2010 Toyota Camry Engine Problems

I am reporting a serious safety hazard involving a 2010 Toyota Camry purchased from GA Carz 4 Less, LLC through the GovDeals.com platform. The seller provided no disclosures of mechanical issues. Immediately upon receiving the vehicle, it exhibited violent engine knocking, shaking, heavy oil leakage, and repeated engine shutdowns. Two certified mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the engine has catastrophic internal damage involving camshaft timing system failure and severe internal wear. Both mechanics stated that attempting to operate the vehicle at highway speeds could have caused the engine to explode due to internal failure and pressure spikes. This was an alarming and dangerous finding, especially since the vehicle was advertised without any safety warnings or disclosures. Additionally, the Carfax mileage in March 2025 was 193,653 miles, but the vehicle delivered to me showed over 208,000 miles—an undisclosed increase of more than 18,000 miles. This raises potential concerns regarding sustained driving after the auction despite severe mechanical issues. The seller listed the vehicle twice before selling it, suggesting possible prior knowledge of the engine condition. I later found numerous online complaints reporting similar instances of this dealership selling vehicles with severe undisclosed defects, indicating a broader safety problem affecting multiple consumers. The condition of this engine creates a risk of sudden shutdown, engine seizure, explosion, fire, and loss of vehicle control, which could cause serious injury or death. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter, investigate the safety risks associated with these undisclosed engine defects, and determine whether this dealership’s practices pose a danger to the public. This complaint is being filed to prevent potential harm to future buyers and to document a serious safety hazard that I experienced firsthand.

NHTSA ID

11703073

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

1)the engine died upon stopping at the stop light,but was able to start again.the engine light & stability control light came on. the service dept replaced the battery and neutral switch was also replaced. 2) check engine light & stability control light came on again in the same situation.the technician suggested to remove the aftermarket alarm system for less than $1k(6hours of labor). I took the car to alarm installer to have it remove for a fraction of the dealer's price. this time i sought the help of BAR agent.Who had not shown at the service dept according to the Technician. i provided him all the receipt I had on hand. 3. took the car to another mechanic whose diagnosis was the same as the dealers.was advised to take it back to the dealer for they do not touch something that the dealer has started. back to the dealer, they replaced the shifter as it was contaminated by spilt coffee by the previous owner. 4) still, the same lights illuminated.this time car was in their shop from July 20th i was called two times to come and pick it up.but when I got there, not ready yet. today, I got there and was told that they could not do anything anymore. Either drive the car or towed somewhere else.my choice. how could i drive a car knowingly that it is not safe to do so. i was offered $7k( including all the monies I paid every time i drove off their lot.) to trade in for a new car in which i cannot afford in the first place. suggested to tow it back to the dealer where i bought it, Lexus of Sacramento. please advise.

NHTSA ID

11537321

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

ENGINE LOWER CASE CRANK SEAL LEAK. I CALLED TOYOTA CORP. OFFICE AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME. I HAVE READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS, AND I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. TOYOTA CORP. NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT OIL. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. IT CAN ALSO CAUSE AN ENGINE STOPPAGE. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND FEAR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN. THE COST TO FIX IS ABOUT $2200.00. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND CANNOT AFFORD THAT KIND OF MONEY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WILL TYPE THE DATE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FORM BECAUSE IT IS ASKING DATE INCIDENT HAPPENED AND WON'T TAKE RECENT DATES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11339936

Incident

Jun 10, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE INFORMED HIM THAT, WHILE MAKING A TURN, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF NEWNAN (770-502-1333, 2 HERRING RD, NEWNAN, GA 30265), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED OIL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO RETURN AFTER DRIVING 1,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,364. *TT

NHTSA ID

11257365

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

Mileage

171,364 mi

THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPEND ON 8/3/2019, MY OIL LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF AND IT WAS NOT TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE. SO I CHECKED IT THE NEXT DAY AND I HAD NO OIL IN MY CAR. WELL IT HAPPENED AGAIN TONIGHT 9/12/2019, I HAVE SYNTHETIC OIL AND THE LIGHT LITTERALY JUST CAME ON AT THE 5K MARK. LEAVING MY MOM THE OIL LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF AGAIN. TOOK TO OREILY AND I HAD NO OIL IN THE CAR. I DO NOT HAVE A LEAK SO OBVIOUSLY MY CAR IS NOW BURNING OIL LIKE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. COME ON TOYOTA, YOU GUYS NEED TO DO BETTER WITH THIS AND RECALL THE 2010'S AS WELL BEFORE I BLOW UP MY ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

