Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Power Steering, Service Vehicle, Traction Control, and ABS warning lights illuminated, and the speedometer failed to display the speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the sensors for the front wheels had failed. The contact purchased and replaced the sensors; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
11 days ago the marina Toyota dealership performed both Toyota recall repairs on my 2008 Camry. On March 10, around 0519 am, I was starting to park my car at the gym. I applied the brakes to slow into the parking stall. The moment that I applied the brakes; the engine started to race; the car lurched forward; the brakes were useless in stopping the vehicle; and I could not steer the vehicle. My vehicle slammed into a parked Jeep cheroke; the Jeep inturn collided with a parked Subaru outback. My vehicle was towed to the dealership and we are waiting for Toyota's technicians to examine the car. I am very thankful to god that no one was injured or killed in this incident. However, I firmly believe that my Camry is unsafe and I will never drive it again. I have written the vehicle off as a total loss. …
Lost power steering while parking the car, ps light also became on. The car became difficult to steer, but was able to complete parking job as the car was almost in parking position. Called aaa and towed the car home (2 pm, no dealer was open) and later drove to a nearby dealer (the aaa driver told me how to handle the steering). The initial diagnostic by the dealer (stevens creek Toyota, san jose, ca) is an ECU failure. Dealer told me that we were luck as it is very hard to control the car with this problem. I was lucky that it happened while we were parking the car. If it happened on highway, it can potentially cause crash for sure. Car is 2008 Camry hybrid, 105K mile. Well maintained, all maintenance work were done by Toyota dealer. What made me extremely concerned is that this car has a history of critical safety function failure in the past. …
I purchased a used/certified 2008 Toyota Camry in 2012. I had not noticed any problems with the car until about a month ago when I kept hearing a bumping sound coming from the the passenger rear tire, after having the tires air pressure checked the problem seemed to be gone. However, later the car began pulling to the left, whenever I drove on a side street, the pulling was not there on the freeway. Things changed on this past Sunday, on my way to take my grandchildren home from church the steering wheel was uncontrollable and the car pulled sharply to the left and I decided to pull off the street, I was afraid to continue driving because I didn't want to put my grandchildren in any further danger. I had to call my daughter to come pick us up. The car was taken to the repair shop to get a wheel alignment. …
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.
Driving on back road late at night-car suddenly veried to left hitting oncoming car-then going into ditch-could not control my car-was having problems prior-as car kept wanting to veer to right and acceletor seemed to stick from time to time-car was totaled and I suffered from injuries.I was one mile from my home when accident occured. I always felt like car had handling problems-but with toyda,s quality reputation did not think it was a manufacturing issue. I have a new toyda-still has tendancy to acciler ate from time to time unexpectedly-no accidents or close calls.
The vehicle suddenly lost control and was not responding to the steering. It started swaying and hit the cement barrier on the left. This looks like a internal car failure. I have had this car for since 2008 and had bought it brand new. It is completely up to date with the maintenance and oil change etc.
While traveling down interstate 40 east, the steering locked and it was impossible to control the vehicle. Ultimately the vehicle flipped and rolled several times winding up in the median facing west.
I purchased a pre owned 08 Toyota Camry this past summer and had noticed problems with the steering in that it over compensated when making a 90 degree turn. At a certain angle - for me 90 degrees hard left - the steering wheel locks instead of coming back to "neutral" when you lift your hands. If I lift my hands slightly off the wheel and remove my foot from the gas the car will "turn itself" into my garage. A driver expects the wheel to come back and "slide thru" your hands to neutral. In this case it does not come to neutral, you have to actively "correct " the steering. It also seems to speed up. My 26 year daughter commented that it "took her by surprise" and "takes some getting used to." I called Toyota in response to the pedal recall and while on the phone asked them about the steering. The customer service rep said she knew nothing about it and could not address it. …
I have a 2008 Toyota Camry with a certified warranty. There is a clicking sound in the steering wheel when turning. I took it to Toyota and they said that it needed a grease kit for the steering shaft assembly and this would not be covered under my extended warranty. If they replaced the steering shaft, it would be covered. They also stated this could happen again and I May have to do a grease service again down the road. I took it to my local mechanic and asked them what they thought and they found that the 2007 had issues with the steering shaft assembly and the remedy was to replace the steering shaft with an updated part. They recommended replacement as it would occur again. I communicated with Toyota corporate and the local Toyota and their position was firm that they should not have to replace the steering shaft under warranty terms. …
Steering complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Toyota Camry, 3% of the model year's 933 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Camry steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.