Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2017 regular oil change I was told oil level was extremely low. No explanation given to me. I was told to regularly check oil level between changes. I have been adding oil regularly. Upon looking for answers on my own, I found out that this is a known problem with my vehicle! I talked to Toyota rep, and he admitted that 2 letters were mailed to me, none of which I received, regarding repair options by Toyota. This offer expired in 2018. I asked for address, they didn't have that info. So I asked if all communications from Toyota could be made by email, they said no. I feel extremely taken advantage of. I always used Toyota service to avoid problems like this. Customer service is lacking and I feel I should still qualify for a repair by Toyota.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry Solara. While driving 45 MPH, the contact felt very tired and pulled over in a parking lot to sleep for thirty minutes. When she awakened, the contact noticed a strong abnormal odor without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that carbon monoxide leaked into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer asked the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Engine excessive oil consumption. While I was driving on a city street oil light start flickering after turns and applying break pedal. I pulled my vehicle over and shut down an engine. After I checked my oil level and it was hardly on a stick. I do change my oil regularly, every 5000 miles. Toyota's oil light starts flickering when I lost almost 3 quarters, which could lead to engine shut down, glad I wasn't on a highway at that time and had enough time to pull over and take my car to a mechanic to add engine oil. As a result of Toyota's engine engineering flow I lost about 3 quarters of engine oil in a less than 3000. After this unfortunate incident took place I have been keeping my eye on oil level. Later on I took a car to authorized Toyota dealership. After checking a car they diagnosed an oil leak, I fixed it, however problem still exist. …
My Toyota solera is going thru excessive amounts of oil! I'm continuously adding oil...and it's not leaking anywhere. ...where the hell is it going! My engine is going to burn up! I want answers! 2.4 l 4-cylimder (2az-fe).
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken for the State Inspection, and the contact was informed of an engine emissions leak. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 84,274.
My engine has a sludge of oil and it was expensive to repair.The convertible top n windows malfunction and the electrical system stopped the windows from rolling up n down and out of no where they go down on their own,so I have many problems when it rains due to the windows.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Solara. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of burning oil was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that oil sludge was present inside the engine and the engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Exited freeway and hit brakes to slow and stop at traffic light. The motor accelerated, the brakes were too weak to stop the vehical, and I crashed into the stopped car at the traffiic light. It seemed that the cruise control did not turn off when I pressed the brake pedal. They failed to turn the cruise control off.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Camry Solara years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (15), 2007 (13), 2004 (10), 2000 (9) and 2005 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Toyota Camry Solara engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-539 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Camry Solara engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (9 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.