2008 Toyota Camry: engine failure

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Engine · 60,896 miles · GA

On dec. 27, 2018 while driving on the expressway I heard a severe/loud knocking noise in front of my vehicle that I had never heard before. I could still drive however the vehicle had slowed down and began shaking. I hurried off the expressway. I decided to to go to the toyota dealership the street way as I was in that area. At that time I was advised that internal engine damage had occurred and the engine will have to be replaced, nothing further.the estimated cost would be $10,435. I had the vehicle towed to my home.they later indicated via email that my case would be filed with toyota motor sales u.s.a. Inc. Under file#[xxx]. Why does a 2008 camry ce with 60,896 miles breakdown without warning. I decided to research the matter. I found out that toyota had a oil consumption defect class action lawsuit in 2014, one of many, indicating 2006-2011 model year vehicles (including camry) had defective engines that burn excessive amounts of oil which can cause engine failure in a moving vehicle. Further, toyota was aware of the design defect, but still manufactured and sold their vehicles without warning consumers. They also failed to warn drivers that this defect would create serious safety issues. I contacted toyota with this information to no avail. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 148,000 miles · FL

My wife was driving home one day and told me that the car was shaking violently. When I drove it, it shook but was not too bad. I thought it was a tire balancing issue. Then it happened. I was driving one day on the freeway, the car started shaking and the ABS was activated! I stopped the car on the road and I could smell the brake smoke. The the last straw, I'm driving home one day and the brakes seized I was able to get the car to the dealer who told me the brake actuator was the cause and it was common for the year/make/model but there was no recall and the cost of repair was $3k. Three thousand dollars for something that is "common". After having my car for 3 days, toyota agreed to pay half of the costs, so it still cost $1500 to repair, plus $100 for a brake job, though I had a brake job 6 months old! Like many many others, our 2008 toyota camry has and continues to experience major issues affecting the safe operation of the vehicle, including but not limited to brakes ABS activating on its own, brakes seizing, premature brake pad/rotor wear, dashboard lights not working, car mats, brake pedal, sun visors, dash board melting, motor mount breaking for no reason, dashboard gauges not working (speedometer/odometer/fuel/temperature etc), cruise control working intermittently where it turns off by itself, door panels coming loose, speakers stop working properly. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Though we've enjoyed owning toyotas in the past, we've owned this one for almost this one for almost 11 years. And though we're looking to get a new car soon, I'm fairly certain that because of the issues and more importantly the corporate treatment by toyota regarding issues with their product, this may our last one. The federal safety agency should encourage toyota to do whatever is necessary to fix these issues before they become fatal.

Filed Mar 11, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 170,000 miles · AL

I have noticed exceessive oil consumption since 2015 is 2016 and have gone through numerous repairs only to still have the same problem. The latest estimate is for an engine replacement because after all of this time one guy actually noticed that the oil was literally burning up right after he changed the oil. I have been stranded on the interstate at night with a toddler for hours, as well as not being able to start the car at times. I have also experienced my car randomly shaking and smoking in traffic, after which the check engine light would come on. My car has been stationary for weeks at a time, most recently this past week after I was unable to find out who could fix it and not keep ripping me off. To find out there was knowledge of this issue by toyota and nothing was sent to me says a lot about how the lives of their customers, and/or their customer family and others on the road, are actually valued. The number of camry's manufactured and sold to unknowingly trusting consumers is both shocking and scary.

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MA

Burning 1 qt of oil every 600 miles. Toyota acknowledges there is a design defect but won't fix since it is past the warranty extension. How am I supposed to know there was a warranty extension? They said the dealer would tell me when I go into service. But, I say that I don't go to my dealer for service. They say that is why I should go to a dealer for service. Really shady way to say you have provided a warranty extension for a known design defect but then do not provide adequate notification to the consumer. I have had the oil light go on well before the next oil change. This defect causes the engine to burn up to 4 to 5 quarts of oil between oil changes so can easily lead to an engine failure. This oil consumption defect can cause engine failure in a moving vehicle so it is a potential safety issue. If engine failure happens then it will cause an accident.

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Engine · 244,000 miles · CA

I received a recall notice for oil consumption I believe in the summer of 2015. I didn't have any issues with oil consumption at the time. However around october 2015, I began to notice the car was burning through oil, I requested a oil consumption test---but it came back that there was no issue. At the time of the oil consumption test my car was at 190,000 miles. Now, the car is starting to burn more oil even after regular oil changes from moss bros toyota in moreno valley. I just got my oil changed on august 4th 2017. Well two weeks (8/18/2017) after my change I noticed the oil sensor would flash every time I came to a stop. I check the oil in my car and there was barely any on the dipstick. As a result, I added more oil myself to avoid burning up the engine. I called the service advisor at moss bros who helped me two weeks prior. I explained the situation and told him I had an oil consumption test 2 years ago and was advised everything was normal. Unfortunately, he said there was nothing toyota could do to help because of the high mileage on my camry. He said it would cost $5,000 to replace the piston rings or $4000 to replace the engine. As a result, I filed a claim with toyota consumer affairs (case#1708181590)--the girl melissa on the phone didn't want to help and told me toyota wouldn't be able to pay for the warranty work because of high miles. Toyota knew the piston rings were faulty from the beginning. They didn't want to spend the money or hours/years trying to repair/replace engines in these cars. So they make the consumer do this stupid worthless consumption test to avoid recall repairs. They are obviously trying to avoid taking care of a problem that many of us are facing. I purchased this vehicle in october of 2007, brand new off the lot. Took it in for all of the regular maintenance appointments and know that I did everything right.

