Which Toyotas have oil burning problems?

There isn’t a single Toyota model lineup that is universally plagued by oil burning. Reports of oil consumption or burning have appeared in certain engines and model years, with coverage varying by VIN and region. If you’re worried about your specific vehicle, check official recalls and warranty extensions tied to your exact car.

Scope and context

Oil burning problems in Toyotas have, at times, affected particular engine families rather than an entire model range. The issue is not universal, and many Toyotas run reliably for years with proper maintenance. When oil consumption becomes noticeable, it is typically tied to a specific engine code, production period, or a combination of driving conditions and maintenance history. Official remedies—such as recalls, service campaigns, or extended warranties—are issued on a VIN-by-VIN basis, so verification is essential.

Below is a summary of how the issue has appeared in practice, followed by practical steps to verify whether your vehicle is affected and what to do if you notice symptoms.

What follows highlights the general scope and how coverage works, not a guarantee that any particular vehicle is in scope.

• Oil consumption concerns have been reported for a subset of Toyota engines in certain years, rather than a blanket defect across the entire lineup.


• Affected model lines often share engines with other Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but coverage depends on the specific engine, year, and VIN.


• Official remedies can include recalls, service campaigns, or extended warranties, which vary by region and VIN.

Because coverage is VIN-specific, the only reliable way to know if your vehicle is affected is to check official records for your exact car.

How to verify for your Toyota

If you suspect oil consumption issues, use these steps to confirm whether your vehicle is subject to an official recall or warranty extension and to understand recommended service options.

• Check the Toyota Owner’s Portal for recall, campaign, and warranty information tied to your VIN and engine code.


• Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall search by VIN to see if your vehicle is included in any oil-consumption-related actions.


• Ask your local Toyota dealer or a qualified technician about any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to oil consumption for your engine family.

If you find that your vehicle is covered or potentially in scope, schedule service promptly to avoid further issues and to determine whether repairs are covered under recall or warranty terms.

Key sources to consult

Official sources provide the most reliable guidance on whether your Toyota is affected and what remedies are available. Start with these avenues:

• Toyota Owner’s Portal (for recalls, campaigns, and warranty terms tied to your car’s VIN).


• NHTSA recall database (by VIN, model, and year).


• Direct communications from Toyota and its authorized service centers regarding oil consumption and related engine issues.

These sources help you understand whether your vehicle has any open recalls, extended warranties, or service campaigns related to oil consumption.

What to do if you notice symptoms

Watching for signs of oil burning can prevent hidden damage and help you act quickly if coverage may apply. Here are practical steps to take if you notice unusual oil use or related symptoms.

Practical steps to take

• Maintain an accurate oil-usage log, noting miles driven and oil added between changes, so you can quantify consumption over time.


• Watch for symptoms such as higher oil usage than expected, blue smoke from the exhaust, or a burning oil smell during acceleration or deceleration.


• Have a qualified technician perform a diagnostic check, which may include compression testing, leak-down testing, PCV system inspection, and evaluation of valve seals or piston rings depending on engine code.


• Discuss options with the dealer or a trusted shop, including whether the issue qualifies for warranty coverage, a service campaign, or goodwill repair measures.

Taking these steps helps determine whether the issue is a normal maintenance concern, a technical service issue covered by a program, or a repair you’ll need to fund privately.

Toyota’s actions and what owners should know

To address oil consumption concerns, Toyota has, in various regions, issued service bulletins and, when applicable, recalls or extended warranties targeted at specific engines and VIN ranges. Coverage is not universal; it depends on engine type, model year, and the vehicle’s individual VIN. Owners should rely on official channels for the most accurate and current information, including recall status and any eligible repair programs.

Summary

Oil burning problems in Toyotas are not a blanket defect across the brand. They have emerged in certain engines and years, with coverage varying by VIN and region. The best path for owners is to verify via official recalls and warranty notices for their specific vehicle, monitor for symptoms, and pursue professional diagnostics if consumption or exhaust signs appear. By staying informed and engaging with authorized service providers, owners can determine whether their vehicle falls under a recall, campaign, or goodwill repair and take appropriate action.

Which Toyota models have engine problems?

Toyota is recalling about 127,000 pickup trucks and SUVs over potential issues related to the vehicles' engines that could increase the risk of a crash. The recall covers model year 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, model year 2022-2024 Lexus LX SUVs and model year 2024 Lexus GX SUVs equipped with V35A engines.

What year of Toyota Camry to stay away from?

The Toyota Camry years to avoid are primarily 2007–2011, due to excessive oil consumption issues in the 4-cylinder engine, and 2002, which had numerous complaints. Other years with significant reported issues include 2008 and 2009, as well as 2012-2014 for potential transmission problems and 2018-2019 for specific 8-speed automatic transmission and fuel system problems.
 
This video discusses the best and worst Toyota Camry years: 54scar PROblemsYouTube · May 22, 2025
2007–2011 

• 4-cylinder engine: This generation is known for the 2AZ-FE engine, which has low-tension piston rings that can lead to excessive oil burning, especially at higher mileage. 
• Melting dashboards: These models are also prone to dashboards that melt and become sticky in hot weather. 
• Airbag system: Some 2010-2011 models had airbag failures, including unexpected deployment or failure to deploy in an accident. 

Other problematic years

• 2002: This model year received a high number of complaints. 
• 2008 and 2009: These years had a high number of complaints, with 2009 specifically mentioned for oil consumption issues in the 4-cylinder engine. 
• 2012–2014: These models are associated with transmission torque converter issues. 
• 2018–2019: These models may experience issues with the 8-speed automatic transmission's shifting and problems with the fuel system, including defective fuel pumps. 

This video explains how to check for problems in a 2007 Toyota Camry: 18sYourCarAngelYouTube · Apr 14, 2024

What years did Toyota have oil consumption problems?

Types of Toyota vehicles having oil defects

• 2007-2009 Toyota Camry.
• 2007-2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
• 2007-2008 Toyota Solara.
• 2009 Toyota Corolla.
• 2009 Toyota Matrix.
• 2006-2008 Toyota RAV4.
• 2007-2008 Scion Tc.
• 2008-2009 Scion Xb.

Which Toyota engines burn oil?

The Problem. Toyota finally took note of the problem in 2011, and a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was issued to acknowledge the oil consumption concerns in the following vehicles equipped with the affected 4-cylinder 2AZ-FE engine: 2007 – 2011 Toyota Camry. 2007 – 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid.