2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 118 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (33% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact's wife stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the VSC and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the brake master cylinder replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact also filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2021
“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not immediately stop, causing the stopping distance to become extended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jun 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry hybrid. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the ABS, vsc, and check brake system warning lights illuminated and the vehicle would not immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“My dashboard is melting, since it is melting it is causing the dashboard to be really shiney, which is causing a huge reflection on my windshield, which is making it hard to see out. The dashboard is also really sticky from melting, and im also concerned about the airbags because of this.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2019
“Melting dashboard and driver's side visor does not stay up. The melting dash causes a glare on the windshield causing visibility to be obstucted. I was told that I missed the warranty period but have never been sent anything about this problem.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry hybrid. While driving 45 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact shifted into low gear and was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. In addition, the ABS, traction control, and brake warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2019
“ABS and traction control are on the vehicle slips when taking of the vcs stability is on it's very scary to drive the vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
“My vsc light is on along with the ABS and the brake light. While taking a 1 1/2 hour tript the light went off and stayed off for a few days. While taking another highway trip traveling the speed limit, the light was off until after driving for two hours I stopped at a restaurant. The lights came back on, and have been on ever since.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2019
“On my 2009 camry hybrid, as I was going to work, when I tried to slow down the car the brakes went hard and can't stop the car totally I saw the brake light, traction control, and ABS lights turned on, and check vsc system displayed. I immediately slow down the car took the exit and stop the car. I turned off the car and start the car again which fixed all the above issues. It happened approx two weeks ago and took the car to toyota of grapevine tx 76051 and they did not find any issue related to brake or any code. I am scared to drive the car and taking the car to the same dealer to check again.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2019
“I was driving on the interstate (395n into dc) and the car's brakes failed. The car immediately displayed vehicle control system (vcs) failure and a number of other warnings. I was forced to swerve out of traffic and to utilize the emergency brake to stop the car.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry Hybrid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 118 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The most complained-about area is service brakes (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:power window devices and controls. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.