Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options

2007 Toyota Camry Problems and Repairs

1…7475777980…106

Comments

  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "It almost feels like a surge..."

    That's because it really is a "surge".

    Well, sorta'.

    Historically, circa ~2001, it has been referred to as being "bumped slightly from behind" (10-0MPH), or a "slingshot effect" (40-30MPH).

    According to the Toyota or Lexus shop/repair manuals as you coast down with closed throttle, braking or not, say 10-0 MPH, or 40-30, your transaxle is PROGRAMMED to upshift into a higher gear ratio.

    There are several possibilities for this shift pattern/schedule change in the engine/transaxle ECU control firmware.

    A) An upshift to lower the effects of engine compression braking will undoubtedly extend your coasting distance if that should happen to be your intent and therefore an improvement in FE.

    B) On a slippery roadbed a significant level of engine compression braking on the front wheels could result in loss of directional control and thereby oftentime a serious accident. Ford was just granted a US patent for a technique involving a significant reduction in regenerative braking should the OAT be hovering around or below freezing in the FWD Escape and Mariner hybrids.

    C) The positive displacement gear type ATF oil pump within the transaxle can be a HUGE consumer of energy, needlessly, hour upon hour, simply cruising down the hwy. So the sizing of this oil pump can be quite critical to FE. Eliminating certain shift sequences, mainly those that REQUIRE a quick and firm "clutch seating" (HIGH torque conveyance), but with the engine at idle or close by, allows this oil pump to be downsized significantly.

    Ford (again??) has recently adopted a variable displacement ATF oil pump in the new FWD Ford Edge apparently to overcome this very problem.

    D) ALL OF THE ABOVE
  • Options
    teamtboteamtbo Member Posts: 78
    Toyota's reliability has declined from 1st place to 5th place according to Consumer Reports.

    Consumer Reports said it no longer recommends V6 versions of Toyota's Camry or V8 versions of its Tundra pick-up because of poor reliability.

    CNN Article on Toyota's Reliability
  • Options
    dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    Well guys for those out there that bad mouthed your hesatation problems and other problems and said it was just in your head. Congratuations, you are now vindicated. :shades: :lemon: :lemon:
  • Options
    crutnackercrutnacker Member Posts: 41
    Is it just me or is Toyota starting to sound more and more like a 70s and 80s domestic car maker. Complacent. Boring designs. Unnecessary cost cutting.

    One can only hope that Toyota starts a turnaround, and quick.
  • Options
    lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    Honda, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Toyota... What's the big news here?
  • Options
    teamtboteamtbo Member Posts: 78
    The big news for me is:

    1. That the reliability for the Toyota branded cars has decreased from 1st to 5th place. That is significant. I have seen and experienced first hand the slip with my 2007 Camry V6 - which is on attempt #4 to fix the shift flare.

    I wonder if Toyota Corporate will notice that their low end brand, Scion, is above the Toyota brand in reliability.

    2. That CR does not recommend the Toyota Camry V6 - I am thrilled that CR is telling it like it is. Maybe it will save someone from the heartache I have experienced with my $30,000+ car.

    3. Maybe Toyota will see what is happening and make some necessary changes.
  • Options
    eroc69eroc69 Member Posts: 56
    Yes the OEM tires are of a very ery soft compund, based on a treadware rating of 260..
    I had the same problem in my 04 Accord, new tires needed by 2 years or so. I would have no problems buying new treads but not on a car thats less than 12 months old. I can get by another winter but at what cost? It might last another year but how low of a tread do I want to let my wife drive on. Like I posted b4, Iam pretty much done driving my, MY new Camry, I drive her 05 CR-V.
  • Options
    chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    I just want to say I too am feeling the pain of buying a $30,000 car and not having Toyota fix the numerous problems including my Transmission.
  • Options
    toby33toby33 Member Posts: 3
    You are exactly right. The shift happens when I would expect a downshift but it does feel like an upshift. I suppose it is reassuring to hear that it should be doing this but it is difficult to get used to. We had a 2004 Sienna that did not do this or at least it wasn't as noticeable. We are going to have the TSB applied next week and see if that smooths things out.

    Thanks for the information on both your postings.
  • Options
    lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    Toyota is well aware of quality problems unfortunatley it took them a while to admit that. This is from Toyota Highlander press release.


    "Customer First" Quality
    As vehicles become increasingly complex, Toyota has realized the need to re-vamp the engineering and manufacturing processes. In 2005, President Katsuaki Watanabe took the reigns of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and issued a company-wide challenge to re-prioritize product quality.

    The initial steps to guide the quality enhancement agenda began with engineering innovation. He tasked each TMC chief engineer to offer new ideas to improve quality. Everything from tools and processes to budget, was open to discussion. The result was a company-wide agenda called "Customer First."

    The program re-allocated assets, allowed more development time, increased headcount, and reverted to the use of additional prototypes to gauge quality during development. Raw materials were reconsidered and assembly was extensively analyzed.

    The Highlander development program served as the pilot and featured three critical criteria. First, the process of producing the most comprehensive and accurate original drawings possible was given the top priority. The vehicle would only be as good as the quality of the blueprints.

    Second, Toyota accelerated prototype production, increased the number of prototypes, and enlarged the number of quality-check personnel four-fold.

    Finally, with these changes, Toyota was able to devote an additional month in the development schedule to address countermeasures.

    HL press release

    Looks like this approach working out well with new HL since there is no complaints on it's quality so far. Camry team have some catching up to do.
  • Options
    waltchanwaltchan Member Posts: 124
    Yes, and Consumer Reports graded the 2007 Toyota Camry V6 an F for reliability. It's worse than a Ford Taurus from the 80s, and it's the most unreliable Camry ever in 24 years of history. Does anyone feel ripped off for the high price you paid? Maybe you should start a lawsuit with Toyota for misrepresenting value and quality.
  • Options
    gbabalukgbabaluk Member Posts: 70
    The following article is more detailes

    http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/16/autos/cr_reliability/index.htm

    This ia a mojor blow to Toyota to have them NOT recommended.
  • Options
    nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Toyota's reliability has declined from 1st place to 5th place according to Consumer Reports.

    Congratulations to Toyota for receiving a good lesson.
    Toyota can't hide behind the broken shield of Motor Trend anymore. Consumer report is the real deal that has the interest of consumers in mind.

    Toyota, it's time for you to stop badmouthing the customers complaining about the 2007 Camry and start giving them real help to solve their problems.
  • Options
    crazedcommutercrazedcommuter Member Posts: 281
    I'm glad that I bought the Scion XB instead of the Camry. I was not sure as I liked them both but bought the XB instead. CR says that I made the right choice. It is strange that the entry brand has the higher quality rating than the the flagship model. Maybe Toyota will now fix all the defects that their customers have been stuck with as they lose face, sales and market share to other competitors.
  • Options
    herrimherrim Member Posts: 14
    I'm going thru the arbitration process, my car just has too many problems. So how was it? Was it hard? What would you recommend?
  • Options
    herrimherrim Member Posts: 14
    My Defogger is not working properly, when I took it to the dealer, they say it takes 20 minutes to start working. Is it normal for a camry? My old Ford Escort will start clearlign inmediately.

    Also, have anyone noticed if the air vent next to the driver window still blows when the AC is set to the floor only?
  • Options
    kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    if you are talking about the rear wire defogger not working for 20 minutes...that's not right.
  • Options
    foxwood_21foxwood_21 Member Posts: 31
    GOOD LUCK! I went thew it in Aug 2006 6months after i bought my car and lost... Make sure you qualify for the lemon law before you go I still have the car and hate it .The 2007 camry has a bad reputaion in the used car market already its worth nothing on trade already I tried to trade it recently with a big loss I guess i wil have to keep it and hate it. GOOD LUCK
  • Options
    barroncbarronc Member Posts: 44
    I've noticed that when I slow down and begin to apply my brakes to pull into a parking space my 2007 Camry XLE V6 for no reason will lurch forward. Several times when this happened I almost went over the concrete parking barrier. This is downright dangerous and an elderly person could lose control of the car when it does this. I won't even let my mother drive the car. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of the car and going back to Nissan.
  • Options
    bobbabobba Member Posts: 3
    Dwayne,

    Just for the record, I had the OBC reprogrammed 2 times. It did not seem to affect the performance. When I replaced the air filter, the car did not hesitate when I accelerated from a stop. The old air filter appeared to be clean but it could have been compressed, formed or sprayed with a chemical when manufactured???? Who knows. I know it ran better immediately.

    Bobba
  • Options
    eroc69eroc69 Member Posts: 56
    If your referring to the front defroster, then I have the same issue.
    I remember many times last winter that it took maybe 10-15 minutes b4 the fog was off the front, the ice also took longer. I work diffrent shifts and sometimes guys warm up their rides for 20-30 minutes. I know thats not good but I might have to do that, IF we get any cold weather here in PA. Its 70 degrees today..
  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    The NipponDenso, Denso US, design used by most asian manufacturers has a serious design flaw with regards to defog/demist functionality. Not speaking here of "defrost", exterior ice, condensation, etc.

    The best thing to do is turn the heat and the blower speed up fully and then switch to the defog/demist/"defrost" mode.

    Once the passenger cabin warms up to within a few degrees of your comfort level the system relies EXCLUSIVELY on the use of the A/C for dehumidification and thereby defogging of the windshield.

    There are many climatic conditions and circumstances wherein you will have condensation forming on the interior of the windshield and the functionality of the A/C will be a "wild card", maybe it work and maybe it won't.

    Circa '04 there are at least three C-best options that are available to help address, but not fully solve, this issue.

    Google for:

    wwest demist

    For more info.
  • Options
    djm2djm2 Member Posts: 712
    Hi All:
    I just got back from a four day trip to Gettysburg PA.! ---- I spent a couple of days going around the battlefield and enjoying some "GOOD FOOD"!!!!! I stopped at "Boyds Bear Country" to pick up some gifts, and I even drove through the battle field at night looking for those "Ghostly Images of Gettysburg" that everyone is talking about!!!! No, I did not see a ghost!
    The Camry performed GREAT! ----- On the trip to Gettysburg I had a full tank of Sunoco 87 octane fuel, and I managed to get the "on-board" mileage computer up to 35mpg on one part of the trip at 65mph. I averaged 30mpg most of the time! (No cruise control).
    Once at Gettysburg, I had the opportunity to accelerate hard entering route 15. The vehicle pinned my head against the head rest, and the transmission shifted very smooth and quick! This performance was accompanied by a roar from the twin exhaust pipes. It sounded somewhat like a Ford Mustang!
    On the trip home, I had a full tank of 87 Off Brand PA gasoline in the vehicle. I averaged 30mpg driving at 65mph.
    The vehicle holds the road very well, and it is very easy to control. I checked the engine oil one morning in Gettysburg, and the level was at the full mark. The engine now has 18,000 + miles, and the oil is as clean as the day I took delivery. (As you know, I have the oil and filter changed every 2,500 miles.)
    I love this Camry, but I also understand that some people are having major problems with their vehicle. As I have stated before, it is very possible that my style of driving masks the problems. (Example: I do not use cruise control.)
    By January,(one year old), I will most probably have between 22,000 to 25,000 miles on this vehicle. I am planning to have the trans fluid changed at that time. (I do this once a year or every 20,000 miles which ever comes first).
    Best regards. ---- Dwayne :shades: ;):)
  • Options
    harvanaharvana Member Posts: 1
    I bought 07 Camry I4 auto a few weeks back. Noticed steering wheel "tremor" when driving 70+ mph the very first time. At the third tank of gas, the tremor becomes less noticeable but still there. Every time I send my car for repair, it always comes back with some new issues. So I tend to let it smooth out. Let me know how it goes with yours, and good luck.
    This is my first Toyota. It is VERY different in terms of handling.
  • Options
    mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Seems like the folks over at Honda put a hex on the 2007 Camry. They are jealous of the Camry's success and want to "dethrone" the champ of family sedans with their new Accord. This hex apparently only happens on certain 2007 Camry 4 cylinder or v6 models. Not all. Hmm. Very strange indeed.
    image
  • Options
    mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Unbalanced wheels and warped rotors will cause steering wheel tremor or shake about 70 mph. Not all Toyota dealer service departments are that smart to check the obvious.
    :(
    Mackabee
  • Options
    mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Before you bad mouth the Camry look under your xB's hood and tell me what you see.
    Mackabee
  • Options
    stlpike07stlpike07 Member Posts: 229
    Air will blow out of the vent next to the window when the switch is on "floor only." Thats how most cars are made. You can always manually close that vent if you want.
  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Yes, it is presumed that if you route the airflow to the footwell/floor that means HEAT, not COOL. If heat is the order of the day then it becomes a VERY good idea to keep the windshield warmed above dewpoint via "leaking" some of that heated airflow to the interior surface of the windshield.

    Denso's real flaw is in automtically switching into cooling mode even in the dead of winter once the cabin temperature approaches the setpoint. In cooling mode no warming airflow is routed to the windshield oftentimes allowing it to cool below dewpoint.

    The origins of the design flaw are quite strange indeed.

    NipponDenso, Denso US, was granted a US patent back in the late eighties involving a technique where cabin airflow was separately routed, warm airflow predmominantly to the lower levels of the cabin and cooler airflow to the upper regions.

    Implementation of the patent involved a fairly complex redesign of the A/C plenum an dthat resulted in not being able to easily route heated airflow to the interior surface of the windshield. So they resorted to the exclusive use of the A/C for preventing and/or removing condensation from the interior windshield surface.

    One of the more recent additions ('04?) to the c-best options list was the ability to prevent the system from automatically switching into cooling mode. By '01 they had added two options for these reasons, the first of these allowed the driver to disable the A/C indefinitely by simply turning it off once. The second was to unlink the A/C from operating automatically in defog/demist/defrost mode.
  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I don't know of ANY modern vehicle wherein it is possible to turn off the minimum level of warming airflow to the interior surface of the windshield when the system airflow is in either "heating" mode, footwell only or footwell/dash "mixed" mode.

    IMMHO it would be potentially dangerous to do so.
  • Options
    stlpike07stlpike07 Member Posts: 229
    wwest,

    I was talking about the vent next to the side mirrors. Air comes out of those unless you manually close them.

    The vents near the windhsield allow air to pass through them as well all the time, I believe, which is just how most cars are made. I believe it has to do with circulation and air pressure/resistance.
  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "The vents near the windshield allow air to pass through them as well all the time..."

    I WISH...!!!

    That's one of the primary FLAWS in the Denso design, in cooling mode, airflow routed from the dash outlet, absolutely NO airflow reaches the interior surface of the windshield directly.

    Which is why you need to be careful not to allow the system to switch into cooling mode automatically in colder climate conditions.
  • Options
    crazedcommutercrazedcommuter Member Posts: 281
    Yea...I know its a Toyo powertrain without the issues plaguing the Camry. After reading this forum I changed gears and bought the Scion and am glad I did. The Scion division finished ahead of Toyo in the CR ratings. I won't look at another Camry until I see several years worth of customer satisfaction on this forum.
  • Options
    raphaelhomraphaelhom Member Posts: 19
    I'm still thinking of the Camry? Doesn't every car have it's problems esp. given the numbers sold? Also, does SCion even have a comperable vehicle?
  • Options
    stlpike07stlpike07 Member Posts: 229
    In my Camry, if the "knob" is turned to the front defogger/windshield setting, I believe the AC automatically comes on....I'll check in the morning.

    When I have the heat turned on (or even turned off) with the air circulation button not turned on and the knob is tured to the floor/feet only, air still comes through the windshield vents and the vents near both side mirrors. I guess I just assumed most vehicles were like that.

    In my car, at any setting, air comes out of the windshield vents and the two side vents. I'll check again but am pretty sure.
  • Options
    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Yes, almost all modern day vehicles will activate the A/C in defog/demist/(defrost) mode as an potential aid in raising the dewpoint of the incoming airflow and thereby helping to remove windshield interior condensation.

    Before Denso US arrived on the scene it was also common for US manufacturers to provide HEAT to the interior surface of the windshield simultaneously since the possiblity of the A/C being even slightly effective is the result of local climatic conditions and therefore a REAL WILDCARD.

    Most cars of european origin, Bosch designs, still use HEAT (and A/C) to the windshield in 3D mode even on the hottest days of summer.

    So yes, even though the A/C indicator doesn't illuminate (Toyota/Lexus) you can BET your A/C activates in 3D mode.

    "knob is turned to floor/feet only..."

    Yes, you can be certain/sure that in floor/feet mode airflow will be routed to the interior windshield surface. For Denso US designs, NipponDenso for asian designs, that airflow will often be as much as 20F COLDER than the warming airflow from the footwell area. Denso at least got that much right.

    And yes, unless you manually shut them, system airflow will always come from those side window vents. Apparently, for some reason, Denso thinks keeping the side windows defogged is more important than preventing fogging of the windshield.

    Actually that statement is not really fair of me since I am aware that the "upper=cool/lower=warm US patent they have requires a special, unique configuration of the A/C plenum air distribution system that does not easily allow for warming airflow to the windshield whereas it is relatively easy for them to get warm and/or cool airflow to those side window ducts.
  • Options
    sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    Saw bothof these at a stop light today and must say both are very nice looking cars. The Accord looks a bit more BMWish which is a good thing. Accord also had the bolt on type of wheel covers...saw an LX model. Why is Toyota still not using this method with their wheel covers? Have seen many Toyota's missing wheels covers. We had the same problem with all 4 of our Toyotas.
    Toyota needs to fix this faux pas. Wonder why they've never thought to do it?
    Both nice cars anyways and from what I've read, very comprabaly priced. Good job Toyota and Honda!

    The Sandman :)
  • Options
    crazedcommutercrazedcommuter Member Posts: 281
    It seems some cars have roll out issues and some have habitual issues--i.e Ford Pintos exploding, Explorers blowing tires and rolling, and the Camry issues. No, thankfully Scion doesn't have a comparible vehicle nor comparable QC issues, which places it in a different niche. No,I won't consider a Camry for myself.
  • Options
    dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    Has anyone looked at the 08 Chevy Malibu. They say it is a very sharp car and I wonder since GM quality has done a drastic improvement in past years and seems to equal or beat Toyota in different quality programs and since the
    Camry is kind of in the dumps whether this car would be a good choice.
  • Options
    lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    wrong thread
  • Options
    chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    Hey bobba, is your car still running better since you changed your air filter? I have a v-6 that also hesitates from the start. Appreciate any updates you can send?
  • Options
    roadtripgirlroadtripgirl Member Posts: 20
    Consumer Reports removed the 2007 Camry list of cars recommended for high reliability this month. Check it out:
    Toyota slips in annual survey in reliabilty - Camry 6 cyl, Lexus GS and more
    http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071017/BIZ/710170305
  • Options
    dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    This is old news and discussed last week.
  • Options
    sumnercsumnerc Member Posts: 12
    A Class action suit Against Toyota Motor Corporation is underway. The Suit will ask that all V6 2007 Toyata Camry's be repurchased at their original buyer cost plus taxes paid by the buyers.
    The suit will allege that the 2007 V6 Toyota Camry is not only defective in the transmission but in several other areas and is unsafe to be driven on U.S. roads.
  • Options
    eroc69eroc69 Member Posts: 56
    WOW, any specifics on this? That would be most useful.
    I got a RECALL notice last week for of all things, are you sitting down? SIT DOWN..

    BAD FLOOR MATS..... :confuse:
  • Options
    philwiduchphilwiduch Member Posts: 6
    I just test drove a 2008 SE 4 cyl Auto and had the same issue. Radio quality poor with fan on. This car has 30 miles on it. After reading these posts, seriously considering keeping my 05 SE which I love.

    Funny how dealer tried to push a 2007 SE V-6 demo. No wonder with all the tranny problems.

    The lease rate now is a very good one and ends Oct 31, 2007 on Camry. With all the present issues on the Camry, I would bet the special lease continues through at least December 07. As a former leasing manager and financial executive, I can say that the factor of .00099 is a good one. Shame how so many dealers try to rip off consumers in a lease. Any questions on calculating your own payment, contact me. Glad to help, all you need is a calculator.
  • Options
    philwiduchphilwiduch Member Posts: 6
    Help. Love my 2005 SE Camry. Looking at 2008 SE 4cyl Auto.

    What do I do? 05 has 29000 miles and in perfect condition. Neighbor wants it and my lease is up. selling it for 5K over my buyout.

    with all the issues on the 07 Camry, not sure and Hondas looking good this year. :blush:
  • Options
    210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Why not just keep the 2005?

    I have both a 2004 and a 2005, with no issues to speak of.
  • Options
    mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Yes, the floor mat recall is really funny - it's more like bad owners, since if you use the clips and/or read the directions, they are fine.
  • Options
    mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Look back at CR ratings for the first year Scion's including the xA and xB and tell me what you see? Scions are re badged Toyotas from the mother land with the exception of the tC which is based on the Toyota Avensis sold throughout the world. No one can define quality. It means something different to everyone. What does it mean to you? Please no Webster's definition. Your own interpretation.
    Mack
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles