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Toyota Camry: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Take a look at our Sedans conference for topics on the Malibu and the Camry for a more balanced perspective. (You can use the topic search feature on the left side of the page for easy access.)
Good luck!
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Does anybody know if this is a normal Toyota policy..or does it sound like it was a dealer specific deal? Thanks
I'd be curious if your dealer says they have to check for oil sludging first and then try to get out of paying. Good luck, and please let us know what happens!
The dealer has of course said that it is a valve seal problem and is covered under the 5 year/60000 mile powertrain warranty. Thank goodness.
They even gave me a loaner car for free since they had to keep mine overnight.
Now I have to
regularly scheduled timing belt change ? Can anyone shed light on this, as if I buy a used Toyota that has NOT has this belt changed, am I in for trouble ? Also, it is limited to certain models of Toyota, or any Toyota, as I also am interested in the Sienna mini-van. Thanks for any advice for a potential Toyota owner.
The steering wheel used to shake because the vibration was so bad, but now you can just feel it, not only when you hold the steering wheel, but under the floorboard. I drive highway to and from work at speeds up to 80 mph. I am taking the car back in today for it to be checked, but they have already informed me that the warranty on the tires has already expired. Since the problem started back at 14k does that make a difference?
Anyone who has had a similar problem, please respond. Thanks
Buy new tires
Any thoughts?
Have you had a chance to visit our Sedans Conference? There is a topic there on Camrys where you will find lots of 2000 owners. Someone around here may be able to answer you, but while you are waiting you can follow this link to look in on that discussion:
Toyota Camry 3
You can also post your question there.
Good luck, and again, welcome.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Also, my gas mileage is only about 20 city, 28 highway, which seems low for the 4 cylinder. I wonder if it is due to the "racing" engine. What are others getting for gas mileage with their 4 cylinders? Thanks for your input!
I tested it this week on a level road and it "coasted" at 1500 rpm for 12 seconds before slowing down. At idle, the RPMs go down to about 700, which is normal. Another Camry owner said her car does the same thing. It feels like the car has a mind of its own, and the lack of control is unsettling. I've never had this problem before with any other car. I guess I'll just have to get used to it?? Any other suggestions?
I need help fast!
Well, I went to get the installation kit and was told the kit would only provide a lousey hard grade bolt and some spacers, no anchor bracket as described in the owner's manual. The kid behind the counter goes on aboot some Canadian version???? After calling Toyota's 800 hotline a few times and explaining I don't need the seatbelt strap anchor, but the anchor for the teather, they explain they are in some sort of litigation and I need to go to the baby seat manufacturers.
Baby seat manufacturers say, "Talk to the dealer."
In case you can't tell I'm irritated by this point. At any rate, all 2000 model cars from Toyota are equiped with this teather anchor, will they sell me one for my car, NO! Even though my car has the bolt threads already tapped into the rear deck. BUNK!!!! Toyota put some cruddy new head/tail lights on the 1999 and sold it as a 2000. There is nooooo way they made any changes to the body of that car. Period!
Why won't Toyota retrofit a prior year car????? I could understand if I was rolling in driving an '89 Tercel.
Meanwhile, I purchased a seat after trying to find one that didn't incorporate a teather unsuccessfully. After installation, because the seat is so tall and the weight of the baby, it tips forward when applying the brakes. The seat was promptly returned after the test, $130, a lot for a baby seat.
What am I supposed to do??? Should I "rig" something up???? They'll sell me the bolt, what if I improperly use it and have an accident????
Another issue I'm peeved about with Toyota. Why didn't they "retrofit" (my word again, Toyota doesn't seem to understand) a front license plate mounting bracket. The 1996 Camry had a nice "built up" flat surface to mount the front plate. Did they make one for the new body style??? NO! Why??? These cars were made in the states, I could understand if they were made overseas and were factory equipped with one of those funky European plates. We don't run a plate on our car as a result.
This rant may seem petty, especially the plate, but my son is in real jeopardy here if I use what is available to me. I'm left with the only option of purchasing a new car, for my child's safety??? DO YOU HEAR ME??? I'm saying that a 1999 Camry is unsafe for children over 20 pounds but under 45 pounds. Some of you may say so what.... I say so what too, especially to Toyota when they realize this.....
I've bought 5 brand new Toyota's in the past 8 years, as our family has grown, I'm 31 years old. I've never even spoken a word of dislike to Toyota ever prior to these incidents. All the cars we've owned: '92 Paseo, '94 Truck, '96 Camry, '98 Tacoma (Ltd, I might add), and a '99 Camry. Aboot $96k in automobiles I've purchased in the last 8 years. I don't know that many customers that are that good, to spend, loyalty I might add, that kind of coin. At 31 now I expect to live to at least 75. A little math..... 75 (death) - 31 (current age) = 40 (years left) / 8 (recent purchase history, my income is rising by the way) = 5 (buying cycles) x 5 (cars purchased during example period) = 25 (cars potentially purchased in the next 40 years) Hmmmmmm. 25 (cars) x $22k (average price) = $550,000 in revenue from one customer, just think when my kids grow up. Or for that matter..... the people I recomend Toyota's to.
It's the little things in life that are important.
Not too long ago -- at about 80K -- we replaced all valve stem seals due to the blue smoke start-up problem (It burned oil). Total = $500 Parts/labor (Dealer subsidized part of repair).
Front Brake rotors warp every 10K ($65). Idle Speed Control Valve has been replaced 4x (Thank God for the warranty "battles").
Wow... ;( This car aint too cheap to operate anymore... Last Toyota Camry we'll be buying...
Any suggestions????
About the remote power locks: My '97 LE 4-cyl. has power locks, but not the remote feature. Under specific conditions, if the locks are operated manually from inside the car, the power function subsequently doesn't work. I tried the same thing on 3 other '97-'99 Camrys and they all did the same thing. So I concluded it's normal. Maybe yours is too.
guevinj:
I tried your experiment in my Camry -- lifting off the gas at speeds from 40 to 55 mph. It behaves the same as yours - engine revs stay at about 1500-2000, but since the wheels are still rotating and connected to engine thru the tranny, I can't see how the engine COULD slow down. But even if I shift into neutral, the revs stay at about 1200 for quite a while. Idle speed is 800 rpm. My gas mileage ranges from the low 20s to about 35 mpg, but as they say, "your mileage may vary." I don't think you have a problem.
thnksno:
I'm puzzled. Toyota supplies only a bolt + spacers, but no receptacle (anchor) for the child seat tether strap??? And today's child seats have a only hook at the end of the strap that attaches to the vehicle anchor? (I've not looked at child seats for many years, since my kids are now in college.) Have you tried a more competent dealer? Altenatively, what if you said you had a 2000 model and needed a replacement tether anchorage assembly?
It seems odd that Toyota would make it impossible for owners of '99 Camrys to hook up child seat tethers. (And you're right, only the '97 and '98s had available integrated child seats.)
About the front license plate attachment. There should be 2 "dimples" in the front bumper cover center where pointed screws can be inserted to secure the front plate. Behind the dimples are molded-in unthreaded receptacles that accept the screws, which should have a length of about 1/2 inch and a shank (thread) diameter of about 1/8 to 3/16 inch. No drilling is needed, just a screwdriver.
I've been posting the events of my experience with my 2000 Camry V6 XLE for some time now. It's been a few months since my last entry in this forum. Here's what's happened since.
I now have 32,000 miles on my car. I bought it in Late Novemeber 1999 so it's not hard to believe that I drive to work. I have had the regular oil changes and tire rotations every 3500 miles +- 500 miles. On my 30,000 mile mark, I had the oil change plus new air filter, transmission fluid check, as well as front and rear break check and adjustments. I opted to postpone the engine fluid flush..I guess that's the radiator fluid, till my next oil change since I've only had the car for about 9 months.
Ok Ok..what about the problems.
1.) Driver side Leather seats cracking already! This is unacceptable for a new car. It really indicates how thin the leather is on this car. Anyway noticed it at the 30,000 mile mark and pointed it out to the dealer last week and they said they've contacted Toyota for "permission" to fix it. Should there be permission to fix something that's clearly faulty and under warrantee? Anyway..it's been a week so far and they said the man in charge was on vacation and that he'll be back by this Monday..tomorrow. I'll update you folks on what happens. I expect nothing less than a complete removal and replacement of the bad leather on the seat. It should look as though nothing happened.
2.) Left outside adjustable mirror malfunctioned. While trying to adjust my left mirror via the electronic controls, I heard a pop sound and the mirror stopped responding to my up-down controls but did move left and right. The dealer agreed right away that this is under the warrantee. (wonder why the seat was such an issue then??)
They said they had to order the part for the mirror and by Friday(I went to the dealer on Monday) they did indeed have the part, but still no answer for the leather seat. Anyway, the mirror will be replaced on Monday when I deliver the car there.
3.) Plastic Lining on Driver Side Door rip. The lining adjacent to the bottom corner of the wind shield came apart due to a rip. It's a small rip now, but it is clear that this would only get worse if not replaced immediately. The dealer immediately agreed that this is covered by the warantee (but why was the leather seats such a big issue???) The parts were ordered on Monday and arrived by Friday when I calle them. To be replaced along with the mirror this Monday.
4.) Passenger side door squeaks when opened. This I forgot to mention to the dealer. I will this Monday if I remember. It isn't a big deal I imagine a little grease could easilly fix.
5.) Intermitten mechanical oder. Now this may be oder comming from other cars, but I smell it now and then even when the windows are closed. It is definately an engine or transmission smell? Now I've mentioned this to the dealer several times during oil changes but they've never been able to reproduce the problem. Perhaps it's just paranoia since I have no other indication that ther is a problem. But it is an observation that I note here just in case. It may turn out to be nothing.
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Well that's all I've noticed so far. The car is very good otherwise. She drives very nicely and has plenty of power. Her looks are pleasing while not too impressive she does get compliments often. I'm pleased so far, but I hope that I continue to be over the years. Well, I expect at least 150,000 miles on this car which I expect to reach in about 5 years.
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The Toyota Dealership service has been acceptable.
I'm not over joyed in their friendliness but they have been professional if not marginally polite. This dealership is the Toyota-Subaru Dealership on Rt. 9 Fishkill, NY. Their shuttle service which takes you to an from work has been KEY in winning my loyalty so far. I urge them, as if they're listening, to stick to HONESTY and RESPECT if not Politeness in their work.
Please excuse the spelling and lengthyness of this post. If I had more time I would have made it shorter.
Good Luck with your Camry,
Joseph Maroun
Good luck.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
at 37K miles(This May). The dealer said that
it was a malfunction vacuum switching valve
caused this problem. It got fixed free(still
under extended warranty). Anybody had similar
problem? I appreciate if somebody can explain
the problem a bitter? Thanks.
camry for oil sludge. I also bought my 98 camry
new. For a while, it was fine. After a few miles, it started missing. Within a few days, it
got hot on me. I did check the water and antifreeze, to realize the radiator was almost dry. I added antifreeze to the car thinking maybe
it was not full from the manufacturer. Then a few
days later it was missing really bad and the check
engine light came on. I was afraid to drive it until I called the dealership. They told me I could take it to a closer one, who I immediately
called. The dealership said it was drivable and
to bring it in the next morning. They checked the
car out and decided they did not wanting me driving it until they could investigate the problem further. They furnished me a rental car
according to their agreement. Three days later,
they called and told me my car was ready. They
had decided that a spark plug was not firing and
had replaced it. They did not seem to be concerned with the missing water / antifreeze at
this time. About 1200 miles later, the car started missing again. I immediately called the
dealership to take the car in. They had it in the
shop for about four hours and could not find any-thing wrong with it. They told me they could keep
it overnight if I did not need the car. I reminded them they must furnish me with a vehicle
if they could not repair my car the same day. They asked me to bring the car back on Monday, since this was Friday and they would have a car for me to drive. The day after I was at the dealership, the check engine light flashed about
3 times. Then on Sunday, it came back on and stayed. On Monday, I called the dealership I bought the car from and asked them if I should bring the car to them instead of the closer one.
They agreed. When I went to them, I again was
furnished with a rental vehicle so this dealership
could keep the car. I did explain that the other
dealership had replaced a spark plug since that
cylinder was not firing. I also told them about
the water and antifreeze problem. I had replaced
the antifreeze a second time by now. I told them
I thought I had a cracked head, a blown head gasket or a cracked block. I am a woman, so I guess they thought I did not know anything and that I was crazy. On Friday, I finally got my
car back. They said they did not think the other
dealership had changed a spark plug and they had
changed all four of them. I then asked them if they knew where my antifreeze was going which they
replied "no". I told them that my car was not fixed then. Within a short time, about another
1200 miles, the check engine light came on again.
I was furious by this time. I had paid $20,000
for a new toyota camry and it had been in the shop more than my 1990 camry. I had only had
oil changes, transmission oil change, brakes, and
belts replaced on it. The timing belt did go out
on it within 11,000 miles after it was replaced, but a Toyota dealership went out of their way to
replace the belt at no charge. I immediately told
them again, that the antifreeze could be low and
there was a major problem with this car. At this
time, my air conditioner was blowing hot air if I
was stuck in traffic idling. They gave me a fit
about a rental car this time, but I reminded them
of their agreement with the purchase of this vehicle. They told me they would rent me a car for three days. I told them they better have my
car fixed in three days then. Would you believe
a week later they called to tell me my car should
be ready by the end of the day. Before I left work and drove 60 miles to pick it up, they called
back and said they had to order a part for the air
conditioner and it would not be in until the next
day. I did finally pick the car up and guess what? The head had a hole in it from the factory.
It was visible and after four trips to dealers, they finally found it. My water and antifreeze
was being mixed with the oil. I wanted my engine
replaced, since I know it did internal damage, but
they refused. All they did was replace the head
and change the oil. At this time, my car only had
4400 miles on it. Over 400 miles, was the trips to the dealerships. I tried arbitration, but when
the date was set, Toyota agreed to try to work it
out with me. Guess what? They did not want to do
anything. They did not want to take the block apart to see if there was any internal damage, so
when I tried to go back to the arbitrator, Toyota
was no longer using them. My claim had been closed since Toyota was going to work it out with
me. This meant I had to start all over again. I
have not done any more about it at this time, but
I can assure you, that I will think long and hard
before I buy another Toyota. The dealership gave
me all kinds of "yea, we will do what is right"
until it came down to it. I do consider this car
a real "LEMON", since I now have problems with the
door locks not always working if you try to lock and you meant to unlock them. I also have problems with the headlights not going off, if I
accidently leave them on. I have decided it is a
losing battle with car dealerships, American and
Foreign. I would appreciate it if anyone would
let me know if they have similar problems with the
head on their Camry. If there is a enough complaints, maybe we could get some help from someone. I will probably get rid of this lemon
before the warranty is out. I definitely do not
trust it and I only have 13,000 miles on it.
I have a 1995 Camry
You probably have a fungus.
Try lysol, etc.
smelly vent (Topic #619)
airconditioning (Topic #194)
This subject has been discussed in both.
Good luck - if you get it solved, come back and let us know what worked for you.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
I read the manual which lists several possible reasons. One is about the gas cap is loose which I checked. In addition,
I contacted two dealerships and asked them if they can check the problem today. None of them have time to inspect the problem until next week. Is it safe to keep driving? And I am planning to go away for the long weekend too. Any suggestions?
1. You know how the hood and the trunk are supposed to lift up slightly when you open them with the remote switches inside the car. Well, in my camry they barely lift up. At times I have gone on driving not realising that they were open!!!!!from an earlier time that I may have opened the hood for checking the oil for example. Its a minor problem but very annoying since I expected perfection from Toyota.
2. My CD player was malfunctioning in very hot weather but Toyota fixed this without much hassle.
3. This very fine rattle comming from the drivers door that is only intermitent and not audible to most except my neurotic??? ears. The car is so damn quite that every sound seems 10x amplyfied as most of you Camry owners know.
4. The coin holder design/engeneering/workmanship is totally unToyota and sucks.
Other than the above problems the car has been a pleasure to own.
First thing is first, I have a 2000 Solara SLEV6. Now, back in May when I purchased my car with 11 miles on it, the check engine light came on within 24hrs after driving it out of the dealership. I immediately returned to the dealer and was told that there is nothing wrong with the car and was fed the gas cap, overfilling bull s***. The service dept. checked it out and reset the sensor.
Well a week later it happened again. So I took it in and started getting a little irate about this. The service dept. checked it out and could not figure it out so they replaced the cannister.
That was a wasted effort, since the light came on three days later. At this point in time I demanded that the dealer replace the vehicle but got a cold shoulder and was directed again to service again . Not letting my temper get the best of me, I contacted Toyota Customer Service and demanded that they replace the car. They explained to me that I had to bring the vehicle to service and let them continue to attempt fixing it under Toyota's warranty.
So I decided to start the arbitration process and threatened a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the car was trailered to Regional Field Service Center in NJ where Toyota tried to figure out the problem.
Finally, after three days they figured out it was a defective evap solenoid. They replaced it and now four months later the car runs beautifully. I cancelled the arbitration process after they compensated me well ($$$) for the inconvenience (car was in the shop for a total of 3 weeks, so I was stuck in a rental at thier expense). It turns out Toyota went on to diagnose quite a few cars with this same defect and issued a nationwide bulletin.
I hope this helps. Have them check out this solenoid thing.
Sorry for the long post and for not posting sooner.