2008 Toyota Camry Solara

Routine

Owners filed 83 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
40,000 milesMedian miles at failure

67 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure12
000
Unknown or Other9
000
Vehicle Speed Control8
402
Visibility/Wiper7
000
Structure › Body7
100
Exterior Lighting6
000
Steering4
000
Electrical System4
012
Seats3
100
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler16V396000
Filed Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

Defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Equipment › Other › Labels10V035000
Filed Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehiclesGulf States Toyota, Inc.

Defect. GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 17, 2025NJ

The dashboard hasbeen cracking for some time. I have use leather oils & other products to reduce. has slowly worsened

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 26, 2025MD

I was recently informed about a previous recall on a dashboard issue I've been dealing with for years. I have a sticky cracking dashboard that imitates a smell in warm to hot temperatures. I have own this vehicle since 2014 and lived at the same address since 2006. Never have I been made aware of the recalls on this issue. I have vested a lot of money to keep this great car on great condition. And it would be good to receive consideration to have the problem dashboard replaced. The sticky dashboard also produces a glare on the windshield causing a blinding most of the time This makes driving challenging unless it's covered. I would really appreciate consideration on extending this recall for the safety of all those on the road ways. Please and Thank you!

Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed Aug 20, 202575,731 milesOK

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Solara. The contact stated that upon inspection, the interior dashboard was sticky and had started to deteriorate. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the failure was linked to an undisclosed recall; however, the recall repair had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,731.

Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed Nov 6, 2023150,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting. Additionally, the dashboard was sticky and cracking. The contact was unable to clean or wipe the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed about a recall and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 9, 2022IL

TOYOTA has known about this problem for years. They also had knowledge regarding a recall and an extended warranty. Unfortunately, I was not made aware of their extended warranty until it was too late. This vehicle has the melting dash problem which has gotten to a "dangerous" level. The glare on the windshield makes it unsafe for drivers and pedestrians who may be in an area which causes them to be obscured. I know this car is older, but my son who is using this as a cheaper method of transportation doesn't drive it much. It only now has 95,000 miles on it and has always been well maintained. The local dealer gave me a price of $2,500.00 to replace this dash. Also, in addition to the vision issue, I assume there will soon be problems with all the electronics contained in the dash area. I'm asking that the Federal Safety Board force Toyota to do the right thing, since they have told me they will not stand behind the produce. One of their representatives told me that with my history ( 8 or 9 new vehicles since 1990), they may make an exception since their extended warranty expired. They declined my request.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 14, 202149,769 milesNC

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS OR OPEN HIGHWAYS ON SUNNY DAYS, DRIVER SOMETIMES BECOMES BLINDED FROM GLARE FROM "MELTING" SHINY DASHBOARD. THIS PROBLEM WITH "MELTING" DASHBOARD BEGAN MAYBE 5-6 YEARS AGO AND HAS KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE BLINDING REFLECTIONS ARE NOW SO BAD AT TIMES THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE WE ARE SOMETIMES BLINDED BY REFLECTIONS FROM THE SHINY DASHBOARD.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 18, 202071,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED AND WAS STICKY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT CAUSED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH DECREASED DRIVING VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR THE DASHBOARD REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.*BF*JB

Seats
Filed Aug 2, 202095,000 milesNC

THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A TEAR IN IT AND THERE ARE ONLY 120,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT TORN ON A CRACK IN THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. ALSO - THE DASH HAS CRACKS ALL THROUGH IT BUT WE HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. IS THAT TRUE? THE DASH SURFACE IS STICKY AND HARD TO CLEAN.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 9, 202020,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND MELTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE FROM THE MELTED DASHBOARD REFLECTING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPAIR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.*DT*JB

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Dec 27, 201919,359 milesMI

WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AS THE GEAR SHIFT WAS PUT IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE SPED UP RAPIDLY, OUT OF CONTROL AND THE CAR ENDED UP ABOUT 200' TO THE REAR THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, OVER 3 CONCRETE BUMPS AND ENDED UP ON A GRASSY AREA. NO ONE WAS HURT - LUCKILY. WAS THERE NOT A RECALL BY TOYOTA ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO OF 400,000 SIMILAR VEHICLES BECAUSE THE ENGINES WENT RACING OUT OF CONTROL? MANY DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS ATTRIBUTED TO IT? MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE AS HAVING AN ACTIVE RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 10, 2019121,673 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE CRACKS AND MELTING AREAS ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED TREASURE COAST TOYOTA OF STUART (LOCATED AT 5101 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997, (772) 283-8300) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,673. *AS *JB

