2011 Toyota Camry Engine Problems

Dear NHTSA Investigators, I am writing to formally report what I believe is a significant safety defect in certain 2007–2011 Toyota Camry vehicles, specifically related to excessive engine oil consumption in models equipped with the 2AZ-FE 2.4L four-cylinder engine (primarily 2007–2009, with some reports extending to later years). This issue causes the engine to burn oil at an abnormally high rate—often 1 quart or more every few hundred to 1,200 miles—without any visible external leaks. Owners frequently report no adequate warning from the dashboard oil light or other indicators before the oil level drops critically low. If the engine runs out of oil while driving, it can lead to rapid overheating, internal component damage (such as scored bearings or cylinder walls), and sudden engine seizure or catastrophic failure. Such a failure while the vehicle is in motion poses a serious safety risk, including: potential for crashes, including rear-end collisions if the vehicle stops abruptly without warning, or veering into other lanes/obstacles. Sudden loss of engine power. Increased likelihood of loss of control etc. This problem has been widely documented through thousands of owner complaints (e.g., hundreds on sites like CarComplaints.com for the 2007 model alone), NHTSA ODI reports, and Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and Warranty Enhancement Programs (such as ZE7 for certain models). While Toyota addressed it via a warranty extension (not a full recall) involving piston/ring replacements for qualifying vehicles after an oil consumption test, many owners—particularly those outside the original coverage period or with higher mileage—have faced expensive engine repairs or replacements out of pocket. The lack of a mandatory recall means the issue persists in many vehicles still on the road. I am concerned that this defect creates an unreasonable risk to drivers, passengers, and other road users. I had an issue with this and I needed to fill up 4.5Q

NHTSA ID

11719381

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

The car accelerated uncontrollably for no apparent reason. I was pulling into a parking slot, preparing to put the car in park and stop the car. All of a sudden the car accelerated and slammed into a building.

NHTSA ID

11661240

Incident

May 7, 2025

My 2011 Toyota Camry LE (2.5L, 2WD, 4 cylinder, automatic transmission) has been experiencing problems with oil consumption. I have to add a quart of oil between oil changes (add 1 quart every 2000 miles). I'm using the recommended oil type (OW-20). Also, I'm experiencing loud rattling noises coming from the engine after cold start up. The noise is very loud and usually quiets down after driving for about 5 minutes or so. These issues are very common for people who own this particular model. I'm wondering if there was a recall that I perhaps may have missed or wasn't informed on. This is a well known issue for toyota drivers. Something needs to be done to address these issues.

NHTSA ID

11572941

Incident

Feb 20, 2024

I need to know was there a recall on a oil consumption problem for my vehicle. There was an issue with me having to add oil to my vehicle constantly. I’m hearing stories that there may have been, but I didn’t receive any letter. And I just spent some thousands of dollars on an engine that I could not afford. PLEASE Help Me!! THANKS!!

NHTSA ID

11538540

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance that included an oil change; however, the contact stated that a week later she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that she checked the oil dipstick and noticed that the oil level was low and added two quarts of engine oil. The contact then stated that she was adding two quarts of oil per week. The contact notified an independent mechanic and was informed that the failure was a known issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11519304

Incident

Apr 27, 2023

The Camry is experiencing oil burning intake Manifold. On 14JUL22 at 163,286 miles the red light oil can drip light comes on and off in my dashboard. I take to Toyota of Freeman, they do the oil change and that is it. Then, at 168,786miles, within 4 months the red oil can drip light on my dashboard light comes on again. I go back to Toyota of Freeman the service rep. tells me that this problem will cost me between $3,500-$4,000. I went to another mechanic that is certified by Toyota and he said the problems is Piston Oil Ring needs to be replace. He called all the Toyota Parts looking for the Piston oil ring that is for the oil consumption. He stated nobody has it. In the meanwhile, every 1,000 to 3,000 miles my car runs, I have to check the oil stick not to burn all the way, because the engine will catch on fire. This is a very big safety issue that needs to be looked at. When I purchase Toyota, I went base on that this car will last up 250,000 like all of my Toyota cars had lasted in my past. I called Toyota HDQ and they is no recall for this issue but yes for Camry Hybrid 2007-2011 and a different engine. As i was doing my research in YouTube.com It seems there are more Camry with this same issue. This is a safety issue, if I ever forget to check my oil stick to see if I still have oil the car will get on fire. I believe Toyota has a manufacturing issue with the Piston Oil Ring not being available to repair the issue. This is high risk situation. They need to supply the part or fix the issue. This a liability issue.

