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2007 Toyota Camry Problems and Repairs

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Comments

  • 2002blksle2002blksle Member Posts: 4
    had (have) the same issue. It is the first shift of the AM into 3rd. It only happens once. They replaced my transmission but I am still getting a slight flair on RPM's shifting into 3rd for the first shift in the AM.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    is your Camry a 4cylinder or a 6cyclinder vehicle?

    people with the 4cyl had been complaining of hesitation, and the V6, a transmission shift flare.

    it's possible your vehicle is affected by a long-standing problem going back years with DBW implementation on some lexus and toyota cars. search for hesitation here on edmunds and you'll find other forums marked read-only.

    with the 2007 specifically, some people with the 4cyclinder experience delayed accelerator response when merging on the highway, changing lanes, slowing to make a left-hand turn.

    ----

    i suggest you start collecting some evidence to support your assertion there is a problem with your vehicle.

    one thing you could do, you could find a parking lot where it is empty using a video camera (with the time displayed) and you videotape the speedometer (so they can see your speed) wheel position (so someone knows you are making a turn) and tachometer (RPM indicator), while verbally explaining what you are doing and what you are experiencing.

    bring it to the dealership and show it to them, and have them ride with you while you duplicate the problem. tell them it is unacceptable and you expect an immediate solution.

    does the vehicle have stability control? it could be an issue. you could have a fuel pump problem or a loose hose or sensor. you could have a loose wire / ignition problem. whose to know. so it might not be DBW (drive by wire) or stability control.

    but first things first, get some objective evidence and go into the dealership prepared. doing so will show them it is unacceptable and you've got it documented right out of the gate. from prior posters, expect to be told everything is operating properly.

    if you feel your safety is compromised and you want out of a vehicle that hesitates because you are concerned about your safety, the safety of your passengers, other people on the road in your immediate vicinity, tell them.

    there might have been a TSB issued to reflash the ECM/TCM to improve the situation somewhat.

    you'd have to scan this forum and

    2007 Toyota Camry Transmission Questions

    to check on this.

    good luck to you.
  • gbabalukgbabaluk Member Posts: 70
    Hi Andy;
    Thanks! The fix looks promising.
    We may have to wait until next winter to find out how effective it is.
    Gary
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    The VSC/TC/Etc, firmware for patently unsafe(***) FWD vehicles is now evolving so fast it's beginning to be really hard to keep up.

    A sharp turn, a fast one or accelerating turn especially, would imply the possibility of understearing or even slight actual understearing in which case the VSC might activate. You may even have roll-over protection in the system firmware or if one of the front tires slipped even ever so slight then TC would activate and result in your symptoms.

    In a tight, sharp turn the outside front wheel is already turning faster than the inside wheel and the firmware tolerance for wheelspin/slip may result in the ECU "thinking" that means the outside wheel is slipping and therefore activate TC.

    VSC, or even TC, activation might result in so slight a brake application as to be un-noticeable but the simultaneous engine dethrottling, and the rsulting recovery delay, would be VERY noticeable.

    Lose traction of/on the driven wheels of a RWD vehicle due to engine DRIVING torque and you still have the front wheels to maintain directional control with, On a FWD vehicle....

    *** Traction Control firmware on a modern day RWD vehicle will apply moderate braking to the (DRIVEN) slipping wheel(s) but delay engine dethrottling to give the driver time to react.

    On a FWD the firmware differs in that it will simultaneously dethrottle the engine and apply moderate braking to BOTH front wheels. TC sensitivity to wheelspin/slip and reaction time is much quicker and faster than the driver could possibly be in doing EXACTLY what needs to be done, THROTTLE LIFT!

    Loss of traction, slight, or in some cases even impending, on/of the driven wheels on a FWD vehicle is so much more hazardous than on that of a RWD vehicle that the firmware design varies quite radically and in numerous ways/methods in order to most quickly return directional control to the driver.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    Yes, but one would think the application of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) or Traction Control (TC) would be accompanied by audible tone (former) and visual indication (latter) if they engaged.

    I think if it's repeatible, they can try it over and over again with the camera making a history of the experiment and what is indicated.

    I presume neither VSC nor TC will be completely "silent". There must be some tone or indication it is activating. If not, I would think that would be an issue.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    One of the problems I have noted in my 2001 AWD RX300 is that the audible tone and the indicator illumination is typically of such short duration that by the time I look down, or find time to look down, there is no longer an indicator illuminated. In the few cases wherein I heard a tone I can only surmise, after the fact, that it was VSC or TC activation, due to the mental reconstruction of the just prior circumstances.
  • prowler161prowler161 Member Posts: 22
    I have a strange problem. When I bought my 2007 Toyota Camry SE with Navigation I remember cycling through the functions with the mode button on the steering wheel. It went something like CD/FM/AM/AUX. I remember thinking that the AUX input would be great with an ipod when I got one. Today I got my wife an ipod for her birthday with a car kit with the car charger and a 3.5mm plug for the AUX input near the 12 volt plug in the dash. I clicked the mode button and I could not find the AUX function. I plugged in the ipod and noting happened. I attempted to get the ipod to work for an hour and nothing. I called the dealer and they told me what I had been doing already. I am wondering…

    1) has anyone plugged an Apple ipod into their Camry?
    2) When you hit the mode button on the the stearing wheel does AUX show up as one of the functions?
    3) Is there a chance the dealer updated my DVD Nav system without me knowing loosing the AUX function?
    4) Should I reset the system to factory specs loosing all inputted info on the Navi system?

    Please help if you know anything about this. I know that this is a small problem but I would like to fix this myself if I can rather than wasting time at the dealership. Thank you!
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Have a basic LE w/o Navigation so this may not be completely relevant to your SE, but the mode button does have AUX as an option, and we do regularly use the IPOD plugged into the aux input.
  • torn8otorn8o Member Posts: 31
    The dash of my 07 Camry rattled like there was no tomorrow on my way home from work this morning. Wasn't even that cold out (50 degrees F). Quite a disappointment after having two TSBs performed on it! I guess Toyota's "anti-rattle kit" is just as flawed as the design of the 07 Camry's interior! Maybe I'll try disassembling the dash and filling it with silly putty...
  • prowler161prowler161 Member Posts: 22
    Thank you for the info. I am glad that I will have some more information when I go to the dealer next week to get this looked at. Thanks again.
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    Well I just got a call from the dealer about my car.Apparently,he said that my problems are normal and that my complaint about the ride height on the left front side being higher than the right is normal.

    My original complaint stated that the ride height on the front left side of the car is half an inch higher than the right.Also,the car feels a little bouncy and unstable and seems to wobble and wander at times.

    A week ago before I turned in the car I measured the ride height myself and so did a local mechanic.The measurements were taken from the ground to the fender.To make sure the results were accurate the tire pressures were set equal on all four sides.Also the car sittting on a flat even road with no load on it.Nothing was in the car and no one was sitting in it.

    The mechanic and I also measured it from the center cap of the wheel to the fender and still there is a half an inch difference on the left side.

    Can anyone tell me if what the dealer said is true? Is it normal for the ride height on the front left side of the car to be a little higher than the right side?

    I also measured the ride height on two other camry's like mine and the dimensions were the same on both side.I also went to several auto specialists that deal with allighment and mechanical stuff and they all cofirmed the results on my car and said that its not normal.The ride height should be normal on both sides considering that the car is new and only has 700 miles.

    Can anyone help please? I pretty sure if you guys measure the ride height like I did you will find that its equal on both sides in the front.Tommorow I have to go in and pick up the car.

    I'm assuming the problems I'm having with my car have alot to do with that difference in ride height.I don't think one side being higher than the other is normal.

    Also if it helps my car is a 2007 camry le-v6.I suppose the dimensions would be the same on a four cylinder.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    fwiw, and not sure this measurement has anything to do with the problem that you have....but my measurement from ground to fender on both rightfront and leftfront are equal. 4cyl LE
  • prowler161prowler161 Member Posts: 22
    This might be a little different circumstance because the vehicle is different, but the same issue exists on the vehicle I own. My 2003 Honda Civic EX has the same issue with the ride height sitting a noticeably 1 inch higher on one side than the other. It seems to be leaning every time I look at it on flat ground. Unfortunately I could not fix this problem unless I wanted to buy aftermarket adjustable suspension and had the dealer install it to correct the leaning problem. There was also a Honda Service bulletin that stated that certain Civics with certain transmission and optional accessories would cause the vehicle to lean to the side. As crazy as this sounds, I found it to be true after contacting several dealerships and Honda Corporate.

