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2007 Toyota Camry Transmission Gear Snap Ring Issue: TMSUSA Responds
Talk about 2007 Camry transmission issues here.
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I have stopped babying the car and it really takes off: smooth, powerful, nearly imperceptible shifts... I give up a couple mpg for the lead foot, though.
One additional note: I saw a Japan assembled Camry and it had the same 75% US parts count as the US assembled cars. In other words, they ship the same US parts we have here to Japan for them to assemble.
Today (4/24/2006, 16 days after buying the car) it started lurching badly when accelerating moderately from a stop at about 20 mph: the revs go all over the place and it revs up to 5000 or more. The transmission shifts hopelessly up and down, slipping and sliding back and forth from gear to gear. It has a bad smell after this.
This is a big problem and it is unsafe to drive. I called Rice Toyota and they had me call their wrecker to haul it to the dealership. I was gambling that Toyota would have the bugs worked out but clearly this is a big problem. I lost.
People always say wait till the car has been out a year before buying it. This is a good illustration of why. If other posts are any indication, my car could be at the shop for 2 weeks or longer.
Goodbye, Camry! See ya next month!
Again beest of luck.
Someone said that Toyota stop shipping the V6 auto for awhile, but has started to do again. Maybe the problem is fix... but still scary.
I am expecting my dealer to get the SE V6 anytime this week and is asking me to give a deposit so it will be mine (based on our agreed price of course). Now I am getting scared if I should go through buying the car now or maybe just wait for a few months.
Maybe the others can share their experiences on the v6 automatic trans? I heard it is affecting only the V6 auto (but again this is just based on what I read at the other forum).
Good luck, I hope they fix it well.
FiloD
This is truly sound advice. Our 05 Legacy required an entire engine transplant at 7000 miles after multiple defects were discovered with the block due to improper manufacturing, leading the car to literally break down on US130 in So. Central NJ. Car was out of commission for two weeks.
I'm surprised at the issue with the Camry transmission; this unit is already mated to the V6 in the Lexus IS. What I'd like to know is how many complaints are actual failures, such as yours, faldoc, and how many simply represent dissatisfaction with performance?
~alpha
Cooked tranny fluid?
~alpha
Six cars reported on another forum as of today.
Cooked tranny fluid?"
I love the smell of burned clutch facings sauteed in cooked tranny fluid in the morning. It smells like ... disaster. Pure speculation on my part, but, since Toyota has a new ATF - "T-V", I'm wondering if the previous "T-IV" fluid was inadvertently installed in some of these 6-sp trannies at the factory. The good news, these failures happened early on and definitely during the warranty - no way Toyota can duck out (not that they were trying to).
On a side note, for those, like me, who enjoy getting down and dirty with their cars' maintenance, but additionally feel that limited distribution specialty motor oils and certain transmission fluids which claim compatibiity with automaker fluids are a cool way to surpass automaker performance specifications, think twice before assumptively substituting. I don't doubt that any product can be improved on. I'm just not sure that a product that claims to be an improvement always delivers on its claim.
(Another rock-solid test of "performance" is, in the event of a problem, "Who loves ya', Baby?"
I told him though that I will be calling him again in a few months...and even buying then will not be difficult as today because of limited inventories.
Hopefully in a few months, Toyota should have solved the transmission problem (I really like the SE V6 with navi)
Speak for yourself. The choice to purchase an auto tranny has little to do with desire for effort or lack thereof. It is more related to practicality for many...like me.
BTW: My SE V6 is going to trip 1000 miles on my way home today and (knock on wood) has been problem free.
The Japanese auto maker, known for its stellar quality reputation, launched the redesigned 2007 Camry in March. In a press release issued Tuesday, Toyota said six-cylinder models of the new car have the potential for the loss of second and sixth gear while being driven.
Buyers experiencing the problem are being encouraged to return the car to a Toyota dealership where it can be fixed.
Toyota said the condition is expected to affect about a half-percent of early Camry sales and the car will operate even if second and sixth gear is lost. The company said the condition usually manifests within the first 500 miles of operation and is caused by a fastener within the transmission becoming loose. Toyota has changed its production process on the Camry to ensure the problem doesn't persist in forthcoming models.
