2009 Toyota Camry visibility problems

Filed May 19, 2025 · Visibility · IL

I purchased a 2009 Toyota Camry on [XXX]. After a few years, the dashboard became soft and sticky. During the summer of 2018, I noticed it melting on a hot sunny day. I looked into having it replaced. There was a warranty enhancement notification letter previously sent to me, which stated this type of known problem would be covered for up to 10 years since car was first placed in service. Unfortunately, I didn’t determine this was enough of a problem to me until [XXX]. I missed the warranty extension by 5 days. I contacted Newbold Toyota on June 29, 2018, and the service manager said that after the 10 years, it was the manufacturer's responsibility and there is nothing they can do, except to charge me for the repair. The repair was estimated at approx. $1,500 for the dashboard replacement. At first, I thought "Oh well, I can live with this." But now the dashboard has melted so much that it now reflects sunlight into the windshield so badly that it is has become a safety hazard. It is very difficult to see through the windshield when driving towards the sun or with the sun directly above on a sunny day (even while wearing sunglasses). So the defective dashboard is now causing a very hazardous driving condition. So I contacted the national Toyota Customer Service Center, and they said essentially the same thing as Newbold Toyota. There was nothing they can do now. Since this design/material flaw has caused such a serious hazard when driving the car, and this is now a safety issue, I believe Toyota should be held responsible and should pay for the repair to fix this safety issue. When I purchased this car, I had no idea the dashboard had an expiration date. Had I noticed the melting a few days earlier they would have paid for the replacement. So why does their responsibility to fix this defect/safety issue end after 10 years? I don’t believe Toyota considers this a safety issue, or I believe they would fix it. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

Filed Oct 26, 2024 · Visibility · NC

The replaced dashboard ( the first dashboard was replaced due to a recall about melting dashboards) is now melting just like the first one and is causing significant glare in on the windshield. Avoided two (2) near accidents when the glare from the sun impaired my vision of the traffic in front of me.

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Visibility · LA

Dash board has become sticky due to the adhesive seeping out; causes major visual impairments while driving due to the reflection of the sun off of the sticky/disgusting/shiny dashboard.

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Visibility · KY

Soon after I purchased this 2009 Camry in June 2022 with only 59K miles, the dash pad became very sticky and it's producing a glare on the windshield making it hard to see at times. When I called Toyota customer service, I was told the recall for this car was only good for 10 years and had expired. I called the previous owner and he stated that Toyota never notified him of this recall. This is a safety issue and should be addressed by Toyota.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Visibility · GA

My Black 2009 Camry SE has a black sticky/melting dash which Toyota only covered replacement of for a 10 yr period. I didn’t drive it much for the first several years, the odometer now has only 90,000 miles. The sticky dash became an increasingly noticeable safety hazard a couple of years ago. When driving with the sun hitting the sticky, melting, shiny black dash, the glare is blinding to where I cannot see the road. The sun causes the dash to be reflected off the windshield. Yes, the safety of anyone in the car is at risk when the sun is coming through the windshield. It is available for inspection any time. The Rick Hendrick Toyota dealer I used for my cracked dash 4 Runner informed me that if I had been having the Camry regularly serviced at a Toyota dealer then Toyota would have likely covered the dash replacement after the recall period ended. I brought the Camry into Stone Mountain Toyota to replace the recalled brake lamp assembly in Nov 2021. They failed to replace it adequately and so a mile from the dealership the Camry would not move after I stopped at a stoplight. So, no, I have not had either of these Toyota dealers, or any others confirm the issue, since they weren’t going to replace it under warranty anyway. Neither dealer asked to confirm the issue. My wife has confirmed the sticky dash safety glare issue. No warning messages light up when the dash is a safety hazard. Toyota Corp refused to warranty/recall replacement in 2020/2021 even though I explained this safety issue. Today, Dec 7, 2022 I called Toyota Corp again and they again refused to cover replacement of the dash under warranty/recall and referred me to the federal safety agency.

Filed Sep 29, 2021 · Visibility · NY

The vehicle dashobard is melting and cracking, this is a known Toyota issue on this model. It creates a very shiny reflection during high sun times, and at night. It is extremley dangerous, and Toyota said they knew about it and did an extended warranty. but as they did not view it as a safety issue they did not notify any of the toytoa owners. This is aabsolutley a safety issue.

Filed Aug 11, 2021 · Body, Visibility · 138,570 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact mentioned that while in her vehicle, the dashboard was disintegrating with a sticky substance visible. The contact mentioned that there was a glare with the sticky dashboard on the windshield obstructing her vision while driving. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 138,570

Filed Aug 4, 2021 · Visibility · MD

Dashboard surface has become very shiny which creates a glare and significantly reduced visibility in some circumstances. Dash surface seems to be melting as it is shiny and also sticky when touched. We are the original owners and this vehicle was garaged most of its life, however now when the vehicle has been parked outdoors the dash surface has become shiny resulting in a unsafe reflection in some driving situations.

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Visibility · CA

I am the original owner of a 2009 Toyota Camry. The dashboard which started melting in 2020 has caused a shiny film on the dashboard resulting in a shiny glare on my windshield when the sunlight hits the dashboard. This glare completely covers a portion of the windshield which prevents me from viewing the roadway ahead of me. Toyota has entered settlements ( extending its' warranty to Mid 2017 )several lawsuits, but does live up to its' agreement. Toyota has breached settlement agreement by not providing the Toyota Dealers with dashboard replacements in timely manner. Since my dashboard did not start deteriorating until 2020 I have been informed by Toyota that since the warranty time period has expired, that they will not pay for the cost to replace the dashboard. deterioration was a latent defect. Time for the federal safety agency to get involved: Investigate and then issue a National recall of the dashboards. Email: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Toyota has made empty promises to those who filed prior to Mid 2017 and refuses to even make promises to those who file after that date. Whittier Toyota will be inspecting the vehicle Monday July 19 2021 and will issue me a report of the deteriorating dashboard and cost to replace it. Google: Toyota Dashboard melting for obtain postings of various lawsuits in this matter.

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Visibility · VA

I was diving my car on a 200 mile trip and I noticed that the driver side Sun Visor fell down and wouldn't stay up even when it was in its stowed position. During the day it progressive got worst. I now have to physically hold it in place so I can see while driving. I first thought my kid broke it, but that wasn't the case. Since I'm an engineer, I usually repair my car on my own. So I went looking on the internet for a replacement part and that is when I stumbled on the recall. My failure seemed to follow the same failure mode called out in the recall. However, my Visor didn't fail during the recall window. However, in my engineering opinion, this is a part the will fail at some point in the cars life and the manufacture should have done a recall and replace on every car manufactured during the years that used the same parts. Toyota no longer recognizes this as a problem. The more that the visor is used the more likely this failure will occur. Bottom line, it is a safety hazard that had a band aide approach to repairing it and should be revisited since more then likely it will occur on any vehicle that didn't experience the failure during the recall window.