NHTSA ID

11512257

Incident

Mar 14, 2023

Cold start engine noise every time start up the car when it’s cold there’s a rattling noise then it goes away it’s only in when the engine is cold or in the morning on the cars it’s overnight but it’s been doing this ever since I bought the car the car new

NHTSA ID

11485019

Incident

Mar 30, 2016

My 2011 Toyota Camry is using too much oil. I am the original owner and have always kept up with the oil changes. The car only has 76,822 miles. The first thing I noticed when I started my car up was lights on dashboard stayed on a few seconds longer than normal which the oil light was one of them. It was not due for an oil change yet but I decided to take the car in to see if the oil needed topped off. The oil didn't register on the dipstick. They had to add 2 qts. of oil. After I put 750 mi. more on my car, it started sounding louder. I took it back in to have the oil checked again, this time it was a quart low. I have these receipts with the mileage on them. I'm seeing other people have these same complaints. I bought this car because I thought it would be dependable. This is an issue I believe Toyota is aware of and they should have to do a recall on this. This is low miles for this car and I shouldn't be having this major of an issue.

NHTSA ID

11469199

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

I came to a stop sign accelerated shifted into 3 rd gear stepped on the gas and it started to contract as if the car was shutting off, within seconds of grasping that effect it started smoking and than I seen flames as I just sat in the car wondering why this was happening instead of getting far away from the car as possible. They totaled my vehicle now im having a problem getting my full request which is 7,000 dollars. The engine light ended up coming on prior to this.

NHTSA ID

11453036

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil requiring the contact to add a quart of oil every 3,000 miles. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the exhaust and the brakes needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the torque converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer for the third time where it was diagnosed with needing a tune up and an oil change. The vehicle was repaired and the failure persisted. The contact wanted a second opinion so she took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 149,255.

NHTSA ID

11421021

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

149,255 mi

I got my 150,000 tune, which included a computer refresh and alignment as well...well I asked for a replacement battery for my key fog and they gave a me a hard time about the battery...I just the need the battery changed on it and they said they would take care of it free of charge...when I got there they tried charging me $165 to change the battery in my key fog...which uses a round standard battery...and then they threaten me to take out the battery and then put the old one back in if I didn't comply. I ask to speak to the manager and he went ahead and did it for me like he originally had said....my dashboard after the computer refresh and key battery change my dashboard lights up with errors messages. And the car glitches and starts and shuts off when it wants to...and my alinement I got just before closing time and they reassuried me that it was good to go...and when I started driving it off the lot...it have another tire alignment on the opposite side of the car now....I've called them multiple times over and over and I've never heard anything back from them....

NHTSA ID

11420723

Incident

May 7, 2020

MY CAMRY IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL AND IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE NUMBER INCLUDED IN ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE. NO LEAKS WERE FOUND, OIL CHANGE WAS DONE AND I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IN A WEEK. THE FIRST CHECK UP OIL WAS ADDED BY THE TECHNICIAN (II WAS NOT TOLD HOW MUCH) AND I WAS ASKED TO RETURN IN 1000 MILES. I WAS TOLD TO ADD OIL IF NEEDED. WHEN I RETURNED FOR THIS CHECK, UP, I LET THEM KNOW THAT I HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL BETWEEN THE CHECK UPS. WHEN THE CSR RETURNED HE SAID WE WERE ALL SET. THE AMOUNT OF OIL BEING CONSUMED WAS "WITHIN THE PARAMETERS ". I KNOW THIS IS NOT CORRECT! THEY SAY NOTHING IS TO BE DONE. I CAN HEAR THE TAPPING NOISES FROM THE PISTONS IN MY ENGINE ABOUT EVERY 3 DAYS OF DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OIL. MY CAR LOOSES POWER AND STARTS ACTING SLUGGISH ETC...THIS IS DAMAGING MY VEHICLE! I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR. I HOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. OIL CHANGED ON TIME ALONG WITH ALL SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOYOTA' ENGINE. BY 2011 THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN CORRECTED. NOW I SEE THAT SOME OF THE CARS HAVE BEEN FIXED WHILE OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN. IF ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. MY CAR'S VALUE IS LOWER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I WILL HAVE TO KEEP ADDING 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (@ $13 00 A QUART) AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID

11413137

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

VERY LOUD RATTLE WHEN FIRST STARTED ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. EVEN WHEN IT IS IDLING AFTER RUNNING FOR A WHILE IT STILL HAS A SLIGHT RATTLE JUST A LOT QUIETER.

NHTSA ID

11374388

Incident

Oct 25, 2017

Mileage

67,000 mi

MY CAR IS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL . I ASKED MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THERE IS PROBLEM OF ALL 2011 TOYOTA ( IT BURNING TOO MUCH OIL)

NHTSA ID

11292219

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

170 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS NO LEAKS, BUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS SUBSTANTIAL. HAS TO ADD ABOUT 1 QUART AND A HALF EVERY 700 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11290825

Incident

Jun 13, 2017

VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. TRANSMISSION IN LOWER GEARS HAVE MAJOR ISSUES. SHIFTS VERY HARD AND LATE.

NHTSA ID

11282458

Incident

Nov 25, 2019

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. NALLEY TOYOTA OF ROSWELL (11130 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, (866)-266-3809) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ID

11267390

Incident

Sep 18, 2019

Mileage

148,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN USING EXCESSIVE OIL LAST 2 YEARS IT HAS 78000 MILES I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA ENGINES I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR CERTAIN YEARS BUT MINE WAS NOT. I EXPLAINED THAT MY 2.5L (2AR FE) ENGINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE THAT WERE FLAGGED FOR REPAIRS TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS MY PROBLEM AS IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEFECTIVE PISTON PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED I AM ASKING FOR ANY HELP OR INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS ISSUE THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11230762

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

MUCHOS PROBLEMAS

NHTSA ID

11162149

Incident

Aug 25, 2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN 15TH STREET HEADED TO MCALISTER'S ON JULY 9, 2018. IT WAS RAINING REALLY HARD. I WAS IN THE LANE CLOSEST TO CENTRAL AND MONISH PARK. WHEN I CAME UP ON CHECKERS THE WATER WAS EXTREMELY HIGH AND PROCEEDED TO COVER THE FRONT PART OF MY HOOD. I DROVE THROUGH IT AND REACHED MY DESTINATION. I NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THAT MY AIR WAS NOT BLOWING OUT COLD, BUT WARM AIR. MY HORN SOUNDED REALLY FUNNY WHEN IT WAS BLOWN. I FIGURED WATER MUST HAVE AFFECTED IT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS FINE BEFORE THEN. I GOT MY CAR CHECKED OUT ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT BOTH COOLING FANS HAD DETACHED AWAY FROM THE MOTOR.

NHTSA ID

11112359

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. BROWN'S TOYOTA OF GLEN BURNIE (7167 RITCHIE HIGHWAY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER FRACTURED AND DAMAGED THE VVT GEARS AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.

NHTSA ID

11097115

Incident

May 13, 2018

Mileage

84,500 mi

WHEN DRIVING MY 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY, THE ENGINE SHUDDERS UPON ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME FOR THE 2012 CAMRY AND LATER, WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT IN MY MODEL YEAR. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. WHAT GIVES?

NHTSA ID

11024959

Incident

Sep 15, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION IS UNBELIEVABLE HIGH. EVERY 400 MILES ENGINE OIL VANISHED

NHTSA ID

11010055

Incident

Oct 10, 2016

VEHICLE IS USING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES OR SO. TOYOTA HAS A BULLENTIN OUT ON THIS ISSUE BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME IT DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. ADDED 1 QUART AT 100,500 MILES. CAME IN FOR CHECK UP AND IT WAS A QUART LOW AT 101,700 MILES, SEE ATTACHED UPLOAD FOR SERVICE RECEIPT.

NHTSA ID

10945551

Incident

Jan 16, 2017

Mileage

101,700 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, IT USES ABOUT 1QT EVERY 1000MILES. CAR HAS HAD A METICULOUS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, OIL AND FILTER CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES.DRIVEN BY A 65 YEAR OLD WOMAN

NHTSA ID

10863721

Incident

May 7, 2016

Mileage

58,500 mi