Filed Feb 2, 2017 · Engine · 91,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry. While driving 65 MPH, the engine seized and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Engine · 67,000 miles · TX

While driving highway, approx. 50 MPH, my car engine quit running with no unusual noise, no warning lights or indicators. Oil was gone, but the oil indicator light had not lighted. No warning to quit driving before engine damage was experienced. The engine has not been disassembled for definitive diagnosis, but two auto repair shops, one being a local toyota dealer service dept., have indicated that the engine must be replaced because the engine is knocking loudly and the bearings are probably overheated and "welded" to the part surrounding them. I learned from toyota corp. About their "excessive oil consumption" extended warranty program, but they are refusing to stand behind this defect in my car and refuse to perform repairs at their cost. My engine burned up because the oil was depleted within a two month period - this happened on 12/28/15, and I had topped off the oil in october with 2.5 qts, and the remaining oil was clean. Toyota refuses to acknowledge that a highly abnormal event has occurred with my car, gave me no warning to act in a safe manner, and LED to engine failure with repairs estimated $5,300 - $7,600.

Filed Jun 23, 2015 · Engine · 212,000 miles · DE

Golf size hole in the engine according to the adjustor. Incident occurred while driving on the highway. The car was serviced on time. The oil light used to come on occasion along with the engine light. This was within service sticker window. Each time oil (1qt to 2qt) was added to the tank. On the date of incident, while driving, we felt like we drove over a metal object that impacted the engine. Cannot believe that the engine blew up on it own. If it did - that is a major issue as it could have caused unnecessary damages both to vehicle and drivers.

Filed Jul 19, 2014 · Engine · 85,454 miles · TN

May/2014 was my last oil change before my next scheduled oil change august/2014. My oil pressure indicator did signal that there was low oil pressure.I had driven my car earlier that morning there was no indication that something bad was going on. Later that afternoon, I was going to work and tried to leave and the car made a sluggish noise like it didn't want to crank up. I thought it was bad gas at first, then I heard a rattling sound from the hood.upon looking at the oil gauge, my car was severely depleted of oil. Even after putting oil in the car, engine damage had already been done, leaving me without a vehicle. My mechanic advised me that the engine was badly damaged. And that I could either purchase another used engine or a new engine. Both have been quoted to be in excess of $4500 and up. I have researched the internet and have found that the 2008 camry is known to have this sort of oil consumption problem. I just purchased this car a year ago june 2013. And I still owe a balance. This is my sixth toyota vehicle purchase and have not had a problem with neither cars until now. Toyota has a reputation for good quality cars that last a while. I wouldn't want this incident to deter me from purchasing another toyota vehicle in the future.

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Engine · 90,000 miles · GA

When braking, I noticed the engine oil light came on. I checked the oil level and it was extremely low. I called toyota dealership where we had the oil change done and they recommended a oil consumption test. When they tested my vehicle, they noticed that the oil was leaking into the engine because of the defective piston rings. The dealership told me I needed a engine replacement which would cost $6000. Since I bought this car brand new and only had this car for 5 years-this was a big shock. I bought toyota because of its reputation and I had always kept up with all my maintenance at the dealership. This is a big disappointment and I feel toyota should compensate for this defect. Please make a recall available for this issue since there are numerous ones experiencing the same problem.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

Random, infrequent engine failure at freeway/highway speeds. At constant highway speeds (steady state speed), car engine dies out and car decelerates (without alert and for no reason). This car has always done this on an infrequent basis since purchased brand new. This happens about twice per month. I phoned the dealership and they said they have to see it/experience the problem. At around 41k miles I brought the car to toyota for their inspection (this was prior to any recalls on camrys), they cleaned carbon from the engine. This did not stop the problem. About twice per month the car dies out when traveling at a constant highway speeds (for no reason). On 3/5/10 I brought the car back to the dealer ship (it has about 81k miles on it). The car has a valid extended warranty on it that was purchased at time of purchasing the car. Due to random engine failure at constant highway speeds this car is extremely unsafe.

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Engine · NC

I was driving along a rural road and my engine seized up and the car died. It turns out that the oil filter fell off at some point- 2 months after an oil change. The oil light did not come on until approximately 30 seconds before the car died. When the mechanic spoke with toyota, he asked if this had occurred other times and was told they had heard of it happening once or twice. Since the engine had to be rebuilt, this is a rather costly problem to have occur. Fortunately I was in a relatively safe place to pull over and call for a tow truck.