Toyota Camry Complaints (1997)

555 consumer complaints on file.

#10055888January 27, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON A TOYOTA CAMRY. *MR *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055338January 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070877January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PISTON SNAPPED SUDDENLY TOTALLY DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 - 5,000 BY A REPUTABLE LOCAL INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. THE DEALER AT FIRST ATTEMPTED TO BLAME THE OWNER, SAYING THE OIL WAS NOT CHANGED BY THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE STATION HAD PROBABLY USED THE WRONG GRADE AND USED THE WRONG TYPE OF AIR FILTERS. HOWEVER, THEY LATER BACKED OFF THIS CLAIM AND SAID IT NOW APPEARS THE OIL PUMP FAILED. THEY CALLED THIS AN 'ACT OF GOD'. THEY ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE OIL FILTER POSSIBLY BEING CLOGGED. THEY REFUSED TO CONSIDER SLUDGE AS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071232January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOUD KNOCKING HEARD FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED CAUSE TO BE A BAD CV JOINT. ADDITIONALLY, DURING A ROUTINE ENGINE OIL CHANGE, I DISCOVERED AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF BEADING SLUDGE THAT HAD TO BE REMOVED BY HAND TO DRAIL AND FILL THE OIL. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF THE TOYOTA ENGINES PRODUCING SLUDGE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED ON THEIR RECALL IF ONE OCCURS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069451January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN I TOOK MY CAMRY IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY ENGINE \\DESLUDGED.\\ I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND WOULD PREVENT MORE COSTLY REPAIRS IN THE FUTURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069518January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXHAUST BLOWING BLUE SMOKE, SLUDGE BUILDUP ON VALVE COVERS, NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, CAR VIBRATES. IN SHOP AGAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069737January 15, 2004
SUSPENSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDS COMPLETE REPLACEMENT DUE TO THIS OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THE GELLED OIL, ONE OF THE PISTONS BROKE OFF CREATING A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THE MOTOR MOUNT BECAME DISPLACED FROM THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE BLOCK TO CRACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM GREER TOYOTA IN MILLBROOK, NY IN AUGUST OF 2001 AND WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS WOULD COMPLETE A THOROUGH INSPECTION BEFORE THE CAR WAS TURNED OVER TO ME. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES BY A TRUSTED MECHANIC. DURING THAT TIME, I HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR AT MY OWN COST, BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS MONTH. NOW IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE, IT APPEARS THAT MY STRUTS ARE FAILING AS WELL. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING A CLAIM FOR THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069841January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TOYOTA HAS COMPLETELY DENIED MY ENGINE BLEW UP DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE AND IN FACT ARE HOLDING MY CAR HOSTAGE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO COST ME 2200.00 FOR THEM TO TEAR IT DOWN SO TOYOTA COULD DETERMINE THAT IT WAS ENGINE SLUDGE, THEN THEY DENIED IT WAS AND SAID THAT MY CAM SHAFT BROKE. A CAM SHAFT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE IN A 5 YEAR OLD CAR, ESPECIALY ONE THAT HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AND I HAD THE OIL CHANGED 1 WEEK PRIOR AT TOYOTA. I THEN GOT A CALL SAYING MY CAR WAS READY AND IT WAS 7800.00, THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT. I WAS FURIOUS AND TOLD THEM I NEVER GAVE MY AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE A CAM SHAFT FOR 7800.00. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THEY WOULDN'T RELEASE IT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PAPERWORK.. (SUDDENLY) AND I KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND.. NOW THEY SAY THE CAM SHAFT WAS NEVER REPLACED.. ( I THINK THEY REMOVED IT).. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED AT TOYOTA SINCE LAST NOVEMBER OR WHEN I FILED THIS REPORT. I AM FURIOUS THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT.. AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME THE PERSONS NAME AT TOYOTA CORP. WHO TURNED DOWN MY REQUEST TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER THE SLUDGE PROBLEM..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069915January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY TOYOTA CAMRY'S ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS MERGING ONTO A VERY BUSY FREEWAY WITH MY BABY IN THE BACKSEAT. I WAS STUCK ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FAST LANE FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED; MY FANCY DRIVING IS THE ONLY REASON AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I HAD JUST RECEIVED THE LETTER ABOUT THE OIL GEL AND WAS GOING TO GET MY OIL CHANGED THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THE ENGINE FAILED ON MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY. NOW BOTH TOYOTA AND MY LOCAL DEALER ARE TELLING ME THAT MY ENGINE DOES NOT HAVE OIL CAKED INSIDE THE HEAD SO IT COULD NOT BE OIL GEL THAT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO THROW A ROD AT 80,000 MILES. WHEN ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN THEY HAVE NO ANSWER EXCEPT SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS TO ENGINES AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY THEM A SIGNIFICANT SUM OF MONEY TO OPEN UP THE ENGINE TO FIND OUT IF OIL GEL IS PRESENT. IF IT IS NOT THE CAUSE AS THEY KEEP SAYING IT IS NOT YET I FEEL SURE IT IS; I WILL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR A NEW ENGINE AT THE DEALER. TOYOTA ALSO WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IF I MOVE THE CAR AND FIND OIL GEL IS THE CAUSE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER 3 MONTHS AND HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND LIVE IN THE COUNTRY. IS THE ONLY WAY TO DETECT OIL GEL A SLUDGE ON THE HEAD? I AM SO FRUSTRATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070036January 15, 2004
AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 5 CAR PILE UP ON INTERSTATE 94, HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME GOING AT 45-50 MPH, AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THIS IS ACCEPTABLE DUE TO THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF FRONTAL ACCIDENT I HAD. IF HITTING A CAR AT 45-50 MPH DEAD ON IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING THEN WHAT IS? DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING, I SUFFERED A SEVERE BRAIN CONTUSION WITH BLEEDING IN THE BRAIN AND LOSS TIME OFF OF WORK. EARLIER ENGINE PROBLEM: OIL SLUDGE IN ENGINE, ONCE REPAIRS WERE DONE 6 MONTHS LATER ENGINE MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT AND DOG BONE, INJECTORS AND GASKETS, WHY?, THIS WAS ALL REPLACED ON THE FIRST ENGINEERING DEFECT TOYOTA CREATED AND WHY SHOULD I PAY A PORTION OF THEIR OIL SLUDGE ENGINEERING DEFECTS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10070219January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR FROM TOYOTA EXPLAINING A GELLING PROBLEM AND TO WATCH OUT FOR BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I WENT INTO SEARS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE MOISTURE WAS GETTING IN THE OIL AND IT LOOKED SLUDGY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHECK OUT THIS GELLING. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT TOYOTA WOULD PAY FOR THE PART/INSTALLATION. I GOT THE ESTIMATED BACK FROM TOYOTA AND THEY SAID I DID NOT HAVE ANY GELLING OR SLUDGE IN THE OIL/ENGINE, BUT THAT I DID HAVE ROTTED VALVE STEM SEALS AND HEAD GASKET LEAKS, AND OIL PAN LEAKS AND THATS WHY THERE WAS BLUE SMOKE. THE CAR IS BARELY 7 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL FAITHFULLY AT 3000 MILES. I DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BECAUSE I WANTED A SECOND OPINION FROM A MECHANIC THAT WAS REFERRED TO ME THAT IS TRUSTWORTHY. I PLAN ON TAKING THE CAR IN(AN APPT. WAS MADE FOR 2 DAYS AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) AND I HAVE QUESTIONS IN HAND ABOUT HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I HAVE NOT HAD 1 INDICATION THAT THE ENGINE IS GOING BAD/VALVES ARE LEAKING(I.E. THERE HAVE BEEN NO NOISES, LEAKING OF ANTIFREEZE OR OTHER FLUID WHEN I PARK MY CAR O/N OR FOR A FEW HOURS).
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068952January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ROD TO THE CYLINDER BROKE, CAUSING THE ROD TO BREAK LOOSE AND MOVE AROUND INSIDE THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054081January 14, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS LOOSE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIMING BELT COVER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052491January 6, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
CRUNCHING /RATTLE FROM FRONT STRUTS WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS OR DIPS IN ROAD. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND I WAS ADVISED AT TIME OF THE INSTALLATION THAT THE NEW STRUTS WOULD NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND NO RESOLUTION EXITS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053325January 5, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER CAN START THE IGNITION WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED IN ANY POSITION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050925December 22, 2003
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
2 YEARS AGO I HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT BELT FAIL. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED ALLOWING THE SEAT BELT TO COME OUT AND THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS PAST SUMMER I HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM (IT ALSO FAILED) AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049307December 6, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE / MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO VARIOUS TAIL LIGHTS / TURN SIGNALS / BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. NOW IT SEEMS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNING DIMLY. NEW BULBS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN ENGINEERING ISSUE OVERALL WITH RESPECT TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS YEAR / MODEL OF CAR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047046November 17, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A 97 TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED CAR WITH A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON 10-17-01, WITH 36,847 EXISTING MILES. I TOOK THIS CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER 02/07/03:92588 MLS. FOR ENGINE KNOCK NOISE AND SMOKING ON COLD STARTS,ALSO TO CHECK TRANSMISSION VIBRATION/CHATTER. THEY REPLACED THE TRANS, REPLACED LEAKING GASKETS AND REPLACED WORN VALVE GUIDE SEALS. AT THIS SAME TIME THEY WERE ASKED TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO THE LETTER TOYOTA SENT ME IN REGARD TO POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE FROM OIL GELLING OR SLUDGE... ON 05/16/03 WITH 98910 MILES I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER WITH ENGINE STILL KNOCKING ON COLD STARTS. THEY FOUND THE OIL PUMP SHAFT BINDING , CRANKSHAFT, ROD AND MAIN BEARINGS DAMAGED. WHEN I WAS INFORMED OF THEIR INTENT TO REPLACE THESE PARTS I QUESTIONED THE POSSIBLE REPAIR OF RINGS AND OTHER UPPER ENGINE COMPONENTS, KNOWING THAT METAL PARTICLES COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT AND DAMAGE THESE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT NO SUCH WORK WAS INTENDED OR NEEDED. THEY DID PROCEED WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT, ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN BEARINGS... ON 11/03/03 WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY TO CHECK OUT WHIRRING TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT FLICKER AT IDLE WITH ENGINE WARMED. THEY FOUND BOTH PROBLEMS RELATED TO CAMSHAFT AND CAM BEARING WEAR... I FIRST SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM THE ORIGINAL TOYOTA REPAIR DEALER, THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. I NEXT WAS REFUSED ANY HELP BY TOYOTA MOTOR SALES CORP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE DEPT IN CALF (REF # 200311140813). PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN,I BOUGHT THIS CAR KNOWING IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY RELIABLE BECAUSE OF THE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES EACH WAY GETTING TO AND FROM WORK. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037847November 12, 2003
SUSPENSION
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ALIGN VEHICLE'S CAMBER TO SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT REPLACING MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS. *AK THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT MANUFACTURE AN ADJUSTABLE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION COMPONENT TO ADJUST CAMBER. *AK THE ONLY WAY TO ALIGN THE CAR IS EITHER TO BUY COSTLY NEW SUSPENSION PARTS FROM TOYOTA OR RESORT TO AN AFTERMARKET CAM BOLT. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046654November 10, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WHEN A SOLID LIQUID STARTED SPILLING OUT OF THE VENTS. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE A/C REFRIGERATOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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