2009 Toyota Camry
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan FWD Le/Se, 4dr Sedan FWD Lev6/Sev6/Xlev6, Hybrid 4dr Sedan FWD
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 147–268 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 34 combined · 33 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 189.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,307–3,680 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 9 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2009 midsize car (21.6 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 268 hp, versus about 500 hp for similar 2009 models.
- Many owner complaints607 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 70 for similar models — most often about the engine.
- 9 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Toyota Camry is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,307 lb (4dr Sedan FWD Le/Se).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (33 city / 34 highway), 57% better than the 2009 midsize car average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.
It has 9 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 607 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2009
- Engine dropped: 3.3L 6-cyl
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Camry →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Georgetown, Kentucky · Lafayette, Indiana · Toyota City, Aichi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2009 Camry configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan FWD Le/Se | 189.4 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 109.4 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 3,307 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD Lev6/Sev6/Xlev6 | 189.4 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 109.4 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 3,483 lb | 61/39 |
| Hybrid 4dr Sedan FWD | 189.4 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 109.4 in | 62.2 / 61.4 in | 3,680 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camry Hybrid Hybrid | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 34 / 34 | +57% | $1,950 | 261 |
| Camry | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +16% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Camry | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +16% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Camry | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | +6% | $2,900 | 386 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Toyota Camry under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Toyota Camry (this car) | 34 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2009 Ford Mustang | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2009 Honda Accord | 25 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2009 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Dodge Challenger | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 Chevrolet Malibu | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Passat | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (9)
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- Risk
- If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Oct 22, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V689000 · 1,814,284 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- Risk
- If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 19, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 3,233 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
- Risk
- Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Fix
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Oct 10, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
- Risk
- If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Mar 7, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V091000 · 186,798 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 CAMRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2009, AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 VENZA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE CONTACT-TYPE STOP LAMP SWITCH, SILICONE GREASE MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE SWITCH WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTACT RESISTANCE. IF THIS OCCURS, WARNING LAMPS COULD ILLUMINATE, A NO START CONDITION COULD RESULT, THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT FROM THE ÂPARKÂ POSITION, OR THE VEHICLEÂS BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Risk
- INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
- Problem
- GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
- Problem
- SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jan 21, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V017000 · 2,230,661 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
- Risk
- THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Not every 2009 Toyota Camry is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Toyota Camry buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 184 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 63 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Structure › Body — 61 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Camry. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Camry years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Camry | 51 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 144 |
| 2025 Camry | 51 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 6 | 173 |
| 2024 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 52 |
| 2023 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 66 |
| 2022 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 65 |
| 2021 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 165 |
| 2020 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 284 |
| 2019 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 411 |
| 2018 Camry | 52 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 779 |
| 2017 Camry | 40 | 190.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 153 |
| 2016 Camry | 40 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 189 |
| 2015 Camry | 40 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 285 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →