Toyota Camry Solara Complaints

866 consumer complaints on file.

#10169813October 3, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE WAY MY CAR CONSISTENTLY LAGS BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS HESITATION HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FROM DAY ONE OF MY OWNERSHIP (PURCHASED DEALER NEW). WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, OR AT A STOP, ANY TYPE OF IMMEDIATE PUSH OF THE GAS PEDAL WILL RESULT IN A DELAYED/SLOW RESPONSE TO PICK UP SPEED. THIS DELAY HAS NEARLY CAUSED (2)TWO ACCIDENTS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: (1)ACCELERATING TO GET ONTO FREEWAY. (2)ACCELERATING TO AVOID AN ERRANT LANE CHANGE FROM A NEARBY CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169525September 28, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT ASSEMBLY HEADRESTS OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK THE VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR WHILE DRIVING AND LOOKING TO PASS A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS A NORMAL DESIGN AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO USE THE REARVIEW AND SIDE MIRRORS FOR VIEWING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169135September 23, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6 EXHIBITS SEVERE THROTTLE LAG AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MPH. THE LAG IS AT ITS WORST WHILE DECELERATING AND THEN ACCELERATING, WITH A LAG OF UP TO 1-2 SECONDS. THE LAG IS ALSO SEVERE FROM A STOP OR FROM A ROLLING SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LESS; TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LAG, IT IS NATURAL FOR THE DRIVER TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL EVEN FURTHER AND WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY DECIDES TO RESPOND, IT RESPONDS WITH RAPID ACCELERATION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THROUGHOUT MY 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB FOR NEW PROGRAMMING FOR THE ECU/ECT AND IT HAS FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168990September 22, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA SOLARA USES "DRIVE BY WIRE" TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF A THROTTLE CABLE. MY CAR EXPERIENCES A LAG BETWEEN THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS TO MOVE. THIS HAPPENS IN A SPECIFIC SCENARIO WHERE THE CAR IS DECELERATING, BUT THEN THE DRIVER RESUMES ACCELERATING. THE LAG CAN LAST UP TO 2 SECONDS AND PRESENTS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS LED TO THREE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS IN INTERSECTIONS FOR ME. THIS FEELS LIKE IT WOULD IF YOUR CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THEN THE LIGHT CHANGED. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR CERTAIN VIN SOLARAS WHICH REFLASHED THE ECU TO A NEW PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE LAG. THIS WAS NOT AN EFFECTIVE CORRECTIVE ACTION. TOYOTA HAS NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME AND THIS PUTS MY SAFETY AT RISK. *NM,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168685September 19, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE LAG AT LOW SPEED AND FROM STOP IS INCONSISTENT AND HAS BEEN THE CAUSE FOR SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. SOME INSTANCES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACTUAL THROTTLE RESPONSE. DRIVER HAS TO USE HARDER ACCELERATION TO COMPENSATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. DRIVER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WAS PROVIDED SUPPOSED "UPDATE" TO CAR COMPUTER, BUT SAME PROBLEM EXISTS. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT "UPDATE" DOES NOT HELP ENTIRELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168704September 19, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THROTTLE LAG AT LOW SPEED AND FROM STOP IS INCONSISTENT AND HAS BEEN THE CAUSE FOR SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED; DEALER INVESTIGATED; STATES THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, THAT LAG IS "ACCEPTABLE". SOME INSTANCES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACTUAL THROTTLE RESPONSE. DRIVER HAS TO USE HARDER ACCELERATION TO COMPENSATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. DRIVER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168580September 18, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THROTTLE LAG AT LOW SPEED AND FROM STOP IS INCONSISTENT AND HAS BEEN THE CAUSE FOR SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED; DEALER INVESTIGATED; STATES THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, THAT LAG IS "ACCEPTABLE". SOME INSTANCES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACTUAL THROTTLE RESPONSE. DRIVER HAS TO USE HARDER ACCELERATION TO COMPENSATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. DRIVER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166644August 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY 2001 TOYOTA SOLARA BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60+ MPH. WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE OFF RAMP, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF WOULD FIGHT BACK, PUSHING AGAINST THE PRESSURE. AN INSPECTION BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REVEALED NO FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM (THE FRONT END HAD BEEN ALIGNED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES EARLIER), AND A CHECK BY THE TIRE COMPANY DID NOT REVEAL ANY UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE PROBLEM WOULD MANIFEST ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY, AND ONLY AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 5 MILES ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP LAST MONTH AND, AFTER A TEST DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING WHEN THEY HEATED UP AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 5 MILES. THE SOLUTION SUGGESTED WAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AT A COST OF $1400! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS WOULD RESULT IN THE BRAKES LOCKING UP - A VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THERE HAD BEEN NO BULLETINS OR RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL AND PROBLEM, BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY SOLARA IS THE ONLY CAMRY MODEL TO EXPERIENCE THIS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I HAVE DRIVEN AMERICAN CARS IN THE PAST - ONE, A BUICK LESABRE, FOR MORE THAN 13 YEARS AND MORE THAN 180,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE. I FEEL THAT DRIVERS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM REPORTING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, KEEPING IT OFF THE BULLETIN LIST AND AVOIDING ANY RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164944August 8, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARDS AT HIGH SPEEDS CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE INITIAL CRASH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING IN REVERSE ACROSS THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORING HOUSE WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. A FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164279August 3, 2006
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEAT BELTS CONTINUE TO FAIL ON '02 SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. THE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE. IT IS A CONCERN BECAUSE MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT AND WITH A CONVERTIBLE...YOU NEED YOUR SEAT BELTS TO WORK CORRECTLY AT ALL TIMES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162490July 15, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
NEW TOYOTA SOLARA. VEHICLE PURCHASED MAY 30 2006. FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF THE CAR ON JULY 7, 2006. DEALER NOTICED A VERY SMALL DEPRESSION NEAR WHEEL WELL, AND SAYS THAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE BUMPED THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT. REFERRED ME TO PRIVATE BODY SHOP WHERE I WAS CHARGED $586.00. DIRECTOR OF LOCAL AAA INSPECTED CAR. THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE BUMPER SHOULD HAVE DETACHED. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT FELL OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE FWY. AAA REQUESTED THAT I FILE NTSB REPORT, AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER IS EXAMINING THE CAR AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE BUMPER, WHICH WAS HELD TOGETHER BY TWO LITTLE PLASTIC BRACKETS. BODY SHOP SAYS THAT SOME OF THE NEW TOYOTAS HAVE BODY DEFECTS - THINGS THAT COME LOOSE. HE IS WONDERING IF THERE IS A PACKAGING AND SHIPPING PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE BUMPERS TO GET LOOSE. HE ADDED 6 CLIPS AND BRACKETS TO THE BUMPER. THE NEW FRONT BUMPER IS NOW MUCH MORE STABLE THAN THE ORIGINAL BACK BUMPER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160808June 26, 2006
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH REAR HEAD REST IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED WHO EXPLAINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160193June 19, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH FRAME BOLTING HOOD LATCH TO FRAME OF VEHICLE SHEARED AS A RESULT OF MATERIAL FAILURE CAUSING HOOD TO OPEN, COVERING WINDSHIELD, BRAKING WINDSHIELD, CAUSING HOOD DAMAGE AND ROOF DAMAGE OF VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, GLASS SHARPS CAUSED MINOR CUTS ON HAND OF DRIVER. FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AL;SO NOTE THE HOOD WAS NOT IN AN OPEN POSITION. COMMENTS FROM TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER AS WELL AS OTHER AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS WAS THAT THEY NEVER SEEN ANYTHING IN THEIR LIVES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159275June 7, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
