Kane Dan
Imagine you worked extremely hard to buy a car for yourself, you take your hard-earned money to a dealer, and they persuade you to buy a car.
You ultimately realize that you have ended up buying a significantly worse model than the previous one, and it’s too late now.
But worry not, I have got you covered; I’ll be going through the best and worst years for Toyota Camry for you so that if it’s the car of your dreams, you will make the right choice buying it with the right model of course.
Worst Years for Toyota Camry:
- 2001
- 2002
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
Best Years for Toyota Camry:
- 2005
- 2010
- 2012
- 2013
- 2016
Let’s talk about these models in more depth to expand upon what made them the worst and best years, respectively.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Are The Worst Years For The Toyota Camry? Which Years To Avoid
I will be going through the worst years for the car, so you can make a well-informed decision and not opt for these years, along with the reasons I provide.
1. 2001 Toyota Camry
This 2001 Toyota Camry model got a reliability rating of 3/5. Though it might not b the worst of the worst, so to speak, it was bad considering that it was supposed to be an affordable car. It should not have come with such a rating.
Furthermore, it was also a car that had major and minor issues with the engine, and consequently, it was not as fuel-efficient as it should have been, plus adding the costs for repair made it expensive.
It came with some suspension issues, as well as issues with its rims and even paint scrapping off or rusting.
It even had brake issues, and the climate control system suffered multiple times for the interior.
2. 2002 Toyota Camry
The reason why this 2002 Toyota Camry is the second number of the list is because this particular car had its own sets of issues, namely an overheating issue, a vibrating engine issue, and a suspension issue, along with the gasket leaking.
It also came with a transmission issue that had problems with the car while accelerating.
The engine mount was not set properly, and the car used to vibrate excessively, making it receive damages to the suspensions.
Lastly, the overheating issue was also mainly due to the thermostat malfunctioning and causing the car to produce heat.
3. 2007 Toyota Camry
This 2007 Toyota Camry model has the greatest number of complaints. It has an engine that has acted up many times and ends up consuming more oil than usual.
The car sometimes loses its speed control and has had complaints about its engine. The problems act up after the warranty period. Therefore, they cost more to repair as well.
The major reason why they tend to say it’s the worst car with most complaints when it comes to Camry models is that all the issues it has are to be repaired by replacing the engine, and therefore that is a costly investment with no guarantee of turning out fine.
Moreover, what’s the point of completely replacing an engine of a car that had these sorts of problems in the beginning?
3. 2008 Toyota Camry
This 2008 Toyota Camry model has several complaints about its engine as well. The complaints are not as severe as the 2007 complaints.
However, they are something to still be concerned about as it’s an expensive investment in the form of a vehicle you shall be used to driving around.
The oil consumption increases as you reach the 100,000 mark, and it becomes excessive.
Moreover, if you were to leave your car in the sunlight, it may have its dashboard melted due to extreme heat or even a little bit of it.
Furthermore, it has a shiny surface that has been said to reflect the light onto drivers that have risked a car crash or have brought them close to it because of the random nature of the light hitting their eyes.
5. 2009 Toyota Camry
The issues in this 2009 Toyota Camry model occur quite early when it comes to the mileage, the number of complaints is still less compared to the 2007 model, but they are still severe nonetheless.
Just like the 2007 and 2008 models, it has engine issues and starts consuming too much oil. It sometimes costs up to $1400 to repair, and it may start after 95,000 miles.
Speed issues have been prevalent along with the cruise control function ceasing, which has caused several crashes and injuries.
Additionally, it has a dashboard that has melted and caused a glare that has caused accidents.
Moreover, it is also prone to cracking and disintegrating with time. The car’s paint has also shown signs of collecting rust and appears dull over time even with care of the car.
What Are The Best Years For The Toyota Camry? Which Years To Buy
Consequently, I’ll write about the best years you should go for when it comes to a Toyota Camry so you can invest in a good, well-manageable car with the least number of problems.
1. 2005 Toyota Camry
A 2005 Toyota Camry, to this date, has been called the best-used car to buy. It came with great control over speed and safe drive.
It was a fuel-efficient car; it came with a good engine with little to no problems and had a good cost of ownership as it did not have to repair or completely change like its predecessors.
Furthermore, the dashboard did not collect as much damage and cracks, and the exterior painting of the car did not collect rust and was not prone to much fading as time passed.
That is why it’s still considered a good buy to this date as it can be found used and in good conditions, as it did not require as much care due to its quality.
2. 2010 Toyota Camry
This has been called the most reliable car to own to date. It has also been called the best mid-size car to win for the money it’s for.
It excels in safety and is a comfortable, well-protected drive. It also comes with a great ownership cost.
It comes with the best fuel efficiency, and it surprisingly comes with a powerful engine without having to take up excessive fuel.
Its electronic stability is great, and it comes with driver assists that have helped several drivers have a safe and comfortable ride.
Regarding crash tests, it has been given a great rating and has gotten 5/5 stars by the NHTSA for its frontal and side crash testing.
3. 2012 Toyota Camry
An exceptional model for a great car model streak, this had outstanding reliability as described by several consumers.
It was among the 2012 Toyota Camry most affordable mid-size cars with several features, but reliability trumped all of them.
It has been called the best car of all time, along with it being extremely spacious for grown-ups and having a lot of interior space.
It also came with a great powerful engine that was amazing at fuel efficiency and did not take any fuel more than necessary when it came to driving comfortably, and had good control over speed.
Moreover, it came with a great cost of ownership and was among the cars you could buy that would give the best return for your money.
4. 2013 Toyota Camry
This 2013 Toyota Camry model built upon the basic complaints that were made and improved on them.
It came with a good reliability score and very few complaints compared to its sales figures, and they came with a good price tag along with a good safety rating.
The engine was good with efficient fuel usage, and it came with multiple features such as keyless entry and a cruise control option, along with back cameras that aided in parking the car.
5. 2016 Toyota Camry
This 2016 Camry ended up winning several awards, to name a few, it got “2016 Best Mid-size car for the money” It was then also ranked the 2nd in “2016 Most Affordable Midsize cars” it came with an amazing safety rating of 9.3 that is extremely impressive for a car.
It has great reliability as the previous model and has been an amazing car that most consumers enjoyed.
This was also a safe and comfortable drive with all safety parameters in check and was extremely dependable.
It was also a car with a strong and yet oil-efficient engine. It did not take excessive amounts and was efficient regarding speed control and handling.
How Reliable Is A Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it third out of 24 midsize sedans.
It offers great ownership costs since the average yearly repair cost is under $388.
That makes it a reliable car with a great and comfortable drive as long as you have a good model of the car at hand.
Considering that it has been crashed, tested also shows that it is one of the most reliable cars and getting an impressive rating being 5/5 is no joke. Therefore it is an extremely dependable car.
How Long Do Toyota Camrys Last?
One of the most popular midsize cars on the market, the Toyota Camry is known for its longevity.
You can expect to get between 200,000 and 300,000 miles out of your Camry with regular maintenance.
Though, of course, the life of your car can shorten and increase based on the way you use it. Hence proper care should be taken to increase its longevity.
Some models have even started to show issues as soon as 95,000 miles; therefore, it is up to your usage and the model at hand.
What To Do To Lengthen The Life Of Your Toyota Camry
There is not one thing you can do to magically lengthen the lifespan of your car, but you can do multiple things to increase it over time.
Please note that these are things that you need to take care of as soon as you buy your car with a consistent speed so that the car does not degrade and has been taken care of properly for it to maintain its health and quality as well as its resale value, since the better the condition of the car the better value it can attract.
- Adjust the style of your driving.
- Check the car regularly.
- Regularly check tires.
- Keep your car clean.
- Regularly check for the fluids within the car and its engine.
If you keep all of this in mind and stay consistent, you will have your Toyota Camry that will last a lifetime.
Things That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Toyota Camry
Several things can make the life of your car shorten significantly, though you need to make sure that you take care of each and everything properly as the slightest mess up can eventually end up dealing damage to your Toyota Camry and, eventually, it could lead to major repairs or a major replacement.
- Cheap fuels and gas can ruin your engine.
- Improper tire alignment and driving in that state can cause much damage.
- Cheap, Low-quality parts after repair.
- Not checking your fluid intake for the car.
Your car can even shorten its life span if you don’t drive it, so make sure you drive it to take proper care of it.
5 Most Toyota Camry Common Problems You Should Know
Overall, the car is reliable, but it has had a bumpy road to get there.
Some issues with the Toyota Camry will be discussed below; however, they are more serious in some models than others.
1. Excessive Oil Consumption
The reports had suggested leaks and other problems that had to be repaired by changing the engine of the Toyota Camry, and for that, the car had suffered major setbacks.
This issue was prevalent and significant. However, it was improved later, and no such issue has been complained about.
2. Air Conditioning Issues
There was a reported musty smell when the air conditioner was used in the Camry, and it was so serious that even a lawsuit was filed against it.
The issue made the heater gives out only air that was not warm or cool. Therefore it caused major issues for consumers in winter but was quickly repaired by a part change.
There was also a problem with the compressor that was to be replaced, and the issue would have been solved.
3. Melting Dashboards
As previously discussed, the Toyota Camry came with an interior issue which was the glare that the dashboard gave to people while driving, which caused accidents along with the melting dashboard.
And there was another issue of cracking and disintegrating dashboards that was solved by the newer models of the car.
Furthermore, sometimes the door locks malfunctioned as well, which was a huge safety concern for multiple people.
However, the repair itself was not that costly, thankfully, and people were quick to get it changed as it was a major risk to their security and safety.
4. Brakes
The brake system has also been a problem throughout the years. The majority of the times, crashes were caused by brakes that weren’t responding properly.
The brake light, which continued flashing weirdly, was another indication that the braking system wasn’t functioning properly.
5. Delayed Acceleration
There were a number of reports that claimed that the speed control was lost, and it got difficult to control the car as it wasn’t responding properly.
Though this issue was solved eventually, it caused a number of crashes.
This issue was delayed acceleration that was caused by a problem in the transmission. This was among many of the major issues that were reported in the worst years for Toyota Camry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Toyota Camry A Good Car?
The Toyota Camry is efficient, and it has a good powerful engine. It also has a great and comfortable drive, it is also safe and has been tested for crashes, the repair cost is great, and it also has been named the best car for multiple years, as discussed above.
Q2: Do Toyota Camrys Hold Their Value?
It is an extremely popular car that keeps its value as it has been the best and most affordable midsize car that has been named the best multiple times.
It has even been called the best car for teens to drive. Therefore it has a great resale value when it comes to the used cars market.
Q3: How Many Toyota Camrys Have Been Sold?
There is not a number that can be told to you that could tell you how many cars have been sold, but if you want a rough value, it’s 400,00 per year.
Q4: Which Toyota Camry Engine Is The Most Reliable?
A basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 178 horsepower and 3.5-liter V6 engine with 268 horsepower are considered very reliable for the Toyota Camry.
Q5: Is Toyota Camry Expensive To Maintain?
The Camry would essentially cost around $4000 to maintain in the first ten years of its being used.
There are some models that have been discussed that can cost a major chunk of money for repairs, but if you don’t have or go for those models, you’re in the clear.
Conclusion
Old or new, the Camry is still a very reliable car that has received a number of awards and has been called the best by many consumers>
Though it is important to note what years model you end up purchasing to make sure you made a good choice.
And for that very purpose, I went through the best and worst years for Toyota Camry.
I hope I was able to help you make a well-informed decision and aid you in the most common problems it might have, along with the questions that multiple people have asked in the past.
References:
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/toyota/camry
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/camry/
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/most-reliable-camry-generation.175102/
