Originally a compact model when it hit the market in the 1980s, the Toyota Camry has since reached the mid-size sedan segment. Touted by the Japanese auto giant as a “world car,” the Camry was built to serve consumers as a reliable, budget-friendly means of transportation. With incognito styling and a mass-produced medium gray interior, the Camry was never flashy, but always reliable. Toyota recently injected some excitement into the Camry, but how does a vintage one stack up today? Let’s find out.
What does the 2009 Toyota Camry offer?
Although it was as uneventful as a cup of vanilla ice cream, the 2009 Camry was refined. With a smooth, passenger-friendly ride, US News & World Report noted the Camry’s performance as “polished” among the segment.
Its spacious cabin included a six-speaker stereo system with an auxiliary port, cruise control, power locks and windows, and seven welcome airbags. Consumers could get a sport-tuned suspension, Bluetooth capability, dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery on more expensive levels.
There were three engine configurations for the 2009 Toyota Camry. The 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder could achieve 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, the EPA says. If the 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 was chosen, the numbers drop to 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Cars.com says the optional 187-horsepower hybrid option—the 2.4-liter mated to a 105 kWh motor—could do a combined 35 mpg.
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How reliable is the 2009 Toyota Camry?
Like most Toyota products, the 2009 Toyota Camry is extremely reliable. In fact, Toyota stated a few years ago that 80% of their vehicles built since 1995 are still on the road.
JD Power placed the 2009 Camry at the top of the midsize sedan segment. They scored over the Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion and Saturn Aura. The Camry performed particularly well in quality, reliability and resale value.
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What problems does the 2009 Toyota Camry have?
While test drivers never found anything to dislike about the Toyota Camry, consumers did find one problem in particular that generated ire.
CarComplaints.com says the 2009 Camry “used to be emblazoned with our ‘Good Enough Seal.’ However, this changed when “an alarming number of complaints began to appear for excessive oil consumption”.
Owners were “caught off guard” by how quickly their 2009 Camrys ran out of oil. An analysis of complaints shows that a quart of oil will disappear in the engines in just 1,200 miles. There are no reported leaks from consumers, but Toyota has issued numerous technical service bulletins (TSBs) dating back to 2011. Fortunately, only V6 models were affected.
A TSB noted how the rubber on the VVT-i actuator oil supply hose “can degrade over time,” states ToyotaProblems.com. Toyota has recalled nearly two million vehicles in three phases to fix the problem.
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Is it worth buying a used Toyota Camry?
Given the Toyota Camry’s excellent resale value, buyers shouldn’t think they’re getting one on the cheap. An example with under 200,000 miles will fetch between $8,000 and $10,000, Autotrader reports. However, 2009 Camrys don’t get much more expensive than that. For example, there is one on Autotrader with 37,000 miles on the clock for just $13,000.
The 2009 Toyota Camry can be a relatively unexciting mode of transportation. However, for those who just want to commute to work, it’s almost as reliable as a sunrise.
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