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Comments
SLUDGE ISSUE: This did not only effect those who did not get regular oil changes. In fact Toyota was giving folks with receipts a hard time if they were not TOYOTA RECEIPTS. I hope they fixed the problem.
2002 SHARES MANY COMPONENTS OF LAST GENERATION MECHANICALLY...my understanding is my 4 cylinder was new engine. In fact the v4 is new in 2004. I still do not think you can count on this car being good long term since it was a total redesign....which already shows a cheapening in one area.
By the way his 94 camry v6 cost the same as my 2003 v6.
The only complaint at this moment is the noise coming from the seat belt retractor on the driver side, I'm used to it now though, it's not very loud.
In regards to your posts, I agree with some of your comments but disagree with others. In this economy nearly every company is looking for ways to reduce costs and increase profits. Auto manufactures are not any different. I do have to state that I have been around vehicles since the age of six years old, so it would be hard to "fool" me. In regards to engine sludging, yes Toyota stepped up to the plate and admitted wrong, for them to be tough with those customers that did not have an original receipt, they were 100% correct. Many people do not get their oil changes on time just like slov98 mentioned. If I had to replace engines or correct issues I would want to ensure that these customers went to replicable auto shop (Toyota) to have the work done (oil changes). Lets face it, it is not difficult to slip someone a $20.00 bill and receive a book of blank receipts. So, for Toyota to be tough on that issue I would agree. If I may attempt to defend Toyota, we leased an RX300 and just returned it to the lease Co. During our lease we received a rude letter from the dealership stating that they will void my warranty due to me not changing my oil on time, (they were probably upset that I wasn't giving them the business). They were also brave enough to send a copy to Corporate Lexus in California in regards to me not changing my oil. After a few weeks later I received an official letter from Corporate Lexus stating that they stand behind every Lexus that they manufacture and that their engines are well built not to have engine sludging. In writing they also stated that they are so confident in their vehicles that they put in writing that they warrantyed their engine not to have any sludging for 8 years or 80,000 miles even if the consumer never changed the oil. After reading this letter, I was impressed, I have never heard a manufacturer ever making such a claim, neither Mercedes, Acura/Honda would put something in writing of that nature. So me being so intuitive took them up for the challenge. I did not change the oil on our 2000 RX300 for over 20,000 miles. We drove down to Florida on several occasions with temperatures over 110F and the A/C blasting. With the same oil we went to Canada on three different occasions with temperatures below -10F. I only utilized regular gas and I was getting 20.7 miles per gallon Combination Hwy/City on this AWD model, which is rated for 22 MPG HWY using super unleaded fuel. For reliability Toyota/Lexus makes a superb product compared to many other manufacturers in the industry. For a "perfect" vehicle I have not found any not even Toyota/Lexus, everyone cuts corners even the high end companies. I was pleased that at least Toyota is addressing the issues, hopefully it will resolve many of the creaks and rattling.
Later
2) Sludge: Toyota did not 'step up' it took quite a bit of prodding before they would even admit there was a problem. They did give folks a hard time who did not have oil change records...ok. However those with valid receipts from Jiffy Lube or other such places were (from what I have read) were also given a hard time. If Toyoa wants you to use their dealerships then they should make it part of the warranty requirements. Sure, in the end they stood behind their cars. We can debate the subject on and on...bottom line they came across with egg on their face on this one. Also what bewilders me is that if there created a fix or modification to prevent the sludge problem, why were all those old Toyotas NOT recalled.
Anyway, to be honest if it were not for the new 4 cylinded in the 2002, I would not have taken a chance on the Camry as I was making a purchase right in the middle of the sludge fiasco.
As for the 3.0 liter V6, I have no problem with it being under the hood of my car. I am actually excited to see just how many miles I can put on it. Just talk to your local dealers' service department and they will tell you they get Camry's and Corolla's in all time with extremely high miles on them. I even had the pleasure of witnessing it for myself when I was getting my 1999 Camry serviced. There was a gentleman getting the oil changed on his 1994 LE V6 Camry and would you believe it, the odometer had just rolled over 600,000km. I asked him how much longer he planned on keeping the car and his response was, "I would love to get a new one but this thing just won't die". Now that's reliability!!!!!!
