2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Visibility Problems

THE DASHBOARD PAD HAS DETERIORATED WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT IS GOOEY. WHEN I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MENTIONED IT, IT WAS NOT ADDRESSED. I CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS TWICE AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. SO, THEY WILL NOT HONOR A REQUEST TO REPLACE THE PAD. I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATIONS THEY ALLEGE THEY SENT. THE PAD IS REALLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND IS BLINDING WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. THE PART ITSELF COSTS OVER $1,000; I DO NOT KNOW WHAT LABOR AND TAX COSTS ARE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT THROUGH TOFFICIAL OYOTA SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11228677

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

89,000 mi

DASHBOARD MELTS IN THE SUN CREATING A STICKY SHINY SURFACE THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND INHIBITS VISIBILITY. I CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE CAR DURING THE DAY ANYMORE DUE TO THE REFLECTION.

NHTSA ID

11123496

Incident

Aug 30, 2018

THIS VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BECAUSE DRIVER-SIDE SUN VISORS WOULD STOP STAYING UP AND DROP DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAD OUR HIGHLANDER VISOR REPLACED UNDER THIS LATE 2012 PROGRAM. IT WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. NOW THE CAMRY WHICH IS OUR CREAM PUFF HAS THE PROBLEM AND TOYOTA SAID THE CSP HAS EXPIRED. THEY TREATED IT AS A COSMETIC ANNOYANCE BUT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS 6' TALL OR MORE. THIS HAPPENS IN MANY SITUATIONS BUT IS MOST DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTE THERE ARE 70 OTHERS GRIPING ABOUT THIS ON FACEBOOK. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TOYOTA/POSTS/10151608872184201

NHTSA ID

10955172

Incident

Jan 2, 2017

Mileage

73,400 mi

TOYOTA HAD A RECALL 'FIX' FOR THE VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE BRAKING AND FALLING DOWN BUT THEY ONLY FIXED THE LEFT DRIVERS AND NOT THE RIGHT PSGRS SIDE WHICH THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BOTH AT THE TIME. NOW MY RIGHT SIDE IS BROKEN AND INHIBITING MY ABILITY TO VIEW ANY TRAFFIC ON THE RIGHT SIDE DUE TO IT'S HANGING DOWN AND WON'T GO UP AT ALL.

NHTSA ID

10887640

Incident

Jul 20, 2016

THE DASHBOARD GETS EXTREMELY SOFT AND STICKY WHEN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR GETS HOT (>90 DEGREES) AND CAUSES A BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10668140

Incident

Jul 2, 2012

MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE LAST 2 MONTH AND NOW IS A STICKY AND HAS AN AWFUL GLARE THAT IS MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME. THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING UNDER THE SUN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10662952

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING ON HOT DAYS RESULTING IN A SHINY, MIRROR LIKE SURFACE THAT REFLECTS SUNLIGHT AND GLARES THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY. THE MELTED DASHBOARD SURFACE IS VERY STICKY AND COULD AFFECT THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY AS THE AIRBAG COVER COULD FUSE WITH THE SURROUNDING MELTED DASHBOARD SURFACE. I ALSO WONDER IF THE DASHBOARD IS RELEASING ANY TOXIC SUBSTANCES AS IT MELTS. *JS

NHTSA ID

10617069

Incident

Apr 20, 2011

Mileage

40,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY STICKY AND RUINED. NOTHING CLEANS IT OR TAKES THE STICKINESS AWAY. IT CAUSES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND INTERFERES WITH MY VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE! IT'S VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10615802

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

I HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS FOR MY CAMRY HYBRID IN THE PAST YEARS WHICH ARE RELATED TO SAFETY 1) ON 11/28/10, WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY SITUATION ON LOCAL STREET AT LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING CAUSING BAD VISIBILITY. I PULL OVER TO STREET SIDE AND RAIN STOPPED AFTER A WHILE. I DROVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER. DIAGNOSIS IS "WIPER ARM SLIPPED SPLINES" 2) ON 4/16/10, WHILE DRIVING ON STREET AT LOW SPEED (30 MPH) HEAVY SMOKE CAME OUT OF DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH. AFTER I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THE SMOKE STOPPED. CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER AND DIAGNOSTIC WAS SWITCH LOCKED ON "ON" POSITION. I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE TOYOTA "RECALL" CASE. 3) ABOUT 11/2013, WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON. I DROVE BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER. NO FIX WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER,THE LIGHT WENT ON / OFF SINCE THEN AND AFTER A MONTH STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY FOUND A FAULTY SENSOR FOR TIRE AIR PRESSURE. LUCKILY ALL INCIDENTS DID NOT INVOLVE CRASH / INJURY. HOWEVER, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED / CONCERNED ON MY CAR'S SAFETY / RELIABILITY. IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION, I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10577767

Incident

Oct 8, 2010

Mileage

43,000 mi

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTDOORS IN THE RAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WINDOWS WERE DRIPPING WITH MOISTURE. WHEN I DECIDED TO GO TO FOR A DRIVE, I REACHED BEHIND MY SEAT TO THE REAR FLOOR FOR MY PAPER TOWEL ROLL AND CLOTH TOWELS TO WIPE OFF THE WINDOWS AND THEY WERE SOAKED WITH WATER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FOUR SUNROOF DRAINS HAD NO HOSE CLAMPS ON THEM THE RIGHT REAR HOSE HAD COME LOOSE CAUSING A FLOOD IN MY REAR SEAT AREA. I HAD TO HAVE ALL CARPETS REPLACED AND HOSE CLAMPS ADDED TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. IT COST $2467.57 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE BECAUSE TOYOTA DID NOT REQUIRE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE 4 DRAIN HOSES FROM THE SUNROOF. I ASKED TOYOTA IF THEY WERE GOING TO NOTIFY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND THEY INDICATED AN ANSWER OF, NO! I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO LET OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE ALL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS WITH TOYOTA IF YOU WANT COPIES. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS INSURANCE RATES ARE SO HIGH. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR ALL EXCEPT $60.52 OF THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS. I HAVE AAA INSURANCE. PLEASE RESPOND!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10577256

Incident

Feb 21, 2014

Mileage

10,778 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID AND FOUND THAT THE SUN VISOR WAS ROTATED DOWNWARD AND WOULD NOT GO BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN IRVINE, CA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY AND SUN VISOR BRACKET HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON CERTAIN 2007-2011 MODELS AND THAT MY MODEL WAS ON THE LIST. HOWEVER, WHEN I CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE CAR VIN SHOWS THAT THE CAR WAS MADE IN JAPAN AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS ONLY APPLICABLE TO CARS FROM THE UNITED STATES. THE SUN VISOR NOT ROTATING BACK TO ITS RIGHT POSITION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CANNOT FULLY SEE AHEAD WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT HAVE A CLEAR VIEW. IF THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC PART FOR THESE SPECIFIC CARS AND THE PRODUCT IS MADE BY TOYOTA IT SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHERE THE CAR WAS MADE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, NOT IN JAPAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10561094

Incident

Jan 22, 2014

Mileage

56,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. UPDATED 12/24/13*CN

NHTSA ID

10552755

Incident

Jul 1, 2013

Mileage

79,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON I-94 HIGHWAY, TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW USING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. THE SWITCH DID NOT WORK. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER MY CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10473969

Incident

Sep 1, 2012

Mileage

95,000 mi

GOING THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN AND BLOCKED MY VISION. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SUN VISOR MALFUNCTION WAS COMMON AND IT WOULD COST $200 TO FIX IT. THIS CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I THINK THAT THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I WAS FORTUNATE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP , BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471817

Incident

Aug 13, 2012

Mileage

71,000 mi

I FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR IS BROKEN CAUSED BY NOTHING. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. INSTEAD IT IS DANGLING, FLOPPING AROUND TO AFFECT VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE VISOR PART IS OPEN SO THE HINGE CAN NOT WORK AS DESIGNED. I AM NOT SURE IT IS RELATED TO TEXAS HOT SUMMER BUT CERTAINLY THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM REPORTING THIS TO HERE SINCE I BELIEVE IT AFFECTS SAFETY ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10463590

Incident

Jun 25, 2012

Mileage

47,000 mi

MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE IT. IT WAS ABOUT $160 TO GET THE PART AND INSTALLED. I BOUGHT IT ON EBAY FOR UNDER $100 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. IT WASN'T DIFFICULT AND TOOK UNDER 5 MINUTES TO DO. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE IN THE SAME SPOT THE OTHER VISOR DID. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? I HAD MY LAST CAR FOR 10 YEARS AND THE VISORS NEVER BROKE AND MY HUSBAND HAS A TOYOTA FROM 2007 AND IT HASN'T BROKEN. THIS IS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459713

Incident

May 23, 2012

Mileage

51,000 mi

BROKEN DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10453130

Incident

Mar 24, 2012

Mileage

66,500 mi

THERE IS A GROWING TREND ON THE INTERNET OF 2008/2009 CAMRYS WITH FAULTY SUN VISORS. THEY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING, AND BLOCK THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE. THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH FREQUENTLY USED, AND INFREQUENTLY USED VISORS. OUR PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED FIRST, JUST OUTSIDE THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THIS VISOR WAS HARDLY EVER USED AS MY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR, AND RARELY HAS FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS. EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO COVER IT (IT'S CONSIDERED TRIM). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. NOW, MY PASSENGER SIDE VISOR HAS FAILED AGAIN (MARCH 2012). BOTH ORIGINAL REPLACEMENTS WERE NEW, FROM THE DEALER. THE PARTS GUY AT ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THEY SEE QUITE A FEW CAMRYS WITH BROKEN OR MISSING VISORS. SEE THIS LINK FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY WEBSITES WERE PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/TCKUNCMCDB228B3B3/P4. *TR

