which to avoid

Buying a used Toyota Camry gets much easier once you know all the details on the worst-rated model years that you should avoid. While the Camry has been widely regarded as one of the most reliable vehicles in the class, some specific years have been known to have serious issues.

That’s one of the main reasons our team wanted to create a complete guide on the best years to buy and worst Toyota Camry years to avoid, so you can make a well-financed decision. We’ve created this guide by using reliable automotive sites and review platforms, as well as databases of renowned institutions like NHTSA reports to give you verified information, so let’s take a closer look.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Toyota Camry years?

The first thing you may be wondering is how we rated Camry models so let’s clear that up right off the bat. Along with reports and reviews made to NHTSA by fellow Camry owners, we also investigated other reputable sources and platforms like Cars.com regarding Toyota Camry recalls.

This is important is it gives us insight into the worst problems that certain Camry model years faced, but we didn’t stop there. Our team also explored the main details behind common problems reported by drivers on other reliable platforms like Car Complaints and Edmunds, as well as KBB and Consumer Reports.

Finally, we wanted to cross-reference our findings with real driver experiences expressed on popular Toyota Camry forums and Reddit to finally wrap up our rankings. Since the model was produced from 1983 and it didn’t receive any complaints until the 1998 model year, we’ll start with the fourth-gen Camry:

Most common Toyota Camry problems

Before you buy a used Camry, it’s not enough to just be aware of the worst-rated years, but also the reasons why they received such bad reviews. So, we’ve based our research on the most consistent owner grievances and issues that were common for certain years, and we’ll give you a detailed overview below:

1. Brake issues

The Camry’s brake system has three common problems – brake failure, a squishy brake pedal and an always-on brake warning light.

The always-on Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) light might seem the most manageable issue on the list as it is a warning. It ensures the wheel does not lock up when the brakes are used. However, driving with an engaged ABS is dangerous as it prevents the brakes from engaging correctly.

More seriously, the squishy pedal is a safety hazard. In some cases, drivers reported that the pedals were mushy and that the brake pedal goes to the floor without actually braking, while others complained that the brake pedals were so stiff that they had to press down on them heavily to engage the brakes. Other drivers complained that the Camry lurched or shook when they applied the brakes.

The Camry’s brake issues resulted from defective actuators, a damaged ABS module, and some failed braking parts. These problems either happen alone or in pairs sometimes.

If you suspect your car’s brakes are not working correctly, park it and do not use it until the issue is addressed. Operating a vehicle with faulty brakes is dangerous to yourself and the people around you.

2. Starter failure

The most inconvenience many Camry drivers had suffered from the vehicle was starter issues. The probability of the Camry never starting again is high after some miles of usage.

Dead batteries have been identified as the root cause of most of the Camry’s starter issues. The other possible explanations are a faulty alternator or starter, and the defective component is usually replaced to fix the problem. However, sometimes, repairing or sanitizing the ignition or fuel system might do the trick.

3. Transmission problems

To date, the Camry is known for its frequent transmission problems. The discomfort they cause includes a burning smell, whistling noises from the hood, grinding, stalling, leaping during low-gear acceleration, shaking while moving, and shift delays.

Transmission slippage is not strange to the Camry and is harmful, especially when the vehicle downshifts on a highway. Changing gears was also a problem for many drivers of the Camry, as any move to change gears often resulted in the Camry wobbling or lurching. Others complained of the long wait they were continually subjected to while changing gears so the gear would engage.

In worst cases, the transmission is prone to fail, especially when the vehicle is in a line or at a traffic light. Drivers have had to tow the Camry in situations like this as nothing could be done as an alternate measure to get it running before driving to get help.

The cause of these transmission problems varies with the Camry model concerned. For many, it is caused by a torque converter malfunction, while a malfunctioning power control module causes the remaining case.

You must arrest transmission issues before they get out of hand. Worst-case scenario, you may have to get a new transmission which costs a lot or pay for the old transmission to be rebuilt using new components.

4. Excessive oil consumption

Toyota Camrys of the 2006 to 2011 model years have had the most severe complaints about excessive oil use. Drivers complained that the vehicle consumed up to a quart of oil every 1,200 miles, requiring absurdly frequent oil changes.

When not properly managed, the issue caused smoke to ooze from the exhaust pipe and the Camry to have a sluggish acceleration with reduced performance. For more severe cases, the Camry has been known to have a catalytic failure, early stalling, and engine seizures. The worst-case scenario is the engine blowing up or knocking due to the low oil levels.

