Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Toyota Camry 2007-2025

See my Car Buying Guide at carbuyingsupport.com/
This is video is about the the problems to look out for when buying a 6th, 7th or 8th generation Toyota Camry which featured the 2AZ-FE, the 2GR-FE and the AR-FE engines that were mated to the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions. This video also shows a brief history of the Toyota Camry going back to the introduction. The Camry is generally regarded as the best family car ever built. It is reliable, efficient and affordable and good value for the money. Items covered in this video are oil piston ring failure, water pump leaks, radiator failure, tensioner pully, front sway bar links and faulty vvti gears. Also the oil change intervals are mentioned with the factory recommended settings being bad and replacing that with 5000 mile intervals instead.

[@williamstewart3469]

Who can talk about a Camry and remain interesting? Greg can!

[@bwest-yq3uc]

Always interesting.

[@wholeNwon]

Facts without fluff and filler: Just what most viewers want.

[@DuncanCunningham]

Yes, he's back! Good to see you creating more content.

[@willoverkill8461]

My sister in law has owned her 2014 Camry 4 cylinder for 10 years since new, absolutely zero major issues. I've had my 2022 Camry hybrid for 2 years, oil changes and the caliper gluides needed lubrication, and 41MPG over the last 10k miles. Our first Toyotas for both of us, we get it now!

[@tyrikriggins1807]

I have a 2014 4 cylinder camry with 270,000. Still going strong with all original major components. Fluids, belts and oil😊 and brakes is all she's needed.

[@miriamvivo4279]

Just got up and found this. My sister has a 2004 toyota camry xle v6. Ive been maintaining and repairing it.

[@joepearlzz8504]

Better than any other Camry ever made

[@senatorchinchilla5389]

What gets me about the 2AZ is that they had just *finally* fixed the 1zz rings and oil consumption by around 2003. Then they started all over again.

[@TheSkyline5467]

Good to see you active again sir. With the way the economy is, people with your type of experience and knowledge about used cars are needed more than ever .

[@stephendibari5010]

awesome video. your video on the 2002 ES300 with almost 600k miles is one of the reasons why i bought my 2002 ES300 3 years ago this month. I bought it as a one owner with 161K miles, it just turned 181k miles. the original owner had the timing belt/water pump and valve cover gasket all replaced at 87k miles at a lexus dealership in NJ. early next year or later this year i’ll be getting the timing belt/water pump done. best car i’ve ever owned. thank you !!

[@chocolatewheelchair]

You’re always so calm and cool and collected

[@SunofYork]

We bought out two camrys in 2007 ..his and hers... In 15 years the total repairs were ONE sun visor. No oil use problems... I did ALL maintenance... Now I run an ex-lease (not me) 2nd hand 2017 Camry (love it) and my wife has a new 2024 Camry...

[@deepakk1347]

Where were you we missed you so much 😢

[@SierraEFV99]

I owned a 2003 Camry but the 7th generation is my favorite design

[@cabaneencac5168]

Yeah espescialy the 2012-2014 . Refresh of the 2015 to 2017 only adds accentuation of the rear window surround which demolishes the original design of this generation.

[@SierraEFV99]

@@cabaneencac5168 I agree as well. The 2015-2017 from the front looks like a Corolla

[@retirednow1867]

Glad to see Greg is back

[@kellymorgan3783]

As long as they don’t decide to go EV I’m happy

[@TaylorZ2]

If there's a rattle, prepare for battle LOL!! That's so true though. Excellent video, thanks.

[@bonecollector8086]

Beware Camry's are not perfect, I had a blown head gasket with a 2015 Camry. I did regular maintenance, every 6 months. Great video nonetheless.

[@dontdoxmebro]

Usually blown head gaskets are self causing. Someone at some point tan the vehicle hot

[@riograul2043]

I used your buying guide to check for highway miles on my (new for me) 08 Sienna! Took it to my mechanic AFTER the buy, he said he couldn't find even ONE thing wrong with it! Thanks for your help, Greg!

[@victorbaird8220]

Oil change 😊

[@robertweber3140]

Personally, if you live in a rainy or humid environment, I would change ALL fluids; oil, coolant, tranny, and yes, even flush brake lines. I did this to my 2012 Avalon LTD. Bought from private own with 93K miles.

[@YourCarAngel]

Thanks for buying the guide and glad it helped you with the Sienna. I put a lot of work into writing that guide. I hope more people would use it.

[@riograul2043]

@@YourCarAngel just to be clear, I didn't do the purchased version, I watched your video where you showed on a dry erase board how A majority of highway instead of street usage can create a high mileage vehicle that still has a lot of life and quality left. The one I bought had 1. Perfectly unworn pedals (museum quality) 2. Maybe 25 tiny Rock chips on the front fascia (from High-Speed highway miles) 3. Two large Rock impacts on the lower part of the windshield 4. No wear at all on the seat belt (looks slightly less than brand new, snaps fully back after being unclicked) 5. 153,910, mi It's just like you said on the video. I drove it around a little bit, it shifts perfectly, drives pretty quietly after it warms up, and I paid only market value ($5.9k) Good deal for me, considering it was a used car lot, and I needed a safe and reliable car very badly after totaling my trusty Honda last year.

[@ozarklife9996]

1997 avalon going strong with 247000 miles on it.

[@stevep5736]

You are back !!! Finally!! We missed your videos dude !

[@neilquinn]

IMO everyone should be trying to buy 2017/2018+ when safety features significantly improved across most vehicles. The TNGA platform improvements are nice as well.

[@OldDood]

We have a 2007 Camry XLE Loaded except for NAV. It has the 3.5L Engine and the 6 Speed Transmission. It is still quite fast. 0-60mph in just a hair over 6 seconds. The only thing we had a small problem with was on a Cold Start it would slip between 2nd and 3rd gear. Just once at start up and not again until the next Cold Start Up. (This was a Common Problem back then) The Service Director at the Dealership replace my whole transmission instead of just the Torque Converter which I believe was the 'Repair' at the time. Never had a problem since. We now have owned this car for 17 years and my Wife will NOT give it up. She loves 'Her Camry'. Especially the 6 Disc CD Changer. (I like that as well) This was our first Toyota. Up to that point we only owned GM Vehicles. Mainly Buick. However as much as I like the Ride of my Buick Vehicles they had way to many repairs. Many were just silly/stupid repairs. Too many to go into here. My only regret after all this time is that we did not purchase Toyota sooner. After looking back I would have loved owning a mid-1990s Camry Station Wagon. From what I have learned they are a very good vehicle. Even an 'Double Wiper' on the Rear Window.

[@DrEvilTag]

I have an 07 XLE V6 as well but with the navigation, it’s been dead reliable too, only thing is I changed the VVTI oil line to all metal before it ruptured but that’s it, one radiator too and per carfax, one water pump was done as well, I bought the car used in October 2021 and only had 37k miles, currently sitting at 101k miles.

[@matthewoluwaseyi835]

A simplified Toyota Camry Course. One can open a Camry repair shop after watching this video. Thumbs up

[@daverichardson3128]

Greg is the best. Been really wanting one of these videos with all the generations of the Rav4!

[@user-gb9vv5ey2w]

I've missed your videos. Really enjoy the show, TY.

[@johnfiecko5932]

Glad your back and love to see more Camry videos!

[@dixonrenyin95ugo]

Nice to see again Greg, thanks for the great analysis

[@striderwolf687]

Always watch when you drop a new one!!!

[@JohnSmith-cb5nk]

Car Angel thanks for returning… keep this style and substance recipe… it is appreciated!

[@josephkelleher8820]

Test drove a Camry a couple of years ago and the 8 speed tranny was constantly hunting for gears during the entire test drive. Couldn't wait to get that car back to the dealership and return home in my 12' Altima whose transmission has been bulletproof and is now in it's 13th year of service.

[@frixto]

One of the finest in the business! Great work

[@trippa702]

It was only a couple of days ago, I was searching through your channel for a Camry video. What timing! Thanks Greg, you’re a legend

[@riceburner4747]

Hi Greg, not a big fan of Car Fax. Mistakes made on my record & tried to remedy by contacting them to correct, only to not correct. I do most of work myself, so I have a log book that I document ALL work MYSELF. You give such great advice. I took your advice on cleaning engine bay on Prii, & u have won my respect. Already sub'd & gave u a 👍

[@savjottoor7910]

Nice to have you back! A video for a lexus gas please

[@beefbottom]

Own a 2013 Passat VR6. Zero issues. Also owned a 2018 Toyota Sienna which needed an engine out service to stop an oil leak.

[@davidcollier1207]

Prospective Camry buyers are also good looking! Great content. Thanks Greg...from Australia.

[@missaneido7417]

Excellent presentation and content. Thank you

[@benfranklin3638]

I thought I'd be more frugal and traded in my 2016 Mercedes for a 2011 Camry v6, I've regretted it ever since. Not only is the car plain and boring, but I've had huge repair bills due to the HVAC system. I had the bad luck to have the infamous "vent/blend door actuator" thing break and had to take the whole dash off to the firewall - twice...then the evaporate blew....the blower has never really worked right. Most shops won't even do that repair...it's pain. The theory by the techs thing the previous owner was so frugal they never turned the AC on...ever. I should have kept my E350...never had one single problem with that car.

[@JDMJACOB1]

Perfect!! I’m looking into these models!!

[@afzalshaikh2128]

Yay! Any car angel video is a good video. Keep it going

[@itzjdub282]

This information is invaluable

[@bjyuong]

long time no see, love your content, ww need more vids ❤

[@mohammedosman88]

Thanks Greg! Love your show! Can you please make a video about the Mazda CX-5 2018 + ?

[@emynovs1310]

After a very long time Greg is back

[@sacausa]

Thank you Greg ❤

[@PPL1151]

I have the 2012 Camry XLE hybrid, best car I ever have for 12 years. No major issues except change the gasoline reading gauge four years ago. I also change the engine oil every 5 K or every 5-6 months which ever come first and transmission fluid when it turned 50K miles . I give this car to my daughter in college and she is happy to drive around town with 110K miles and still running strong

[@LukeSimpson]

Greeeg! Glad to see you posting. Writing this from our 2005 Highlander Limited, bought largely thanks to you. Favorite car we’ve ever owned!

[@joepearlzz8504]

How long have you had it. I’m considering this car, but it gets bad gas mileage and gas prices are high now

[@LukeSimpson]

@@joepearlzz8504 4.5 years now. Love it so much, the mpg doesn’t bother us. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@LukeSimpson]

@@joepearlzz8504 Also, we’ve never had a car payment on it, which helps offset gas costs.

[@jawbone1218]

Greg is back

[@billlyon7696]

2015 Camry hybrid xle 252,000-ish miles, zero major issues, daily driver for me and not changing anytime soon

[@SUB-Entertainment]

I have 2010 lexus 5th gen with 2gfr-fe engine. Yes heard it is known to have vvti failure i change oil around 3k and also sometime flush in between. No cold start issues but keeping an eye and trying to avoid by frequent oil change which does not cost much when doing yourself ( around 25 to 30 dollars). I live in Arizona so also keeping any eye on any coolant leaks. I flushed coolant around 110k without any issue. I also one time flushed transmission ( using return line) and once time drain and refill. It is running smoothly. I noticed the engine mounts are getting harder because of arizona heat still good though. Plan is to replace them at the end of this year or sometime next year. Overall still running smoothly at 130k. I alao changed spark plugs around 110 k. I bought it at 90k miles with all oil change and maintenance record available from lexus dealer. This engine if taken care earlier than recommended can survive till 300k without any issue. Thanks foe the video it is helpful...

[@carsonlovescarts]

Awesome vid

[@cerinawoehrley4199]

I got a 16 camry at 115.000 miles all good with no big problem and now got a 21 lexus is 300 with the v6 so far so good now with it to..

[@GlennC789]

Yaaay! New Car Angel video. Even though I'll never buy a Toyota Camry.

[@chadnmelissa8830]

Would love to see your video and opinion of the generation of the 5sfe engine specifically 1997-2001. What to look out for and how to make it more reliable. Thanks for the videos Greg!

[@YourCarAngel]

Great suggestion! As soon as I get a good one from that generation I’ll be doing just that.

[@njsongwriter]

We have a 2009 RAV4 which had the 2.5 liter AR FE engine in the 2009 model instead of in the 2010 model year like the Camry. The maintenance schedule for ours was for an oil change every 5,000 miles not every 10,000 as you said for the Camry... Our RAV4 has just over 101,000 miles. I understand that the cold rattle at start up doesn't happen till around 150,000 miles. So we have another two to four years yet. Ours uses zero oil between changes so maybe it will go even longer without any problem. Oil analysis shows the oil to be very clean at the 5,000 mile oil change interval. But if the actuator gear needs to be replaced, I'm prepared to pay $700 to $800 dollars to have it done by AMD at TCCN Auto Repair in the Chicago area. He shows in a video how to do it and he is a certified Toyota technician (and he's OCD when it comes to doing the job correctly.) His channel is The Car Care Nut.

[@Motiahmed330]

Great detail as usual. Thanks for such a great video . I'll just avoid that whole camry generation 2007-2011 to be safe . Pls make a video on the Avalon and an updated on es350 !!!

[@frankanderson4176]

Please remember, he said 2010-2011 were good. I've owned the 2011 4 cyl. and passed it along to my son at 170K when I bought a 2019 Camry. He still drives it daily and it's approaching 240K. Zero repairs during all this time, it has been flawless. He drives it nonstop frequently btwn Atlanta & Austin. Oil changes happen at 5K w/o fail. I rode with him in it at Christmas last year & it's still buttery-smooth. I love my 2019 SE and plan to keep it forever. Again, don't rule out the 2010-11.

[@ishakshamsudin8585]

I have been driving 2010 camry 4 cylinder for 14 years only spend on oil changes(fully synthetic) every 5k km or 7 months whichever comes earlier. The one to watch is 2007 2008 and 2009.

[@aprilsundae7503]

I have a 2007 Camry hybrid and I love it

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

I have an issue of falling for cars that have been badly treated, if you know what I mean...

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

If you check the forums, you will see that people are still complaining of oil consumption in the 2AR-FE once the milage gets a little high -- this time due to cylinder wall scoring, rather than low tension piston rings.

[@njsongwriter]

We have just over 101,000 miles on ours and so far it uses zero oil between 5,000 mile oil changes and an oil analysis finds zero problems. Ours is a 2009 RAV4 with the 2AR FE engine. How high do you consider a "little high" for mileage?

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

@@njsongwriter - If memory serves me correctly the forums were saying like 100+K, but check for yourself. And like I said, this time the consumption is due to cyl wall scoring, rather than stuck low tension piston rings.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Beautiful place to shoot a video!

[@YourCarAngel]

That’s the front of my office.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@YourCarAngel 😲

[@childrey14]

I own a 2014 Camry SE. Never has it let me down. It

[@harveyimplom5239]

My 2017 LE 4 cyl has No A/T dipstick that you failed to mention my friend has a 2005 also does not have an A/T dipstick; therefor the average owner cannot check the fluid level. You should mention that next time.

[@timwhitehead7213]

Great video, but you didn't mention any issues with the 8th gen besides hunting for gears. So they are bullet proof? Thanks Tim. .

[@Modeltrainscarsstereos614]

Today is my 13s 11 year anniversary LE 4 cylinder strong as a bull nothing major what so ever has happened they just run and run just do basic maintenance

[@Herlongian]

Problems to look for when buying a early Gen 3 Prius and all Prius V. Head gasket (this problem has created a cottage industry), Inverter failure (covered by Toyota-includes all earlier gen 3 Prius and all Prius V), and excessive oil consumption (1 quart of oil needed per week!). My 2013 Prius V had all 3 of these issues. How many people can say a Toyota was the worse car they ever owned?

[@danielm3876]

Greetings from 🇷🇴

[@tianh2002]

Im gonna need greg service for buying used sienna 2017 soon. The dealer always have addon and I'm bad at negotiating.

[@msmarshall854]

QUESTION--I always thought it was the other way around, that CarFax pays to have repair shops and dealerships report to them thus sucking up the data and making CarFax more relevant. It's actually a mutually beneficial relationship but I always assumed CarFax offered incentives and/or pay of some kind.. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@martinmuller6760]

Very good videos, but half year oil change is really not needed.!!

[@cabaneencac5168]

The Direct Shift-8AT is afflicted with the following problems : Slow shifting behavior when coming to a stop. Transmission shifting hesitation under partial and full throttle. Jerky and/or harsh shifting behavior . The solution that Toyota provided is a ECU software update which continues to make customers dissatisfied especially those owners of the first year of this transmission on the Camry i.e. '18 .

[@aprilsundae7503]

I have a 2007 camry hybrid i bought the hybrid one because 1 i never had a hybrid and 2 i dont have to change my oil that much

[@msmarshall854]

OLDER CAMRY'S-----had such wonderful visibility. The new 2025 Camry has reduced visibility, a real bummer in my humble opinion.

[@thomas4315]

If your getting a Camry get the new Camry, I rented it it from interstate and car amazing , I was blowing off any v8 car that want to race off the intersection, car very fast 300 + hp long first to 55 and it still gave super mpg, 34 days and still under full and 35 when in.

[@thomas4315]

3-4 days

[@miriamvivo4279]

I have a 2006 subaru sti nowhere as reliable. Currently tackling a cylinder 2 misfire. Po302

[@georgegange6334]

Would you buy a 2007 Honda Odyessey with 90k miles and vg shape. Age??

[@anthoneymahateva5851]

It is not blood lines but oil lines.

[@jotu173]

At 7:17 you say "you have to check the transmission fluid" and show a picture of a dipstick. I am 99% sure that the generation of Camry that you are talking about, and (sadly) most of the other years, do NOT have a dipstick for their transmission. Is your video in error for showing the dipstick, or am I wrong?

[@unclefester4626]

How about not buying that gen of camry altogether? I wont argue that camrys and corollas are better than anything gm or ford has to offer....but doesn't mean they're worth buying either. I owned a new 2018 tacoma for allmost 3 years and had nothing but problems with it. Coil malfunction issues, multiple weak fuel pumps, constant electronic issues. The radio, navigation, and cruise control quit working for 3 days in a row and as i was pulling into the dealership...the dashboard started working again. I HATED THAT TRUCK!!! Looking back on it i only wish that i had the financial debth to afford to drop a wrecking ball on it in front of that pathetic toyota dealership.....

[@mustsilm]

Video should be one minute long. Its a Toyota. No problems to recall.

[@user-wg5xl9vo8u]

8:00 The best Camry’s ever made..? After spending 8 minutes of listing critical problems with these models…

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

2014 is the best year. 2017 was the last year. They are not as good now. Toyota is jealous of Kia and is headed in that direction. Look what they did to the Tundra and the Tacoma. Next, they want to make the camry a battery car. Unbelievable. The oil consumption thing is not that big a deal. If you got yours new, like I did, and change oit every 5000 miles, you wnot have much if any trouble. If it does eat oil, just keep putting oil in it and it will run for years and years. The new ones are junj in comparison

[@user-wg5xl9vo8u]

….and, I thought Toyota’s were were reliable…?

[@johngaspar4425]

I bet you don't have your wings yet 'cause you too late with the videos!

[@guymann4016]

I’m dreading the rein of EV’s. Such soulless vehicles.

[@packerbacker69]

Blind Spot monitor does not come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense system in 2018-2024 Camrys unless maybe if you have the top of the line trim level. On my 2021 and 2024 Camrys it came as an option.