No more Camry Hybrid
 

After a little over 146K on the clock I had to let the car go. I was really hoping to get at least 10 years out of it (purchased Oct. 2006) but it didn't make it. Over the last couple of months the Hybrid system started acting up. First the car just got sluggish with no lights on the dash indicating any type of malfunction, but you could feel that the electric motor was not doing its job. A couple of weeks later, on a random trip to a local best buy the lights on the dash all lit up after pulling out of the parking lot. "Check Hybrid System" and "Check VSC" were flashing on the LCD and once again it felt very sluggish. I forget what codes it gave (sorry!) but at that point I made the decision to just get something new. So after enjoying excellent gas mileage for 8 years I've gone back to a truck (2014 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4). Yeah, I know I just cut my mileage in more than half. But this truck should last me at least 10 years if not more (My old 2002 Tacoma DCab 4x4 is still in the family). Good mileage was NOT a determining factor in my purchase decision :).

I have to say I am disappointed with the car. I really thought I'd get at least 200K out of it before anything major happened to it. It got maintained regularly and I was never rough on it. It went from fine to messed up literally overnight. Before the problems started everything was 100%. My other problem is that nothing is cheap for this car. I dealt with the ABS actuator for years (guess I don't have to worry about that anymore) and I wasn't ready to dump a ton of money into a car that wasn't worth that much anymore.

Anyway, this forum has been great over the years. I will still be lurking and I'm sure wishing I still had the Camry :) Just thought I'd share my sad news with you all.

Re: No more Camry Hybrid
 

It sounds like you weren't all that happy with the car in general, nor interested in finding out what was wrong or how expensive it would be to fix. This could have been major or more modest. In any case, enjoy your new car.

Re: No more Camry Hybrid
 

I have had 4 Toyota pickups over the years starting in 1979 and ending in 2000 before going back to Dodge (I pull 15,000 lbs. regularly). Toyota makes one tough and VERY durable and darn near bulletproof truck. Can't go wrong..... Shame about the Camry.... Enjoy your new truck!

Re: No more Camry Hybrid
 

Speaking of brake actuators:

Following a federal investigatino begun earlier this year, Toyota has initiated two free power-brake repair programs for almost 178,000 Toyota Camry Hybrids from the model years 2007 to 2011. The two separate repair campaigns address different potential component failures. The company will begin notifying owners this month, but thus far hasn’t announced any plans for a recall.

Consumer Reports believes that Toyota should recall these cars. What’s at issue here is a series of acknowledged defects in a crucial safety system.

One problem is caused by a clogged brake-fluid reservoir filter. A notice from Toyota to its dealers and affected owners mentions that one or more brake-system dashboard warning lights may be lit and that “front brake assist could be temporarily lost.” In at least some cases, that means that stopping the car could suddenly take significant brake pedal effort, especially as the front brakes provide most of the stopping force.

Instead of a recall, Toyota has started a “service campaign” to install a redesigned brake-fluid reservoir in affected vehicles, anytime between now and June 30, 2017. Even owners who haven’t experienced the problem will be able to get the new part installed free. Further, if they’ve already paid for it on their own, they can apply for reimbursement.

The second problem involves a dicey ABS brake actuator. If that should fail, warning lights will come on and it could take a hard push on the pedal to stop the car. Meanwhile, the ABS function won’t activate. A related problem comes from a possibly faulty “brake pedal stroke sensor.” The remedies include a new actuator and replacement or reprogramming of the stroke sensor computer chip.

Rather than a “service campaign,” the actuator problem is covered by a “warranty extension,” which stretches out the warranty period beyond the standard three years or 36 months to, ultimately, 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s a good thing, because an ABS actuator for Camry Hybrids of this vintage costs at least $1,000 at retail and dealers may charge a total of more than $3,000 to replace it.