I own a 2016 Toyota Camry SE with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 155,000 miles and is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption. The engine requires oil to be added approximately every 800–1,000 miles despite regular maintenance and the use of full-synthetic high-mileage motor oil. The spark plugs were also replaced approximately 20,000 miles ago. I am concerned that this level of oil consumption is excessive and could result in the engine operating with insufficient oil between normal service intervals, potentially causing engine damage or failure while the vehicle is being driven. I am aware that other owners of Toyota vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines have reported excessive oil consumption, including complaints involving the 2016 Camry. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this issue and evaluate whether there is a pattern of excessive oil consumption affecting these vehicles. I have not received notice from Toyota of a recall or warranty enhancement covering excessive oil consumption on my vehicle.
Toyota Camry oil consumption problems
529 of the 17,932 owner complaints about the Toyota Camry describe excessive oil consumption, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 529
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,100
- typical mileage
- 100,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 45Check engine light 26Stalling 17Knocking 16Overheating 9Fire or smoke 9ABS 9Jerking 6
What owners say
we have had multiple issues with this car since 70,000 miles. engine burning oil, no fix besides replacing it or keep adding oil. now check engine and check stability control system light are on. took to o'reilley to run codes and it threw all kinds of transmission codes.
Excessive oil consumption, a sticky dash and power window switch
Investigators, I am writing to formally report what I believe is a significant safety defect in certain 2007–2011 Toyota Camry vehicles, specifically related to excessive engine oil consumption in models equipped with the 2AZ-FE 2.4L four-cylinder engine (primarily 2007–2009, with some reports extending to later years). This issue causes the engine to burn oil at an abnormally high rate—often 1 quart or more every few hundred to 1,200 miles—without any visible external leaks. Owners frequently report no adequate warning from the dashboard oil light or other indicators before the oil level drops critically low. If the engine runs out of oil while driving, it can lead to rapid overheating, internal component damage (such as scored bearings or cylinder walls), and sudden engine seizure or catastrophic failure. Such a failure while the vehicle is in motion poses a serious safety risk, including: potential for crashes, including rear-end collisions if the vehicle stops abruptly without warning, or veering into other lanes/obstacles. Sudden loss of engine power. Increased likelihood of loss of control etc. This problem has been widely documented through thousands of owner complaints (e.g., hundreds on sites like CarComplaints.com for the 2007 model alone), the federal safety agency ODI reports, and Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and Warranty Enhancement Programs (such as ZE7 for certain models). While Toyota addressed it via a warranty extension (not a full recall) involving piston/ring replacements for qualifying vehicles after an oil consumption test, many owners—particularly those outside the original coverage period or with higher mileage—have faced expensive engine repairs or replacements out of pocket. The lack of a mandatory recall means the issue persists in many vehicles still on the road. I am concerned that this defect creates an unreasonable risk to drivers, passengers, and other road users. I had an issue with this and I needed to fill up 4.5Q
I purchased my 2007 Toyota Camry brand new. Since early ownership, the vehicle has suffered from excessive engine oil consumption. Toyota acknowledged this issue and performed major engine repairs at a Toyota dealership, including replacing pistons and piston rings under their oil consumption program, but the defect continued. The vehicle continues to consume approximately 1.5 quarts of oil every 1–2 months. This defect affects engine reliability and long-term safety. Despite these repairs, the oil consumption problem was never resolved. I was instructed by Toyota to track the amount of oil I was forced to purchase and was told I would be reimbursed. I complied, but Toyota never reimbursed me. I have an extensive repair history with Toyota. A Toyota dealership technician informed me that my repair history is unusually extensive and described it as a “book” in Toyota’s system. The vehicle continues to consume excessive oil, requiring frequent top-offs that pose a risk of engine failure if not constantly monitored. Toyota has failed to permanently correct a known defect despite repeated repair attempts. I believe this is a widespread defect affecting 2007 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with the 2AZ-FE engine and request the federal safety agency review this matter.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the oil level was abnormally low despite the vehicle being serviced within 2,000 miles. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and an oil consumption test was performed, and was still ongoing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving at speed over 45 mph or going up a steep hill car starts to shutdown and shudder causing a serious safety concern. I could have been killed. I understand this is related to oil consumption problem that toyota has failed to address in the 2014 model. What can be done? This is criminal!
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving, the "Check Oil" warning light illuminated. The contact added oil to the engine. The contact was informed that the check oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where an oil consumption test was performed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding several quarts of oil every 1,000 miles driven. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Extended Warranty had been exceeded. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
My car is exhausting oil very rapidly. It’s burning oil from inside the engine. Started 2 months ago. I have never received ANY recalls on it.
Excessive oil consumption after 1000 miles low oil pressure warning comes on.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
- Risk
- A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
Recall number 20V064000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with a 2.5L, four-cylinder engine. The pistons on these vehicles may be larger than specified, possibly causing the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production date codes of the pistons and, if an engine contains a piston from the affected production period, the engine assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 25, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J1M/J0M.
Recall number 18V200000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
- Risk
- In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 11V539000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Camry oil consumption
Which Toyota Camry years have excessive oil consumption problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (244 complaints), 2009 (120 complaints) and 2008 (91 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix excessive oil consumption on the Toyota Camry?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,100 (median of 40 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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