2008 Toyota Camry Visibility Problems

The dashboard in my 2008 Toyota Camry LE has deteriorated over time and has melted, becoming sticky and glossy. This condition causes sunlight to reflect off the dashboard onto the windshield, creating a strong glare. This glare significantly impairs my visibility while driving, especially in bright daylight conditions. At times, I am unable to clearly see traffic, road conditions, or other vehicles. This creates a dangerous situation and increases the risk of a crash. The issue has progressively worsened over time. There were no warning messages or indicators prior to this condition developing. The problem appears to be caused by the dashboard material degrading under normal use and heat exposure. I reported this issue to Toyota dealers, including Fremont Toyota and Milpitas Toyota, but no corrective action was taken. The condition remains unresolved. The defective dashboard is available for inspection upon request. This issue represents a safety hazard due to reduced driver visibility.

NHTSA ID

11731209

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

Issue Description: Melting Dashboard Creating Driving Hazard I am reporting a serious safety hazard involving my 2008 Toyota Camry, which has developed a melting/sticky dashboard condition that significantly affects driver visibility and safety during daylight driving. Nature of the Problem: •The dashboard has become soft, shiny, and sticky to the touch, especially in warmer temperatures. •The melting material creates a high-gloss surface, which leads to excessive glare on the windshield. •This reflection severely impairs forward visibility, especially under sunlight or direct light conditions, such as during midday driving or on sunny days. •The dashboard’s condition is progressively worsening, becoming a constant distraction and hazard when driving. •The condition also poses potential chemical exposure risks, as the degraded dashboard material emits a strong odor and residue. Safety Concerns: •Visual impairment due to reflection: The dashboard acts like a mirror, reflecting sunlight directly into the driver’s line of sight. •Increased accident risk: The glare limits the driver’s ability to clearly see pedestrians, other vehicles, traffic signals, and road signs. •Heat-related degradation: The softening dashboard may also interfere with airbag deployment zones or deteriorate structural safety components over time. Request for Action: I respectfully request the following: 1.That this issue be formally investigated as a safety defect by the relevant vehicle safety authority. 2.That Toyota issue a recall or safety repair program for affected vehicles, if not already done. 3.That an evaluation be conducted to determine if the airbag function is compromised by the dashboard’s current state. Previous Attempts to Resolve: I have attempted to contact Toyota Customer Service and/or local dealerships, but have not received a resolution to date. The problem persists and continues to pose a daily driving hazard.

NHTSA ID

11684214

Incident

May 1, 2025

I am experiencing significant glaring on my windshield as a result of my melting dashboard reflecting on the windshield. This problem is making my car unsafe to drive. The glare becomes extremely intense with rain and night driving. After researching this issue today, apparently Toyota is well aware of this safety issue but did not notify me about a program to replace my dashboard. I am only becoming aware today that there was a program to fix this issue. I understand this same problem has been reported by many other Toyota Camry owners. I contacted Toyota today to report my concerns and requested assistance to remedy this safety problem. The Toyota rep. recommended I file a complaint here with NJTSA. Also Toyota will see if they can arrange for me to bring my car in to a Toyota Dealer for an inspection.

NHTSA ID

11617372

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

My Camry has the reflection from the dashboard causing vision issues looking out of the front windshield. Also the dash is very sticky and peels off if your finger nail hits it. I know Toyota had a TSB on this issue but when I reach out to them they said they knew about the issue but my car is out of the timeframe. If it is a safety issue it should not have a time limit, you need to be able to see out of the front windshield clearly? I have reach out to other dashboard repair companies and they will not touch this car due the TSB that was issued on the car. They say it is not repairable and I need a new dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11582112

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

The dashboard of my 2008 Toyota Camry is shining/reflecting from the windshield, making it clear visibility very difficult for the driver. I called Toyota they mentioned they had a warranty extension for a limited period and now they are not covering/fixing it anymore. It should be a "SAFETY RECALL" and all owners should be sent a notice to get the factory defective product fixed. My daughter was involved in a crash on Feb 14th, 2023 because visibility was very seriously constrained because the dashboard was reflecting from the windshield. Photographs attached to document the issue.

NHTSA ID

11544827

Incident

Feb 14, 2023

Driver's side visor suddenly broke to the full down position blocking forward vision unexpectedly.