    On my other car; 2007 Toyota Camry Se V6 with navigation, this vehicle does not lean at all. It sits level, but this is not the exact vehicle that you own. This might be the same issue depending on model, accessories etc that causes the leaning. I hope this helps you. You can also call Toyota Corporate and see if they can explain this issue.
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    prowler161...Well first I like to thank you for your input.
    I don't have any optional accesories on my car so that doesn't explain for the difference in ride height.And I don't think this issue is normal.

    I called toyota corporate a while back and they were not really helpful.The only thing I could do they said is to open an arbitration case.I will probably do that if the dealer insists its normal.I am also considering of reporting this issue to the better buisness burea.

    Does anybody have any advice and suggestions?
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Ok, I knew you'd be back. Your apology from last week is accepted.

    In the past few days, I've been busy measuring ride heights of cars. What I want to say again is that wheel alignment or even body alignment (as may be needed after a collision) is NOT done by taking measurements from the wheels to the bodywork. So either those non-Toyota mechanics are blowing smoke or their eyes are seeing $$$ signs when you approach, because they know that the Toyota dealer is going to say it's normal.

    Below are the differences in centimeters (1 in = 2.54 cm) measured between the left and right sides on different cars. All except my car were inside my employer's building on a level concrete surface. My car was in the parking lot, with just a slight uphill incline, in the same spot on two different days. I used the same tape measure, always measuring up from the floor/ground through the wheel center to the top of the wheel arch on the fender. I didn't inflate the employer's cars to the proper tire pressure -- just made sure there was no significant difference between left and right. (There wasn't, except for the Volvo, where the two left tires were 1 psi higher than the two right tires.)

    A plus sign means the ride height was greater on the left (driver's) side. A minus sign means the ride height was greater on the right (passenger) side.

    4/17:
    My '04 Camry, 43,720 miles. Front: +0.7, rear: -0.6
    2007 Volvo S80, 47 miles. Front: -0.6, rear: -0.9
    2007 Saab 9-3 convert., 58 miles. Front: -0.4, rear: -0.4
    2007 Subaru Legacy, 173 miles. Front: -0.9, rear: -0.5

    4/18: (after I bounced the front and rear of both cars up and down)
    My '04 Camry, 43,754 miles. Front: +0.1, rear: -1.3
    2007 Saab, moved inside building. Front: -0.9, rear: -0.3

    So as you can see, these measurements vary, were never exactly zero, and were sometimes 0.9 cm different (0.4 inches), or in the case of my car 1.3 cm different (0.5 in).

    So...there's either nothing wrong with the car, or there may still be a defect in one of the tires. OTOH, Michelin is very good in making tires without defects, but no one is perfect. Still, you must drive another '07 Camry V6 again on the same route as yours to see if there really is a difference.

    BTW, what happened to the engine noise?
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    210delray... Well first of all thanks for the input.And I want to say that you seemed to have misinterpreted my words again.I had explained before that a check for wheel allignment was suggested because of the discrepancy in ride height.It had nothing to do with checking wheel allignment by measuring ride height.The mechanic never checked the wheel allignment.

    Since the the mechanic found the ride height was not normal he assumed that the wheel allignment was perhaps out of place or one of the tires was defective.If ride height is adjusted or perhaps in my case if its not normal then the wheel allignment must be checked.That is what I meant in my earlier posts about the wheel allignment issue.

    Also,I still disagree with you on the assumption that you think my car is normal.The ride height on a new car should be within proper specifications.So basically that half an inch difference should not be there.

    I confirmed that theory by visiting the sevice center at another toyota dealer.The technician there said the half an inch difference on the 07' camry is unacceptable.Most likely there's a problem somewhere.I will probably take the car there to the other dealer this time.Perhaps tomorrow when I get my car back from my local dealer.

    I'm also convinced that the ride height difference has alot to do with the problems I'm experiencing.They are consistent with that analysis.I'm feeling the left side of the car bounce often in situations when it should stay stable.

    For example,I drove the car slowly on a smooth road and noticed that the left side of the car bounced several times while the right side of the car stayed stable.The car felt very unstable and wobbly.

    I drove my friends v6 camry on the same road at the same speed and saw that neither side of the car bounced.The ride felt a bit more firm.His car is same 07' camry like mine.

    As far as the engine noise,I think that issue is normal on my car.I heard the same thing on the dealers v6 camry.Before I was listening for it on my friends v6 camry and didn't here it,but when I drove his car again at a different time I heard it.It simply the fuel injectors firing they explained.
  • prowler161prowler161 Member Posts: 22
    I hope you get this figured out. I look forward to seeing the end result. Good luck.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    one would think there should be a slight difference with the driver's side being higher when the vehicle's completely unloaded, so when you get in, it will be even. :blush:

    but seriously - there could have been frame damage, or there could be a problem with the strut tower, strut or spring on that side of the vehicle, right?

    in another forum we are discussing tires being "out of round". if the tire on that side is bouncing, it should be evidenced by "cupping". that would suggest suspension issues unless i'm mistaken.
  • jimmyt4jimmyt4 Member Posts: 4
    hello,I have been reading some of your complant
    about your ride height on your camry,it may be
    possible that when your camry was tied down in transportation they may have damaged one of the front struts.this may cause the bouncing effect
    you are complaining about.I worked at a Honda dealership and had the same problem with a
    2000 Accord,just a thought
    jimmyz1
  • jkmqjkmq Member Posts: 8
    I have a 2007 Camry SE 4cyl. The driver's seat squeeks and creaks.I have had it in 4 times.It is still not fixed.A Toyota rep has actually laid down in the back seat while the service mgr drove it around trying to duplicate the problem.The rep said it might be coming from the seat belt tensioner.I swear it is the drivers's seat.Has anyone had this problem and has anyone had it fixed? I narrowed down my choices to the camry and the accord before I bought the camry.BIG MISTAKE.This is the worst car I have ever owned.How long do I give Toyota to fix it and what is my next option ?
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    I just want to thank to everybody for taking the time to read my posts and give me advice.I really appreciate it.Thank you.I was suppose to pick up my car today,but unfortunately it will have to wait until monday.I will keep you guys posted till then.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    Worst car you ever owned because it has a squeek/creak in the seat?
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    have another person drive the car and you lay down across the back seats, and as the person drives, try to locate the source of the squeak / creak. if and when you locate the source, point it out to the service manager.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    I have a squeak coming from the drivers seat belt tensioner. I haven't had it in yet to be repaired as it's really no big deal, will just get it handled it at next scheduled repair. My wife thought at first it was related to the brakes, as it only occurred when the brakes were first applied (I have her conditioned to tell me about any unusual noises.)
  • jkmqjkmq Member Posts: 8
    Thats right. This car still hesitates(after re-programming).Front left window vibrates/rattles, moonroof rattles(except when shade is pulled). Stereo sounds muffled,trunk was on on crooked when I purchaed it,and dash rattles.Now, back to my 4 visits to Toyota on this seat issue.First visit- service tech says it is just the sound that leather makes.Of course that did'nt fix it. 2nd visit - service tech rides wiht me and points to moonroof and says there's the problem.I then just pulled the shade.Still not fixed. 3rd visit - service mgr says there is a TSB on the problem and they will order a "special lube/grease" to fix it and will call me when it comes in.That did'nt work. 4th visit - service mgr tells me a Toyota rep will be in town and he will take it for a ride with him.They come back,the Toyota rep is so nauseated from laying down in the back seat he can hardly speak, but the decide it is in the A-pillar or B pillar, but it is not the seat.This seat will squeek and creak sometimes when the car is not even moving.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Since you want to have a new Camry for the side curtain airbag, I would like to inform you that there is a recall on 2007 Toyota Camry due to airbag failure (including the side curtain airbag) to deploy on unspecified vehicles.
    NHTSA Campaign I D Number: 06V096000
    Recall date: 04/03/2006
    Source of info:
    http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2007/toyota/camry/recalls/index.html

    Also an owner of SE 5-sp AT 2007 Camry reported today on another website that the front and the knee airbags failed to deploy in a high speed head on collision and Toyota insisted the airbags not deploying was the owner's fault.

    I wonder why Toyota did not inform the customers about the recall by mail and TV broadcast instead of waiting for the customers to find out the recall on the internet if they are "lucky" enough or find out the hard way when the air bags fail to deploy in a serious accident then refused to take responsibilty inspite of the recall.
  • motownusamotownusa Member Posts: 836
    Did you see the number of cars effected ? I am sure those are effected has been notified. The vast majority of cars are not effected. You are making a big deal out of nothing
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Of course, I see that the recall says the potential units affected is 133 vehicles. I wish you were right to be so sure that those affected have been notified.
    Do you have confirmation from Toyota that all those 133 vehicles have been identified and that the owners have been notified directly by mail or phone? If not,why are you so sure about it?
    If all owners of the 133 Camry affected have been notified as you believe, can you explain why customer JD on the other website has not been notified when his 2007 Camry also has problems with the airbags?
    Of course I agree with you that a vast majority of of 2007 Camry are not affected but unless all those 133 vehicles have been identified and the owners notified directly,I don't think it is a big deal out of "nothing" no matter how small the probability is.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    Will never buy Toyota again....last new one I had had > $6K in waranty work.....current 2 GM vehicles = zero defects...very happy...great mileage....low price....
  • chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    Just want to say that these problems that are being discussed are real and that I'm having a very tough time putting up with the noises and rattles. I head Toyota is pointing to the A or B pillar for the noises that are coming from the right passenger area. They haven't figured it out yet. I'm always surprised every time somebody finds a problem with their car there is always somebody that takes the defensive side. Probably a Toyota employee?
    I can say as God as my witness that most of these problems being reported on this site are also problems I am experiencing with my 2007 camry. I agree with the earlier post that it's the worst built car I've ever owned.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    I did not experience rattles from the front end of the 2007 Camry 4 cylinder AT that I owned for about 6 months but I did experience rattles caused by resonance from the rear end that ruin my enjoyment of the music when I played it on heavy base. But the worse part was that it only happened occasionally and I was unable to find out the source of the rattle. Also the CD player was unable to play one of my CDs, again occasionally. None of the above problems happen in the new and less expensive car by another manufacturer.
    I didn't complain about those problems because I cared more about safety issues such as acceleration hesitation which is reported by some to have been corrected Toyota.

    I don't know how bad the airbag failure problem in the 2007 Camry is. I found out the airbag failure recall a few months ago after I had traded in the Camry and I thought the problem must have been taken care of by Toyota. Then I read the first report of airbag failure in 2007 Camry today on another website but was unable to post a message to the owner JD about the recall no matter how hard I tried.

    A serious problem like airbag failure can be an even bigger worry to a car owner who knows about the recall which does not mention the VIN number because there is no way the car owner can know for sure if his or her car is affected unless informed by the manufacturer or until the airbags fail to deploy in a serious collision.

    If Toyota has nothing to hide in this matter, why not give the 2007 Camry owners a report on this website to tell them details about the recall and what they have done, if any, to ensure that those Camrys affected have all been fixed?
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    www.consumeraffairs.com had a number of postings re: lack of airbag deployment. is that the site you are referring to?
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    The recall date being in beginning of April (when the production line was being cranked up), would have limited the problem to the VERY early production models.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Normal routine for a recall is to contact all owners affected by first-class mail. It is not routine to tell everyone else what VINs were affected -- this is the case for ALL manufacturers. As only 133 units were recalled according to what's been posted above, this is a minuscule fraction of 2007 model production.

    It's easy to find on the NHTSA website the number of vehicles affected by a recall and also the build dates. Consumer Reports publishes the same information for significant recalls.

    With regard to the alleged nondeployment in a collision, just because one person claims the airbag should have deployed does not make it so. Read your owner's manual about under what conditions the airbags should deploy; most (all?) manufacturers have a statement that the amount of vehicle damage is NOT a reliable indicator as to whether a particular airbag should or should not have deployed.

    I haven't checked the link, but presumably the complainant is alive and kicking, so that's one indicator that the airbag maybe didn't need to deploy?
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I now have checked the Consumer Affairs site and here's the report:

    Phyllis of Heflin LA (04/04/07)
    Was in an accident on Feb. 25, 2007. I was headed North and a car headed South turned in front of me on a rural highway. I hit her head on and then hit a deep ditch. I have a 2005 Toyota Camry and the damage totaled 10,000 but the insurance company decided to fix it. The airbags never deployed even though the front of my car looked like I hit a tree. We were traveling about 40 mph. I'm pregnant and had my other two children in the car with me. Just muscle strains and bruising. Has anyone ever been sucessful against Toyota??? I'm really scared of my car and what might happen next time.

    First of all, it wasn't a "head on" collision in the usual sense of the word, but more like front of the Camry into the corner or side of the other car, which turned left from the opposing lane in front of her Camry. Then the Camry went into a ditch.

    As I said in my prior post, the dollar amount of damage isn't indicative, and if you look at the photo of the damaged car here (the silver 2005 Camry in the upper right), you can see that it didn't take much of a frontal or side hit. Looked like it hit a tree? Yeah, maybe at the equivalent of 10 mph! Contrast with these photos of the IIHS frontal offset test 2002 Camry (structurally the same as the 2005 Camry) after a 40 mph hit into a deformable barrier.

    Interesting too that the photo caption says the driver was "severely injured," when in her own words she said she sustained "just muscle strains and bruising."

    This is how rumors and misinformation spread...

    And no, I'm not a Toyota employee, but I do know something about car crashes, both in the lab and in the real world.
  • jmpinmoonlitejmpinmoonlite Member Posts: 12
    Interesting too that the photo caption says the driver was "severely injured," when in her own words she said she sustained "just muscle strains and bruising."

    This is how rumors and misinformation spread...

    I didn't think that silver car stated it belonged Phyllis of Heflin LA

    I owned a 2006 Camry XLE... (beautiful car!!) And a couple of weeks ago had a sports car hit me broadside going 35 mph into the passenger side where I was sitting and all I can say is thank God for those side airbags and crumple zones. I think the car only moved inches and we're all ok, jumped out and started to dance around to prove we weren't hurt. Totaled out the car but it's so much more worth being physically ok.

    But it definitely would concern me if there was a recall and those owners were unaware of it. Safety is the MOST important.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    I was not referring to the Consumer Affairs site about a 2005 Camry.
    I was referring to the Motortrend site about 2007 Camry:
    http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2007/toyota/camry/recalls/index.html
    Glad to see that the normal procedure is to contact the car owners affected by first class mail but has Toyota followed that normal procedure to inform the owners of the 133 Camrys and has all 133 owners been successfully contacted?
    If Toyota affirms that it has successfully contacted all the owners of all 133 Camrys affected, I would agree with you that 2007 Camry owners should not have undue worry about that recall. If Toyota can not affirm that, then owners of Camrys in the early production should contact Toyota to see if they are affected.
    I do agree with you that alleged nondeployment does not necessarily mean that the airbag must be defective. But any responsible car manufacturer should look into every case seriously to see if there is any room for improvement even if the airbags appeared to react as intended by the manufacturer.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Glad you were all okay -- that's how side airbags are designed to protect you.

    Regarding the consumer affairs site, the silver Camry seems to match the one described by Phyllis (although not explicitly stated), and the car's either a 2005 or '06 based on the grille design.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Recall procedures are spelled out by federal regulation. If the mail to the owner comes back "undeliverable," then the manufacturer is obligated to find the owner in some other manner, such as through state DMV records.

    This doesn't guarantee all owners are ultimately notified, and it is a good idea if you buy a used car to check with the manufacturer to be sure that your particular car has had all of its recall work completed.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    I received a recall notice on my Highlander, a very minor thing, and I spaced it out. Two months later, I received another note, telling me that their records don't show the recall having been performd, and please: either get it to a dealer to have it done, or I no longer own the car, in which case they wanted the new owner's name and address. I'd say that is pretty good communication
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Yes, that's standard operating procedure -- all manufacturers must do it. The regulations on recalls are pretty strict.

    Still, the bottom line is no one can be forced to bring their car in -- there's no penalty for the owner, although it's not too smart to ignore such recalls when serious safety issues are involved.
  • norm16norm16 Member Posts: 1
    I also have a 07 Camry with a rattle in the driver side dash that's frustrating. It has now become temperature sensitive, vibrating below 50F when the car has not been left in the sun. Toyota has taken the dash apart twice now with no success. Anyone know how to fix this?
  • jamiecarjamiecar Member Posts: 17
    I was having the same dash rattle problems as many other ’07 Camry owners, especially in colder weather. The dealer wasn’t too helpful so I decided to try and resolve it myself, with fairly good results. The problem seems to be the vinyl dash rubbing against the plastic clock insert and against the windshield. I removed the clock insert, attached some felt pieces around it and re-inserted it. I then took a doubled piece (stuck two sticky sides together) of black weather stripping approx ¾” wide and dash length, and inserted it between the dash and windshield. I would say that the rattles are about 95% resolved. I’m also getting a rattle or more of a "plastic crackling sound" coming from the bezel (plastic piece) around the temperature controls. It seems to expand and contract depending on the temperature, making a crackling sound. I know it sounds minor but can get quite irritating while you're driving. Does anyone have a fix for this?
  • bigman35bigman35 Member Posts: 10
    Any thoughts? What car is better? Style, price, and overall value.
  • jack53jack53 Member Posts: 8
    Hi,

    I'm having the same problem

    Is there a TSB for shaky passenger seat?
    or anyone succeed of getting this problem fixed

    Please post

    Thanks
  • nissanronnissanron Member Posts: 17
    An excellent rattle preventative are the foam, makeup wedges that women use. The foam wedges can be purchased at any drug store. Just cut the thick part of the wedge off, and insert with a wood paint-stir stick. Even auto dealers use the foam wedges.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Certainly worth a try, IMHO. I know I'd be very leery of having a dealer take out my whole dashboard. Would it ever be right again?
  • chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    Gee, Toyota must really be proud of their product. We can just stick pieces of foam everywhere until the noises go away. They should sell the car with a roll of duct tape too. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. Spent too much money on a car that need to be patched up with foam and tape.
  • djm2djm2 Member Posts: 712
    Hi All:
    I just had my third oil and filter change which was done at 6,900 miles by the selling Toyota dealer. I paid for this service with the coupon from the "Toyota Prepaid Maintenance Program." Had I not had two oil and filter changes done earlier, this service would have occured at 5,000 miles.
    For the period of time since the purchase of this vehcle, I have averaged an oil and filter change every 2,300 miles, which was well within my goal of every 2,500 miles.
    IMPORTANT NOTE TO REMEMBER: -----Toyota engines have a track record of being "sludge producing units," if the oil and filters are not changed often. Only time will tell if this new V6 engine will have the same issue. Let's hope not! This is why I cut the recommended oil change interval of 5,000 miles in half, (2,500 miles).
    FUEL:
    I use 87 octane fuel in the Camry, (both name brand and off-brand gasoline). I find no difference in the performance of the vehicle between the different fuels. I try to purchase fuel from stations that pumps large quantities of fuel. I look for the cheapest fuel in the area, when it comes time to make a purchase. "Fuel quality" is a subject for another posting!
    I do NOT have any of the problems that are listed on these boards for this vehicle, and I have been VERY observant with regards to the "operating characteristics of this vehicle"!
    Best regards! ----- Dwayne :shades: ;):)
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Well, I'll say it again for what it's worth: the sludge problem ended with the 2001 model year for the 2.2-liter 4-cylinder and the '02 model year for the 3.0-liter V6.

    Both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines in the current Camry are new/different from what was used pre-'02 for the 4-cyl. and pre-'07 for the V6.

    Sludge seemed to affect those who amassed low mileage over an extended interval AND stretched the oil change interval beyond the 7500 miles (for normal service) recommended at the time, at least based on the heated debates we had on Edmunds back then.

    I had a '97 Camry with the potentially affected 4-cylinder engine -- no sludge problems in the 7 years and 111K miles I owned it, but I did change the oil at least every 5K miles (about 3+ times per year).

    IMHO, you are wasting time and money changing your oil so often when you are racking up the miles so quickly.

    Regarding gas, I generally avoid the no-name or "1-hit wonder" stations, but I trust the regional chains that pump a lot of the stuff, such as Sheetz in my area. But if the national brand is the same price, I'll go with that.
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