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Toyota
Camry
XV40 (ACV40/GSV40) + Hybrid AHV40·
2006-2011
sedan
Top pick
Body styles
Sedan
Drivetrain
FWD
Origin
Australia
Built in
Altona, Victoria
Overview
Sold as Altise, Ateva, Grande, Sportivo trims plus the larger Aurion variant (3.5L V6, separate listing). Australian-built at Toyota's Altona plant. The Hybrid (AHV40) launched in 2010 - the first Australian-built hybrid. Extremely well-regarded for reliability and a popular taxi/fleet choice.
Engines & variants
2.4L 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder petrol
Engine
DOHC VVT-i 4-cyl
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
2362cc
Power
117kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
218Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
0–100
~10.5s
Economy
9.9 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
1300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Legendary reliability - 400k+ km common
- Cheap to run and service
- Massive parts supply
- Australian-built quality
- Excellent fuel economy for the size
- Roomy interior, big boot
Cons
- 2AZ-FE has well-known oil consumption issue
- Underpowered for a family car
- Bland to drive
- Cheap interior plastics
Known problems
high
Excessive oil consumption (piston rings)
Well-documented 2AZ-FE issue. Piston ring design causes excessive oil consumption (1L per 1000-2000km), often without smoke. Toyota issued extended warranty / TSB. Affects ~30% of 2007-2009 examples.
Fix: Toyota TSB warranty work if eligible. Ring replacement (head off) for out-of-warranty. Some live with it and just top up oil between services.
high
Stripped head bolt threads (specific to 2AZ-FE)
Aluminium block + steel head bolts means head bolt threads can pull on older units, especially after overheating. Causes head gasket failure.
Fix: Head off, time-sert thread inserts. Often combined with head gasket and timing chain service.
medium
Coolant bypass hose failure
Rubber coolant bypass hose at the back of the engine fails causing sudden coolant loss.
Fix: Updated hose replacement. Address before catastrophic overheating.
low
VVT-i actuator wear
Cold start rattle from VVT-i actuator due to oil pressure delay.
Fix: Actuator replacement if persistent.
3.5L 2GR-FE V6 petrol (Sportivo / Aurion-shared)
Engine
DOHC dual VVT-i V6
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3456cc
Power
200kW @ 6200rpm (Aurion) / 175kW (Camry Sportivo)
Torque
336Nm @ 4700rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
0–100
~6.6s (Aurion)
Economy
10.5 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 250,000km+
Pros
- Strong, smooth V6
- 200kW Aurion was quickest large Aussie sedan in its class
- Chain-driven, generally very reliable
- Genuine torque steer experience
- Cheap on the used market - poor man's V8 Commodore
- 6-speed auto well-matched
Cons
- Oil cooler line failure (known issue)
- Heavy fuel use in real-world driving
- Torque steer can be annoying
- Suspension softer than would suit power
Known problems
high
Oil cooler / VVT-i oil line failure
Rubber section of the VVT-i oil supply line bursts causing rapid total oil loss. Engine failure if not noticed immediately. Affects 2GR-FE across Camry, Aurion, RAV4, Kluger.
Fix: Replace with updated full-steel braided line (Toyota TSB available). Cheap insurance - do this preventively if not done already.
low
Water pump weep
Water pump bearing wears.
Fix: Water pump replacement during major service.
low
Throttle body carbon
Throttle body builds up carbon causing rough idle.
Fix: Manual clean with throttle body cleaner. Easy DIY.
2.4L 2AZ-FXE Hybrid (Camry Hybrid)
Engine
Atkinson cycle + electric
Config
I4 + electric
Displacement
2362cc
Power
140kW combined system output
Torque
Combined system
Drivetrain
FWD
0–100
~8.5s
Economy
6.0 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
Not rated for towing
Tow (unbraked)
Not rated for towing
Transmission
e-CVT (THS-II hybrid)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Significantly better fuel economy than 2AZ-FE
- Atkinson-cycle engine avoids the oil consumption issue of the regular 2AZ-FE
- Australian-built hybrid - first locally produced
- Toyota hybrid system proven reliable in Prius
- Smooth electric assist
- Boring but bulletproof
Cons
- Not rated for towing
- Reduced boot space due to battery
- Hybrid battery replacement cost looms after 200k+
- Limited supply - sold 2010-2011 only in this gen
Known problems
medium
Hybrid battery degradation
NiMH battery pack degrades over time. Eventually causes loss of EV mode and reduced fuel economy.
Fix: Refurbished battery (single cell replacement) is the popular fix. Toyota dealer for new pack.
medium
Inverter coolant pump failure
Electric inverter has its own coolant loop. Pump can fail causing inverter overheating.
Fix: Pump replacement. Toyota part.
low
12V auxiliary battery failure
Hybrid uses a small auxiliary 12V battery (different to traction battery). Fails faster than conventional starting batteries.
Fix: Replace with correct AGM battery for hybrid spec.
Common problems (all variants)
low
Lower control arm bush wear
Front lower control arm bushes wear causing knocking and vague steering. Common across all XV40.
Fix: Bush kit replacement (Whiteline, OEM, etc).
low
Power window regulator failure
Common Toyota issue - plastic regulator clips break causing window to drop.
Fix: Replacement regulator (aftermarket fine).
low
Dashboard cracking (older examples)
Dashboard top develops fine cracks on examples exposed to harsh sun.
Fix: Cosmetic issue. Dash mat covers it. Replacement requires full dash removal - not worth it.
low
Boot lid struts
Boot gas struts fail.
Fix: Replacement struts. Easy DIY.