2007 Toyota Camry Problems and Repairs

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Comments

  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "Should not jump into conclusions.."

    I've been following, researching, this shift pattern/schedule issue, problem/hesitation/flare, since purchasing a new 2000 AWD RX300. My "reseach" indicates it started with the introduction of the RX300 in '98.

    1998 to 2007...

    I don't think many folks would call that "jumping" into conclusions.
  • chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    I just want to say that west is always leaning on the sid eof the mfg. I can tell you personnally that these problems still exist and ore not normal. I have a v-6 se 07 and my car still flares. Been though Arbt. They say car is normal now they have new TSB and they won't allow it on my car until they can duplicate problem. When I leave car with them they say can't duplicate flare so we can't down load the reflashing. I've spent almost a year trying to get this resolved and Toyota is still playing hard ball.
    Do not buy a 07 camry, trans issues , rattles, noises I have them all.
  • stlpike07stlpike07 Member Posts: 229
    Palpak,

    Thats the car I drive and I'm not having any problems. In fact, I love my car and get compliments all the time.

    The issue is with Toyota, not the dealerships. If the delaerships can't do anything, its because of Toyota.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    dealerships can do things, they just might not be re-imbursed for their effort and parts.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "I just want to say that west is always leaning on the side of the mfg....."

    ME....??!!

    Methinks you are confusing me, wwest, with someone else....
  • jkmqjkmq Member Posts: 8
    Yes,after the 6th trip to the dealership, they finally agreed it was a faulty seat and not the B-pillar or the seat belt tensioner.I was told the new seat was 5-6 thousand dollars.Glad that was under warranty! I expect some damage when the dealership works on my car, and I was not surprised to notice that when they removed the old seat, they scratched the threshhold and the area around the trunk and gas cover release lever.I also had to shampoo the drivers side front and rear floormats(grease everywhere). The new seat is very quiet now.Just hope it stays that way.
  • stlpike07stlpike07 Member Posts: 229
    You are correct, and actions like that from the dealership can build a great relationship. But then it costs them money....
  • palpakpalpak Member Posts: 21
    stlpike07, congratulations on your problem free camry. In wwest research, he mentioned that its how toyota design the tranny and that may be the trend as other brands will follow. But in your case your car is problem free, so its not the design, if its the design then 100% of all 07 camrys will run like mine. I feel bad to have problems on my car and Toyota still says its normal. Toyota will say to bring the car to the dealer for inspection but the dealer will say car is running normal. And I end up driving away unhappy.
  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    Those of you who are having problems with your Camry could do what I did a few years ago with my Chevy
    S10. Dealer replaced dash do to defect. New dash pinched wires of after market radio and when I turned it on it started smoking. Took it back and dealer said he would pull radio and I could send it back for repairs. I said NO as it had to be sent to Ca. Figure 5 busness days there, 5 back. Thats 2 weeks plus figure at least a couple weeks there and I get a rebuilt radio in exchange for one that had only been in truck 3 days. They refused so I went home and made up a big protest sign. Their motto then was "Let Us Show you how we treat our customers." My sign said let me tell you how they treat their customers and had a drawing of a big screw on it. I wasn't out there for 10 min. when the sales manager came out there and told me you are wasting your time. We made our desision. People driving by were honking etc. I said I have plenty of time, that guy that just honked could have been going to buy a new car from you. Oh that one that honked wanted that Corvette in your showroom. Finally he said come in and I'll write you a check for the radio. I wonder what the dealer would do that claims nothing is wrong if you picketed his business during the busy time with a sign that says the Camry is a Lemon. :lemon:
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    While picketing is a good idea, I would not suggest using a sign that says Camry is Lemon because not every Camry is a lemon even though one previous 2007 Camry owner has won a Lemon case.Might be sued for libel.

