Why did Toyota stop making Solara?

The Solara was discontinued after the 2008 model year due to dwindling demand for two‑door coupes and a shift in Toyota’s strategy toward higher‑volume models like SUVs and hybrids; there is no direct successor to the Solara in Toyota’s lineup.

What the Solara was

The Solara was Toyota’s two‑door coupe (and later a convertible) built on the Camry platform. It was marketed in North America as the Camry Solara and spanned two generations from 1999 to 2008, offering a sportier alternative to the four‑door Camry and appealing to buyers who wanted style with practical underpinnings.

Generations and availability

The first generation ran roughly from 1999 to 2003, followed by a second generation from 2004 to 2008. It was available as a coupe and a convertible and shared underpinnings with the Camry, but it remained a relatively niche model in the Toyota lineup.

Why production ended

The reasons behind ending the Solara reflect both market trends and corporate priorities of the time. The following factors were pivotal:

Here are the primary reasons summarized:

• Weak sales and declining demand for two‑door coupes in North America.


• Higher production costs relative to sales for a niche model.


• Shift in Toyota’s strategy toward SUVs, crossovers, and hybrids to align with consumer preferences.


• Economic pressures from the late‑2000s financial crisis influencing product planning.


• Limited replacement prospects within the brand, given the Camry’s sedan dominance and other platforms.

Taken together, these factors made it unprofitable to continue Solara production, leading to its retirement after the 2008 model year.

What Toyota focused on instead

With the Solara discontinued, Toyota redirected resources toward models with broader appeal and stronger sales. The shift mirrored a broader market move away from two‑door coupes toward practical family vehicles, crossovers, and hybrids.

Here are the main areas Toyota invested in after Solara's discontinuation:

• Continued emphasis on sedans and family cars, notably the Camry and Corolla families.


• Expansion of SUVs and crossovers, including models like the RAV4 and Highlander.


• Growth of hybrid models, building on the Prius platform and extending into other segments.


• Less emphasis on niche coupes in favor of higher‑volume, versatile vehicles.

These strategic moves helped Toyota maintain profitability and adapt to shifting consumer demand in the ensuing decade.

Impact and legacy

The Solara’s disappearance highlights how market demand shapes a manufacturer’s lineup. While the Solara offered a sportier alternative to the Camry, its limited audience and the broader shift toward crossovers and hybrids meant it did not have a lasting place in Toyota’s future plans.

Summary

Toyota stopped making the Solara after the 2008 model year due to weak demand for two‑door coupes and a strategic pivot toward higher‑volume vehicles such as SUVs and hybrids. There was no direct replacement, and Toyota redirected focus to the Camry sedan line, other sedans, crossovers, and hybrid models to align with market trends and economic conditions of the late 2000s.

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

Is Toyota going to bring back the Solara?

Experience. The front of the 2025.

What are common problems with the Solara?

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Why did Toyota discontinue the Solara?

Toyota discontinued the Solara primarily due to declining sales and a shrinking market for large coupes and convertibles, a trend that ultimately led to production ending in 2008. The decision was driven by poor sales performance in its second generation, as the market shifted towards more practical vehicles like SUVs, and the car's handling was considered uncompetitive.
 
Primary reasons for discontinuation

• Declining Sales: The second-generation Solara sold significantly fewer units than its predecessor, with sales dropping from about 50,000 in 2005 to just over 20,000 in 2008. The coupe was discontinued after the 2008 model year, followed shortly by the convertible in December 2008. 
• Changing Market Trends: The automotive market was moving away from large, sedan-based coupes and convertibles. Consumer preference shifted toward more practical vehicles, particularly crossover SUVs. 
• Lack of Competitive Performance: Despite being redesigned, the Solara's handling was criticized for being soft and not sporty enough, especially when compared to competitors. This made it a less appealing option for buyers seeking a sporty car. 
• Profitability: The sales numbers did not justify the production costs, and the profit margin did not meet expectations. 
• No Direct Replacement: The Solara was discontinued without a direct successor, marking the end of Toyota's large, two-door coupe variant derived from the Camry platform.