Nice post. I have a relative that owns a 1984 Toyota Supra that he purchased used back in 1990. Would you believe he has over 750,000 miles on the odometer. Yes the engine knocks, the body is rotten nearly all over, (he lives in upstate New York). In his area they spread salt on the roads like it was for free. He has never had an accident due to poor traction, hence and it is a rear wheel drive. Never left him stranded. He never takes his cars to Jiffy Lube, he does the work himself and always uses Toyota oil and parts. Jiffy Lube is one of the last places I would take my vehicle, I would rather go to somewhere replicable, like SEARS or Walmart. Hey, if andrelaplume is not satisfied with the 02 Camry, I would make complaints in writing and follow up all the way. If not satisfied, sell the vehicle privately and buy something else, but he knows the "glitches" he has now, but he may not know the "glitches" that he may face when getting another vehicle. Engine sludging is like Honda's bad tranny's, which are still bad tranny's, just go to NHTSA site or carreview.com.
Later
Later
A friend of mine also got 03 LE V6 in 2002, he had same rattles & squeak, but a lot better than mine. He took it to the dealer twice, who didn't do what he expected them to do, instead they damaged the vanity mirror on the right side. Yes, they fixed some, but new comes up...
I had my 92 Nissan Maxima before I bought the Camry. I didn't have that kind of rattles...
Rather than addressing refinements done to 2004 Camry models (to fix reported problems with 2003 models), the person I spoke with simply issued a blanket statement that all reported problems in 2003 models were probably fixed in 2004 models (uh-huh).
When asked for any specific issue related to brakes or steering that was found in 2003, then addressed in 2004, they had none to cite. They wouldn't even acknowledge that the rattle issue was addressed at all. To make sure I got that right, I asked again.. and they said that whatever issues existed with 2003 Camry's probably still exist in 2004 models.
Although, I'm looking at a 2004 Camry, it would be nice to get more of an assurance that Toyota has made an effort to get the 2004's right.
I bought a 03 Camry SE V6 in May, and have close to 5000 miles on it. The car is great, no rattles at all. The only thing I don't like about the car is the low hanging exhaust pipe that all Gen. 5 Camrys have. I wonder why they make em that way? Any way I knew about that when I bought it.
I must also add that I was so impressed by the Camry that I bought a 2003 V6 non LTD Highlander in Oct 2002. It is also a very quiet car with no rattles or problems.
My only complaint is the bumpers. Just what is wrong with the old steel, chrome bumpers from the 60's and 70's? These new bumpers cost over 350 dollars to have repaired if a bad scratch is encountered. This seems to be true on all new autos, both foreign and domestic. Why must we be so stylish??
Unfortunately, the vibration eminating from the radio area was not vibrating so they did not pull the face plating and insulate...as mentioned in earlier posts. The tech said he had not heard of problems in this area but it seams common based on what I have seen on the board. It typically happens when it is hot outside...guess I should have stopped back at the dealer in summer but I waited until I was due for my next oil change...plus running back and forth to the dealer reminds me of the good ole' days with my Ford...running back and forth every other month...was hoping to have fewer trips with the Camry.
Finally, We have had a few abnormally cold days the last few weeks. On two occasions I heard a horrible thumping type rattle from the passenger air vent area in the dash. It went away when the car warmed up. Of course it did not do it when the car was in, however the tech said he has seen a number of cases where the metal speaker frame bumps some platstic part in the dash creating a thump. He did not want to rip mine apart until he heard the noise. It will no doubt return as the temp drops. If you have a noise in this area, you may want to mention the speaker.
Toyota.... Oh what a feeling!
Thanks!
there is a technical service bulletin issued for creak/tick noise at base of windshield, might be worth a shot taking it to the dealer
I any event it is worth a trip and be sure to point out the cowl. You may even want to sit in the car and have a friend push here and there and see if you hear the noise in the car. If so you will then be able to demo the noise to the tech.
By the way, WHAT YEAR IS YOUR CAR?
but luxury division of toyota motor corp. does offer free loaner if you've scheduled it to have your vehicle serviced.
till I buy the lexus? maybe in another five years...
usually how long does it take to fix the rattles? a day or so?
Of course I bought the Camry to limit my trips to the dealer...who'd of thought I have just as many as the Merc.....bacause of all the rattle issues...
Camry sucks!
I am surprised in light of these refined cars that attention to small plastic rattles and buzzes have not received more attention. The car is so library silent that if anything these noises are even more noticeable.
My Camry is not bad in this regard, merely average. Over the last 25 years most of my new cars have needed some kind of lubricant sprayed onto plastic parts, or shims between parts in effort to control these little plastic creaks, buzzes, pops or rattles.
Looking at the Camry I am amazed at what effort went into tuning out noise and vibration from the four cylinder engine. Items such as tuning chambers on the intake air ducting, special engine mounts, etc. Double door seals help quiet wind noise.
I wish the same effort would go into getting plastic parts living next to each other without making noise. Perhaps some lubricant impregnated into the plastic? Softer plastic surfaces at points of contact? Gaskets or other interfaces?
The automakers have been successful at eliminating much of the white noise from vehicles, but often a steady white noise isn't as annoying as creaky plastic. Lets hope some attention goes this way in the future.
My '04 has a very light rubber/glass interface noise in the driver window which goes away if I lower the glass slightly. Other plastic areas of the dash may make a slight noise under some temp. conditions. No horror story, but surprising because the rest of the vehicle is so refined. Possibly the overall quiet of the car makes these little sounds even more noticeable.
Anyway on the '04, I started to work on the little noise at base of windshield. The offending part on my car is the plastic cowling under the wiper arms. It looks like Toyota attempted to fix issues here, with a rubber pad underneath the cowling where it contacts the metal stamping of the car body.
The problem on my car was the plastic clips which hold the cowling (they aren't normally visible-they are under the plastic grille). The ones toward the center, about 4 inches to the center of brake cylinder, made a creaking noise when pushing down on the rubber hood pad attached to the cowling. I popped the clip up and put a thin film of wheel bearing grease on it. No more creaking when pushing on the hood seal, and no more noise when driving car.
I opened front door panel yesterday, I believed there was a poor design / cost cutting how to join between top plastic piece and bottom piece together. By shaking the door panel, I could hear creak noise. I put all insulations where I could think it could make rattle.
Have to wait a cold day to see if the fix works.
Since Toyota claims improvements on the 04s I am going to request that they replace my 02 window cowl with an improved 04 one. They known fix to the cowl was made a year ago but all the noise has returned. Get going fast enough an you hear all kinds of rattles that are in fact coming from outside the car where the cowl meets the window.
I am also having them pull out my radio and insulate it better...I can not stand the vibrations it makes when going down the highway anymore. On the bright side, I got ride of those super quiet Continental tires (the ones that had only 15K miles on them that offered no traction what so ever) and now that I have a decent set of rubber on the car it is not nearly as quiet as before...safer thoug...I can still hear the rattles and vibrations though not as much...why I almost feel like I am back in my old Ford...except I paid thousands more for the Camry!
Saw ppl using silicon spray, any idea what kind of product? I can hear the rattles coming from the door inside and dashboard as well.
http://www.hboss.net/4runner/door-panel-removal.htm
a) Item 4: There is one screw under door handle black rubber pad which can be peeled up easily
b)Item 6/7: There is little tricky to remove power door lock/window because it was held by a metal clip inside. Start to pull and press in from mid section of power panel. After removing power panel, there is one long screw inside to hold door panel.
c)Item 8, a piece plastic to cover screw underneath
d)Item 9: Do not remove the whole assembly until the whole door panel is free then the cables can be removed
f)Item 10: There are two additional screws under door panel
I will post the branch of lubricant and insulation were used later
Anyway, what rattle in particular was the above procedure to correct?
My 94 is trouble free as far as rattles. Odd they messed with what works.
but then computer programers do that every year
02 - 4/10 (yikes)
03 - 6/10 (better than 02 but nothing to brag about)
04 - 9.7/10 (much much better than 02 and 03. Looks like Toyota finally paid attention).
Source: Edmunds.com