2008 vs 2009 Toyota Camry

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Nothing that 2008 lacks.

Burning oil, 2.4L and Hybrid All years

What to check: Check the oil level, ask how much it uses between changes, and watch for blue smoke. Ask a Toyota dealer whether the ZE7 oil consumption repair was done.

Toyota's ZE7 program extended cover for excessive oil consumption on certain 2007–2009 Camrys and 2007–2011 Camry Hybrids with the 2AZ engine, about 980,200 Camrys and 177,600 Hybrids, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2009, an unofficial source, 227 owners report burning oil at an average of 96,600 miles, at rates from about a quart every 1,000 miles to one every 2,000.

Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)
Sticky or melting dashboard All years One source so far

What to check: Look at the top of the dash for a sticky, shiny or melted surface, or cracks, and for glare on the windshield.

Toyota's ZE6 program extended cover for cracked, sticky or melting dashboards on certain 2007–2011 Camrys and Camry Hybrids, caused by heat or humidity, to ten years from first use whatever the miles, so it has ended for these years.

Toyota

07E082000 2007–2008
An unsecured mat, or one laid over another, can slide forward and interfere with the accelerator pedal. NHTSA

12V091000 2009
Grease on the brake light switch can cause warning lights, a no-start, a shift lever stuck in park, or dead brake lights. NHTSA

09V388000 2007–2010
An unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. NHTSA
10V017000 2007–2010
The accelerator pedal can become slow to return, or stick, when its friction lever wears smooth and condensation forms. NHTSA
12V491000 2007–2009
The power window master switch may be poorly lubricated and can fail or overheat. NHTSA
15V689000 2007–2009
The power window master switch may have been unevenly greased. NHTSA

After 2008, up to and including 2009.

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Nothing that 2008 lacks.

Engines: 2.4L four-cylinder (2007–2009) Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference, 3.5L V6 Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference, 2.4L four-cylinder hybrid A published reference
Motors: Electric drive motor A published reference
Batteries: Nickel-metal hydride A published reference
Transmissions: 5-speed manual (2007–2009) A published reference, 5-speed automatic (2007–2009) A published reference, 6-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference, Electronic continuously variable (e-CVT) A published reference
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims: Base (2008–2011) Edmunds, LE Edmunds, SE Edmunds, a published reference, XLE Edmunds, Hybrid A published reference

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Nothing that 2008 lacks.

Watch for: The 6th gen as a whole All years Less sought after One source so far

SlashGear ranks it the worst Camry generation: its model years hold the six top spots for Camry recalls, the floor mat recall covered it, and the 2007 drew over 3,600 complaints to NHTSA. SlashGear
Watch for: 2007–2009 four-cylinders Less sought after One source so far

CarComplaints.com, a complaints site and an unofficial source, rates the 2008 the worst Camry year and the 2007 the one with the most complaints, 1,024, and ranks oil burning on the 2008, 2007 and 2009 as the Camry's worst problems. Owners' reports (unofficial)