NHTSA ID

10451217

Incident

Jan 3, 2011

Mileage

38,000 mi

2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID, 58,000 MILES. FAULTY DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR. ENTERED VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, NOTICED THAT SUN VISOR WAS HANGING DOWN APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM CEILING "CLOSED POSITION". DROVE TO WORK WITH NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE. APPROXIMATELY NINE HOURS LATER, REENTERED VEHICLE AND SAW THAT SUNVISOR WAS NOW HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. ATTEMPTED TO PUSH VISOR TO CLOSED POSITION TO NO AVAIL. ATTEMPTED TO POSITION SUNVISOR SO THAT IT WAS NOT BLOCKING MY VISION BUT BECAUSE IT WAS HANGING WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE FRICTION RETENTION (FLAPPING LOOSELY), I ENDED UP HAVING TO HOLD IT OUT OF THE WAY WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER. UPON RETURNING HOME, I UTILIZED A PIECE OF TWINE TO HOLD IT OUT OF MY SIGHT-LINE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT ANY ACTION. UPON DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH, THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SUNVISORS IN 2007 AND 2008 CAMRYS, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT I FOUND IN A VERY SHORT TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE SUNVISOR BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VISION UNLESS HELD OUT OF THE WAY WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10423025

Incident

Sep 1, 2011

Mileage

58,570 mi

THE SUN VISOR ON BOTH SIDES HAVE FAILED. THE METAL BRACKET INSIDE THE VISOR THAT PROVIDES FRICTION TO HOLD THE VISOR UP WHEN NOT NEEDED IS HELD IN PLACE INSIDE A GLUED PLASTIC FRAMEWORK. THE FRAMEWORK EVENTUALLY SUFFERS FROM FATIGUE AND SEPARATES, CAUSING THE VISOR TO DROP DOWN AND BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VISION. ONCE IT FAILS IT WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS CONSTANTLY CAUSING A VISUAL DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON SEVERAL OF THE TOYOTA MODELS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONMY CAR TWICE, ONCE AT 43,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 57,000 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ID

10422279

Incident

Aug 3, 2010

Mileage

43,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID BROKE LOOSE AND IT'S JUST HANGING THERE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $120.00 TO GET IT REPLACED. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND WHO SAID THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY VISOR REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME AS I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10422117

Incident

Aug 14, 2011

Mileage

23,200 mi

I DRIVE A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID - BOUGHT THE CAR BASED ON TOYOTA'S REPUTATION OF QUALITY. RECENTLY, I HAD A PROBLEM I HAD NOT EXPECTED TO SEE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE - THE INTERNAL MECHANISM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND RATHER THAN HAVE IT DANGLE ALL THE TIME (SINCE IT WONT STAND UP) I OPTED TO SIMPLY REMOVE IT. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT A RELATIVELY SIMPLE MECHANISM TURNED OUT TO BE SO UNRELIABLE AND PROBLEMATIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10421076

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

39,000 mi

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. FOR THE SECOND TIME THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR HAS BROKEN AND FLOPS DOWN INTO MY FIELD OF VIEW. BOTH VISORS PREVIOUSLY BROKE AND WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THESE VISORS ARE DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY AND IT WILL COST $130 FOR THE VISOR WITH EXTRA COSTS FOR LABOR TO INSTALL IT. DRIVING MY CAR IS DANGEROUS NOW WITH THE VISOR HANGING DOWN IN THE WAY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE VISORS AND REPLACE THEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *KB

NHTSA ID

10419999

Incident

Aug 10, 2011

Mileage

56,000 mi

MY VEHICLE, 2008 CAMRY'S SUN VISORS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE DROOPING OR LOOSE AND CAN NOT STAY UP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR BLOCKS THE SIGHT TO DRIVE SAFELY OR EFFECTIVELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10415392

Incident

Jul 26, 2011

Mileage

85,100 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR OF MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID FELL DOWN AND BLOCKED MY VIEW SUDDENLY THIS AFTERNOON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-70. THE MECHANICS INSIDE THE VISOR IS BROKEN AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO MOVE IT BACK TO THE POSITION THAT DID NOT BLOCKING MY VIEW. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE ANOTHER RECALL FOR THEIR LOUSY QUALITY!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10409287

Incident

Jun 28, 2011

Mileage

21,587 mi