NHTSA ID

11518996

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

Visors fall out and will not stay secured, allowing for sun to grt into eyes while driving. This is compounded by the fact that the dashboard is melting and very shiny. Common problems with this year and model. Recommend Toyota replace.

NHTSA ID

11479867

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

The issue is with the 2008 Toyota Camry dashboard that is melting shining reflective light straight into my eye. Toyota is not treating this as a recall matter, and only did a Customer program to get it repaired for a short time.

NHTSA ID

11441808

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Subject: Toyota I purchased a 2008 Toyota Camry many years ago. I still have the vehicle and there is a safety issue having to do with dashboard. There was extended product warranty coverage that ended in 2019 on the defect. I was not notified about this issue. When I contacted Toyota they said I "may" have been notified if I brought it to a Toyota dealer for service (which I did not). The issue is the dashboard starts to melt and gets sticky and causes glare on the windshield during the day when sunlight hits it and at night when vehicle lights are oncoming. I moved to Florida in late 2019 and noticed the safety issue at that time. If you google the issue (Toyota dashboard recall) it made the news etc. Toyota was able to make it a product issue and was able to then use the extended warranty rather than calling it a safety issue. The articles on the issue (even from Toyota state it causes glare). Can this be looked into or at a minimum have the laws changed so these safety concerns can't be listed as a product issue? I would have thought this would have been a class action lawsuit with the number of issues because of this safety problem. My understanding is safety recalls do not expire and in my opinion (and many others on line that have the same issue) this is a safety issue. I had contacted the AGs Office in Florida and they suggested I make contact with your office. Below is some information on the melting dashboards. In 2014 Toyota offered to replace dashboards in 3.4 million vehicles after owners in sunny states like Arizona and Florida reported that their dashboards were melting, causing a dangerous glare on the windshield. ... Toyota's extended warranty on dashboards expired in 2019. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID

11439380

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

My dash on my Toyota Camry has become sticky and shiny with a chemical smell. The visibility is blinding from a glare in bright days and also night driving makes visibility difficult. The chemical cannot be cleaned off and nothing helps with the glare the dash is causing

NHTSA ID

11419681

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

my vehicle dashpad has suddenly begun to slowly melt and has become very sticky and shinny, the shininess causes a constant glare on the windshield, making it difficult and dangerous to drive especially during daylight hrs. I learned that there was a recall for this issues and contacted Toyota on 5/24/2021, and was told the recall for this issue expired in 2017, and there is nothing they will do for it now. I like to express that i purchased my vehicle in April of 2016, and was never notified of the recall, Toyota never sent me a letter informing me of the issue and i have taken my vehicle several time to the Dealer for other repair/maintenance prior to 2017 and was not informed of the recall by by them during that time. My case # with Toyota is 210524000564. i have searched the internet and also found that is a concerned issued with many other Toyota car owners. My vehicle is a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

NHTSA ID

11418307

Incident

May 24, 2021

MY DASHBOARD IS BECOMING EXTREMELY STICKY. IT'S BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. HAS A LAWSUIT BEEN FILED YET FOR THIS MANUFACTURER MISTAKE?

NHTSA ID

11400283

Incident

Mar 11, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V491000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11373470

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY IS THAT THE DASH IS MELTING LEAVING A VERY SHINNY LOOK TO IT. WHEN THE SUN HITS IT REFLECTS OFF THE GLASS MAKING IT DIFFUCULT TO SEE. AT NIGHT THE STREET LIGHTS AND ON COMMING TRAFFICE TIGHS ALSO REFLECT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. PLUS ITS VERY STICKY AND EVEYTHING THAT FLYS BY DUST LINT HAIR WILL STICK TO MY DASH, VERY UNAPPEALING AND DIRTY.

NHTSA ID

11352529

Incident

Feb 2, 2020

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IS CREATING A VERY BAD GLARE IN SUNLIGHT OR DAYTIME OPERATIONS. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT'S EXPIRED NOW.

NHTSA ID

11343268

Incident

Aug 4, 2020

THE AC DOES NOT BLOW COLD AIR AT ALL. THE ECO BUTTON DOESN'T WORK. WHEN PRESSED, THE CAR STALLS. THIS WAS WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. TOO AFRAID TO TRY WHILE DRIVING. VISIBILITY IS POOR. I'VE REPLACED THE BRAKES NUMEROUS SINCE ACHIEVING OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11338612

Incident

May 10, 2020

Mileage

121,025 mi

DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY WILL COLLECT DUST AND DEBRIS, GOTTEN SO SHINY THAT THERE IS A GLARE AND MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE SHINE ON THE WINDOW. BOUGHT 2014 AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE DIDN'T EVEN GET THE WARRANTY NOTICE ABOUT THE DASH. THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND AFRAID IT'S MAKING OUR DRIVES DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID

11277931

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

Mileage

128,000 mi

THE TOYOTA MELTING DASHBOARD IS HORRENDOUS. MY DASHBOARD IS SO GOOEY AND SHINY THAT ON ANY DAY WITH MILD SUN IT IS HARD TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF THE REFLECTION/SHINE. I AM VERY WORRIED THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC ISSUE, IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA ID

11277567

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD AND SUN VISOR ARE MELTING. THE MELTED DASHBOARD IS GOOEY, DUST, DEBRIS, AND ANY INSECT LYING THERE GETS STUCK. THE MELTED DASHBOARD, DUST, DEBRIS, AND INSECTS REFLECT ON THE WINDSHIELD AND CREATE GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. TOYOTA RESPONSE WAS THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE MELTING DASHBOARD EXPIRED IN 2017 AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE MELTING DASHBOARD. WE PROTECTED OUR DASHBOARD FROM SUN WITH A WINDSHIELD SUN SCREEN ALWAYS, SO THE PROBLEM TOOK LONGER TO OCCUR. THE SUN VISORS PLASTIC COMPONENTS MELTED AND SUN VISOR FELL OFF THE METAL SUPPORT. UNDER SUN AND GLARE HAVE TO USE HAND TO BLOCK UNMAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER CAR OR SEE ROAD. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE WAS TO BUY NEW SUN VISORS.

NHTSA ID

11245934

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

Mileage

101,250 mi

DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED CAUSING IT TO HANG DOWN AND OBSTRUCT VISIBILITY. I HAVE TO MOVE THE VISOR TO THE SIDE WHICH OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW OR I HAVE TO HOLD IT UP WITH ONE HAND.

NHTSA ID

11243809

Incident

Aug 11, 2019

Mileage

189,000 mi

STICKY DASHBOARD. SHINE ON DASH THAT REFLECTS ON TO THE WINDSHIELD AFFECTING VIEW.

NHTSA ID

11240757

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SHINY AND STICKY, WHICH CREATED A SERIOUS SUN GLARE. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING AND DISINTEGRATING BEYOND REPAIR AND REALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDRICK TOYOTA CONCORD (704-467-8287, LOCATED AT 7670 BRUTON SMITH BLVD, CONCORD, NC 28027) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11208216

Incident

Feb 13, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THE SUN VISOR FAILED TO SECURE IN PLACE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11202834

Incident

Apr 21, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS FAILED. THE INTERNAL CLIPS MECHANISM IS BROKEN CAUSING THE VISOR TO FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND BLOCKING MY VISION TO SEE THE ROAD AND OTHER DRIVERS. . THIS IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE 3 YOUNG ADULTS IN MY HOME WHO REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF IT. TOYOTA CLAIMS TO HAVE SENT A RECALL FOR THE PART THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ALTHOUGH I HAVE RECEIVED OTHER RECALL POSTCARDS FOR THIS CAR. THEY ARE STATING THE RECALL IS NO LONGER VALID BUT THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO THEM AND HAS CONTINUED IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS MODEL CARS AND YET THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I FEEL THIS QUALIFIES FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT.

NHTSA ID

11189862

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY IS MELTING, AND IN THE PROCESS BECOMING STICKY AND SHINY. THE STICKINESS IS A NUISANCE, BUT THE SHININESS IS A HAZARD AS IT PROMOTES HEAVY GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT MAKES ME ON A SUNNY DAY THEY CAN LOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD, I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR DUE TO THE VISIBILITY. THIS IS ON THE NEWS, INTERNET. I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT ENHANCEMENT WARRANTY AND EVEN WHEN I CHECK WITH TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID IT HAS NO RECALLS. NOW TOYOTA SAID MY CAR OUT OF WARRANTY 7 MPNTHS AGO, AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11124526

Incident

Mar 15, 2017

Mileage

96,000 mi