    Some suggestions for the picketing signs:
    *Toyota Moving Forward
    With Acceleration Hesitation in 2007 V4 Camry
    *2007 Camry
    Most Complained Car of the Year (Check of if it's true before using this one)

    May be some members can think of more appropriate signs.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Correction: V4 should be replaced by 4 cylinders.
    Are they the same thing?
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Keep your signage to describe only your car situation. My car has this or that wrong with it.

    Let people assume (which they will), that the car was bought at that dealership, that the dealership can't fix it, that you are soo desperate that the dealer can't fix it that you will spend your time on the side of the road, and there's a chance that other cars of same model might also have a similar problem.
  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    One other thing I told the dealer but forgot about. I told him I had called the local news and TV station to see if they would do a story. TV station said they had a crew out on a report but would have them swing by on the way back to see if I was still there. I think that was also a big help.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Good suggestion about signage of picketing the dealer.However,I have already traded in mine. So it is up to the present owners of 2007 Camrys that have problems to fight for their own rights.

    Found an article about Drive by Wire with pros and cons about the technology. I recommend anyone who is interested to know more about the DBW to read this informative article:
    http://seeri.etsu.edu/SECodeCases/ethicsC/deathbywire.htm
  • milwaukeecamrymilwaukeecamry Member Posts: 6
    I have posted a couple of times on here about my dash problems and the shift flare problems. The dealer replaced the transmission and within 50 miles, still had the shift flare issues (between 3 and 4 gear when cold).

    I can't believe that this car can be that populaer. The dash area is such cheap plastic and the transmission issues are hard to overcome. I was able to get out of my car for $500.00 (owned is for 4 months and put 4,000 miles on it). I paid a little extra and purchased a new 2007 Avalon (touring model). The car is night and day difference from the Camry. The fit and finish is outstandings and the transmission shifts as it should. I did give up bluetooth, ipod connection, etc., but, well worth it.

    Good luck everyone with your Camry.
  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    Took a lot of guts to buy another Toyota after them screwing you on the Camry. I sure wouldn't give them anymore of my money. :lemon:
  • beantownbeantown Member Posts: 228
    I was able to get out of my car for $500.00 (owned is for 4 months and put 4,000 miles on it).

    Don't forget the sales tax you've now paid on two cars, and the other misc. fees you won't get back (and in MA, you'd have to deal with the excise tax as well). I'm sure if you really look at all the numbers, you lost a lot more than just $500 (plus the additional cost of the Avalon) in the end.
  • 6abc6abc Member Posts: 19
    Humm! You might want to research the sales tax statement. It might just be in PA but I had my Camary for 3 months. Bought it on Dec. 31 and sold it in April. I had a very knowledgeable dealer in both the Toyota dealership that I bought the car from and the Mercury Dealership that I purchased my new Montego from. When I told the Toyota dealership owner that I wanted to dump the Camary (I had gas tank problems and transmission problems) he informed me that if I were buying a new car within the same year I would not have to pay the sales tax again. And he was correct.

    I got a more expensive car than the Camary and broke out even. BEST THING I ever did. I will never purchase a Toyota again. How does the saying go something like. Cheat me once shame on you... Cheat me twice shame on ME.
  • beantownbeantown Member Posts: 228
    Humm! You might want to research the sales tax statement. It might just be in PA but I had my Camary for 3 months. Bought it on Dec. 31 and sold it in April. I had a very knowledgeable dealer in both the Toyota dealership that I bought the car from and the Mercury Dealership that I purchased my new Montego from. When I told the Toyota dealership owner that I wanted to dump the Camary (I had gas tank problems and transmission problems) he informed me that if I were buying a new car within the same year I would not have to pay the sales tax again. And he was correct.

    But you just confirmed that you bought the Camry in 06 and the Avalon in 07, so this doesn't apply....and I wouldn't rely on a car dealer to know the tax laws. Seriously. Look at the so called tax advice they are giving to prospective hybrid buyers. Most won't qualify for the tax credits being advertised, but you won't hear the dealers telling that to prospective purchasers in their showrooms.

