2009 Toyota Camry Visibility Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11661773

Incident

May 18, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11622102

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11615947

Incident

Sep 23, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11584846

Incident

Apr 23, 2024

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 NHTSA.

NHTSA ID

11496461

Incident

Dec 7, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11434845

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

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

NHTSA ID

11428717

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

138,570 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11427792

Incident

Aug 4, 2021

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11426211

Incident

Jul 22, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11424804

Incident

Jul 13, 2021

While driving into the sun, the sun reflects off the dash causing you to not be able to see out the windshield. The dash has a tacky feel to it and is extremely shiny and any light that comes in trough the windshield reflect back at the windshield causing you to not be able to see what is in front of you. No warning of this issue with the vehicle. I have tried cleaning the dash with special cleaners to remove the shimmer however no resolution. The only resolution I have heard of is to have the dash completely replaced with the aftermarket dash that is made out of a different component.

NHTSA ID

11424134

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND STICKY. IT MAKES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IS HARD TO SEE AT TIMES AND I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE FOR FREE.

NHTSA ID

11397941

Incident

Jun 18, 2015

IN OUR 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY, THERE WAS A TEMPORARY DASH REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. IT WAS CONSIDERED A WARRANTY EXTENSION AS OPPOSED TO A RECALL AND IT WAS A LIMITED TIME WHERE OWNERS COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT REPAIRED DURING THAT LIMITED TIME SPA. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THIS PAST YEAR AND UPON PURCHASING AND SPENDING A SUMMER IN SAN ANTONIO WITH MY 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY I EXPERIENCED WHAT THE DASH RECALL/TOYOTA REPLACEMENT POLICY WAS INTENDED TO REPAIR. THE DASH TURNS TO MUSH IN THE HEAT AND IT IS VERY, ALMOST MALLEABLE. FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, IT CREATES A GLARE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE FROM THE DRIVERS POINT OF VIEW AND FURTHERMORE THERE'S BEEN REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING BECAUSE OF THE MELTING DASH. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA ABOUT POSSIBLY HELPING ME REPAIR MY DASH AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE MANUFACTURES DAMAGES. I WANTED TO FILE A CLAIM FOR RECONSIDERATION IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR REPLACING ANYTHING THAT COULD POTENTIAL HE BE A HAZARD OR A DANGER TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID

11312219

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

SUN VISOR SAGS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN AND TOYOTA SAYS WE RECEIVED IT VIA MAIL. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT A TOYOTA DEALER THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN GREENBROOK NJ. WE TOOK THE CAR TO DCH AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS FALLING DOWN. WE CONTACTED THEM AND THEY SAID IT IS OUT BY 4 YEARS YET WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS. WE CONTACTED THEM ABOUT NOT RECEIVING IT AND THEY SAID WE HAVE THE CORRECT ADDRESS. NOW WE PAY FOR ALL THE RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS. THE VISOR WOULD BE A VISIBILITY FACTOR WHEN LINE OF SITE IS INTERRUPTED. WE HAD TO FIX AT OUR COST OF 104.00 FOR A PLASTIC SUN VISOR THAT HAD AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE GLUE SEPARATED AND IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER.

NHTSA ID

11265854

Incident

Jun 12, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE OFF. UNABLE TO BLOCK THE LOW HORIZON SUN FROM SHINING INTO THE DRIVER'S FACE WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN.

NHTSA ID

11265756

Incident

Jan 2, 2018

Mileage

210,000 mi

DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING. DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY, SHINY AND GREASY. NOW SUNLIGHT REFLECTS BACK ON WINDSHIELD GLASS, AND REDUCES VISIBILITY OF ROAD. ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAY, SUNLIGHT REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT COVERING DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

11258719

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE GLARE FROM THE STICKY DASHBOARD IS MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11257836

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

Mileage

128,000 mi

GLARE FROM MELTED DASHBOARD

NHTSA ID

11256211

Incident

May 15, 2018

RECENTLY 'AUGUST 2019' I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY ON A 'CLOUDY DAY' FOR MY SON TO DRIVE TO N.C. FOR COLLEGE. HE CAME HOME FOR AN OVERNIGHT VISIT AND I NOTICED HIS DASH WAS VERY SHINY AND HAD A HORRIBLE GLARE. THE GLARE WAS SO BAD I WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THIS IMPAIRING HIS ABILITY TO SEE. I NOTICED ON TOYOTA'S WEBSITE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE DASH BUT READ LOTS OF COMPLAINTS THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT REPLACING THEM IN A TIMELY FASHION AND FOR ONLY SO MANY YEARS. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTO THIS IS FOR SURE A VISIBILITY HAZARD AND MY SON OR OTHERS COULD BE KILLED DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE.

NHTSA ID

11255701

Incident

Sep 15, 2019

Mileage

191,000 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY SE, AFTER OWNING TEN TOYOTA VEHICLES SINCE 1978. I STILL OWN FOUR TODAY! I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS ISSUE IN ANOTHER CAR. IN 2014-2015 (ESTIMATED) MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD BECAME STICKY, AS IF I HAD POURED OIL ON IT. TODAY IT RELEASES A THICK STICKY RESIDUE ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN PARKED IN THE SUN. THIS MAKES THE DASH IMPOSSIBLE TO WIPE... AS TOWELS, SPONGES, EVEN LEAVES, ETC., GET STUCK TO IT (SEE PICS). I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT FIRST WIPING THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD EACH TIME IT IS PARKED IN THE SUN, OR THIS RESIDUE MAKES IT OPAQUE (SEE PICS...AFTER WIPING IT). THIS SITUATION IS EXACERBATED WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN (SEE PICS) AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! I'M CONCERNED HOW THE DETERIORATED CONDITION OF MY DASH AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OR IF IT STILL EVEN OPERATES CORRECTLY? ON 8/16/19, I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA EXTENDED ITS WARRANTY TO TEN YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. MINE WAS 7/29/09...PUTTING ME ONLY TWO WEEKS OUT OF THEIR 10-YEAR WARRANTY COVERAGE. TOYOTA CORPORATE AND MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN MY CASE ("1 DAY OR 1 MILE OVER WARRANTY AND WE WON'T HELP"). WHEN CHALLENGED, TOYOTA COULD NOT CONFIRM LETTERS WERE MAILED TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS, ONLY THAT AN EFFORT WAS MADE TO SEND LETTERS TO SOME OWNERS IN 2015. MULTIPLE MODELS OVER SEVERAL YEARS ARE INVOLVED. I SPENT 8 HOURS ON THE PHONE APPEALING THEIR DECISION, WITHOUT SUCCESS. A NEW DASHBOARD COSTS $2600.00 (INSTALLED)!! I REPORTED THIS ISSUE HERE BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURING/SAFETY ISSUE RESULTING FROM TOYOTA'S USE OF SUB PAR MATERIALS...LIKE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS...IF YOU CAN'T SEE OUT OF YOUR WINDSHIELD AT FREEWAYS SPEEDS BECAUSE OF THE GLARE FROM YOUR DASHBOARD, OR THE RESIDUE STUCK ON YOUR WINDSHIELD...YOU ARE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

NHTSA ID

11252346

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED AND IS STICKY AND SHINY WHICH HAS CREATED AN INTENSE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE SOME SPOTS WHILE DRIVING. THE SHINY DASHBOARD DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL EVEN IN COOLER TEMPERATURES, OR IF A SUNSHADE IS USED. THE SHINY STICKY GOO LIKE FILM CAN NOT BE WIPED AWAY EITHER.

NHTSA ID

11243332

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

DASHBOARD MELT - DASH WHEN HEATED BY SUN OR TEMPERATURE -MELTS AND TURNS INTO A GLOSSY GLUE CONSISTANCE WHICH REFLECTS ON WINDSHIELD AND PROHIBITS SIGHT THRU THE GLARE - PREVENTS DRIVER SIGHT AND SAFETY PAPER STICKS TO IT AND SO DOES ANY FLYING BUGS, TRASH, OR OTHER OBJECTS IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. YOU CANNOT SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC OR NAVIGATE TURNS SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11219972

Incident

Apr 14, 2019

Mileage

92,000 mi

IN 2015 I RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA, INC. THE FIRST OF SEVERAL WERE THE SUN VISORS DEFECT. ALTHOUGH MECHANICSVILLE TOYOTA FIXED IT WHEN THEY FIXED THE ENGINE CONSUMPTION PROBLEM IN 2015, IT CURRENTLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOESN'T STAY UP/DEFECTIVE. THE SECOND, THE DASHBOARD AREA WILL CRACK DUE TO SUN EXPOSURE WHICH IT HAS TINY CRACKS. HOWEVER, THE MAJOR WAS RECALL ON, ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. MECHANICSVILLE TOYOTA, 6546 MECHANICSVILLE TPKE. MECHANICSVILLE, VA FIXED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THIS DEFECT WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOCK IF OIL CONSUMPTION ISN'T CHECKED AND ADDED REGULARLY.

NHTSA ID

11219960

Incident

Mar 1, 2015

MELTING DASHBOARD BECOME REFLECTIVE HINDERING/BLINDING DRIVER DURING DAYTIME DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11217831

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THEY MANUFACTURED THIS CAR AND OTHERS WITH A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD. THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUED FOR THIS. THE MELTED DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE IN THE WINDOW MAKING DRIVING UNSAFE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS. PLUS, THE GOEY DASHBOARD MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO FAIL. RATHER THAN RECALLING THE DEFECTIVE CARS AND REPLACING THE DASHBOARDS ON ALL THESE CARS, TOYOTA CHOSE TO OFFER A 10 YEAR WARRANTY. FIRST OF ALL, I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS WARRANTY, BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE MADE ANY DIFFERENCE IF I WOULD HAVE, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN MY CAR 2 MONTHS AFTER THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. CAR BRAKES WEAR OUT, TIRES NEED REPLACING, DASH BOARDS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO MELT! I IMAGINE TOYOTA EXPECTS THE DASHBOARDS TO MELT IN MOST CARS AFTER 10 YEARS AND THIS IS WHY THEY OFFERED A 10 YEAR WARRANTY. THEY CAN NOW PROFIT FROM THEIR OWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11217319

Incident

May 19, 2019

Mileage

28,000 mi