11255195

Incident

Aug 3, 2019

Mileage

233,000 mi

THE ENGINE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY OVER 5 QTS PER OIL CHANGE EVERY 5000 MILES. I'M AFRAID THIS ENGINE MAY FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE UNSAFE SITUATION DURING REGULAR COMMUTES . I ALSO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, THIS OIL BURNING STARTED 4 YEARS AGO AT A SMALLER RATE 1 -2 QT PER OIL CHANGE NOW IT HAS DOUBLED. THERE HAS BEEN A TOYOTA EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2009 CAMRYS,BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO GIVE THIS WARRANTY TO 2010 CAMRY OWNERS.THEY SAY ANY ENGINE DAMAGES IS THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE ANOTHER RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS 2010 YEAR AND ANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11233200

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

75,000 mi

THE VEHICLE IS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL.

NHTSA ID

11193908

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

MY CAR HAS BEEN USING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE PAST YEAR. I WANT SOME SUGGESTIONS.

NHTSA ID

11191823

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

THE ENGINE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY 2 QTS PER OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES. I'M AFRAID THIS ENGINE MAY FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY FROM LACK OF OIL ON A LONG TRIP AND IF I DO NOT CHECK EVERY WEEK DURING REGULAR COMMUTES . I ALSO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, THIS OIL BURNING STARTED 5 YEARS AGO AT A SMALLER RATE 1/2 -1 QT PER OIL CHANGE NOW IT HAS DOUBLED. THERE HAS BEEN A TOYOTA EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2009 CAMRYS,BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO GIVE THIS WARRANTY TO 2010 CAMRY OWNERS.THEY SAY ANY ENGINE DAMAGES IS THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY. THE PRICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WAS QUOTED BY THE DEALER AT $5000.

NHTSA ID

11173932

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

ENGINE CONSUMES OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE ON THE 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY SE IS CONSUMING OIL. THEY ADVISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES HOWEVER IT SKIPPED THIS VEHICLE YEAR. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED AN OPTION FOR REPAIR ASIDE FROM DISMANTLING THE ENGINE AND REBUILDING AT MY EXPENSE. VEHICLE REQUIRES OIL CHANGES AND/OR OIL REPLENISHMENT ALMOST EVERY 600-1200 MILES

NHTSA ID

11165614

Incident

Oct 16, 2017

MY 2010 CANRY 2.4L ENGINE HAS BEEN CONSUMING 1 QUART OF OIL MONTHLY OR EVERY 1,000 MILES. I WOUDL LIKE TOYOTA TO FIX PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ID

11145261

Incident

Jan 2, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

INITIALLY, I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE BEEN IMAGINING THINGS BUT OVER THIS SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL SO FAST, THAT I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 1000 MILES. RECENTLY, I GOT MY OIL CHANGED AT THE END OF AUGUST 2018, USED OW-20 FULL SYNTHETIC AND TWO WEEKS LATER, THE OIL HAD BURNED OUT. LAST WEEK ON 9/13/18, I PUT 4 QUARTS IN AND TODAY I CHECKED MY DIPSTICK AND IT NEARLY DRY. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS MATTER WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA WOULDN'T RECALL VEHICLES THAT ARE A SAFETY DANGER.

NHTSA ID

11130741

Incident

Jul 6, 2018

Mileage

122,000 mi

ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE ANS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. TOOK THE DEALER. HE CHARGED $135 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND SAID THE ENGINE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. REAL SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $4500. HE DID NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION. I GOT THE ENGINE OILED FILLED AND DROVE BACK HOME. THE CAR IS USELESS FOR ME. I CANNOT SELL IT OR TRADE IT. IT IS A JUNK NOW.

NHTSA ID

11101721

Incident

Jun 12, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

TOYOTA DROPPED THE BALL AND DIDN'T RECALL THIS ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I CHECK RECALLS FREQUENTLY. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DRINKS A GALLON OF OIL EVERY 700-1200K MILES. EVEN THOUGH THEY DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 10YRS/150K MILES, THIS ISSUE USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THEN. SO THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WAS DOING. MY CAR IS GOING TO FAIL THE TEST BUT TOYOTA DEALERS TELL ME THAT TOYOTA IS GOING TO HELP WITH ANY OF THE REPAIR COSTS. TALK ABOUT PISSED. TOYOTA AND LEXUS JUST LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER

NHTSA ID

11081992

Incident

Feb 9, 2018

Mileage

16,500 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; ADDING OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. NOTICED FIRST APPROX. JULY 2017.

NHTSA ID

11075794

Incident

Jul 3, 2017

Mileage

92,000 mi

THE CAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT UP PER THE MANUFACTURER AND ALWAYS TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE; TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THE OIL STICK WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THIS WAS AFTER JUST HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER. ABOUT 1,000 TO 1,200 MILES LATER, THE SAME THING, NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK. INTERESTINGLY, THERE IS NO OIL LEAK IN THE DRIVEWAY EITHER. THE SERVICE ADVISER EXPLAINED THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2010 CAMRY FOR THIS TYPE ISSUE. THEY TOPPED OFF THE OIL AGAIN AND SAID TO COME BACK AT THE 1,000 MILE MARK TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN AND TO CHECK IT WEEKLY AS WELL. MADE IT TO ABOUT 800 MILES AND AGAIN NO OIL. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS TOYOTA CORPORATION GOT TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT DRIVING A CAR WITH NO OIL SINCE THE OIL LIGHT NEVER COMES ON EITHER AS A WARNING. LASTLY, THE ADVISER DID SAY IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH THE ENGINE THAT WOULD COST US UPWARD OF $5K TO $6K.

NHTSA ID

11064978

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. ABOUT ONE QUART PER 1200 MILES. DID HAVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION MONITORED BY TOYOTA ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEY SAID WE PASSED. THEN WE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE COVERED IN THE TSB

NHTSA ID

11012189

Incident

Jan 3, 2017

Mileage

145,000 mi

LIKE SO MANY OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES; STARTED USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL ( @ ONE QUART EVERY 500 MILES) AT ABOUT 82,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

10992365

Incident

Nov 8, 2016

Mileage

82,000 mi

BRIEF ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE AT COLD STATUP (1AR/2AR). PER TOYOTA T-SB-0041-13 -- IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A COLD STARTUP, SOME 2009-2013 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 1AR-FE AND 2AR-FE ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A BRIEF KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND. FOLLOW THE REPAIR PROCEDURE BELOW TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION. THIS IS DUE TO WORN / LOOSE CAM GEARS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT AMONG MANY TOYOTA MODELS. TOYOTA HAS ISSUES A TSB, BUT NOT A RECALL. FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN CAUSE ENGINE STOPPAGE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

10984376

Incident

Apr 24, 2017

Mileage

54,000 mi

CAR TAKES SYNTHETIC OIL AND LOSING 2 QUARTS EVERY 3 MONTHS OR SO. NO LEAK ON DRIVEWAY AND NO SMOKE FROM EXHAUST...

NHTSA ID

10970416

Incident

Apr 21, 2016

BURNING OIL FOUND THE PROBLEM A 48,000 MILES.I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF EVERY 1500 MILES KNOW I HAVE 186,000 ITS GETTING WORSE NO OIL ON GROUND

NHTSA ID

10969273

Incident

Apr 10, 2012

MY 2010, 4 CYLINDER TOYOTA CAMRY IS USING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT HAS BEEN TESTED FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN 5/2016 AND I WAS TOLD IT QUALIFIED FOR TOYOTA'S REPAIR UNDER ENHANCED WARRANTY. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2009. CALLED 1/18/17 THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN TO MY NAME ON THEIR VERY LONG LIST AND TO BRING IT IN. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR TO REPAIR IT, I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS-EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUSLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD TO CALL CORPORATE TOYOTA TO SEE IF IT COULD BE INCLUDED. THEY SAID NO AND THAT I NEED ANOTHER OILED CONSUMPTION TEST BECAUSE LAST ONE IS MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. BASICALLY, JUST TOLD THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION (APPROX 1 QT/250 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10946623

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

72,000 mi

HIGH CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL, DO NOT LUBRICATE THE ENGINE, ROTATE THE PINION OF THE VVT -I. AFTER THE OIL CHANGE, ADD 3 TO 5 ADDITIONAL ROOMS BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. PROBLEM WITH 2009 AND 2010 MODELS

NHTSA ID

10946387

Incident

Jun 30, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

I HAVE GOTTEN TWO OIL CHANGES IN TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL TO EMPTY EVERY 4-5 DAYS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. I WORK AS A REALTOR PART-TIME AND FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FULL-TIME. MY DAILY COMMUTE (MON-FRI) IS ALL MAJOR HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE, FOR 3 HOURS ROUND-TRIP. AS A REALTOR, I DRIVE ALL THROUGHOUT THE DC, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA AREAS, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

NHTSA ID

10904348

Incident

Aug 19, 2016

Mileage

145,000 mi

ENGINE IS CONSUMING TO QUICKLY THE OIL

NHTSA ID

10876298

Incident

Feb 7, 2015

Mileage

79,000 mi