The excess oil consumption, unlike many other vehicles, is not caused by an oil leak anywhere in the engine but by an engine problem. Technical analysis of the issue pinned it down to malfunctioning piston rings and oil pistons. For that reason, Toyota offered to install updated piston assemblies in the affected vehicles, which were still within their warranty.

5. Air conditioning problems

The air conditioning vents of some Camrys have been reported to release a musty smell. It was a particularly prevalent issue for the 2012 to 2014 Camry models. It was so bad that drivers filed a class-action lawsuit against Toyota about the vents, possibly encouraging mold development.

Furthermore, drivers reported that the AC compressor or heater stopped blowing hot air. The fix for this issue was easier as drivers only had to replace the faulty part and a thorough AC servicing to deal with the musty smell. Still, upon the signs of a faulty A/C compressor, it’s crucial to do some more digging since a failed compressor may set you back for quite a lot on repairs.

Worst Toyota Camry years to avoid

If you are still wondering “which are the worst Toyota Camry years to avoid”, the worst-rated mode years include 2002, 2007, and 2008, but here’s a full list:

• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2002
• 2003
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2012
• 2018

We will further discuss these model years and the reasons why they made it to the list of worst-rated Camry years, so let’s take a closer look:

Fifth-generation Camry (2002-2003 model years)

When it comes to common issues of the fifth-gen Camry, there have been quite a few issues resulting in over 2,000 complaints being filed to NHTSA, and that’s for the 2002 model alone. Some of the most common issues include complete transmission failure for models equipped with an automatic gearbox, and these often lead to repair costs of over $3000.

Rough shifting and slippage have also been widely reported, as well as some engine cooling issues and stalling due to faulty alternator or starter motors.

Sixth-generation Camry (2007-2009 model years)

The sixth generation of the Toyota Camry suffered the most from problems and complaints. The very first vehicle of the generation – the 2007 model – is considered the worst in the entire lineup.

One of the most severe issues the 2007 Camry had was with its automatic transmission. It always required a replacement much earlier than the average vehicle did. It also had engine problems and power steering issues. Its problems were not that outstanding but numerous, making it an inconvenience.

The number of complaints the 2008 model had was fewer, but there was not much improvement in the major issues that plagued the Camry at the time. For one, it still inherited the transmission and engine issues of the 2007 model. It also had a problem with the ignition coil which always failed after 100,000 miles.

The 2009 Camry still inherited the transmission and check engine light problems from the previous model years. In addition, it was most susceptible to engine problems caused by sludge buildup when oil was not changed on time.

What are the Best Toyota Camry years to buy?

Among all the Toyota Camrys, some stand out. These models have the best reliability rating and deliver the best experience from the Camry. However, there have been numerous generation models until now and that raises the question – what are the best Toyota Camry years?

The best Toyota Camry years are 2001, 2006, and 2013, but here’s a full list of best-rated years:

• 2001
• 2004
• 2006
• 2011
• 2013
• 2016
• 2017
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

The seventh generation of Toyota Camrys (2013 to 2015) is the best generation of Toyota Camrys. All the models of this generation were huge successes with very few complaints. As for the absolute best models that had the highest overall reliability rating, we’ll further explain the reasons behind their high scores.

2001 Toyota Camry

The 2001 Camry is the best-rated model of the fourth generation as it only received around 390 owner submissions regarding common issues. It was so successful thanks to a low account of serious engine or transmission issues that sadly Camry models before and after it received.

Plus, it received a pretty solid reliability rating on Consumer Reports and an overall grade of 4.7 out of 5 on Edmunds.

2006 Toyota Camry

The 2006 Toyota Camry follows right up after the 2001 model as it also had a low account of complaints, this time slightly above 400 to be exact. However, it’s more than a decent rating considering that these were sold in millions, so it’s a safe bet to make on the used car market.

The 2006 model only had some slight problems with interior accessories and power steering, but it’s nothing that good upkeep can’t resolve.

2013 Toyota Camry

We are staying in the range of 400 NHTSA complaints with this one as the 2013 model is right there along with 2001 and 2006 at the top of the reliability list. This one received some complaints regarding the A/C heater and engine cooling, but it’s nothing as serious as with the 2007 or 2008 model years.

On top of that, it received positive ownership feedback on Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds, and it’s mostly highly appraised on Toyota forums.

Is the Toyota Camry worth buying?

The Toyota Camry is an excellent bargain and worth your money. All its models are easy to operate, their rides are outstanding and comfortable, and the handling is superb. It is also durable, lasting up to 300,000 miles with the proper care and maintenance.

If you love investing in cars, the Camry is one of the best options you would get for midsize cars. It has a high resale value and good demand in the market.