The Toyota Camry is a well-built vehicle, but has some problematic model years in its resume.

Since its inception in 1982, the Toyota Camry has had many iterations while maintaining its Japanese quality. Starting as a compact vehicle, Camry morphed into a midsize car over the course of its production. It offers the traditional functionality of a Toyota vehicle, with touches of robust performance, and overall is among the most reliable cars produced by the Japanese mogul.

Should you settle to purchase a used Toyota Camry, there are multiple aspects to factor in and consider before going for one. So let’s jump into it and figure out which model year of this memorable car you should avoid and what to expect from others.

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Throughout its many iterations, there have been some problematic model years that every customer seeking to buy a used Camry should be aware of. Despite the 2007 model year having the most overall complaints, it’s the 2009 model that is often regarded as the worst rendition of the Toyota Camry.

The 2009 Toyota Camry, being the most problematic and costly Camry ever, has a boatload of various issues, but it mainly lacks in the engine department. There are less-occurred engine-related problems like engine failure and car surging forward when braking, but the big issue is the excessive oil consumption. With over 220 complaints on the CarComplaints website, this issue has made up a large part of the reported problems with the engine. Many have tackled the situation by replacing the engine block or changing the pistons, rings, seal gaskets, and bearings. It’s worth mentioning that Toyota has labeled this issue as normal in many cases. This recurring issue can cost up to $1400.

The second-worst model year, being the most complained about, is the 2007 Toyota Camry. While it hosts several interior problems like dashboard material melting and dash cluster malfunction, this model also deals with numerous complaints about the engine and its issues. The excessive oil consumption is the household problem of the Camry family, but besides that, the 2007 model suffers from a sudden engine blow-up, which is way more costly to fix, sitting at around 4770 bucks.

It goes without saying that the 2008 Toyota Camry also carries the same engine problem as the other two renditions.

From 2010 onwards, Camry became quite an unproblematic vehicle; however, if we want to pick out one to inspect more carefully, the 2011 one would be the choice. Unlike the pre-2010 models, there is not much fuss about the engine. Instead, the issues mainly revolve around interior accessories. Sticky and melting dashboards, door lock malfunction, and sun visor not staying up are some of the more severe problems of the 2011 Camry, which won’t cost that much to repair.

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As a reliable Japanese-made midsize vehicle, you can expect to get 200,000 to 300,000 miles out of the Toyota Camry. That is if you take care of your Camry and maintain it properly as it should be. It is even possible to get more out of your Camry if you hit every suggested maintenance point for the vehicle.

If you want your Toyota Camry to live up to its full potential, it is essential to consider following the guidelines provided by the manufacturers:

After hitting the 60,000 miles mark, you should check your vehicle every 15,000 miles.

According to RepairPal, the average annual price of maintaining a Toyota Camry is $338, which is relatively low compared to the average midsize vehicle costing $526. It is essential to know that this figure can vary from year to year.

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The Toyota Camry is a staple name in the automobile industry and has crossed generations, providing great value and driving experience. But you can’t be too careful when it comes to purchasing a car.

Suppose you’re searching the market to buy a used Toyota Camry. In that case, you might want to consider avoiding the 2007 to 2009 model years as they seem to have plenty of problems with their engine, mainly the matter of oil overconsumption. Other than these infamous Camry models, you will have a great chance of buying a reliable and worthwhile vehicle. Also, pay your undivided attention to your vehicle's maintenance and perform every necessary action to keep it going.

Seyyed is a literature student, fitness guru, writer, and gearhead. He is a fanatic about a healthy lifestyle, music, and anything car-related. He is a massive devotee of vintage muscle cars. His favorite hobby is clanging and banging in the gym.