Engine
Filed Jun 5, 201970,570 milesOH

2017 REGULAR OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD OIL LEVEL WAS EXTREMELY LOW. NO EXPLANATION GIVEN TO ME. I WAS TOLD TO REGULARLY CHECK OIL LEVEL BETWEEN CHANGES. I HAVE BEEN ADDING OIL REGULARLY. UPON LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ON MY OWN, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE! I TALKED TO TOYOTA REP, AND HE ADMITTED THAT 2 LETTERS WERE MAILED TO ME, NONE OF WHICH I RECEIVED, REGARDING REPAIR OPTIONS BY TOYOTA. THIS OFFER EXPIRED IN 2018. I ASKED FOR ADDRESS, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT INFO. SO I ASKED IF ALL COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOYOTA COULD BE MADE BY EMAIL, THEY SAID NO. I FEEL EXTREMELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I ALWAYS USED TOYOTA SERVICE TO AVOID PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LACKING AND I FEEL I SHOULD STILL QUALIFY FOR A REPAIR BY TOYOTA.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 2, 2019MD

DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY PRODUCING A GLARE DURING BRIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE WAS ONLY SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SINCE PURCHASED AND THIS BEING AN ISSUE WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 1, 201990,000 milesLA

STICKY MELTING DASHBOARD THAT THROWS OFF A BLINDING GLARE. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE MY DASHBOARD AS TIME ELAPSED ON A RECALL THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. MY DASHBOARD REFLECTION IS DANGEROUS AND IT BLINDS ME WHEN THE SUN REFLECTS OFF IT.

Steering
Filed Oct 30, 201862,000 milesFL

AT ABOUT 62000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE RAC AND PINION NOW AGAIN AT ABOUT 130000 MILES IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. MY 2001 CAMARY HAS 200000 MILES AND IS STILL ON THE ORGINAL RAC. THE RACS TOYOTA IS PUTING IN THE 2008 CAMERY ARE DEFECTIVE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 27, 201854,266 milesVA

JUST DISCOVERED MY DASH IS STICKY, HAS NOT YET PROGRESSED TO SHINY AND TOYOTA'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDED 10-1-17. ONLY DRIVE THE CAR 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE 54266 MILES. SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE $2000 COST TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DASH. THEY MADE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD COVER REPLACEMENT COST NO MATTER WHEN IT OCCURS. I NEVER RECEIVED THE SINGLE LETTER THEY MAILED IN 2015. THEY ALWAYS HAD MY EMAIL AND NEVER NOTIFIED ME VIA EMAIL OR SENT OUT A FOLLOW LETTER.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 9, 2018152,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 7, 2018 AT NIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WAS SO INTENSE THAT IT IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SUN TOYOTA IN HOLIDAY, FLORIDA) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON THE DASHBOARD HAD EXPIRED ON JANUARY 18, 2018; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 31, 201751,950 milesFL

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED, SHINY AND STICKY, SERIOUSLY AFFECTING VIABILITY. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 29, 201786,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT VERY TIRED AND PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO SLEEP FOR THIRTY MINUTES. WHEN SHE AWAKENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ABNORMAL ODOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ASKED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 13, 2017120,000 milesSC

MY 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY SCARY TO DRIVE WITH AT NIGHT. THE VISIBILITY IS ALMOST NONE. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE LIKE REGULAR BEAMS ON EVERY OTHER CAR. MY LOW BEAMS ARE NONEXISTENT. MY FRIEND HAS A 2007 TOYOTA SOLARA AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO ONLY BE TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT ADJUST AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. TO THE POINT I DO NOT EVEN DRIVE AT NIGHT, AND I AM A 33 YEAR OLD WOMAN. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS WE SPEAK ONCE AGAIN DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. BUT NOT ONLY ARE THE BEAMS LOW, BUT BOTH ARE NOW NONFUNCTIONAL. THE SHOP CAN NOT FIND ANY DEFECT OR WIRES LOOSE. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAT THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURER SITUATION.

20 of 83 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20091000Routine
2008 — this page83220Routine
2007126210Routine
2006116251Fatalities reported
200592110Routine
2004161121Fatalities reported
200324000Routine
200260001Fatalities reported
200153210Routine
200066301Fatalities reported
199984210Routine
19980100Routine

Compare every Camry Solara year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.