    I will never purchase a Toyota again.

    But didn't you in fact do just that?
  • niki4niki4 Member Posts: 13
    just passed 33k miles in about 1/2 a year of ownership - mostly highway. the only problem i have is the hesitation when slowing down; i mainly notice when turning a corner. after the 30k maintenance, my mileage dropped by 3mpg and car doesnt handle as well at higher speeds (over 70). dealer is looking at the car again but already suggested that this is normal wearing in time again after tire rotation & balance. anyone encounter this problem?
  • 6abc6abc Member Posts: 19
    Dear Beantown,

    I think you confused my posting with the one before. If you reread mine (6ABC) I DID NOT purchase another Toyota. I got a Mercury Montego as stated in my post. Why would I purchase another Toyota after gas tank problmes and transmission problems?????

    As far as paying tax again on a new car within the same year. Three finance people at different dealers confirmed that this could be done. At that point I found no need to contact a tax consultant.

    The bottom line was I DID NOT pay taxes again on my new MERCURY MONTEGO. I got most of my money back for the Toyota Camry warranty I purchased (lost about $70 on that) and I am still waiting to get my tire warranty refund. So I hope that clears it up for you. The Camary cost me about $23K the Montego price was $25K and I walked out not paying a cent.

    They Toyota dealer would not buy back my car. I traded my Camary into the Mercury dealer and they got a confirmation from the Toyota dealer that they (The Toyota dealership) would purchase the car back from them. A little confusing but it worked out very well.

    I bought the Montego at the end of the month and at a LARGE dealership. Just a few tips for anyone shopping around after they dump the Camary.
  • beantownbeantown Member Posts: 228
    I think you confused my posting with the one before. If you reread mine (6ABC) I DID NOT purchase another Toyota. I got a Mercury Montego as stated in my post. Why would I purchase another Toyota after gas tank problmes and transmission problems?????

    I was originally trying to respond to Milwaukee (who DID trade in the Camry for the Avalon and who DID claim to only lose $500) and you jumped in.

    As far as paying tax again on a new car within the same year. Three finance people at different dealers confirmed that this could be done. At that point I found no need to contact a tax consultant.

    Again, I'm not disputing this point for your particular state. What I'm disputing is the fact that you said you purchased the Camry on December of 2006 and then traded it in for the Montego in 2007! That is not considered the same calendar year regardless of what state you live in.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Beantown and 6abc,

    Let me show you guys a better picture of your contention from a bystander point of view:

    Beantown, you did confuse 6abc's posting with Milwaukeecamry's posting. In your posting to 6abc on Jun 14, you quoted 6abc's posting about sales tax then when on commenting,"But you just confirm that you bought the Camry in 06 and the Avalon in o7."
    It is inappropriate if not mistaken for you to quote from 6abc in reply to a posting under 6abc's name and immediately say "you" to mean Milwaukeecamry. Furthermore, Milwaukeecamry did not confirm that he bought the Camry in 06. In May 7, 2007 Milwaukeecamry said he had a 2007 Carmy that was 2006 build. There was no confirmation on when he bought it.

    6abc,the salespersons may have told you that you didn't have to pay tax again if you traded it in and bought a new car within the same year, but I think what they actually meant was within 12 months as it was in your case. It is better for you to elaborate your wording so as to avoid causing any dispute.

    I wish I lived in 6abc's state as far as car tax is concerned. I traded in my Camry in California within a year,ooops,I mean within 12 months, and had to pay very heavy tax again.

    Now let us go back to the Camry.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Correction:
    Second line for beantown.
    .....about sales tax then (went)on commenting

    Sorry about the error. I made mistake, too. Let's give each other a break.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Let's give each other a break.

    Yes. Let's do that. :)
  • 6abc6abc Member Posts: 19
    Dear nmt001
    Your are correct about the 12 months not having to be in the same year. But I decided to bow gracefully out of the tread because if felt more comfortable not posting again. Thanks for chiming in about the 12 months.

    No, you don't want to live in this (Philly) area the weather is horribly humid in the summer and the winters can be very long.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Dear 6abc,
    I can understand why you feel more comfortable not posting again 'for at least until you have issues with automobiles again'.(I add that for you so that you won't be picked on when you post again in the future when necessary.I understand that's what you actually mean.) It is very stressful when you got criticized unjustiably due to the misunderstaning of another member, I feel for you.
    I won't be moving to Pilly just to save car tax.I cannot tolerate humid weather.
    Bye. Take care.
  • mitrellimmitrellim Member Posts: 2
    Can anyone tell me why my odometer on my 1996 Toyota Camry is registering almost twice the amount of miles that I am driving? I have considered that the thing might be switched to KM, but I have no clue how to switch it back if that is the case. Otherwise, the trip and the odometer are way off. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of a similar problem?
    Thanks,
    Tim Miller
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Are you in the US or Canada? Was the car originally registered in the US or Canada? The Camry has never had a switchable odometer, so that is not the problem, but 1 mile = 1.61 km, so your error is in the same ballpark.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,691
    If the odometer were in Km, wouldn't the speedometer be reading in Km also?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Yes, this is true and if the speedo had dual markings, kilometers would be more prominent (the reverse of the US).
  • mitrellimmitrellim Member Posts: 2
    Actually, the speedometer has both on the same panel (mph big and Km small). I will try to calculate and see if it is exacty 1 to 1.6)
    Thanks,
    Tim Miller
  • vizyovizyo Member Posts: 35
    I have been driving Toyota for the last 12 years and I decided to buy 2007 Camry a month ago. I am very disappointed after noticing all the defects that I listed below.

    - Heater fan does not turn off. Its knob does not go to "off" keeping the fan running all the time.

    - The trunk does not close. I noticed that it is touching the bumper. It also peeled off the paint on the bumper and also trunk itself.

    - Glove box does not close. There is big gap between the dashboard and its door. Only one of its hinges closes.

    - Skirt on left side of the car was loose.

    - Scratch on the bumper.

    - Scratch on the front passenger seat.

    Inspections of these items are included in PDI (predelivery inspection) that is included in the purchase price. In othe words, I paid for this inspection but the dealer did not do the inspection correctly and did not inform me about any of the defects. All my other toyotas were used ones. I never thought of inspecting the car myself before I took it over. I just relied on the Toyota dealer. But it was a big mistake.

    I took the car to the service to get the defects inspected and fixed. They took down to dashboard to be able to fix the problem on the glove box. They spent hours but it has not been completely fixed. It still does not close well. They informed me that they have to take the whole dashboard down again and try to find what is causing it.

    They also fixed the trunk. The problem was that the bumper was not installed well. Its cover was loose preventing the trunk to close. The bumper and trunk have to be painted now. The toyota service informed me that the best way of paint the trunk and bumper is to do touch up with a pen. Otherwise they have to order a new bumper that comes without paint. Then they get it painted in a local repair shop that will never be like the original one. I decided to do the touch ups myself !!! Imagine brand new car with touch-ups on its bumper and trunk !!!

    I called Toyota Canada. They would not care less. They did nothing but just telling me that they fix the defects. They did not even warn the dealer that I bought the car from. I paid for PDI. I was supposed to be informed about all these defects in the first place if the inspection was done by the dealer. They probably knew all about them but just hid them.

    All these defects and experiences with the dealer and Toyota Canada turned me off from Toyota. After driving Toyota for 12 years, it is sad to say that this will definitely be my last Toyota. I am now sharing all these experiences with my friends and other people who intend to buy Toyota. I have already made one of my friends, who is driving corolla and wanted to upgrade it to camry, give up buying Camry.
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    There are people out there who think that we are making up stories about the problems of the 2007 Camry that we had bought and about the apathetic attitude of the dealership from which we bought the car from but I believe that you are telling the truth because I was a previous owner of the 2007 Camry, who had been through some bad experience with the car and the dealership.
    I am just glad that Toyota is not the only car manufacturer in the US like Ford used to be. Competition makes progress.
  • vizyovizyo Member Posts: 35
    This is not a made-up story. I wish I could say only good things about my camry as I used think of being a Toyota fan for years. It is very nice looking car, very comfortable and has very enjoyable driving. What disappointed me is how this car passed the quality check when or after it was manufactured. The defects on my camry were not mechanical or electrical but physical and very visible.

    Last week I called Toyota Canada to tell them that I was not satisfied with touch-up fixing on my bumper. I paid full price for this car (the dealer gave me only 250$ discount over the regular price) and I could not find it fair to have touch-ups on a new car. They just told me that they were sorry but there was no any other way around. Then I understood that I have to live with it !! They also told me that if I do not get it done in the toyota service I cannot make any claim if the trunk gets rusty in the future due to the damage on the paint the defect has caused. So, I booked an appointment with the service and I will take it there next week. My car is now at 2200 km only.

    My suggestion to people who are buying a new car is to go to the dealer at least one hour before they sign any document. Take your time and do visual inspection on every spot. Once you take the car over, even if the car has to be rebuilt for any reason after, it is yours. Manufacturer does not take any responsibility. The only thing they say "sorry, it happens. you have to deal with your dealer". For a simple problem, they may have to disassamble major components and put them together after but you never expect it to be in its original condition anymore. The car is being manufactured with automated systems and every bolts or screws have certain torques. I saw how the technicians were working on my glove box. They push, pull and hit strongly to put the parts together. Everything is done with simple screw drivers.
  • chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    Hello, I do believe you because I have gone and still going through many issues with my 2007 v-6 camry including RPM flare with the transmission they don't want to take care of.
    They love to tell you these issues are normal.
    I would suggest to you to keep bringing your car to the dealership and get a R.O report each time so you can keep track of the attempted fixes. If they can't fix a problem after 4 times you can file for arbritration and try to get them to replace or buy back the car.
    However dealerships are aware of this and will do what ever they can to stay away from the 4 th fix like saying it is normal or not giving you new paper work each time they attempt a fix.
    Don't give up. I know it's hard to keep going back to the dealership. Also keep records of everything.
    My 2007 Toyota camry is the worst car I ever bought because of it's quality issues. Buyer Beware!
  • nmt001nmt001 Member Posts: 124
    Good advice for vizyo. I already traded in mine.
    Sometimes it is not the major defects that annoy a car buyer. I doubt if people can return a car as lemon because of poor quality in trims and paint job that have nothing to do with safety.
  • beantownbeantown Member Posts: 228
    The toyota service informed me that the best way of paint the trunk and bumper is to do touch up with a pen. Otherwise they have to order a new bumper that comes without paint. Then they get it painted in a local repair shop that will never be like the original one.

    They lied to you on this one. I got rear ended a month after purchasing my Blue Ribbon Metallic Camry and had to have the bumper replaced. 3rd party shop replaced the bumper and matched it up perfectly - both paint and fit.

    They obviously botched the pre-delivery inspection, but you have to take at least a little responsibility for not noticing these things before you took delivery. I can understand missing a few of these things, but given the amount of money you are forking over for a new Camry (or any new car) nowadays, you just have to take the 15 minutes to visually inspect the exterior and interior as best you can.
  • 650spx650spx Member Posts: 48
    I am sure you get paid for everything you do at work. Why should the dealer eat the repair they did nothing wrong. I don't know when servicing a vechile became a auction but I am sick of it. Mabey offer to pay for the repair if you think it will fix it.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    I am sure you get paid for everything you do at work

    ah, no. i'm sure you know of many people that are not compensated for over-time, after-hours support, nor doing the work of others...

    a dealership CAN decide that a customer or transaction is important enough to eat a repair when corporate will not warranty re-imburse. i imagine it happens ALL THE TIME.

    well, not all the time ;) they are after-all in the business to make money. but you can surely see this right?

    sometimes it is exactly in their best interest (reasons can be various). sometimes as a customer, we are challenged to help the service writer, manager, owner identify a win-win situation when corporate would otherwise say NO.
  • gooddeal2gooddeal2 Member Posts: 750
    They lied to you on this one. I got rear ended a month after purchasing my Blue Ribbon Metallic Camry and had to have the bumper replaced. 3rd party shop replaced the bumper and matched it up perfectly - both paint and fit.

    If the damage is not that noticeable, don't do it. Re-paint bumper will not have the resistance as the original bumper. Sure, it will look nice when you take it out the body shop but after 2 or 3 years the paint will start cracking/peeling.

    A good body shop will tell that "it's not the same". When the car got painted at the factory, it got into a 400 degrees room to dry up the paint while most body shop can only put the car in a 160-180 degrees room.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Re-paint bumper will not have the resistance as the original bumper. Sure, it will look nice when you take it out the body shop but after 2 or 3 years the paint will start cracking/peeling.

    I've had good and bad experiences with bumper repaints. Luckily, I only had to pay the first time (my deductible); the body shop honored their "lifetime" paint warranty (it was a Toyota dealership). The key to getting the paint to adhere properly is good preparation of the surface, the same as in painting anything else.

    I'm not so sure car bumper covers are put in the 400-degree room with the rest of the car after factory painting. I don't think the plastic can take that much heat without damage.
  • milwaukeecamrymilwaukeecamry Member Posts: 6
    Sorry,
    I have not checked the board for a while - wanted to put the Camry behind me. I have sense received many comments. Just to recap: I purchased my 2007 Camry in February of 2007. The car was a June 2006 mfg. date. It was a V-6, XLE. When I purchased the car, it had 3,800 miles on it. I had the dash rattles fixed, had the transmission replaced b/c of the 3-4 shift flare. Fit of parts, low quality leather seats, very cheap plastic inside. Not happy. Also, the new transmission started to have the same problem with the shift flare. Also, the vents in the dash creaked with every little temp change (when the car was hot and the A/C on they would creak).

    I could not take all the little issues and was affarid of the transmission, etc. I took it back to the Toyota dealer that I purchased it from (I bought it used from the Toyota dealer). I traded the car in at $500 less than I purchased the car originally. I purchased the Brand New 2007 Avalon at slightly under Dealer Invoice. Someone made the comment about me loosing A LOT more than just the $500 b/c of taxes, misc. fees, etc. Well, I would tell you that I lost more than $500, but, the amount is not material. Obvisouly, I paid more for the Avalon than the Camry. That amount in my mind is not a loss since the Avalon is a much better car. Taxes - no - b/c I traded the car in. I only paid taxes on the difference between the purchase price of the Avalon and the trade-in amount of the Camry. Thus, in my mind, the only taxes that I am out is the taxes on the $500 that I lost on the trade in. The other taxes I would have paid anyway with the purchase of the Avalon. Other fees, not really. It only costs $40 bucks or so to register a car in Wisconsin. I did however loose the time that I spent going back and forth to the dealer for the Camry problems.

    Getting rid of the Camry was the best thing that I have ever done. The 2007 Avalon is a much, much better car. It does not have all the bells as the Camry (blue tooth, aux input on the radio, etc), but a much more solid and better built car.

    Let me know if you have any other questions.
  • milwaukeecamrymilwaukeecamry Member Posts: 6
    Just to clarify on the sales tax issue: In the state of Wisconsin, you only pay taxes on the NET Sales price of the car. Trade-ins, serve to reduce the Net Sales price and obvisouly reduce taxes paid. It does not matter what year, make or model of the car that is traded in.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    milwaukeecamry...Well, unless I'm mistaken, which is certainly possible, this is the first time you have stated that you bought the 2007 Camry USED! Apparently, someone else didn't like that particular car either, if they traded it in after only 3,800 miles, or it was perhaps a lemon-law buy back. That makes a big difference in our understanding of your claim to have lost only $500 in the trade. Also, you now admit that you spent more for the Avalon.

    Anyway, congrats on the Avalon, and enjoy!
  • 650spx650spx Member Posts: 48
    I do agree a dealership can and usaly dose decide to do the repair for a good srevice customer. I do work for a toyota dealer as a expert tech with all toyota certs,15 ase tests and 28 year's of toyota service. The toyota rep usaley ends up paying the repair claim. But it is still up to each and every dealer to say who is a good customer. For example someone who buys a car every 3 to 5 years but get's there car fixed somewhere else is a good sales customer but is at the same time a bad service customer.It pay's to do all services at your toyota dealer. I have seen the crazyist things get goodwilled for a good customer and the smalllest things not covered for a bad service customer.AS you said thay are a business and in my experience loyal service customers get all the goodwill help as it should be.
    I still do recomend that this guy pays for the ecm reflash and work out a deal. If the reflash fixes his problem then that money can be refunded towards other services his car needs. I will also say one more thing if I can not duplicate a problem I do not do a repair. I have always done it this way and feel it is the only way.
  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    I will also say one more thing if I can not duplicate a problem I do not do a repair. I have always done it this way and feel it is the only way.
    =========================
    That may be fine for you but when I have a problem that can be fixed even though you can't duplicate it what do you think? I have nothing better to do except be inconvenienced, waste my time at your dealership, go without my car for a day or two why you play god, and still end up bringing it back a couple weeks later for the same problem. Chances are I will look for a new dealer to work with or better yet vote with my money the next car purchase whether it be another Toyota or if rotten service another make/dealer. Hopefully the rest of the mechinacs at your dealership don't think along your lines.
  • chuck28chuck28 Member Posts: 259
    I will also say one more thing if I can not duplicate a problem I do not do a repair. I have always done it this way and feel it is the only way.

    Well said, I have had nothing but frustration trying to get the dealershi[p to duplicate problems.
    I had my car in the dealership for the RPM flare and they had it for 4 to 5 days checking it twice a day and said they could not duplicate it. The very first day I got it back I duplicated the problem. Is it they can't duplicate or they don'y want to?
    I have my rpm flare on video and a arbritration decision agreeing that the flare does exist but does not impair the car our the value so they won't replace the car.
    The frustrating part is that the fix is out there but they refuse to apply the reflashing. They are trying to protect themselves from the lemmon law buy back meaning that if the fix dosen't work it's one more attempt closer to the lemmon law requirements on a buy back.
    I agree with you that I will look for another dealership before I have one continue to waste my time!
    If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to them. At this point I think Toyota sucks!
  • milwaukeecamrymilwaukeecamry Member Posts: 6
    True on both accounts - I don't think I ever specified that I purchased the car used (although I don't think it really matters if I purchased it new or used as they gave me a value of $500 less than what I paid for the car - which was my original point of saying I lost $500 on the transaction)

    I assumed that everyone would guess that a new Avalon would be more expensive than a Camry.

    Thanks for the response - the Avalon is great.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    i think dealerships should mount an obd-ii data capture device on the vehicle and let you drive it till you duplicate the problem, then you drive it back down to the dealership and they pull the data off the thing.

    the systems are becomming so complex, that it requires high-tech sleuthing in somecases. in other cases, there's no substitute for logic and a methodical approach. unfortunately, i don't think the typical tech is empowered to do high-tech sleuthing.

    i wonder if dealerships send their people off to manufacturer in-depth diagnosis and service schooling. probably not.
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