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Toyota Camry Rattles
nippononly
Member Posts: 12,555
in Toyota
a topic - Toyota Rattles. All the new models seem to...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
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I have now driven several other 2002 Camrys and I am convinced that this is a factory defect. Every one of them rattle to some extent!
I think it is going to take a number of people coming forward and demanding repair on this to get them to do anything. I am going to try to start a discussion thread to gather the owners who have rattles together. Thanks for your input. My email is mbergman@kc.rr.com if you have additional info. PLEASE OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM CONTACT ME. Go in and make them fix it!!
(There was a post referencing a TSP about a cracking noise coming from the moon roof but that's another issue...I don't have one!)
Just proves they should quit changing the cars (human nature of course is to screw up a good thing).
My 94 Camry is great:
100,500 miles , original front and back brake pads, orig muffler, orig water pump, never added freon to A/C. Repairs to date - front motor mount, new antenna mast.
My GM cars ate brakes at 20,000 miles and water pumps at 25000 miles
I have a matrix, it is not a Camry, but there is enough plastic in this thing to...I don't know - what takes a lot of plastic?!! But it creaks and squeaks all the time, both as the car moves, and as it warms up from the sun.
And the right passenger door makes a ruckus like a can of loose screws whenever you drive over pavement that is not glass-smooth. It has been in twice to fix this - the second guy got about 50% of it, but I think I am going to have to settle for that...who has the time to keep going back for the same thing?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
1. Current Toyotas are NOT built like Toyotas in the past. I believe this is intentional on Toyota's part. They want to keep the lid on prices and remain cost competitive with other makes. I think Toyota believes that most buyers are willing to give up a little build quality to save money. Toyota is probably right.
2. Toyota would never admit it, but they probably can't achieve the same quality in their North American factories that they can in their Japanese factories. If there was a reduction in quality how would it show up? During assembly resulting in squeaks and rattles. I don't think it's a coincidence that Lexus are all still made in Japan.
3. Although your Toyota has some strange noises, the powertrain is rugged and will probably remain trouble free for a long time. My repair costs over the years have averaged about $25 per year per vehicle. That is getting pretty close to perfection. While you're being annoyed with strange noises, owners of other makes are having transmission failures, blown head gaskets, etc.
4. If you want the great build quality that Toyota used to have, one solution is to buy a Lexus. This is a viable alternative for something like a Camry. Pay $5k more and get a Lexus ES300. Unfortunately, many Toyotas such as Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Celica, etc. do not have a Lexus equivalent. With a Lexus you will get the great build quality of past Toyotas and bulletproof mechanicals.
I just bought a new Camry about 2 weeks ago and have put 400+ miles on it. Being a little paranoid from the talk of rattles, I listened carefully to the car and I started hearing creaks coming from the dash. I investigated further and it seems to be coming from the radio console. It doesn't seem to seat very well. When I press on the junction between the dash and the radio, I can hear it creak!!! How can I take care of this? This is my first new car so I'm hoping to get some pointers on approaching the dealer. Thanks.
P.S. Is this a similar problem to what most people are having?
Please take the few minutes it takes to do this. You will be helping all of us who purchased the Toyota Camry based on its reputation for quality.
Now of course this is just a home remedy and I haven't taken the car into the dealer to have it looked at, but it's a possible solution for you.
My Matrix was built in Canada - I didn't get a choice about that - they are only built one place. However, for many of the models you can pick from American-made ones or Japanese ones, and I think there IS a correlation between the squeaky, rattly ones and the build location in America. I would say if you are looking for corolla or camry, walk around the lot some - every car is required to have a sticker right on it saying point of final assembly, and for either of these models you can find American ones and Japanese ones. The only models where you have no choice, I believe, are Matrix and Sienna, as well as Tacomas. Echo and celica are Japan-built, as are all the SUVs - have I missed anything? Oh yeah, Solara is all built here.
Final note: in many of these models nowadays, even the expensive ones, there is a great deal of plastic used to save weight, which is important. However, it is inevitable, I think, that when you use that much plastic to build the interior of a car, there are going to be squeaks and rattles. I have experienced this on other models I have test-driven, including Nissans and Hondas, as well as some domestic cars as well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As far as their being a lot of plastic...that has been the case for years...I'd expect some rattles now and then but not in the exact same spot on both the passenger and drivers side...and in many many 2002s...this is a design defect of some sort!
HOWEVER, it just so happens that I was reading the ten econocars comparo in the latest Car and Driver, and, what's this? turns out Honda Civic came in fifth for poor paint and squeaks and rattles all over the place.
I think both of these manufacturers are resting on the laurels of their past successes right now, and figuring out ways to cheapen their production and hence make more profits without the consumer noticing.
Well, to judge from this board, PEOPLE ARE NOTICING!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am trying to get this lemon replaced and have begun the arbitration process. From my experience with the company and the dealer,a customer's opinion counts for nothing.
Does anyone of any reputable third party service that test drive my car and give documentary evidence that I am not imagining these problems. This would really help my case.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Naveen
The Toyota dealer who sold me the car would not even touch the car and told me check with the factory rep. because Toyota was not paying them enough.
Factory rep had two rear struts replaced, which made no difference. He also told me that there was nothing wrong with the car and he was doing this as a "good will" gesture(!!??) After that he would not even talk to me. I was told that he was promoted and there was no factory rep. for me to contact, which was a lie.
Then I went through Toyota's arbitration and their own arbitrator recommended that Toyota repair the car. Toyota Motor Sales just ignored their own arbitrator's decision.
Than I went through this State's arbitration. Toyota was asked to buy back their "masterpiece" and they did.
No more POS Toyotas for me!
MILES DATE ITEM COMMENTS WARRANTY?
6 12/6/2001 Took Delivery of vehicle
517 12/17/2001 Check driver seat motion Advisor said it was considered "normal" YES
1,550 1/10/2002 "Replaced complete seat track (drivers seat).
Removed headliner and shimmed to stop rattling.
Inspected right rear for rattling in wheel area." Strut ordered YES
1,994 1/17/2002 "Express Lube.
Replaced right rear strut/Four-wheel alignment.
Trunk cover hits hinge on left side/Reinstalled covers in trunk." YES
4,334 2/22/2002 "5,000 Mile Mini.
Inspect pulling to right since strut replacement.
Inspect for rattle in R/F door./Insulate lock cable.
Rattle in sunroof switch./Insulated." YES
7,179 4/24/2002 Express Lube.
11,342 7/16/2002 "Express Lube.
Rotate Tires.
Trunk liner falling / Reattached with glue." YES
14,829 9/10/2002 "Express Lube.
Trunk liner falling / Attached per TSP BO003-02.
Inspect right front brakes for noise." "Vehicle operating properly at this time" regarding the brake noise. YES
16,549 10/8/2002 "Sunroof tilting roughly when hits top. Is no longer flush with roof.
Right front brake pops when brake pedal is pressed." "Sunroof was ""Adjusted.""
Parts ordered for brake." YES
16,959 10/15/2002 "Replaced shim-kit for previous item.
Adjusted sunroof" Sunroof still not tilting properly and not flush. YES
17,485 10/24/2002 Sunroof not tilting properly./Removed and calibrated motor assembly. Still not flush with roofline. Water puddles during rain. YES
18,326 11/6/2002 "Express Lube.
Sunroof not flush with roof line/Adjust sunroof
Check for squeak from sunroof when going down rough road/Lube sunroof" Sunroof now flush. New rubber seal was ordered as mine is kinked on one corner. YES
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
i have a japan built corolla and am having problems with rattles over really small bumps
so its just not the US built cars
i was really harsh on theor customer survey
next car im getting a hyundai
(sorry hyundai at least acts like they care these days)
This was posted on the Camry board:
TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- This statement is being issued by
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.:
In survey results publicized by Consumer Reports, the 2002 Toyota Camry
was rated average due to complaints about minor issues with some aspects of
the car's interior and exterior trim.
Toyota responded to customer reports of uncharacteristic squeaks, rattles
and loose trim in early production of the redesigned 2002 Camry. Internal
surveys and independent reports confirm Toyota's confidence that the issues
have since been resolved and that Camry initial quality is back to its normal
high levels. Functional reliability is not an issue. In fact, Camry scored
well above average in all major operational categories of Consumer Reports'
survey including engine, transmission, brake and electrical systems, etc.
Camry remains a recommended model and Toyota and Lexus models continue to
be at or near the top of their segments as rated by Consumer Reports and many
other independent quality, reliability and customer satisfaction surveys.
GM never does that .
With respect to GM, who'd expect them too. You expect rattles on the American cars. Was it not Iococa who said American car buyers don't mind trim falling off as long as the price is low...
My 94 Camry has the metal post mount - the "glue on" is probably a cheaper way.
PS:
Hope you are wrong!
I say the answer is "yes", and if you have to build squeaky creaky cars to build them to last, then maybe you should be building them to last a little less!
Toyotas have outstanding reliability and longevity, and I think they are worth a premium over other makes in their segment, but I don't think it is too much to ask that they also be quiet and rattle-free driving out of the dealer's lot.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
**i have a japan built corolla that rattles like crazy. so i dont buy the built in japan stuff
"Toyotas have outstanding reliability and longevity"
**based on what? past history who cares, whats to say that toyotas of today will last as long? it seems like honda an toyota are dropping the ball.
The one and two year old cars are not old enough to tell you if they are more or less reliable than they used to be (unless they really suck), and this applies to new Toyotas as well.
Personally, I would say that since Toyota's model evolution is so cautious and gradual, it is quite likely that the ones being built now are still pretty much as reliable as those of a decade ago, but I would also say that the 80s Toyos were better in the long run than the 90s ones, just by a bit, and this trend may be continuing. In particular, the more I read about manufacturers, Toyota included, squeezing their parts suppliers tighter and tighter for every last drop of profit, the more those parts are going down in quality and longevity, and after all, the car is only as good as its parts.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I had a Honda Civic built there, not quite a good as japan but real close - a few cosmetic glue blobs here and there - mechanically ok
My 1991 Camry, which was made in Japan, has NO rattles, squeaks or vibrations anywhere in it. It has over 115K miles on it. My 2000 RAV4 (also made in Japan) is the same way, but only has 10K miles.
My mothers Kentucky built 1999 Avalon is a complete rattletrap after only 15K miles. It may be soon traded in for an ES 300 or a Highlander Limited 4WD, both primarily Japanese built.
Yes it does make a difference whether or not the Toyota was made in Japan or Canada versus Kentucky. As has been said ad nauseum, there are reasons all Lexus are Japanese made. The first Lexus soon to be built in North America will be built in Canada. This means the Solara is going to be built in Kentucky, so look for it's quality to go down from earlier Canadian built models. The Sienna is going to Indiana, so look for an increase in quality from earlier KY models.
1. Drivers door does not close the way other doors do (from day one). It needs just a little extra push - I know, I know - picky, picky! Heck ya, I'll be picky and expect perfection. I thought Toyotas were only made after a lot of thought and with great detail in mind ?? Not so sure now!
2. Both rear doors squeak. Granted we do not use these doors often, I have lubed/oiled them regularly.
3. Rattle from the B pillar on driver’s side. Taken to the dealer multiple times and had some of the trim re-installed but this problem still continues.
4. Passenger side door armrest trim cracking. I can't believe this.
5. Driver side door trim that has the window switches is peeling paint. Again, I can't believe this crap.
6. Hood does not prop up at all when lever pulled from inside the car. It will open without problems but at times it has been left open since
it is easy to forget it is open since the hood seems perfectly aligned and no visual clue to remind that it is open.
7. Ditto as above for the trunk. Both of these since day one and when taken to dealer they said, "Well, that’s the way it is".
Bottom line for me:
1. This model Camry is cheap, cheap, and cheap. Plastic quality is horrendous. Plastic trim pieces don't fit perfectly.
2. The "attention to detail" factor is just plain missing.
3. Seat fabric feels cheap esp. now after 4 years.
4. I think Toyota seems to putting its good resources to Lexus and SUV products since they fetch a fat profit, and leaving the Camry’s and corollas to their inexperienced teams. While this makes immediate business sense, not taking care of its core and bread and butter products is going to come back someday and bite their [non-permissible content removed].
5. '98 Camry: Very amateurish.
6. I am done with you TOYOTA. When its time to buy a new car, I am going to HONDA. Asta La Vista, baby!!
On GM cars I used to use the problems were with vendor supplied things like an arm rest or a washer fluid bottle. Sometime you would buy 3 of the things all made to the same drawing number - either GM would not revise the design spec, or the supplier kept screwing up on quality. the parts man at the Olds dealer told me 2 times when buying replacement parts "this one will break too, its the same as the one you have"