THE HEAD REST IN THE BACK TOTALLY BLOCK THE VISION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THERE IS A DEFINITE BLIND SPOT THAT IS NOT DIMINISHED BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH AND HAVE HAD 3 "CLOSE CALLS" WITH PEDESTRIANS APPEARING AS IF FROM NOWHERE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER AUTOMOBILE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158818June 2, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS, SUSPENSION:REAR
EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR. INITIALLY INDICATED AS A TIRE PROBLEM BUT TURNED OUT TO BE INCORRECT. THEN AS A RIM PROBLEM - DETERMINED TO BE INCORRECT. NEXT, CHECKED BREAKING SYSTEM BUT NOT THE CAUSE. DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, STATED THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY WITH THE TIRES, RIMS, BRAKES OR EXHAUST SYSTEM. REPLACED TIRES, EXAMINED RIMS, ALIGNMENT AND BALANCED TIRES, CHECKED EXHAUST SYSTEM - NO PROBLEMS NOTED. DISCUSSED ISSUE WITH LOCAL AUTO SUPPLIER (AUTO ZONE) AND WAS INFORMED TO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE OF RECALLS. LOCATED RECALL, WHEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SHOWED SERVICE REP THE NOTICE. REP INDICATED THAT THERE ARE NOT CAMPAIGNS REGARDING THE 2000 CAMRY SOLARA; STATED THAT A FAILURE OF THE AXLE BEARINGS/HUB IS EXTREMELY REAR. REQUESTED TECH TEST DRIVE THE CAR TO HELP RESOLVE THE NOISE PROBLEM. THE TECH DROVE THE CAR, INFORMED SERVICE REP AND MYSELF THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. REPEATED LINKAGE TO RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. BASED ON THE FACT THAT THEIR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE NOTIFY THEM OF ANY CAMPAIGNS WHEN COMPLETING EARLY WORK . ORDERED THE PARTS AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE AXLE(S). CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AND LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 00V154000. CAMPAIGN COVERS MY PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT COVER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 1999. COULD THE RECALL HAVE MISSED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLES ON 2000 MODEL YEAR TOYOTA SOLARAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO THE TIME FRAME OF MARCH 30 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157536May 15, 2006
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN CONTROL BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155643April 18, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR END,. LOUD NOISES CAN ALSO BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE REAR AXEL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V154000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: REAR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 7-13-2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153660March 24, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPTEMBER 1998. ON DECEMBER 13, 1999 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THAT MORNING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, I-285 EAST, IT WAS AROUND 7:30 AM AND TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER. TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING AND I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES AND I HIT HIM. THE NOSE OF MY CARE WAS SMASHED SO HARD THAT THE HOOD CRUMPLED INTO A TEPEE AND WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE GLASS TO CRACK. I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOORS BECAUSE THE IMPACT HAD PUSHED THE DOORS BACK SO THEY OVERLAPPED THE BACK QUARTER PANELS AND WERE JAMMED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THIS WAS A DEAD ON FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT IN A PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW CAR AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE INCH OF THE FRONT END THAT DIDN'T TAKE THE IMPACT SO THERE IS NO WAY IT "MISSED THE SENSORS". THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR ENDED UP BEING OVER $10,000.00. THE AIRBAGS SERIOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T INJURED.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150917February 22, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TOYOTA SOLARA 2001 HAD TO HAVE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST PART REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE HARM TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EVENTUALLY MAY STOP ON HIGHWAY. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS EXCELLENT CARE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT TOYOTA HAD RECALL OF THIS PART FOR THEIR COROLLAS FOR THAT YEAR, BUT NOT THE SOLARA. THIS COST ME $800 AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL THE VACUUM ASSIST DRUMS FOR THAT YEAR SINCE THE PART IS THE SAME FOR ANY MODEL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148347January 23, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO A CURB. THE PASSENGER SIDE RIM, SUSPENSION, WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND TIRE WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Camry Solara