Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH he fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle crashed into a water drain. There were no warning lights. There were no air bags deployed. There were no major injuries or medical reports filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There was a police report. There were no passengers. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000
The crash happened in a parking lot on March 19th, 2016. I had entered into the parking spot, by turning right. The car had come to a complete stop and my foot was on the brake pedal. Suddenly I heard a loud revving noise and before I could even react to it, the car had jumped on to the walkway of the building. Since I had stopped, my foot was on the brake pedal and even though I was pressing on it really hard, the car didn't stop. It slowed down a little bit for a fraction of a second, but then accelerated itself again, jumped ahead once more, went through the awning of a business suite in the building and hit a light post. The airbags didn't deploy. The car was totaled. …
During an accident in November of 2015 I received substantial injuries as a result of the airbag not inflating or the seatbelt engaging. I spoke with the body shop as to why neither system worked as designed, they could not answer this question. They believed that the sensors were compressed to engage the air bags but it did not engage. They also noted that when I hit the brakes the seatbelts should have locked which would have kept me stationary instead of allow me to hit the driver door jam above the steering wheel. Both vehicles were in motion. The vehicle that hit me made a left turn into my front left quarter panel damaging the entire panel and part of the front driver door.
Takata recall: I was involved in a collision on January 27, 2018 with a Jeep ranger in my 2008 Toyota Camry. I was getting on the freeway exit road, the posted speed was 65mph and had no time to avoid the accident. After making contact with the Jeep my car then went into a fence. The air bags in my Camry never deployed. And I have suffered from injuries and significant medial bills as a result of the air bags failure to deploy.
I was in center lane. Driver in right lane changed lanes and struck my 08 Camry in passenger side. This forced my car head first into a concrete wall. A 3rd vehicle then struck the drivers door. Air bags did not deploy. I had to be taken to the er by ambulance. I incurred shoulder, neck and head injuries as a result of the air bag failure. Car was deemed a total loss.
Takata recall 2008 Camry is not a part of the recall but should be. I had an accident and the airbag almost separated my wrist from my arm and severely burned me. The cut was so deep they had to remove skin from me leg to close it. I have a huge scar and burn on my arm
Experience involuntary acceleration of 2008 Toyota Camry. The car was traveling on a highway. I try to breaks but the car continued until it hit a medium. This was a front on collision. The airbags did not deploy. The car was totaled
I was driving behind a box truck and they made a abrupt stop so I had to as well and I rear ended the truck my brake peddle went all the way to the floor none of my airbags went off not one
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. While driving various speeds, the horn would sound independently when making right and left turns. Also, the air bag warning indicator illuminated independently. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer (westchester Toyota sales, 2167 central park ave, yonkers, ny, 10710) where it was diagnosed that the bracket within the steering wheel failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that the steering wheel and air bag were properly intact. The dealer stated that the failure was due to wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact felt that he was not at fault and a crash did not occur. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist, the vehicle was not under warranty, and there was no recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
I was driving in a residential area and I was talk with my friend and I took my eyes off the road and before I knew it, it was too late and I went straight up the curb through the front lawn an crashed into the pillar of the patio and the garage. The air bags did not deploy I hit the steering wheel with my upper chest an chin and mouth then someone asked me if I was OK an said they called 911 and they helped me get out of the car an asked if I was hurt and that my air bags didn't deploy. The cops and ambulance arrived and I was immediately checked out. I told them I was OK, but my chest hurt a little and my jaw. They said I was lucky it wasn't, especially with the air bags not deploying . Updated 09-03-14
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Toyota Camry, 5% of the model year's 933 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Toyota Camry, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Camry airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 35 crashes, 0 fires and 31 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.