2009 Toyota Camry

cpurdue

There is nothing different when changing the rubber itself. The only difference with the pressure monitors is the valve stem. You cant replace them with a normal one, nor can you replace the core of the stem. That's the only part that is different.

amirk

Hi,

I am having lot of back problems with my 2008 Camry LE. I have went into the dealership and had no luck. I also had to go to the chiropractor and get xrays, now will have to go get an MRI. All these problems started right after i started driving this new Camry.

I took it into the dealer and they test drove it and didnt do anything else. They said its a bit stiff but thats normal. I said it caused me backaches but they only told me to speak to customer care, no fix to the car.

Please let me know what I should do next.

amirk

Hi,

I am having similar problems with my 2008 Camry LE. I have had terrible backaches ever since i started driving this new camry. I also went to the dealer but had no luck, they kept saying this is normal.

Do let me know what you have decided, as i also have no other options

msbr743

I've posted previously on my back issues w/my '09 Camry SE which I've had since the end of Aug. '08. What I can tell you is customer service did not do a thing about it. I've also spoken to someone else who had problems w/his '09 SE & he had not gotten anywhere w/the dealership or Toyota on the pathetic seats. The car is great other than the seats & my back continuously hurts. I'm waiting until things settle down in a few weeks in sports for my son & then I'm trading it in for something that's more comfortable & enjoyable to drive. Sad that Toyota refuses to do anything about the seats in these vehicles that apparently is becoming a common problem.

ctl

It is a one-seat-type-fits-all scenario, and there are definitely some people that doesn't fit the seats of any particular car (be it an accord or camry or whatever). Seats nowadays are better designed to the way your body posture is "supposed" to be. Blaming that on the car or the company is a bit funny (it is you! ), try to customize the seat to fit you or try another car.

wwest

I just go to ebay and buy the seats that i want, make me comfortable.

210delray

I don't think your solution is so easy these days. How do you ensure that the seat mounts up to the tracks in your current car? What about all of the power connections, if you have power seats? And with side thorax airbags built into the seats, you're taking a big risk in that the replacement seats may not be compatible with the original seat's airbag deployment timing and pattern. It's possible that the new seat's airbags won't deploy at all. Then there's the aesthetic issues such as matching colors and upholstery patterns.

I do have to agree with the previous poster that with seats, you have to try before you buy, preferably by taking a long test drive. Even better, try to rent the car of your interest for a weekend before you buy. I would speculate this is especially important if you have a prior history of back or neck problems, are over 50 (like me), or are obese.

zhengm

At first please lower your car seat. You will feel comfortable when your seat is high, but it will cause you backpain problem in long term. You can also try to drive with one hand put on top of the lower left hole or lower right hole of the steering wheel, so you can have a rest with the other hand. Ask experienced people to show you before you do that. Third, slow down and your driving will be more fun. Good luck.

exler

Has anyone got a great deal on tires from a selling dealer or Toyota if you were not pleased with the tire wear from your original equipment tires?

gooddeal2

I used to try to do this once long time ago with firestone/bridgestone but it was a wast of time. You can get a better deal out there. If you don't want to shop around, you can just get them from wholesale places or walmart.

notmybmw

That's my advice for putting rubber on any car. Not likely that a car dealer can touch a tire guy who's putting on 30 or 50 sets a day.
Look in the Yellow Pages.....or in the daily newspaper: call three guys for quotes (installed and balanced) and if he can't tell you exactly what tire SHOULD be on the car withing 5 seconds of you telling him the year and model.....hang up.
That's my two cents.....and I've put a lot of tires on three Camry's over 15 years.
Mike

exler

Thanks for the info--I just feel one should get more than 18-20K out of original tires while not being heavy footed or doing rough driving.

amirk

I have tried to adjust the seat many times. I have also taken it to the dealer and gotten them to adjust it for me. No matter how i adjust it, i still feel the pain. Doesnt matter how fast or slow i drive, it is definately the car seat and not me.

I have been driving different cars (honda accord, lexus, toyota sienna), and none of them gave me any problems. But as soon as i drive this toyota camry 08, i get back pain.

I do agree that i should have test driven it for longer time than i did, but i didnt expect a brand new toyota car would have such a big issue and the dealers not do anything about it.

notmybmw

I agree with you: no matter what kind of tire came on it from the dealership, you should have gotten 30,000 miles on them. If they were Michelins, you should have gotten closer to 50.

210delray

I don't think you can make a blanket statement like that. Some tires wear quicker than others, no question about it. Also, as I understand, some states have coarser pavement than others (I believe the mountain states are the worst). Then there's the whole situation of how you drive.

Just as an example, I had an '80 Volvo 240 for 21 years. I regularly used Michelin XZX tires, which are no longer made, and got 47K to 60K miles out of them. (I bought them in pairs, always putting the new tires on the rear, and moving the former rear tires to the front.) One time I tried Dunlop SP 40s on the rear axle. These lasted only about 24K miles as I recall, wearing most quickly in the center of the tread (no different tire pressure from the Michelins).

carcarcarCar

Today, I found 2mm Gap between Trunk body and passanger side tail lenz( break light, maybe). I can see the backlight bulb wire through gap. I went to dealer ship to fix it. it is 700mile OTD now, only weeks fresh. Dealer service center told me, even though they change new tail lenz, gap is not solved. He also told me, the same model has similar gap in there and they saw me. Please check this gap for all owner and let us discuss.

radcam

With regards to the seats, I have a 2009 V6SE, and I'm 6'2", 275lbs. I'm very comfortable now, but will mention that I had some small issues until I backed out the lumbar support completely.

I also make sure the the front is lifted a bit, but I don't feel that setting is as critical as the lumbar.

I've previously had a similar issue when I rent Lincoln Town Cars to drive from the Bay Area to L.A. and back. Designed to be a freeway cruiser, but until I make that adjustment, I tend to squirm.

Good Luck!

exler

I spoke with a dealer--he said I have performance tires on as original equipment tires. He said they do not give great tread wear especially in this state with hills and curving roads. They are rated 260 in tread wear. I will get about 18-20K on them. I would say no more performance tires for me when replacing. I expect at least 40K for tires.

notmybmw

Dear Exler.
Your dealer is a moron.
Anyone who claims that a brand new 2009 Camry has "performance" tires mounted on it is either living in dreamland (and needs another Valium) or has delusions about entering the Paris-Dakar Rally......in his standard Corolla!!

There's only one possible salvation for your dealer, and that is, if the car was USED when you bought it.....then the person who owned it first must have PUT the high performance tires on it........and HE'S the moron!

210delray

The Camry SE model comes with either performance tires or all-season tires as a no-cost option. In a footnote in the Toyota brochure, it says, "Performance tires are expected to experience greater tire wear than conventional tires. Tire life may be less than 24,000 miles, depending upon driving conditions."

jackmalak

My Toyota Camry SE 2009 just got it 01/09.

My back is killing me...after multiple attempts to "ask" for help from Toyota and denied, denied,denied or they just told me I was too short, tall, fat, skinny whatever..the complaint went on deaf ears...funny how the service managers slide there hand on the seat and say "There's nothing wrong" crackes up me and my co-workers who came to the dealeship w/ me. They never sit it the car..what a joke.

I took the car to an retired Honda engineer that has his "snow bird' home near my family's...

Conclusion : THE LUMBAR IS PUT IN THE WRONG PLACE---YOUR SIZE DOES NOT MATTER..THE LUMBAR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR BACK WRONG!!
THAT IS NOT LUMBAR. BUT I GUESS THE TOYOTA REPS WERE PROBLABY DRUNK ON SACHI WHEN THEY HAD THAT CLASS...

Anyway its all good an going to trade the car for a Honda Accord in the spring...we'll take the loss...

wwest

Many Toyota and Lexus vehicles with heated seats have two good size (~1.5x1x0.25 inch) epoxy, HARD plastic, thermostatic switches mounted on the seat base just under the leather covering at the back just about where a person's tail bone would be.

exler

Two large tire dealers told me that they have seen many performance tires(not high performance tires) on the 08 Camry LE that I have, as original equipment. They said one will not get high tread wear from these type tires. Maybe 20K.

notmybmw

The word "performance" as it relates to the type/brand of tires being installed on new Camrys, (at least those for sale in your neck of the woods) is obviously being used very "loosely".
There's absolutely no need for a "performance" tire on a 150(ish) hp car with a 4 cylinder automatic under the hood. That is, if what they mean by 'performance' is "HIGH" performance. If they DON'T mean HIGH performance.......then they shouldn't say PERFORMANCE at all.
If it's not 'high' performance......it's a tire. Plain and simple. And if it's only getting 20k miles.....then it's a CRAPPY tire. And I think I can say this with some level of authority, since neither the brand nor model of tire is quoted anywhere in the sales literature or on the website. It's a crappy tire that probably cost the factory somewhere around 20 bucks. If the tire were anything to brag about.....they'd BRAG about it...but they don't. I'm amazed they even give you the size!
Think about it. The SE (4cyl automatic) has no more horsepower, goes no faster and is pretty much the same as the base model......except for some trim. Don't you have to ask yourself why the factory would put a "lower" life tire on the car? (Or in their words: a tire that "experiences greater tire wear".)
In short, if their "PERFORMANCE" tires are projected to get only 24 thousand miles OR LESS......ask your dealer to do himself (and you) a favor: save themselves some money and swap the "performance" tires for some [non-permissible content removed] old Michelins that 'only' get 30 or 40,000 miles.

jackmalak

So your saying that the HARD PLASTIC THERMOSTATIC SWITCHES MOUNTED ON THE BASE OF THE SEAT WHERE THE TAIL IS.......

IN ADDITION TO LUMBAR BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF CONSUMERS BACK...

UUHHH... IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO KNOW THIS...

HEY TOYOTA HAVE ANOTHER SACHI....MAYBE I'LL TAKE A FEW NIPS OF SACHI SO MY BACK DOES NOT KILL ME ANYMORE !!

BETTER YET DUMP THE CUP HOLDER ADD A SACHI HOLDER--WHAT THE HECK A GOOD BUZZ BETTER THAN AN PAINFUL BACK...

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES GUYS....!! :lemon:

dmathews3

So why not just take it to a good seat place and have them replace the guts of the seat and make it so it fits you better. Should be a whole lot cheaper. :confuse:

jackmalak

ON A BRAND NEW CAR??

I MAY HAVE TO MY WIFE JUST FOUND OUT SHE IS PREGNANT ----- THAT SEAT IS ONLY GOING TO COMPLICATE MATTERS---- WHAT DO WE DO GUT THE SEAT HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND SAFETY......

I 'VE HAD HONDAS, BMW, MERCEDES MY SONS CAR IS A 1YR OLD HYUNDAI A KOREAN COMPANY THAT IS HERE TO PLEASE-- THERE WAS NEVER A QUESTION WHEN IT CAME TO COMPLAINT ----TOYOTA IS JOKE WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMER SERVICE-- JUST RESEARCH IT YOURSELF

SACHI FOR ALL :lemon:

zhengm

My camry is a based model without electronic seat or lumbar support. I still feel comfortable. Probably you can solve this problem tilt seat front seat a little bit as recommended by radcam? I don't know what is lumbar support, so I can't comment. But camry is really fun to drive.

exler

If I would have known that about performance tires when I bought the car I would have asked the car dealer to do that switch. It is about, living and learning. I do agree on Michelin--had some on a new Corolla that lasted 38K. In ads here I see "performance" tires advertised all the time along with "touring" tires. No more performance tires for me.

jackmalak

Tried that ... the Lumbar is in the wrong place...Read up on what Lumbar support is supposed to do...

Then google human anatomy of the spine...and you will see where Lumbar is on the back on all humans regardless of height, size, weight, etc. etc..

I guess part was over -looked...by Toyota??? :confuse:

mcdawgg

I mean no disrespect, but I have read very few complaints about seat comfort of the 6th generation Camry on Edmunds Carspace and other Toyota-specific website forums. Bottom line - seat comfort of the 2007 - current Camry is NOT a widespread complaint. Maybe yours is just different, or it just doesn't fit you personally. One suggestion - take it to another dealer. Good luck.

dmathews3

Maybe if you went to a place that replaces the material on seats they could fix it for you real easy. I'm betting they can pull the cover off the back and remove the air bladder and all would be well. They may even put in a thin piece of foam to replace the bladder if needed. Most seat back material is real easy to remove as long as they don't have the side air bags in the seat itself. Get out your yellow pages and call a couple places and tell them your problem over the phone and they may be able to say whether they can do something or not. Just don't take the first persons word if he says he can't fix it as less face it, these seats were put together from scarach the first time and can be fixed the same way. May not take any longer to find out than it does to complain here.

jackmalak

No Disrespect talken.....

Really you have the data that this it's not a widespread problem?

There are many problems plus the Prius has the same complaint...it's all over the net...come on do you work for Toyota ? :surprise:

However maybe you should do your research as I have done mine, there are complaints about this issue on the net..not just on Edmunds...do a google search.

I guess with increased market share Toyota is now a "hubristic" company, they have what they want you can take it or leave it... just a part of the cycle.

SACHI FOR ALL :lemon:

pat

Just because someone reports different experiences than you've had does not mean they work for Toyota.

I'm sorry you are unhappy and hope things work out for you. But please don't take your unhappiness out on us - we didn't do this to you.

jackmalak

I wanted to thank the board for all of the feedback on this issue, it has been
educational to share ideas and experiences with other Camry owners.

Cheers-

dmathews3

So have you made any calls on fixing the seat?

jackmalak

Dave-

Not yet- Once I have that seat touched by a 3rd party the factory warranty is void.

We bought a brand new car, and we put less than 2000 mile on it.

Not sure how this affects, safety, air-bags, insurance, there is a lot to consider.

Safest bet sell the car and buy a Honda or Hyundai, I 'd love to the buy the 2010 Ford Taurus... now that's a beautiful car. Check it out-- This is a HOT car. :shades:

Thanks for your feedback-

dmathews3

The factory warranty is not void by having someone fit the seat. Just like if you add headers to the engine it isn't voided unless Toyota can prove that the headers caused the problem. If your tranny goes south, fixing the seat will NOT void the warranty. There is a federal law on that.

jackmalak

Dave-

This is a sticky subject.

If the driver were to get into any accident and the air-bags do not deploy this is a problem. (as an example)

#1 Toyota will inspect the car and note that the seat was "modified" thus removing them from liability. and an insurance company may not cover the driver or passenger.

#2 If there is another problem w/ the seat, and Toyota notes it was modified they will not make the repair.

#3 These are legal issues and Toyotas legal department has more resources than any consumer to prove or dis-prove fault.

Thus, we are choosing to sell the car and honestly disclose all details about the seat issue to the potential buyer's.

We have a family to raise, in tough times mind you ,we do not need headaches about car.

However, we appreciate your comments and attempts to a solution.

Cheers !

exler

Anyone have this problem when going over a speed bump around 10-12 mph? It is most easily heard in that situation, but also will be heard on the road when hitting a sharp pothole at higher speeds in town at 20-35 mph. Thanks for any input.

dmathews3

Just trying to help, presonally I prefer American vehicles as there is a larger dealer network and if I'm not happy the way my selling dealer does something I can take it elsewhere as where I live for example there are 5 Chevy dealers in the metro area and another 5 within 25 miles of my house where as there is only one Toyota dealer within 75 miles and according to my buddy it is take it or leave it.

mm9

I read a user's review on CarsDirect.com (didn't specify what year Camry model he had), and he said:
"I test drove the V6LE to see if the available power was more pronounced than the 4 cyl. Well it was, but it always had a delay in response (1-2 seconds). Most cars other cars that I have driven have an immediate response when I "jump on it". I depend on this response when I encounter a situation that requires it."

Has this been your experience as well? thanks!

paul3637

No delayed response in my 2009 LE V6. Virtually flawless performance with the very powerful engine. One Toyota dealer 5W30 oil change at 4000 miles. No warranty defects or any other reason to bring the car back in 7400 miles. I use premium fuel and get 30 mpg in 50/50 city/highway driving. Also, no sign of transmission issues like some with the 4 cyl engine report.

wwest

You may have been encountering the "re-acceleration/downshift delay of 1-2 seconds that seems to be systemic throughout the Toyota and Lexus FWD or F/awd product line. There is now a gas pedal/throttle management technique that most drivers can easily learn in order to avoid this design flaw.

Lift, FULLY lift, the gas pedal quickly/rapidly and the transaxle will be more likely to remain in the current lower gear, say in preparation for a quick return to acceleration. On the other hand ease up slowly on the pedal/throttle and the transaxle will upshift accordingly and now be in the wrong gear (with ATF line pressure exhausted thereby no ability to quickly downshift) if you should wish to quickly return to acceleration.

There is also the issue of the V6 TC system trying to prevent wheelspin/slip due to too much engine torque being applied for conditions. It is entirely possible that if the OAT is near or below freezing , of your having recently encountered wheelspin'slip, the V6 engine HP/torque will be automatically derated in the lower gear ratios.

Remember that even momentary loss of traction on the front wheels is a much more serious matter than having that happen on a RWD vehicle, so the TC control firmware will be different.

wwest

With a V6 engine and FWD or F/awd the manufacturer may very well know that the engine can too easily overcome the traction coefficient of the front drive/stearing wheels and therefore uses the DBW system to automatically derate the engine in low gear ranges and low speeds. The effect would be even more pronounced if you happen to be turning at the same time.

As a matter of fact it is my opinion that almost any vehicle built in the last 5-6 years will automatically derate the engine response in a tight low speed accelerating turn, especially from a full stop.

radcam

FYI,

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice.

This beverage is called sake in English, but in Japanese, sake (酒) or o-sake (お酒) refers to alcoholic drinks in general. The Japanese term for this specific beverage is Nihonshu (日本酒), meaning "Japanese sake."

exler

I have an 08 and the dealer said there is a TSB to correct this--happens mainly in cold weather. Don't know if others have the same situation?

bjosephs

My wife just took delivery of a new LE and is experiencing a feeling like driving over a rough road when she drives between 38 and 42 m.p.h. The dealer claims it's like a manual transmission left in the wrong gear until the rpm's catch up with the speed being driven. Has anyone else experienced this condition and if so what has the solution been? Thanks.

kiawah

Have the dealer check for a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin), dealing with this. Older 2007's and 2008's had this problem, I'm suspecting you have an early build 2009. It's about a 1/2 hour warranty fix which is reprogramming the computer, adjusting engine performance and transmission shift points.

As a test, downshift the gear selector into 4, as opposed to 5, and I suspect you'll find the noise/vibration goes away. You can also get around the problem by driving more aggressively with more throttle, winding out the gears further.

Read the Camry forums, it's been widely discussed.

bjosephs

Thanks for the quick reply. Your suggestion is exactly what I tried earlier and found that the problem did go away. So now it's off to the dealer with this information and hopefully get the TSB taken care of.