Toyota Camry Complaints

19,642 consumer complaints on file.

#10070833January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8/12/03 HEARD UNUSUAL NOISE SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON A HIGHWAY. PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND STOPPED. FOUND OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE, INSIDE THE ENGINE AND OUTSIDE ON THE GROUND. A TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE "#1 CONNECTING ROD" WAS BROKEN AND THAT IT IS NOT CUSTOMER'S FAULT. WE BOUGHT TOYOTA CAMRY (4 CYLINDERS) IN 1999. WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER. EVEN 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN, WE HAD A MAJOR MAINTENANCE FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS THE MILEAGE IS OVER THE WARRANTE AMOUNT, TOYOTA DOESN'T PAY FOR THE REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND WE HOPE THEY DO. IT'S NOT FAIR TO LET US PAY AS WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070866January 15, 2004
TIRES
TIRES SKIDED ON WET ROAD AND WHEN CHECKED I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ONE OR MORE OF THE TIRES. I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 5,000 MILES AND HAVE HAD THEM BALANCED AT LEAST ONE TIME. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES SHIPPED WITH THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD FAIL IN LESS THAN 30,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
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
#10070937January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN MARCH 2002, ALL OIL CHANGES WERE PERFORMED BY ME. THE PREVIOUS OWNER IS A FRIEND, AND I KNOW THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED VERY WELL (APPEARANCE OF THE CAR ALSO REFLECTS THIS). IN EARLY MAY 2003, WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, THE CAR THREW #1 PISTON ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK. THE ENGINE STILL HAD AMPLE OIL, AND ONLY HAD 1500 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE (I CHANGE THE OIL BETWEEN 3-4000 MILES, RELIGOUSLY). THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE TO EXPECT FROM A WELL MAINTAINED CAR, AND AFTER PULLING THE MOTOR OUT, I NOTICED SLUDGE ALL OVER THE OIL PAN, VALVE COVERS, AND ON VARIOUS ENGINE COMPONENTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071026January 15, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT
THE CD CHANGER INITIALLY HAD ISSUES WITH PLAYING CDR (CDS MADE ON A COMPUTER AT HOME). IT WOULD SKIP ALL OF THE TIME. IT ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH REGULAR CDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FAST-FORWARD OR REVERSE TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF A SONG TRACK. IT TOOK A VISIT AND A COUPLE TELEPHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THEM TO AGREE TO REPLACE THE CD CHANGER. EVER SINCE THIS WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. HOWEVER, IN THE CAMRY THAT I HAD AS A LOANER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ON 7/28/03, THAT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS CD CHANGER AND I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT. THE MOON ROOF HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2003. BASICALLY, IT HAS BEEN LEAKING AND A WATER NOISE IS HEARD WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL AND THE RADIO NEEDS TO BE TURNED UP TO DROWN THE SOUND OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN WAS ON 7/28/2003. AT THAT POINT OF TIME, THE MOON ROOF WAS NOT EVEN CLOSING COMPLETELY. TOYOTA FLEW A FIELD TECHNICIAN FROM CALIFORNIA TO KANSAS CITY FOR THE REPAIR. HE CLAIMS THAT THE REASON FOR THE MOON ROOF NOT CLOSING WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED WHEN THE HEATED LEATHER SEATS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT CAUSED THE TIMING FOR THE ROOF TO BECOME CORRUPTED. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM EVER WITH ANY 2002-2003 MODEL CAMRY AND THAT IS WHY A FIELD TECH WAS SENT OUT. AFTER HE FIXED THE SUNROOF, I WAS ASSURED BY CHARLES EPP, TOYOTA'S REGIONAL MANAGER, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS FULLY REPAIRED AND HE PERSONALLY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS TESTED FOR WATER ISSUES TOO AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS CORRECTED BY RESETTING THE TIMING. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE MOON ROOF IS STILL LEAKING AND HAVING WATER NOISES DURING HIGHWAY OPERATIONS DURING RAINSTORMS. RECENTLY, I HAD AN ARBITRATION HEARING AT JAY WOLFE TOYOTA WITH AN ARBITRATOR FROM NCDS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071110January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR (A 2001, 4-CYLINDER, TOYOTA CAMRY LE; VIN #: [XXX]) HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 26 DAYS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THAT DEALERSHIP WHEN IT SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR STARTED TO JERK SPORADICALLY AND HESITATE WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR GOT WORSE IT STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING-AND-CLACKING NOISE AND SEEMED THAT IT WOULD DIE AT ANYTIME. AS I APPROACHED THE SERVICE STATION, I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE. I ASKED THE MECHANICS AT THE STATION TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR, ONE OF THE MECHANICS ASKED HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THIS CAR?? WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS A 2001, HE SAID THAT HE?D NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IN A 2-YEAR OLD CAR. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE A REPAIR THAT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. TWO LETTERS AND SEVERAL CALLS LATER AND MY CAR STILL SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM PERCY CHAN OF TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER (310-468-2846) ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. [XXX]. [XXX] CALLED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY (APPROX 66,060 MILES). HE THEN SAID THAT HE'D GOTTEN AN EMAIL FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THAT THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS FOR $500 (THIS IS DOWN FROM $5,500; THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. I RECEIVED A SECOND CALL FROM [XXX]. [XXX] ON OCTOBER 20, 2003. HE CALLED TO TELL ME THAT HE'D REVIEWED THE LETTER AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALERSHIP WOULD LET MY CAR SIT ON THE LOT TAKING UP SPACE. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN MONEY FROM TOYOTA TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. I RECEIVED A THIRD CALL FROM [XXX]. [XXX] ON OCTOBER 21, 2003. HE CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THE [XXX]. BOOTS WAS NO LONGER THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE NEW MANAGER WAS [XXX]. HE SAID THAT [XXX] CHECKED WITH THE MECHANIC AND SAID THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY VALVOLINE WHO HAD DONE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071218January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WIFES CAR STARTED SMOKING AT 59,000 MILES. I WENT TO LOCAL TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT THE OIL HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS NOT TRUE. I ASKED HOW MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AND THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA ENGINES DO NOT GIVE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN THE OIL IS CHANGED. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IN SECRET THAT SOME OWNERS HAVE PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE OIL AS A DETERGENT AND BREAK UP THE SLUDGE. WE DROVE THE CAR UNTIL IT HAD 73196 MILES AND FOUND A TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER WHO HAD A SHOP WHO QUOTED ME THE $2100.00. HE SAID IT WOULD COST $4,800.00 IF TOYOTA DID IT. I WAS FURIOUS WITH TOYOTA AND LET HIM DO IT. HE TOLD ME HE AND A PARTNER WORKED AT TOYOTA 12 HOURS A DAY FOUR DAYS A WEEK TEARING DOWN FIXING AND REASSEMBLING TOYOTA ENGINES BECAUSE OF SLUDGE BEFORE HE BECAME SERVICE MANAGER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071221January 15, 2004
VISIBILITY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, HE THOUGHT HE BLEW A TIRE. WHEN HE CHECKED, THE SHORT BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THE CYLINDER HAD GONE THROUGH THE BLOCK. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING: NO OIL LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING, NO ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE, OIL WAS FULL WHEN CHECKED TWO WEEKS PRIOR. TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY TOTAL REPAIR COSTS DUE TO THE FACT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE OF TWO OIL CHANGES IN 15 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP/24,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT THE CAR AT 21.5K MILES, DEALER CHANGED OIL AT 31K MILES IN DEC 02, ONE OIL RECEIPT I COULD FIND WAS DATED JUNE '03, CAR WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER CHANGE. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE ENGINE TODAY AND RECEIVED A REQUESTED OIL SAMPLE. THE PICTURES SHOW SLUDGE ON THE PISTONS, A CRACKED PISTON AND A SEVERELY CRACKED SHORT BLOCK. MECHANIC SAYS ONE OF THE RODS IS BENT, ALSO. I COULD NOT SEE ANY DEFORMITY IN THE RODS, BUT HAVE A PICTURE OF ALL FOUR RODS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071228January 15, 2004
STEERING, SUSPENSION
THIS CAR PULLS LEFT AND TRACKS POORLY UNDER MOST DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD IN CROSSWINDS AND ON WET ROADWAYS. IT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT LOW CASTER ANGLE WAS TO BLAME. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOOSEN AND JIGGLE THE ENGINE CRADLE TO GET THE CASTER ON THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATION FOR CASTER, BUT THIS HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE POOR HANDLING. AFTER 4 VISITS AND MUCH UNNECESSARY DELAY, THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA NOW CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS DEFECT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH LANE DRIFTAGE, AND LIMITS THE USE OF THE CAR. I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S AND TOYOTA'S POSITION. I SELECTED TOYOTA FOR THEIR APPARENT GOOD REPUTATION FOR INTEGRITY AND SERVICE, BUT MY EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN OTHERWISE. MY INTERACTIONS WITH TOYOTA THROUGH THEIR AGENTS HAS SHOWN THAT THEIR REPUTATION APPEARS TO BE LARGELY BASED ON THEIR OWN PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN--NOT ON SERVICE AND QUALITY. I AM NOW FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF ARBITRATION AND LAWSUIT TO FORCE TOYOTA MOTOR CORP TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE KNOWINGLY SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING BUYER, SO I MUST CHOOSE TO EITHER SUE TOYOTA OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF.
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
#10071249January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY ENGINE SEIZED. I'VE RECEIVED 2 LETTERS FROM TOYOTA DATED 2/2002 AND 6/2002 REGARDING OIL GEL. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP- DEALERSHIP HAD CAR "INSPECTED BY A NO NAME TOYOTA DISTRICT REP" DEALERSHIP SAID NOT OIL GEL REP AGREES CONTACTED CORPORATE THEY AGREED WITH DEALERSHIP. SIGHT UNSEEN BY CUSTOMER. NAPERVILE TOYOTA 1ST GOODWILL REPAIR INCLUDED 50% OF PARTS AND SERVICE. AFTER PERSUING THEY AGREED TO LABOR COST. TOYOTA MASS PRODUCED AN ENGINE WITH SMALL VALVE AND LEARNED IT WAS A PROBLEM. CORRECTED IT AND THOUSAND OF CONSUMERS ARE BEING ACCUSE OF LOW LUBRICANT AND NOT MANITENANCE THERE AUTOMOBILE CORRECTLY .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071304January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. ENGINE MAKES NOISE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069379January 15, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION
GAS TANK THUMP WHEN STARTING FROM STOP. SLIGHT THUMP AND HEAVY THUMP ALL DEPENDS HOW MUCH FUEL IN TANK. SUSPENSION BOLTS TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECS. PARKING BRAKE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT COMING UP TO HIGH HARD HOLDING ON HILL AND BRAKE PEDAL TO SOFT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069414January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT 1,500 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 8, 2002 AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I ARRIVED AT HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 11TH AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY WERE GOING TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BUT NEEDED A PART. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 25TH AND THE PART STILL HASN'T ARRIVED AND THE CAR HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069444January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SLUDGE IN ENGINE - JAPAN MOTOR - HAD THE VALVE SEALS REPLACED TWICE AND ENGINE STILL SMOKES AND USES ALOT OF OIL - 1 QUART PER 1500 MILES. HAVE HAD MANY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AUTO REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT AND ALL SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE!!
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
#10069469January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL GEL IN ENGINE AND ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. I HAVE ALL OIL CHANGES MADE ON TIME. TOYOTA DO NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO PROBLEM WITH OIL GEL. I CAN BE REACHED ON (202)708-0614 X2454. I WILL SEND ENTIRE LETTER IN MAIL TO YOU IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR REVIEW. THANKS. SANDRA EDWARDS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069487January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STEERING
IN APPROX JUNE OF 2002 MY TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED I NOW APPEAR TO HAVE THE OIL GELLING PROBLEM. APPROX MAY 2003 I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO PUMP GAS AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ON THE DRIVER SIDE. APPROX AUGUST 2003 I BEGAN NOTICING IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I APPLY MY BRAKES MY WHOLE CAR BEGINS SHAKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069496January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
ENGINE SEIZED WITH OIL STICK STILL SHOWING OIL. 1,000 MILES LATER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. CAR STILL STALLED AFTER NEW TRANSMISSION. REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR CAP, NO LUCK. TIGHTENED LOSE IGNITION WIRE, NO LUCK. REPLACE IGNITION WIRE CONNECTION, FINALLY NO PROBLEMS. NOW I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN TOYOTA PRODUCTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069500January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SLUDGE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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