We've found that some of the earliest built 07 Camry V6 transmissions do have the potential to operate improperly—specifically with the 2nd and 6th gears. It has to do with something called the snap ring and the way it is seated as the automatic transmission moves through its gears.
When it decides to not “seat” properly, those two gears just don’t work right—but the car operates and is safe to drive.
No question—When it happens, it’s awfully disconcerting. Some of our customers are angry.
We want to know about any occurrences of this condition immediately, and ask that affected customers contact their Toyota dealership or talk to us directly at 800-331-4331—or here via this forum if that’s more convenient. Toyota and our dealers will work with every customer that experiences this problem to achieve total satisfaction and confidence with their new Camry. Our apologies to faldoc for his inconvenience and disappointment—But a big thank you for your frank dialog.
Kudos to Toyota.
The article I read used the words "calling back" and I interpreted this to mean "recall" which I used as the title of my post. If this is inaccurate, I apologize.
I would however be interested to know just how TMUSA has figured the percentage of Camry V6 owners who are subject to this problem, and why TMUSA has chosen to not issue a formal recall. If what one of the owners here said is accurate - sudden variations in RPM's and an inability to drive smoothly - this would seem to be a safety issue for unsuspecting owners who are not notified in advance.
FiloD
Thanks to tmsusa for providing input here, and I'm glad that this was a manufacturing issue caught early, as compared to the hestitation issue with the old 5A that was largely due to the design of the transmission.
Not sure if the problem is "SOLVED", but recognition of the issue and offer of rectification is DEFINITELY a step in the right direction.
~alpha
TMSUSA refers to fixable production failures not to the
design or algorithms for the control of the tranny.
I too will wait and see.
The issue with OLD, unrelated 5A that is still in use in some Toyota vehicles (but not this Camry), is one of design and response.
According to Toyota's own Press Release and all the mag reviews I've read of the 6A, the transmission (when working properly) has no design or algorithmic control issues. Regarding the 6A vs. the former 5A coupled with the 3.0L and 3.3L V6 Toyota states "transmission kickdown response was cut to 0.5 seconds, more than twice as fast as the response of the transmission this new one replaces."
~alpha
I am glad Toyota has discovered the problem and is not trying to hide or stay silent. The ONLY little peculiar thing I see about this transmission is that when driving around 35 MPH (35-40) around town and I let off the gas it seems to slow down a little faster than you would expect. It is like you apply a "little" brake, but without touching the brake. I figure it is just the way Toyota has the computer set for the transmission. Maybe that speed is right where it is between two gears and when I let off it down shifts. It is a very smooth shifting transmission. I hope my luck continues. As I said, we really like this car.
Mike
This is not a safety issue. If it occurs, the car will still operate safely, but you'll know if it happens because it will drive more like your grandfather's . . .not quite as smoothly as expected from a Toyota. We just want to help our customers as quickly as possible.
From what you have posted, it sounds like Toyota has identified the source of the problem. What must be performed (after you take it to the dealership) to fix it? :confuse:
Has Toyota been able to resolve this problem for future built Camrys? How will you be able to tell if your Camry might have the possibility for this problem?
Sorry if it's a lot of questions, but I was going to take my mother Camry shopping next week (this will probably be her last car).
P.S. Would you be willing to help, and give your insight to the members of the "Toyota Avalon 2005+" board? Some are experiencing a "Transmission Hesitation" and they are coming up with "Foot Placement On The Gas Pedal" theories (this is only one out of many different theories). Some members have even gone as far as modifying their gas pedal. Please, would you help?
Killerpiece :shades:
Time will tell if the 6 speed really has matured since these trannys will learn "adaptively" and shifts will change with driver inputs.
I still will wait and see if the complaints roll in.
~alpha
You can do that right now big58. Look, we would very much rather not be out here discussing a potential problem with one of our most important products. But the fact is, we stand by our Camry and value its owners. It's the dialog we are able to have with customers that is helping us react swiftly to this issue with the V6 transmission. We know what is happening when the problem occurs, and we have been able to achieve a countermeasure at production. Potential buyers need not worry.
We deeply regret the inconvenience and disappointment to our customers who have experienced the problem and are working with our dealers to make the necessary service as painless as possible.
You are very astute. The article appeared in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ.com) a little after 4:00 pm today.
April 25, 2006 5:06 p.m.
(Updates with number of vehicles potentially affected and a spokeswoman's explanation on how the problem was detected and what Toyota's method is for updating customers.)
DETROIT -- Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) is calling back approximately 160 of its best-selling Camry sedans built in the 2007 model year in order to fix a glitch with the transmission on certain models.
The Japanese auto maker, known for its stellar quality reputation, launched the redesigned 2007 Camry in March. In a press release issued Tuesday, Toyota said six-cylinder models of the new car have the potential for the loss of second and sixth gears while being driven.
Buyers experiencing the problem are encouraged in the press release to return the car to a Toyota dealership where it can be fixed. Toyota isn't sending an official letter to customers or issuing a formal recall because the issue isn't a "safety campaign or safety issue," Toyota spokeswoman Allison Takahashi said.
Toyota said the condition is expected to affect about a half-percent of early Camry sales and the car will operate even if second and sixth gears are lost. The company said the condition usually manifests within the first 500 miles of operation and is caused by a fastener within the transmission becoming loose. Toyota found the problem during durability testing, Takahashi said, and the company has changed its production process on the Camry to ensure the problem doesn't persist in forthcoming models.
P.S. We're working hard to ensure a great ownership experience for everyone in our growing customer base, but this forum discussion is specific to the 6-spd transmission concern being voiced by some of our 07 V6 Camry customers. It is not at all related to the discussion you reference on other boards nor is it any type of "carry-over" issue from other models.
I am a recent owner of a 2007 LEV6 Camry. The car was built in Japan and has less than 1000 miles. Some owners are reporting problems at 1000-2000 miles even though the press release states most problems occur in the first 500 miles.
Since I have bought the car, I have been so concerned about about a transmission problem, that I spend little time enjoying the ride but constantly listen or trying to determine if there is a problem. I do not want to be driving down the road or passing in 6th gear when the car starts to buck or lunge. I would like to catch the problem first if that is possible.
Is there any way to verify that the car is free from this transmission defect..either by the VIN number, manufacturing location, series number, inspection or other means. If not, at what mileage can I feel reasonably comfortable that the car is not going to experience this problem. I do not feel 500 miles is the milestone given the reports by other owners.
Thanks,
Max_99
I am new to this forum. I would like to know your opinions. I am a new driver and this is my first car. I am interested in Camry 2007 LE 4 cyln automatic. I test drove this trim and I liked it. I liked its interior however I noticed one thing after driving Honda Accord,Sonata and this camry. I feel that when it start from rest initailly there is jerk of gear change at lower speed in automatic model. I am not sure becos I am new driver. I also feel the same jerk in accord ( it was less than camry) but not in sonata ( but this sonata was V6 I do not know whether it makes a diff). I become more suspicious after hearing XLE V6 case. I have put on hold buying 2007 Camry LE auto 4cyl
Can you clarify this doubt?
It's not quite as dramatic as that max_99. If it happens, you could lose the use of a couple of gears. If you've ever driven a stick shift, you might think of it as somewhat akin to purposely skipping a gear up or down, say like going from first directly to third gear. The car won't operate as smoothly.
Of course tmsusa is sensitive to your concerns, and the condition as described is totally unacceptable. Why don't you call us directly to discuss this with one of our Toyota Customer Experience Case Managers?
The number is 800-331-4331.
They are there from 5am until 6pm Pacific Time during the week, but we've also added some additional information regarding this issue that you can hear 24/7.
Thanks for being a Toyota customer and sharing your concerns via this forum.
I echo max 99's question - is there any way to know in advance if we have one of the models prone to this early model transmission problem? Thanks.
I know and completely understand this fact, I was only asking If you would be willing (as a knowledgeable Toyota representative I thought you would be able to help some of these people).
I must take note that you didn't answer any of my questions though!
Killerpiece :shades: